Shooting Landscape at Night? How?

[Gaurav Prabhu]

I encountered the following photograph recently & was stunned to know that it was shot by the photographer at night. It leaved me baffled as I was unable to interpret the technique used in doing such a shot. I tried leaving a comment on the site but the author is busy or maybe doesn't wants to share the secret of this fantastic image. Therefore I'm posting it here & expecting you guys demystify the secret.

Here is the link to the blog.

[ElCapitan]

It is pretty simple actually. Just a long shutter speed, higher ISO, and wider aperture. Not sure what moon it was, but a full moon makes a big difference. I haven't done long exposures at night of landscapes, only of stars, but I'd imagine just setting or adjusting to the proper white balance could make it look like it was shot in day.

[Gaurav Prabhu]

You mean shooting on daylight WB alongwith a long exposure would give the result? Can it be done on a compact which has max shutter speed of 15 secs?

[RichardTaylor]

From the site:
ISO 800, f/3.2, 30 seconds.

Use as tripod, remote release, possibly mirror lock up, and shoot RAW (to give maximum control when PPing)

It would help a lot to be able & interpret histograms.
Edit -
You will need to double your ISO or open up a stop - if shooting in the same light. You will have a fair amount of noise at high ISO.

[ElCapitan]

Originally Posted by Gaurav Prabhu

You mean shooting on daylight WB alongwith a long exposure would give the result? Can it be done on a compact which has max shutter speed of 15 secs?

I tend not to use any in camera white balancing, though this is because I shoot in RAW and can adjust the white balance later. If you are shooting in jpeg and have the option of setting a custom white balance or setting the white balance exactly to what kelvin the moon gives off, you could do that. RAW is just nice because if you are off on the white balance, you can easily adjust it, and all pictures you took under that light to the exact same WB.

Do you know if your camera has a bulb setting? If not, and 15 sec is your longest exposure, then like Richard said, you would have to open you aperture or raise your ISO by a stop if a 30 sec exposure is required.

[Gaurav Prabhu]

I can shoot in RAW. So I can adjust WB later. Would love to try such a shot.
My camera is not a DSLR but just a prosumer compact so no bulb setting. Now I'll have to wait for a full moon for adequate light. Also the author on blog replied the same as you guys did here.

[dcclark]

I would say that there is also quite a bit of post-processing on that photo, especially to get the bright colors. But in general, shooting a very long exposure under a bright moon can make for a shot that looks like it was taken in broad daylight -- except perhaps for some star trails.