Nightscape long exposure photography help

[big_apple_ken]

Hi guys, I just started to look at long exposure nightscape photography and had a few newbie questions in regards to it. Hopefully the more experienced photogs can answer my questions. They are:

1) What is the benefit of long exposure nightscape photography? If shooting in pitch black surroundings yield photos that look like they were shot during the day...why wouldn't you just shoot during the day?

2) If the surroundings are pitch black what is the best way to get proper focus? I'm assuming if the subject is close you can always use a flashlight to get proper focus first but what happens if the subject is far away?

[gopack471]

1) They don't look like day shots. It's a whole different view of things - subjects lit in very different light with a dark sky often looks surreal and is a very interesting effect. Here's one from last year that definitely could have benefited from a wider lens but you get the picture.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s44/tpodell140/DSC00698.jpg

2) One of the biggest problems. The flashlight thing is something that normally takes people a while to figure out but is an invaluable tool. You need to prefocus with your own light source most of the time. If the objects so far off that you can't reach it with your light source, odds are you can MF to infinity at that distance.

Remember a cable release and mirror lockup, and obviously a tripod. Mine are usually shot at f/8-11 and ISO 100, but I haven't done one in a long time. Best time to shoot is at dusk when there's still a little color left in the sky

[Todd Lambert]

Night photography is my absolute favorite. There's nothing quite like standing in a dark alley in the wrong section of town, at 3am on a full moon, to get your blood flowing.

It's also extremely challenging. I try not to get shots that look like daytime. That usually happens when you leave it open for too long.

The flashlight it a must, if you're gonna work in dark situations. LiveView is also a HUGE plus, allowing you to nail the focus.

[PhotosGuy]

Some of the best "night shots" I've seen were taken before it's totally dark while there's still some light left in the sky. You don't need much, but you need some.
Lets See Your 30 sec. exposures (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=4476828)

Almost night: Vegasboy's Corvette shots:
Red C6 Z06 rolling black wheels (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=463193)

Warship at sundown (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=516721)

[Jdumas]

lots of info here (http://www.thenocturnes.com). Have fun and be safe.