I am curious about some things with night time photography.
First, what mode do you recommend using? Say for night time city-scape shots, or even people pictures.
When I took pictures of the fireworks, I use a remote release trigger, a tripod, and was in BULB mode. I had the ISO crunched down to 100, and f/8-11. Everything turn out great. I suppose I could use this method for taking night time city-scape shots, only I would need to take a couple test shots to determine how long I need to leave the shutter open for when in BULB mode. On this note ... when using BULB mode, do it need to be pitch black?
Also, for city-scape shots, some people seem to be fond of M mode with a tripod, and remote release trigger ... essentially you designate the f/stop, and the shutter speed independently. I'd probably want the f/stop to be a little higher, say around f/8-11 in order to minimize the DOF (want everything in focus). I assume I will also be focusing to infinity? In regards to the shutter speed, I would probably end up taking multiple test shots in order to determine the length of the correct shutter speed/exposure time. Essentially set the f/stop to the desired stop, and then tinker with the shutter speed until you get the result you want.
Or for city-scapes ... what's wrong with using Av mode with a tripod, and a remote release trigger?! I can still set the f/stop to f/8-11, and let the camera decide the shutter speed. Makes sense to me, but maybe there is a flaw in this I am not aware of?
For people shots, it would obviously be a large PITA to set up a tripod, and have everyone stay perfectly still. I have an 85 mm 1.8, and the 50 mm 1.8. Both are decently quick IMO -obviously not as quick as 1.4's. Should I just stick with using the primes?
I also have an external flash I can mount on my camera, with a flash diffuser. Would this help with night time shots of people? How do you determine which way you want the flash to face? My flash, like many other hot shoe mount flashes have a pivotable flash head. I'd imagine that if I had the flash facing right at the subjects, they may become a little too highlighted.
Long winded post, I know. But any help is appreciated!!!
First, what mode do you recommend using? Say for night time city-scape shots, or even people pictures.
When I took pictures of the fireworks, I use a remote release trigger, a tripod, and was in BULB mode. I had the ISO crunched down to 100, and f/8-11. Everything turn out great. I suppose I could use this method for taking night time city-scape shots, only I would need to take a couple test shots to determine how long I need to leave the shutter open for when in BULB mode. On this note ... when using BULB mode, do it need to be pitch black?
Also, for city-scape shots, some people seem to be fond of M mode with a tripod, and remote release trigger ... essentially you designate the f/stop, and the shutter speed independently. I'd probably want the f/stop to be a little higher, say around f/8-11 in order to minimize the DOF (want everything in focus). I assume I will also be focusing to infinity? In regards to the shutter speed, I would probably end up taking multiple test shots in order to determine the length of the correct shutter speed/exposure time. Essentially set the f/stop to the desired stop, and then tinker with the shutter speed until you get the result you want.
Or for city-scapes ... what's wrong with using Av mode with a tripod, and a remote release trigger?! I can still set the f/stop to f/8-11, and let the camera decide the shutter speed. Makes sense to me, but maybe there is a flaw in this I am not aware of?
For people shots, it would obviously be a large PITA to set up a tripod, and have everyone stay perfectly still. I have an 85 mm 1.8, and the 50 mm 1.8. Both are decently quick IMO -obviously not as quick as 1.4's. Should I just stick with using the primes?
I also have an external flash I can mount on my camera, with a flash diffuser. Would this help with night time shots of people? How do you determine which way you want the flash to face? My flash, like many other hot shoe mount flashes have a pivotable flash head. I'd imagine that if I had the flash facing right at the subjects, they may become a little too highlighted.
Long winded post, I know. But any help is appreciated!!!