Question for the whiz kids/oldies

[treetop]

In the past I have attempted many times to take night time shots. In the main the results have been disasterous. Especially where lights are involved I seem to get a streaming effect.i.e. the lights go on forever.
Advice please. (Keep it simple, remember you're talking to a geriatric.):)

[coffee]

Use a tripod, and a remote shutter if you have one. If not, set you camera to take the shot 2 seconds or so after you press the shutter, that way there is no camera shake involved. With a tripod, you can set your expose time for how ever long you want it to get the exposure how you want it.

If hand holding is the only way, then make sure you have a high ISO so your shutter time will be short. You will certainly get more noise in the shot, but you can get rid of most of that in post if you need.

[dkippen]

What Joseph says and lots of practice.

[treetop]

Thanks guys.

[ladyups]

If you don't have a tripod...find something to set your camera on..picnic table, fence, barrel, post...you get my drift..and like Joseph and Debbie said, practice, practice, practice. You can get bean bags to set your camera on that help too..Sometimes this is easier than carrying a tripod but you won't be able to set your camera angle as well.