Bridge shot at night - First time DSLR user

[moose24]

Hi all, I took this using a D5300 with the 18-55mm VR kit lens. I've never used a DSLR before and this is one of the first shots I have taken with it. I will admit it was done quickly and on auto mode (sorry!).

When I've had time to practise and take more photos I'll slowly take the training wheels off but at the moment I'm just looking for some feedback on what settings I should have used, if I were on manual for example, to get a sharper and cleaner photo.

Looking at the technical side of things I'm guessing the ISO is too high which is causing a bit of noise. Also the scene actually had more of a dusky orangey/brown look to it than this at the time, is there anything I could have done to capture that better as this seems to have come out a lot brighter with a dark blue look to it? As far as composition goes I tried to keep in mind the rule of thirds by placing the towers of the bridge on the left and have the bridge sweep in from the right. Excuse the missus by the way, she walked right in to the middle of the shot as I was taking it.

I will say that some of the other photos in this forum look brilliant so I was a bit reluctant to upload this but I am here to learn to any suggestions and advice will be appreciated.

 

[J-see]

The shot isn't bad but you lack depth.

Night shots are usually long exposure shots so you shouldn't be bothered if it takes even longer. I use ISO 100 and prefer f/7-11 but it depends a bit on my lens. It doesn't matter if it takes 3 seconds or 30 since you have the cam on a tripod or on a surface anyways. I normally also underexpose a bit to lower the amount of data being washed out by the lights. Some don't so I guess it's what works best for you.

You can adjust the tones afterwards in post. I don't know what program you use but if I want it a bit more orange/brown, I use split-toning to set the highlights and shadows that way.

And I feel you about the passerby. That's the most annoying part of doing long exposures out there.

Edit: I did some quick adjustments in post. I pulled some details and changed the exposure here and there. I also tried to set something more orange/brown. It's a small JPEG so I couldn't do much but it's to show you why post processing matters.

 

[RON_RIP]

You do not say wether or not you used a tripod but I suspect that you did not. A tripod with a remote trigger would have helped make the shot sharper in all probability. But not a bad start and as [MENTION=31330]J-see[/MENTION] said, you need to commit to a post processing program and use it. That too will help you.

 

[paul04]

I will say that some of the other photos in this forum look brilliant so I was a bit reluctant to upload this but I am here to learn to any suggestions and advice will be appreciated

For a 1st time shot, very good picture.

We all learn as we go, as you say the photos on this forum look brilliant,
so keep going and keep sharing your pictures with us

 

[moose24]

Thank you for the comments people. As a beginner is the kit lens okay for shooting scenes like this or is that better for other types of shots?

I use Lightroom for post work and when I get in later I will put on the edited version.

What are the recommended sizes for uploading photos on to the forum by the way? Am I best off using the built in uploader or putting them on an external site?

Also you were right RON I didn't use a tripod but will be something I'll invest in eventually.

I'll definitely upload some more paul04 when I've had a chance to have a proper go at taking some more photos.

 

[SteveH]

Welcome, Moose!
I know the Humber bridge well - I live 30 miles up the road in York, (Also forum member @mikew live just the other side of the bridge) so I have a few shots of the bridge myself (Have a look at my gallery). As others have said, the main thing to get these types of shots better is a tripod... This would have let you use a narrower aperture to keep all the bridge in sharp focus, and also reduce the ISO as you could have used a much slower shutter speed. The 18-55mm kit lens is OK for this type of shot, sure there are sharper, wider & more expensive lenses available, but while you are starting out there is no rush.

The colours which are different in real life will be due to the colour balance settings of your shot - If you took the shot in RAW format then you can change the colour balance to reflect what you actually saw, or if you shoot in JPEG, then make ure the setting matches the conditions (Sunny, cloudy, tungsten lights, etc)

But all in all, for a first shot at what is a fairly difficult subject in the dark without a tripod - That is a great shot you have!


Keep trying and keep posting, we're all learning here!

 

[J-see]

I often shoot without a tripod. There's always something with a reasonable flat surface you can put the cam on; a trash bin, stairs, a bench. I usually keep one hand pressed on the cam to ensure it can't wobble. If there's nothing in the field of view, I don't need to look through the viewfinder to focus, the cam can do that without my help.

The kit lens is not bad. I took some pretty sharp shots with it.

For upload I use JPEG 80, 72 dpi 1200 longest side. I don't know what others use but I myself see little difference if I upload here or embed from elsewhere.

 

[mikew_RIP]

Never be afraid to post your pictures,this is the friendliest photo forum i have come across.

Nice start with the bridge

 

[moose24]

I have a few shots of the bridge myself (Have a look at my gallery)

SteveH - the photos you have taken of the bridge look fantastic, you must have been stood just about where I was when I took mine the other night!

I often shoot without a tripod. There's always something with a reasonable flat surface you can put the cam on

J-see - thank you for the advice, will keep it in mind for future shots.

Never be afraid to post your pictures,this is the friendliest photo forum i have come across.

mikew - thanks mikew, I won't now, everyone has been really helpful, thank you!

oh and this picture more resembles how it looked on the night however I think I prefer the original...