Night Time Shot - Advice Needed

[Paulson]

Hi,
I have taken some half decent night time shots for the first time, but a coupld of things happened that I did not expect. The pic below was taken at F8, ISO 100, and a 10 second tripod-based exposure. The flare from the rope lights has occurred in the middle top of the picture - is there any way of avoiding this kind of thing given that all the advice I read says keep the ISO low and the F middling, necessitating longer exposures? Thanks



the larger version is here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paul_o/...n/photostream/

[MattUK]

When you take a night shot, any bright light sources are going to flare. You could either:

- Take a faster exposure, and combine it with the long one to balance the light
- Reduce the flare in post production
- Try using a starlight filter to turn the lights into more flattering twinkles

[Paulson]

Thanks Matt for the advice. In this case, I think post production is probably the best way. Some of the other shots I took that evening gave lovely 'starburst' effects at long exposures - I think I should also have composed the shot so these lights weren't so central to the picture, but it was my first session learning to take night time pictures, so that can come later!

I got a little bit of light flare from a street light in another pic, something I hadn't even considered when I set the tripod and camera up. But again, I'm learning, and the old advice about taking time to compose the shot and look for any potential problems is valuable here.

[MattUK]

I agree - I think if the string of lights weren't vertical and so central, they wouldn't be as much of an issue. Look forward to your next shots!