Noobish beginner's pic (RC Subaru)

[TamiyaGuy]

Hey, there. I recently inherited a Nikon F301 SLR camera, and thought I'd post this experimental pic of an RC Subaru Impreza. I didn't use a flash as I wanted the effect of the lights I put on it (home-made ). Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly the effect I was looking for, but I think it looks alright nonetheless. Feel free to edit this as much as you want.

Mildly enhanced, cropped etc. pic:

Bare & bones, 800 * 530 res pic:

I would also like to issue this as a warning to you: Expect to see a ton of other terrible starter photos and questions from me. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!! Editing was done very simply with HP Photosmart.

 

[lockwood81]

I like the first one...I would just like to see a larger DOF, so more of the cars detail would get picked up, and with that it would require a smaller aperture, with a longer exposure so the headlights might show more of star effect. At a bit more away from the wall to prevent the shadow. Just a thought. I'm a noob also so remember the source.

 

[TamiyaGuy]

The "star" effect was exactly what I was wanting. I locked the exposure on the shadow of the car, but that clearly wasn't enough to get it. I don't even know if it would have worked that well; the lights are LEDs, and although they are "super-bright", they might still not have worked. Thing is, the exposure was still something stupid like 1/8-1/4 of a second, so would you recommend 1/2?

Also, as I am a TOTAL noob, does DOF mean Depth of Field? So more is in focus? Yeah, I was just testing out the Aperture priority mode, and I never knew it was so sensitive.

Thanks for the tips, though. I might even set it up again at 1/2 exposure (when my neck stops hurting )

Just a quick question: I think I set it up at F4 on my Sirius zoom lens. What would you recommend? Something like F8 or even F11? And if the aperture is that small, what should I lock the exposure on? A pitch black room? (for a 1 second shutter release). I'm really sorry I am such a noob at this. I hope you can make some sense out of what I'm trying to say XD. thanks again.

 

[AbelR74]

I prefer the second shot over your first; it just seems right in my mind...

JMHO.

Nice work and thanks for sharing.

 

[lockwood81]

You'll just need to mess around with it and see what works. Have camera sitting still and use a timer or remote shutter release. F15 or higher with a long exposure...10 or more seconds..the room may need to be darker...I'm not sure you just need to take lots of pictures and see what works for you.

 

[TamiyaGuy]

Well, I don't have a remote control, unfortunately, but I'll try F16 (pretty near) for a while. Thing is, 10 seconds seems like a ludicrously long time. Would such a long exposure be for a pretty much pitch-black room with the lights coming out unbelievably bright?

Obviously, I want to waste as little film as possible, but I'll try your suggestions first. F16, darker room, 10 sec shutter release. Got it. Thanks again.