Last night I finally got around to going out and playing with the manual settings of my digital camera to see if I could improve my
night time photos (thanks again to Michael Tucker for advice on what to try). I spent a little time in Delaware Park and at the Erie Basin Marina, and just kept shooting off pictures (I also took some with my film SLR, but I don't have those developed yet), making various adjustments to the settings and reshooting the same shots. Unfortunately, I neglected to bring along a pen and pad to note just exactly what settings went with what pictures, but I'll remember to do that next time. Here are a few that seemed to turn out particularly well.
This is looking at the lights of downtown from the marina. Note that here I have a reddish effect, whereas in the
earlier post on this topic my problem was things looking a little green. I think I can address this by making some other adjustments, but I liked the way it turned out in this instance.
This is also from the Marina, looking across the corner of lake Erie to Fort Erie on the Canadian side. I was happy with the balance between reddish rocks and blue water and sky in this one, though I think the composition could've been better.
Here's one of the Casino in Delaware Park. This was shot before the sun was totally down, but that just makes for a starker contrast in colors, I think.
As I was leaving the Marina, the Bisons game must've just ended, because firewworks started going off in front of me. I didn't have a chance to set up my tripod, so this was taken with a pretty shaky hand, but I thought it ended up looking kind of interesting. I'm looking forward to getting out again and continuing to experiment.
This is looking at the lights of downtown from the marina. Note that here I have a reddish effect, whereas in the earlier post on this topic my problem was things looking a little green. I think I can address this by making some other adjustments, but I liked the way it turned out in this instance.
This is also from the Marina, looking across the corner of lake Erie to Fort Erie on the Canadian side. I was happy with the balance between reddish rocks and blue water and sky in this one, though I think the composition could've been better.
Here's one of the Casino in Delaware Park. This was shot before the sun was totally down, but that just makes for a starker contrast in colors, I think. 
As I was leaving the Marina, the Bisons game must've just ended, because firewworks started going off in front of me. I didn't have a chance to set up my tripod, so this was taken with a pretty shaky hand, but I thought it ended up looking kind of interesting. I'm looking forward to getting out again and continuing to experiment.
2 comments:
I suspect you are using the flash because your first two photos are a little grainy. Turn off the flash and let the lens do the work. If not, you may need to lower the film speed.
I'm only commenting because I suffered through some hard lessons while covering stories. Weekly reporters are expected to do a bit of everything and I was thrown into the fray without any formal photography training.
Night photography is difficult, but you seem to be on the right track.
By the way, I completely object to the match up between VU and The Monks so early in the tournament. In the spirit of competition coupled with the potential for a house-rocking district final, these two heavyweights need the chance, Dr. John, deserve the chance to duke it out for the Northeast title.
For example, look at the bout between the New York Dolls and their lightweight terrapin contenders. A good band, but no match for the cross-dressing big city rockers, even if they aren't putting on their best game.
If the needle fell onto the grooves of "Pills", even the mighty Lou Reed may pause and wish he had spent more time practicing on the free throw line.
This gerrymandering must be addressed and reeks with the suspicion of payola. Right this grave injustice before the tournament is sullied and runs the risk of mirroring its impotent cousin, the Bowl game.
In jest,
Michael
Hi Michael,
Thanks again for the tips on the photos. I'm pretty sure the flash was off on those shots, but then I was monkeying around with so many different settings (and not, as noted, taking notes) so it's possible I switched it back on. I'll have to be more diligent next time.
As for the VU/Monks match-up-- I agree that on raw quality they deserve to face off in the later rounds, but I think you and I may be the only ones following this who even know who the Monks are, which made it hard to seed them higher than 16th. I guess I could've seeded the Velvets 2nd or 3rd in the bracket, and achieved the desired result, but I would have felt very guilty denying them the top spot. By the way, one of the original Monks recently passed away, but not before the band had enjoyed a little bit of a revival, playing shows as recently as two years ago (I wish I'd had a chance to see them).
Dr. John
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