what am i doing wrong.

[Maverick530]

Hey everyone im new
Im a Film Major but like photography, and the other day i was taking pictures of the sky though i think im doing it wrong, My pictures never come out very good and clear.

my settings are normally f22-f15 with iso set at like 1500 and a 30 second exposure. im using a 60D with the kit lens (im kind of Poor)
should i use that or a 50mm 1.8 (i do have one of those)

and also something about merging layers on photoshop, is that what people do?

Ps. i dont think i can send PMs just yet so im trying to get my post count up, im trying to buy a flash on here.

[Tiberius]

What problem exactly are you having? It's probably best if you post examples. But I'd suggest you start with a lower ISO and a wider aperture. f11 or f16 should be the highest you should go in general shooting.

[Maverick530]

well, the pictures are just grainy, and the sky looks like it isnt black, it looks brownish

[gewb]

Your profile doesn't say where you live. You need a dark sky area for long exposures. See this post and check the links:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?t=1168924

Regards,
GEWB

[Gojira1976]

Whatever the situation is, just keep on shooting! I would follow my own advice to, but alas, I can't, so as they say over exposure is better than under exposure, or your photos will end up like these
also have you tried manual mode?




_DSC2042 by Americo.Rodriguez., on Flickr





_DSC2059 by Americo.Rodriguez., on Flickr

[Maverick530]

Yeah I'm shooting in M mode, sorry I haven't updated my profile yet, just busy lately

[cyberon]

Maverick530, start by reading this thoroughly http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=766644

If you are attempting to take the night sky, start by using your widest aperture and widest focal length, ie at 18mm.

30 seconds will be a little bit long for untrack image at 18mm, so reduce your shutter speed to around 20s. ISO up to 1600 should be fine to get you started but remember to use live view at 10x to focus accurately.

[canadave]

Originally Posted by Maverick530

Yeah I'm shooting in M mode, sorry I haven't updated my profile yet, just busy lately

You don't need to fill it out completely, but at least your location would be helpful. Takes literally 10 seconds to do....

[z0diac]

Originally Posted by Maverick530

my settings are normally f22-f15 with iso set at like 1500 and a 30 second exposure. im using a 60D with the kit lens (im kind of Poor)
should i use that or a 50mm 1.8 (i do have one of those)

As what Tiberius said.. I would open my aperture up a bit and lower the ISO. Raising the ISO is always my last resort, unless I want a large DOF and have to stop it down.

But this will help ESPECIALLY on long exposures. Higher ISO = grainier pictures, and those grains really show up more on long exposures.

[cyberon]

Originally Posted by z0diac

As what Tiberius said.. I would open my aperture up a bit and lower the ISO. Raising the ISO is always my last resort, unless I want a large DOF and have to stop it down.

But this will help ESPECIALLY on long exposures. Higher ISO = grainier pictures, and those grains really show up more on long exposures.

Generally when shooting the night sky, DOF plays very little in the equation as you are focusing on a distant object.

ISO up to 1600 is generally fine for such images, the 60D can handle that! Remember that you are shooting an untracked image so already limited by your shutter speed to prevent trailing. Therefore any bit that helps in increasing exposure is good like ISO (up to a point) and aperture.