Photographing with a tripod

[emmalouise]

Hey,

This is my first post apart from in the assignments forum, so I hope this is in the right place =)
I was lucky enough to get a Manfrotto tripod for Christmas from my dad. I have yet to use it as most of January was taken up with uni exams but I'm hoping to take it out soon to get some shots. I live in the beautiful city of Bordeaux in south-west France and there are some really gorgeous night time photo opportunities with all the lights and everything, particularly looking over the river. I would really appreciate some advice on how I can get the most out of my tripod for getting amazing night shots.

Thank you!

[Nicole]

Well, the tripod is really just the start for taking good night shots. Once your camera is stable on the tripod, the focus moves to getting your camera settings right.

I recommend using as low of an ISO as possible, a middle aperture (around f/8) and then adjusting your shutter speed to get the amount of light for the subject. It could be a short-ish shutter speed (1-10 seconds), it could be longer. I also recommend a remote if you don't have one because that will let you keep the camera more stable because you aren't touching the camera to release the shutter. Searching for night photography tips should get you moving in the right direction.

[Samanax]

DSLR camera settings and tips for taking city landscapes at night

How to Photograph at Night

Learn Night Photography

Night Photography: Bright Lights and Bold Colors

[emmalouise]

Thank you very much! I'll bear all of that in mind and experiment
And those links look brill, I've just had a skim through but I'll have a proper look when it's not time for bed!
Thank you

[ororockcrawler]

Get a level as well, you can get them to attach to your hot shoe, ensures straight landscapes

[Bluenoser]

Also, if you don't have a cable release, you can use the timer as a good substitute.

[emmalouise]

Originally Posted by ororockcrawler

Get a level as well, you can get them to attach to your hot shoe, ensures straight landscapes

My tripod already has a spirit level so that should do the trick?

Also the timer idea is a good one, I hadn't thought of that but thanks to the person who suggested it!

[sebthedog1]

From another newbies point of view, I would suggest familiarising yourself with your tripod completely beforehand as I still struggle with adjusting mine in the daylight, it's like trying to wrestle an octopus (but that's probably just me) - I'm not very mechanically minded.

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by ororockcrawler

Get a level as well, you can get them to attach to your hot shoe, ensures straight landscapes

Levels are so over rated these days. Unless you can get one for next to nothing it's not worth it because it is very easy to straighten an image in PP.

[Elmo]

A level on the tripod will not do the things a level on the camera will do, if it is on the top of the head it will almost do.

There are several instances wher one cannot straighten in PP. Panos come to mind as well as most shots where you want to maintain perspective.