Please help, trying to figure out night shots with digital.

[KCMO]

I need some help here.

I took this photo with about an 15 second bulb time most setting were the default setting except I had to bump up to f-18 to get enough light. Something about it bugs me, I can do better than this, any ideas?

http://photos.imageevent.com/kcgridlock/kcphotos/large/CRW_0565_mod.jpg

[eljustino]

In many ways it's not a bad pic at all

1: You might actually get a better result with a shorter exposure (ie darker pic), and in any case you should bracket (ie take several which are exposed more/less)

2: Is it misty or something? I'm not sure it is but the picture looks a bit hazy. I reckon you've got some light which is not visible in the shot, but is causing the haze. Try a lens hood, or shielding the lens from bright stray light with your hand. You'll be able to tell you're doing it right if your hand is casting a shadow over the front of the lens (but of course not blocking your shot!)

3: Let's make sure I understand you correctly - you say "bump up to f18 to get more light" - either you really mean f1.8 or you don't understand aperture. The higher the f number, the less light. But for a shot like this f8-f11 usually works best with most lenses.

4: Try a selection of white balance settings inc daylight, fluorescent and tungsten

[delhi]

it is a little bit 'hazy' than what I would expect. Check out the Montreal pic!
F18 would yield some purtty dark picture. Perhaps 5-8" shutter speed is all you need to get those light trails and yet maintain a darker picture?

[KCMO]

I took about twenty pics at all kinds of f-stops and at different exposures. This was the best one and it's only this good after some heavy photoshopping.

It's just starting to really frustrate me. Thanks for the advise though, I will see if it helps.

[Andy_T]

Are you referring to f/1.8 or f/18? Quite a difference.

f/18 would be very dark, f/1.8 might not be sharp enough.
Try something like f/5.6, if it's too slow, crank up the ISO to 1600.

Best regards,
Andy

[Michaelmjc]

I really like the picture, I think it would look better if the sky was blacker. But you could always photoshop it.

[amitnike]

i like the pic too ... wish i had b mode in my a60 :( .. well a darker sky wud surely giveit more punch .. try shrter exposure time nex time