hard to take a goog night picture

[gulinggu]

Please help me out to take a better night picture..
I took it and used photoshop and gave it a bit re-touch but still looking something unsatisfactory...
I used nikon D800 and 24 ~ 85 lens... it was 30mm, 30second, F16..

Please help...

[Edmack]

What camera setting did you use, if available, Night Shot, would have given you a good starting point. What did you do in P/shop, (Could have straightened it)! did you shoot RAW, How far away from original are the colours. Ed.

[donoreo]

Night Shot? He is using a Nikon D800, do not think it has that.

Date Time Original 2012:02:12 22:11:29
Exposure Time 30
F Number f / 16
Exposure Program Manual
ISO Speed Ratings 100
Metering Mode Spot
Flash Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length 30mm
White Balance Auto white balance
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D800
LensInfo 240/10 850/10 28/10 40/10
LensModel 24.0-85.0 mm f/2.8-4.0
Lens 24.0-85.0 mm f/2.8-4.0

Was it shot in raw or jpg?

[Edmack]

Personally would not have shot in Manual, or, used Spot Metering, or, 100ASA. and perhaps not F16. If it's redo-able, try various Auto Shots, let the camera decide settings, and compare results. Post an original also, so we start "As new" Ed.

[gulinggu]

I shot it with manual mode in RAW...
The distance was about 40meter away from the building.
I made it look clear by photoshop and gave it a little saturation(red)...
Any advice?

[ianpinion]

Originally Posted by Edmack

Personally would not have shot in Manual, or, used Spot Metering, or, 100ASA. and perhaps not F16. If it's redo-able, try various Auto Shots, let the camera decide settings, and compare results. Post an original also, so we start "As new" Ed.

Ed, the D800 is a professional camera, so I'm afraid to say that it doesn't have an Auto Setting or Scene modes. It's strictly PASM only, because you're expected to know what you're doing by the time you buy a camera like this, so the closest to an Auto setting is the Program mode.

[Edmack]

Still like to see an original pic,(Via RAW}, as a starting point. Ed.

[donoreo]

One thing you have not said: What do you think is wrong with the photo? What do you not like?

[gulinggu]

Thanks, guys... I got a bit of tip from the Pro and he said, try not to take a shot when it is completely dark but just after the sonset while a bit of cloud is still visible so that I can get more details in the picture..

[Edmack]

Personally, I do not subscribe to that. Ed.