How can I take landscape night shots better? Please advise!!

I took this photo recently, however I could have done a better job for sure. Just wanted to know how?
This is taken at below spec using Canon 60D with 17-55 lens:
Exp - 30 sec
Iso - 800
F 16
Had a CPL filter on the lens

Your question warrants a question in response:

What do you not like about this image, and what were/are you hoping to achieve? 'Better' is very subjective, and to some, this image may be perfect, and to others, it is miserable.

So, what is your goal with this one?

KirkS518 wrote in post #14897538
Your question warrants a question in response:

What do you not like about this image, and what were/are you hoping to achieve? 'Better' is very subjective, and to some, this image may be perfect, and to others, it is miserable.

So, what is your goal with this one?

Agree! what do you want to improve upon in this image?

I wanted to improve composition, lighting and quality of the snap (less grain, sharpness etc...)

Why did you use a CPL? The blues are blue enough (in fact they are too blue IMO). If you didn't use the CPL then you could have reduced the ISO to 200, got the same exposure and reduced a lot of the noise in this image. I also would not have used f/16. f/5.6 - f/8 would have been a better choice IMO thuse reducing the shutter speed and reducing noise even more. I like the comp having the waterline in the center of the image and the hill off to one side.

1. Make sure IS is off (precautionary measure, to make sure that it doesn't vibrate during the exposure)
2. Bring your ISO down, unless you're shooting stars; this will help reduce noise in the final image
3. Use a DoF calculator, such as DoFMaster to figure out your DoF, and or approx. Hyperfocal distance. Then prefocus your lens on something at that distance before it gets dark. That way, you have your focus set and aren't trying to force the camera to focus in the pitch black

I like the exposure/colors and your framing is good. Just needs a few tweaks for better results; but, you're most of the way there as it is.

ashikuli1 wrote in post #14897816
I wanted to improve composition, lighting and quality of the snap (less grain, sharpness etc...)

I like the composition, this is one of those times where the rule of thirds wouldn't work as well. I might crop out the house(s) on the far left that are by themselves, the line of the hillside draws my eye to the right, but the house on the left tries to pull it back to the left. It may also make the hillside lines even cooler.

As said earlier, not sure why you used the CPL, but it is what it is. Live and learn. Were you hoping to reduce the brightness/spread of the lights?

Elimination of the CPL would probably have taken care of your other concerns.

Overall a good image, albeit I don't think the subject is too exciting/spectacular.

use a lower ISO if you don't want to have as much noise...i'd just shoot at f8...also why a CPL if you are actually going for a reflection here

shoot it during the day with a 10 stop nd filter

at night I use iso 100 only.....since not capturing moving things and your on a tripod...and it doesn't matter how long you have to be there.....since we don't rush night shots or you end up with bad results...lower fstop will also give you less points(star effect) on your lights...

if you shoot during the day with nd you won't have all the shore lights....

Great reflection. I normally use a max of ISO of 200 unless I'm doing something tricky.

Was this taken during twilight? it would limit the exposure time and give the darkness of the buildings and their surroundings.

If it was twilight and you waited for the sun to disappear it would allow for longer exposures and more detail in the darker areas.