Night scene from my home

[aakash_vakil]

This is the first time I tried this. Read about taking such photos on DPS and Flickr and switched to M mode and did these basic settings:

- Aproximate time of picture: 7.45 PM | Location: Thane, India
- Camera Tripod Mount
- Mirror Lock-up Enabled
- Canon 350D with 18-55mm @ 18mm | Av f5 | Tv 30s | ISO 100
- Focus - Auto
- Some levels & contrast adjustment done in PS CS2

Let me know how can such snaps be improved.

Regards,
Aakash

[subrataofkris]

Hi Aakash,

May I ask you why the aperture was set to 5? The exposure looks so good, but the DOF does not because of the big aperture. Normally, we use manual focus for such photographs. Its a nice try. How did you calculate the time of exposure (30s)?

[aakash_vakil]

Hi Subrata -

I tried to set f11 and f16 - but the shutter speed needed was way higher than 30s.

I did not have a shutter release, so decided to stay with max 30s exposure and not risk a camera shake of keeping the shutter depressed by hand for >30s exposure and therefore had to select f5 and not higher.

Regards,
Aakash

[subrataofkris]

Oops! No shutter release or timer? I would say you did a great job.

[windrider86]

Well, I like it. Maybe a tad less trees inthe front but I think the lighting is fine.

[aakash_vakil]

Hey thanx folks. I am going to try 2 things as soon as it stops raining here....
1 - borrow a shutter release from a friend and try a f8, f11 with a 60s, 90s....
2 - Try HDR of this scene to make the trees visible properly, hopefully as part of the frame instead of clutter

Thanx !
Aakash