How can I take a photo like this with my camera?

skieur · Oct 24, 2011

I would take it on a tripod using a DSLR with a 10mm to 20mm wide angle lens. ISO would be 200 to 400 to minimize picture noise but improve the aperture and even the exposure somewhat. Minor adjustments could be done in post.

skieur

yipDog · Oct 24, 2011

The biggest two things I see are the wide angle lens (which may not be possible on your camera) and a slightly long exposure...maybe 5 or 6 seconds. The red streaks are from a car that turned. I'd bet money that's not an HDR shot. And the star glow from the lights is probably a filter. I've gotten the same effect on my Tokina 11-16 with a UV filter when I accidentally included the sun in a daytime pic. The pic in question also has a bit of lens flare which mine did as well.

MLeeK · Oct 24, 2011

IT'S NOT A FILTER! Really! It's not! Try it out. It's fun and cool and very simple! It's a SMALL aperture and a looooong exposure.

n.hubb22 · Oct 24, 2011

MLeeK said:
IT'S NOT A FILTER! Really! It's not! Try it out. It's fun and cool and very simple! It's a SMALL aperture and a looooong exposure.

Ding Ding Ding!!! check the photo below, no filter necessary. Look at the street lights (f/11, 6 sec)

Bridge2 by Viz I, on Flickr

yipDog · Oct 24, 2011

OK OK!! Here's an f16 for 20sec I took a while ago... I know it's not a filter specifically making that effect but was wondering since I always have a UV filter on my lens if that would interact at all. Obviously not!

Dao · Oct 25, 2011

The star is the result of the shutter blade with small aperture.

iskoos · Oct 25, 2011

I don't know why the OP so stuck with his camera not being professional DSLR. It doesn't have to be a pro DSLR camera to take that shot. Some of those mirrorless cameras can take very good pictures and will easily handle it. Heck even a simple P&S camera can take a picture like that if it has full exposure control (I know some don't) and the lens is wide enough...

A pro behind a non-pro camera will do much better than a non-pro behind a pro camera...

Dao · Oct 25, 2011

Agree! The photo looks professional because the person behind the camera knows how.

This sample photo from Canon $200 P&S camera look professional.
http://www.usa.canon.com/app/images/cameras/powershot/PS_ELPH_300HS/sampleimg/sampleimg_1.JPG

ghache · Oct 25, 2011

shootermcgavin said:
Try it first before you throw in the towel, I'm 85% that he used HDR processing on the photo. The reason I say that is the street lights have those funky lines shooting out of them, the only time I've gotten that effect on a night shot that strong is with HDR. There may be another way but I don't know about it.

stop smoking crack YOOOOO

shootermcgavin · Oct 25, 2011

[/QUOTE]

stop smoking crack YOOOOO[/QUOTE]

You have some mental issues and sound like a teenager... ignore works good for guys like you!

unpopular · Oct 25, 2011

Threads like this make me really wish I didn't piss off so many people at the other photo forum. :/

ghache · Oct 25, 2011

stop smoking crack YOOOOO[/QUOTE]

You have some mental issues and sound like a teenager... ignore works good for guys like you![/QUOTE]

LOL, i just see you recommending all kind of crap to people on here when your totally clueless. it just drive me crazy.

Matrixgravity · Oct 25, 2011

Dao said:
Agree! The photo looks professional because the person behind the camera knows how.

This sample photo from Canon $200 P&S camera look professional.
http://www.usa.canon.com/app/images/cameras/powershot/PS_ELPH_300HS/sampleimg/sampleimg_1.JPG

Sigh once again that is not what i mean by professional at all. When I say professional, I'm not saying the photo was taken in a professional manner. I am merely referring to the QUALITY of the shot and overall how it looks. Let's compare these two photo's together for example.

This photo was taken by a Canon DSLR camera.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/2891993740_553e719e78_z.jpg

See how crisp and clear and high quality the image looks?

Now, let's look at a similar picture, but shot with a way crappier camera.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2088/2256038094_526a0a197a.jpg

As you can see, the differences here are vast. This is what I mean by quality. It's hard to explain but hopefully you see where I am getting at.

Dao · Oct 25, 2011

Please don't take it negatively.

I understand what you mean. You camera is a good camera. You just need to learn how to use it until you reach the limitation.

I agree with you that the first photo of a phone looks better while the 2nd is bad. But your camera should be able to take a photo similar to the first phone photo.

This is another example from Canon point and shoot camera of a die cast car.
http://www.usa.canon.com/app/images/cameras/powershot/PS_S95/sampleimg/sampleimg_2.JPG

The car looks very sharp to me. And most important, the photographer know how to light it.

If you want to take a sharp photo, there are few technique you need to learn. If you do not have a tripod, maybe time to pick up one. If your camera supports few seconds shutter delay, use it. Since your camera do not have mirror, so no need to worry about mirror lock up. Learn more about DoF and the relationship of Aperture/Shutter speed/ISO.

Also learn about Post production. Go here and take a look at some example related Post production.

Juza Nature Photography - Articles

Matrixgravity · Oct 25, 2011

Dao said:
Please don't take it negatively.

I understand what you mean. You camera is a good camera. You just need to learn how to use it until you reach the limitation.

I agree with you that the first photo of a phone looks better while the 2nd is bad. But your camera should be able to take a photo similar to the first phone photo.

This is another example from Canon point and shoot camera of a die cast car.
http://www.usa.canon.com/app/images/cameras/powershot/PS_S95/sampleimg/sampleimg_2.JPG

The car looks very sharp to me. And most important, the photographer know how to light it.

If you want to take a sharp photo, there are few technique you need to learn. If you do not have a tripod, maybe time to pick up one. If your camera supports few seconds shutter delay, use it. Since your camera do not have mirror, so no need to worry about mirror lock up. Learn more about DoF and the relationship of Aperture/Shutter speed/ISO.

Also learn about Post production. Go here and take a look at some example related Post production.

Juza Nature Photography - Articles

Thanks for your help. Surprisingly, I understand Aperture/Iso/Shutter Speed really well now. I've been studying it for a few weeks and I believe I have a firm grasp on it. Regarding post processing, I have about two years of experience with Photoshop and retouching material so I think am good to go

!