Where am I going wrong?

Hi,

Could anyone offer some advice or tips on taking night shots?

Recently, I was taking some shots of moving cars attempting to get the trailing headlights effect, but they were so bad that I have basically binned them. If necessary I can post an image as an example.

Now the trailing headlights were almost spot on but the background was so blurry and out of focus. Where am I going wrong? Is the shutter open for too long?

My thoughts are that it has to do with 3 things:
1) The shutter is open too long or not long enough
2) The aperture is too big or too small
3) Camera shake

Am I in the right area?

Any hints, tips or suggestions (clean that is!!) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Hi Tony,

I'll take a shot at helping you out.

First thing, you need to get yourself the cable release. This will remove the shake that you'll get when pressing the shutter button.

Secondly, set camera to shutter lock up, this will also help to stop camera shake. Just remember to press shutter twice when you go to take the image.

Hope this helps you out.

Blurry background is caused by bigger apertures (so low f-values), which your camera will set when in auto- or p-mode in badly lit scenes.

Solution: use a tripod, activate the timer, and set aperture at f/8 or smaller (thus higher f-value). Adjust shutter time to aperture to get enough light and your photo will be sharp.

P.

I trust you were not trying to do it hand held?

It needs to be firmly held down, so the buildings don't move during the long shutter release.

Graham

Just realized I errored in a way.

When I said shutter lock up, I meant to say Mirror lock up.

That's what I get for posting after working graveyard shift.

Hi guys,

Appreciate the replies. Notes have been taken.

Yep, I was trying to do it hand held with no tripod. First mistake!

Apart from looking through the forum can anyone recommend a good tripod that does not cost the earth and will do the job for me?

Thanks

Briefly (cos it's a subject that can get very involved), the cheaper ones are more flimsy but light. Up the cost scale they get more rigit but heavier and furthest up the scale, they get more rigid but lighter.

All are a compromise between cost, weight and rigidity. I chose a manfrotto 055 which is in the rigid but heavy(er) category. I am happy, but would not like to carry it up a mountain!

You can expect to pay about £100 plus a head will be c£50 or so for a good set-up.

Graham

When I first tried night with no tripod. Lets not go there... Tripod w/ no remote button, no timer..... Lets not go there. Tripod and timer.... Much better......Tripod and RC-5... much better, Happy Happy yeah me!!! SNOOPY DANCE TIME !!!!
Tripods many are cost effective..Try the Sunset ST-4000, I got mine free some where I do not know where. I remember when I bought my first fish tank. Hundreds of dollars. With in a year I had a dozen for a quarter of the price... just get out and look swap meets, garage sales ect,,Of course, if you are looking to spend lots of money... CALL ME!!!

Don't forget about the remote control (as Vince said)- waiting for the self timer can become rather tedious. I agree with Graham about the tri-pod. Evaluate your shooting style and get the best tri-pod you can afford- if you do a lot of travelling/hiking, get a light one (more $), but if you aren't lugging it around everywhere, standard one's will do. (Carry a little extra weight- it's good excercise)