As its getting darker a lot earlier these days, I thought id get some different pics of my vrs & a mates A3.

Not really done much photography in the dark before, so was playing around with different shutter times/aperture settings, so ended up deleting a lot of the pics as I wasnt really happy with them :(

All these pics were taken between 9 & 10pm this evening, no post processing has been done (yet) feel free to comment/give advice!

Not that happy with how my light-writing stuff turned out, need to take my time a bit more I think

Not really done much photography in the dark before, so was playing around with different shutter times/aperture settings, so ended up deleting a lot of the pics as I wasnt really happy with them :(

All these pics were taken between 9 & 10pm this evening, no post processing has been done (yet) feel free to comment/give advice!

Not that happy with how my light-writing stuff turned out, need to take my time a bit more I think

I normally end up with more night time 'fails' than 'keepers' but that's just the way it is.

Maybe if you'd set a smaller aperture (not f4) on the LED writing pics you'd have had time to move without being 'seen' by the camera.

Try doing them in raw as it gives you more post options - especially with the colour balance.

Also, don't forget to change the light source from the tungsten setting that you had it on.

Remember it's all about having enjoying the hobby and that's just what you're doing.

Ta!

When you say smaller aperture, do you mean a higher number (sorry if thats a stupid question, only just getting used to taking the camera off the "auto" switch), I wanted a little bit of ghosting (me being seen) in some of the pics, but not all of them, just need a bit more practice playing with my camera in a dark, unused carpark with bad lighting...

I dont really want to start faffing with RAW, as I dont have any decent post-processing software (laptop HDD died a while back taking my *borrowed* copy of photoshop with it)

Light setting is back on normal, I tried most of the white balance settings, but that one (tungsten) was the one I was most happy with.

It was a good way to kill a couple of hours on a friday night I guess, just need to get out and about and find some half decent locations for more photos!

Edited 15 October, 201015 yr by Brocko

When you say smaller aperture, do you mean a higher number (sorry if thats a stupid question, only just getting used to taking the camera off the "auto" switch), I wanted a little bit of ghosting (me being seen) in some of the pics, but not all of them, just need a bit more practice playing with my camera in a dark, unused carpark with bad lighting...

I dont really want to start faffing with RAW, as I dont have any decent post-processing software/

Light setting is back on normal, I tried most of the white balance settings, but that one (tungsten) was the one I was most happy with.

Yes, a higher number = a smaller opening which means the shutter needs to be open longer to get the right exposure. That would mean that you wouldn't be as easily seen when using the led writer.

The shots with the blurred clouds: - you could also try going for as low a number as possible (3.5) & setting the ISO to 800 - this would enable a shorter shutter speed to freeze the clouds. Or if the blurred effect was what you were after, then try a higher f stop (25), lower ISO (100) and longer shutter speed. There's a myriad of permutations inbetween as well.

Doesn't Nikon do a free raw program as that sorts out the while balance quickly?

Nice shots there, like the torch trails

Try finding a carpark with the new bright white lights that seem to be getting popular now. Two local B&Q's near me use them and the pic below was at my local morrisons which is being built. Theyre more of a pure white than the yellow tungsten so its easier for the white balance to handle.

This was handheld but with a high ISO.

Skoda Octavia VRS FL by Stu Worrall, on Flickr

Wow, that photo is amazing!

I think ill go on the hunt for a carpark with white lights next time, although I do quite like the "yellowy-ness" of the pictures, I think a nice crisp white can look just as good.

Ta for the hints guys, guess thats me busy for another few evenings then

Nice shots there, like the torch trails

Try finding a carpark with the new bright white lights that seem to be getting popular now. Two local B&Q's near me use them and the pic below was at my local morrisons which is being built. Theyre more of a pure white than the yellow tungsten so its easier for the white balance to handle.

This was handheld but with a high ISO.

Skoda Octavia VRS FL by Stu Worrall, on Flickr

That's a really good photograph

That's a really good photograph

It really is Stu

I've been looking through your photostream and I'm so impressed with your work. Some absolutely amazing shots.