Brooklyn Bridge @ Night

[kuul13]

Hi Guys

This is first time I have clicked Brooklyn bridge at night and want to know how did I do? I want the feedback on composition (I know I have to straighten the horizon), exposure and if I got the sharpness. I had used long exposure by setting the camera on tripod and used remote release. I tried with really long long exposures also and the lights were not that impressive and sharp so I had to lower the shutter speed. If these pictures are not sharp, what can I do? Do I need to click night shots like these on manual focus or auto focus?

Since my battery died last time, so I am planning to go tonight again. If you can give me some feedback, I would love to try those and bring some better pictures in terms of composition and sharpness. Love to hear your suggestions/tips on tonights shoot.


Nikon D80 | Exposure 8 | Aperture f/5.6 | Focal Length 18 mm | ISO Speed 200

[dancronin]

Looks pretty good to me but it's difficult to judge the sharpness as the photo is quite small. If you think it's lacking in sharpness, try increasing the aperture to F8.0 perhaps.

Composition wise, you seem to have quite a bit of empty sky, perhaps if you cropped some of it and some on the right side of the frame you could make it a little tighter?

[Krusty79]

Nice shot. I like the time of day when you took the shot, when there is still some residual sunset glow in the sky. Except for a couple of overexposed buildings, the exposure looks good. If you shot RAW or bracketed your shots, you could make another exposure that fixes the overexposed buildings and use a layer mask to blend it with the main exposure.

I'd try shooting at ISO 100 and f/8 if you go back. You could try manual focus, but I find it hard to do in the dark. I was going to suggest adding some foreground interest, but it doesn't look like there is anything you can use for that in the current shot.

[SGToliver]

I would straighten the image and then clone out the guy down there with his camera.

[ScubaDude]

In addition to the good suggestions above, I think that I would move closer to the water to eliminate the piece of land in the foreground.

[Infinite Monkey]

I really like this shot a lot. Too bad that pavilion (or whatever it is) by the near tower is so blown out but it doesn't look like there's anything you can do about that. I agree with the suggestion above about moving a bit closer to the water. Also the suggestion to re-shoot at f/8 or even f/11. But those are just quibbles, as I like what you've got here. Well done!

[kuul13]

Appreciate your comments and glad that you liked this shot. I will definitely try your suggestions next time I visit this place (I guess very soon). I don't shoot in RAW though but will surely try it and learn how to edit the pictures with that.. I am not sure how can I underexpose that bright building in foreground (on let of the picture) - actually it is a carousel. I will get back to you with new images.. hope I remember all these points and apply. Thanks again for tips/suggestions.

[ScubaDude]

You could mask it off and darken it with your image editing program, or you could sneak in and find the circuit breaker box.

[kuul13]

Originally Posted by ScubaDude

You could mask it off and darken it with your image editing program, or you could sneak in and find the circuit breaker box.

Ha ha ha.. I think I should invest on a cutter/hammer and then really look for circuit box to break. Lolz!!! Thanks for the suggestion though (w.r.t. masking). Another question, I see pictures from other great photographers that they use 30 sec exposure with f11, and their pictures are really good.. when I tried it just blows the light, it gets too bright.. I need to figure this out. How to get it just right? I am going yet again tonight