My first night shot with an SLR

[kaintheo]

This was my first shot at night with an SLR, well in fact my first shot with an SLR full stop really. I'd like to know if I can do anything to improve the composition or overall impact/quality. The only post shot editing I did after was a small crop to the bottom and that's all.

The camera is a Sony alpha A550 with the standard 18-55mm kit lens and I think this exposure was around 15 - 20 seconds. I have since bought a remote release so I don't have to keep using the self timer.

[dphoto]

Originally Posted by kaintheo

This was my first shot at with an SLR, I'd like to know if I can do anything to improve the composition or overall impact/quality. The only post shot editing I did after was a small crop to the bottom and that's all.

I think it's awesome!!

[sourabhdasimages]

Originally Posted by kaintheo

This was my first shot at night

I think you are lying
this cant be the first shot.. Stupendo Fantabulosly Fantastic..

[mattjordan]

Wow beautiful shot

[kaintheo]

Originally Posted by sourabhdasimages

I think you are lying
this cant be the first shot.. Stupendo Fantabulosly Fantastic..

Seriously, the only shots I have ever done before at night were with a Lumix TZ7, I bought the Sony about 2 weeks before my trip to St Ives were I took this on the last night.

[rashelle]

Wow this is great!

[EOBeav]

Nitpick: If you're going to show cloud movement, show a lot of it. As it is, these just look a little blurry.

[ckodonne]

Originally Posted by EOBeav

Nitpick: If you're going to show cloud movement, show a lot of it. As it is, these just look a little blurry.

This is a great photo for your first attempt at a long exposure...love the subject, great lighting, moon, etc...a lot of interest. I do agree with Rick though - the clouds look blurry vs. a long exposure. I'd really like to see this with a 300-400 second exposure; I think you could get a very interesting image with all those colors blended together.

[RichMorrisPhotography]

If this is your first attempt at night shots, you should quit your job now and take photography up full time. Stunning photo

[windrider86]

I agree with the clouds being a bit off as well as the super bright area in the middle of them. I find that to be a tad distracting. I'd probably also try and crop it a tad at either the top of the the bottom to move the horizon line off the center of the frame.
Otherwise, this really is a nice shot