First Night Shots

[gacop]

I couldn't sleep one night and thought I would go outside and take pictures of the moon but it was cloudy. I noticed my neighbors flag lit up and here it is. Any thoughts on what I could have done different.

[Kaye]

Hi Heath,

I don't have much experience in night shots either, but do know from experience that you need either a super steady hand, or need to use a tripod (best idea), otherwise a little blur will always be present, especially if using zoom.

Also remembering that a flash will not travel far in the open, so a closer subject at night in my opinion is easier.

P.S. (I did take many night shots at Darling Harbour recently with no tripod. May post a few if they are OK, but I know many are blurred).

[amaethon]

Hi Heath,
as already mentioned a tripod is a must unless you have something else to rest your camera on. If the flag is moving you will need to increase ISo to get higher shutter speeds to freeze movement. Otherwise keep the ISO low and pick a slow shutter speed so that more light gets to the sensor, you will be amazed at what the camera will pickup in even a full second.
Best advice would be experiment, pick a slow speed and then, increase or decrease a stop at at time to see what the difference are.
Night time shots can be fun, enjoy.

Michael