Nightshots

[arjunrc]

20D+17-40L

Big Ben at Sunset

http://www.pbase.com/arjunrc/image/42689681.jpg

Louvre at Night
http://www.pbase.com/arjunrc/image/42648679.jpg

Sanfrancisco skyline
http://www.pbase.com/arjunrc/image/37379388.jpg

[wonton]

I just want to say that this is awesome. I am going to London and Paris in 2 weeks and would love to chat more to you about how you got these shots to turn out so good.

With the landscape shots did you "stitch" them together? If so, how did you do it without seeing the lines? Or did you crop the top and bottom?

Did you use any filters?

Last question, in the summer time, what is the best time to take a picture like the Big Ben one?

[arjunrc]

Hi Wonton,
Thanks for your kind comments.

I visited the UK and Paris a couple of months ago - I have posted images as well as commentary at http://www.pbase.com/arjunrc/united_kingdom and http://www.pbase.com/arjunrc/paris

The pictures that were posted were stitched (2 frames).

Please feel free to ask any questions.
In response to your specific Qs:

a) Do I use filters - polarizer only. I wish I owned a grad filter - but I make do with Photoshop layer blending as a compromise.

b) How do I straighten, well, I use a bubble level to align the photos and then any additional straightening is done while post processing.


If you are going to the UK, try and see the royal crescent at Bath as well as the country side.

Bath is very pretty. For example,

http://www.pbase.com/arjunrc/image/42689674.jpg

and

http://www.pbase.com/arjunrc/image/42689672.jpg


Be wary of the weather in the UK - it can rain at the drop of the hat.

Paris is a magnificent place. A photographer's dream. My recc. for paris - do the insides of the Louvre, versailles and others during the day - leave the nights and evenings for the outside

for Example:

http://www.pbase.com/arjunrc/image/42648644.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/arjunrc/image/42648653.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/arjunrc/image/42648646.jpg

[wonton]

Do you use Photoshop? If so, what technique are you doing? I am fairly new to photography and photoshop. I have Photoshop CS. My biggest problem when stiching is to get rid of the lines that stich them together. I have tried blending the lines and such but does not turn out real well.

What lens do you use the majority of the time?

I will be going to London for 3 days and Paris for 3 days. I know, it is not enough time. How far is Bath from London? I am staying near Sloane Square.

[arjunrc]

Hi,
1. Yes, I use PS. What technique I use depends on what I want to do - for the most part, in photoshop I usually apply the following steps:

a) Crop image
b) Adjust Saturation (increase) for images where I want a velvia ish look
c) Sharpen image (USM 75,0.7,2 for web display)

Sometimes, for certain landscapes, I make a copy of the original layer, set mode to multiply and apply a layer mask gradient to only affect the sky (this is what I would not have to do if I owned some grad filters)

2. Stitching - I don't use photoshop to stitch. I use another utility called Panorama tools - its a little more complicated to use but offers good control. To get rid of the 'lines' make sure you use exposure blending (its usually an option) and then use the clone/heal brush in photoshop to eliminate remaining lines

3. Another tip - if you are shooting panoramas and plan on using a polarizer, be careful to adjust the polarizer to ensure that color reproduction does not vary, or, don't use a polarizer if you can avoid it. This will reduce color differences.

4. Lens: for most landscapes, I use my 17-40L - it offers a fantastic perspective

5. I stayed in hampstead, UK. Bath was around 2 hours driving.

regds
arjun


Do you use Photoshop? If so, what technique are you doing? I am fairly new to photography and photoshop. I have Photoshop CS. My biggest problem when stiching is to get rid of the lines that stich them together. I have tried blending the lines and such but does not turn out real well.

What lens do you use the majority of the time?

I will be going to London for 3 days and Paris for 3 days. I know, it is not enough time. How far is Bath from London? I am staying near Sloane Square.

[wonton]

Thanks you have been very helpful. I will post some pics when I get back. I looked at your website. It is amazing. I loved the feel of the pictures from Paris, especially the night shots with the cafes and people. I am really hoping I get some of those types.Is a 17-40L a wide angle lens? Doesn't that distort the images?

[arjunrc]

Thanks. Yes, 17-40 is WA and it does distort, especially when it comes to monuments at such. But as long as you are not taking the picture from a low angle facing up, the effect is not bad. Though at times, you do need to do perspective correction in photoshop, depending on what effect you are after.

[bikerider]

Absolutely stunning shots, Ill be checking out your website!
Roger.

[arjunrc]

Thanks Roger - please feel free to leave your thoughts behind !
(Photographers are like little babies - they need constant encouragement ;-) )

regds
arjun


Absolutely stunning shots, Ill be checking out your website!
Roger.

[sparker1]

Wonderful shots, and you're very nice to explain so much of your technique. We can all learn from each other. Thanks for posting.

[arjunrc]

Stan, you are very welcome. I always believe in sharing. I keep an online archive on several retouching workflows, if that sort of things interests you:

http://www.pbase.com/arjunrc/retouching

regds
arjun





Wonderful shots, and you're very nice to explain so much of your technique. We can all learn from each other. Thanks for posting.

[Titus213]

Wonderful images! The colors, composition and subjects are terrific.

I appreciate the tutorials you have posted also. Thank you very much. I'm sure I'll spend lots of time on them.

[arjunrc]

thanks folks - your comments are very kind
regds
arjun

[grooveandmelody]

Awesome! Your pictures make me want to visit these places.

[Sathi]

Your stitch of the Louvre is amazing. The shot of the paris street corner is also really good.

[arjunrc]

thanks to you both. Paris is an amazing place - a dream come true for a photographer !

[cheme]

Your website is awesome. You got some great captures up there.

[Lamplight]

Absolutely incredible images! Downright amazing, actually. 8)

[Leorooster]

They are all amazing shots. Thanks for sharing both your pics and techniques.

[adebass]

Excellent photos mate.Particularly like the royal creescent, though thats prob me being biased as i grew up in Bath.

[arjunrc]

Thanks everyone ! abebass, I envy you for having grown up in Bath. What an quaint and pretty little place !

regds
arjun

[GTogs]

Wonderful Captures! Thanks for sharing the photos and techniques.

[pinball]

Outstanding shots!!

[RioJoe]

Arjun,
It does not get much better than this.
Thanks for the posting and great tips.