how to take a great nightshot?

[Holmez85]

hi,
i am going to take nightshot of the village where i live.
http://sovikgrend.net/zenphoto/index...elltur+011.jpg
this is a photo of my village, and il take the nightshot from the same distance.

i have a nikon d50 and i use a tripod. any ideas for me how to make a good shot? i usaly use the automatic options since i dont know that much about manualy tuning.

[Nathan deGargoyle]

I'll leave the camera settings to the experts but, as a beginner, I can tell you that the one thing you mustn't do is take the photo by pressing a button on the camera. Use a cable release and a long exposure. How I would start is at f/16 in A mode at ISO 200, then check how it looks. Play with aperture and ISO until you get something you are happy with. Then go for bulb exposure and try something really long. Review them on your computer, decide which settings are closest to what you want then go back and do it all over again.

It's all a learning game but the learning is fun.

[Holmez85]

great idea
been a wile since i use my cam, so il sit down this weekend to get to know the manual setinngs again, and hope for bether weather its pouring down here on the west coast of norway :P

[Joe Hoetzl]

And, if you don't have a remote shutter release, try using the self-timer functions.

[Haeretik]

Originally Posted by Joe Hoetzl

And, if you don't have a remote shutter release, try using the self-timer functions.

I use this when doing my night/low light shots... really noticed an increase in clarity on my moon shots even being shot at 1/160 and 1/125... works great!