Cityscape Midtown Tokyo Illumination

Hambino · 11-25-2010, 09:24 AM

Just got a DSLR in February and finally started putting it to use with some lenses that I've been trying out. I was taking pics of the Midtown Tokyo Christmas illuminations (so awesome!) and this is one of the only photos I took that I like. Lemme know what you think, how I can make it better, etc! Also, I've been noticing that almost of all my photos, no matter what lens I use have almost a "hazy" feel to it and I'm not sure how to fix that

Thanks, folks! Look forward to learning something

Album:
Picasa Web Albums - Lauren Hamburg - 20101125

Attached Images

Hambino · 11-25-2010, 09:30 AM

Dang, looking at it bigger its really out of focus and I had it on a tripod

*sigh*

**Ash** · 11-25-2010, 12:50 PM

Yes Hambino, it's unacceptably soft.
A few things:
1. Stop down more. f/4 is basically wide open on the kit lens - you'll rarely get decently sharp images at this aperture even if perfectly focused and with no motion blur or camera shake. Nothing wrong with an 8 sec exposure at f/8 rather than a 2 sec one at f/4 - there's no rush since you have a tripod.
2. The tripod doesn't look like it was stable - since everything in the image appears to be blurry. It must be perfectly still for the entirety of the exposure, so a sturdy tripod on solid ground in no wind is the best combination.
3. Ensure you have a 2sec delay for your shutter to avoid any camera movement from pressing the shutter button from affecting the exposure.

Hope this helps.

Hambino · 11-25-2010, 05:19 PM

Thank you! Thr tripod wasn't actually perfectly steady bc there were people next to me that were always in the shot so I had to lean it forward against the rail some. The illuminations are going to be up for awhile so I'm going to go back next weekend (maybe even sooner

) and try your suggestions.

11-25-2010, 09:24 AM	#1
Hambino Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Japan Photos: Albums Posts: 201	Midtown Tokyo Illumination Lens: 18-55 f/3.5 Camera: istDS Photo Location:* Midtown Tokyo ISO: 200 Shutter Speed: 2s Aperture: F4 Just got a DSLR in February and finally started putting it to use with some lenses that I've been trying out. I was taking pics of the Midtown Tokyo Christmas illuminations (so awesome!) and this is one of the only photos I took that I like. Lemme know what you think, how I can make it better, etc! Also, I've been noticing that almost of all my photos, no matter what lens I use have almost a "hazy" feel to it and I'm not sure how to fix that Thanks, folks! Look forward to learning something Album: Picasa Web Albums - Lauren Hamburg - 20101125 Attached Images

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cityscape Graffiti...Midtown Houston	phillipb	Post Your Photos!	1	07-25-2010 12:06 PM
K-7 AF illumination	kalison	Pentax DSLR Discussion	9	05-30-2010 10:36 AM
Samsung's new BSI (backside illumination) CMOS sensor will be in production by 2010	yakiniku	Pentax News and Rumors	7	10-15-2009 09:34 PM
Falls Illumination	Edicon	Post Your Photos!	10	08-05-2009 05:44 AM
Strolling through Midtown Manhattan...	maxwell1295	Post Your Photos!	12	07-05-2008 01:44 PM

11-25-2010, 09:30 AM	#2
Hambino Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Japan Photos: Albums Posts: 201 Original Poster	Dang, looking at it bigger its really out of focus and I had it on a tripod sigh

11-25-2010, 12:50 PM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Yes Hambino, it's unacceptably soft. A few things: 1. Stop down more. f/4 is basically wide open on the kit lens - you'll rarely get decently sharp images at this aperture even if perfectly focused and with no motion blur or camera shake. Nothing wrong with an 8 sec exposure at f/8 rather than a 2 sec one at f/4 - there's no rush since you have a tripod. 2. The tripod doesn't look like it was stable - since everything in the image appears to be blurry. It must be perfectly still for the entirety of the exposure, so a sturdy tripod on solid ground in no wind is the best combination. 3. Ensure you have a 2sec delay for your shutter to avoid any camera movement from pressing the shutter button from affecting the exposure. Hope this helps.

11-25-2010, 05:19 PM	#4
Hambino Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Japan Photos: Albums Posts: 201 Original Poster	Thank you! Thr tripod wasn't actually perfectly steady bc there were people next to me that were always in the shot so I had to lean it forward against the rail some. The illuminations are going to be up for awhile so I'm going to go back next weekend (maybe even sooner ) and try your suggestions.