Nighttime long exposure question

jazzywheelz

jazzywheelz

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James
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I'm a complete beginner with a proper DSLR, but I really like the idea of doing some nighttime outdoor shots, experimenting with long exposures.
A few nights ago, I had a go just shooting the street outside my house. I tried a few different appertures and exposure times, but each time the photos came out with a strong orangey tint. The sky was very overcast, so could this just be the effects of light polution from street lighting?
I have seen some lovely examples of nighttime photography with deep blue skies. Is this only possible on a perfectly clear night?
Any input, tips or advice greatly appreciated.
 
jazzywheelz said:
I'm a complete beginner with a proper DSLR, but I really like the idea of doing some nighttime outdoor shots, experimenting with long exposures.
A few nights ago, I had a go just shooting the street outside my house. I tried a few different appertures and exposure times, but each time the photos came out with a strong orangey tint. The sky was very overcast, so could this just be the effects of light polution from street lighting?
I have seen some lovely examples of nighttime photography with deep blue skies. Is this only possible on a perfectly clear night?
Any input, tips or advice greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Firstly, welcome to the forum James, you will find it a great place.
The orange tint you mention is almost certainly as a result of street lighting. You can adjust the white balance on your camera accordingly but it may just minimise the tint not get rid of it entirely.
A good time for this type of photography is just after the sun has gone down, there will still be some colour in the sky. If you are shooting later than this when the sky is black, it is worth avoiding areas where you will get light pollution from inhabited areas (difficult I know) As with everything, practice, continue trying different settings and most important enjoy, I am sure you will find what you are looking for. Iain
 
Hi Iain, thanks for your welcome, and thanks for replying to my question.
It was quite late after sundown, so there was no natural light at all. I guess I need to get out into the countryside away from all the streetlighting and keep experimenting.

Has anyone else got any tips or advice for nighttime shots?
 
Personally, I like to shoot around a half hour before sunset to half hour after. Your yellow light that you got looks lovely at dusk (after sunset) where you can find a lovely indigo blue colour in the sky. Look for a good subject - it can be anything really but look to put something impressive in your shot. It'll encourage you for the next time. If you really can't find anything then look for interesting clouds. Long exposures will blur these nicely so if you only have a mundane subject (a very ordinary but old church - every town has one), two thirds of your shot (or more) could be of that lovely sky and you have a very dramatic image.
Naturally, use a tripod if you can, set a two second timer or use remote shutter release to avoid camera shake as you press the button and turn your IS/VR off as it can induce tremors in the shot as the motor searches for a fix.

Improvise if you must. Camera balanced on a rolled up coat on a wall on a bridge. Bath, Avon
England-BathSmall.jpg
 
Thanks for the advice Paul.
That image is beautiful. It has everything that interests and inspires me: traditional british architecture, the reflections in the water, a deeply colourful sky, and the lights.
I hope I can achieve something of that standard. I'd better get practising!
 
Thanks for your comment. A lot of it is going to be down to lighting - both natural and artificial so choose your subject and time of day/evening well. I find that churches/cathedrals are a good place to start...
 
Thanks mate.
Doncaster Minster is very nicely lit at night these days, so I think that will be my target.
 
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