Help with Night Shooting - Salford Quays

J

jpwild

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I have finally begun to start shooting areas at night.

I went down last night to Salford Quays to take a few shots of Media City UK. This area has some very bright lighting, obviously.

My problem is that some parts of this photo look okay, but the central part where the glass building is, well it's a "bit" bright. I played with all sorts of aperture and time settings and could not get it right. I got a bit fed up in the end as I had been out all day and wanted to go home to regain the feeling of sensation in my fingers.

Just wondering how I can get a more balanced exposure for an area like Salford Quays with buildings, bright lights etc.

I Shot with: 450D, Tokina 11-16 lens.

Aperature: 3.4
Around 8 seconds of exposure time
ISO: 100


Salford Quays - Media City at Night by jpwild1984, on Flickr
 
The easiest way would be to take several exposures, and use the best bits of each one. Take one exposed for the sky, one for the bright building, one for the water and one for the rest, then open them all in photoshop and do an HDR or open them all in layers and erase the bits you dont want on each layer, leaving the bit you do.
 
Another option - be there earlier.

Shoot as dusk rather than full night - this way there will still be some light in the sky and the artificial lights with have less of an effect on the frame.

Plus what Tom says is also excellent advice. Try both!
 
Thank you for your help. I shall try both. Should get there earlier anyway as far more interesting colour should be available in the sky.

Cheers :)
 
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