Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge

guitar guy · Apr 19, 2015

First of all I am a returning newb, after ditching a D3000 a few years ago I recently bought a used D50.

So I took these pics the other night of the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis. My first impression is way too dark. This is my first night shoot with the D50 and I was totally experimenting. I would have stayed until it was completely dark, but the riverbank is very steep and wooded and I didn't have a flashlight. So lesson #1 learned-- always have a flashlight for night shooting.

Here's my settings, please advise what else I could have tried. I was utilizing tripod and self-timer operation.

Image #1
Nikon D50
28-85mm F3.5-4.5
Shutter Mode
38mm (Auto ISO 800)
1s - F22
-3.0EV - Cloudy

Image #2
Nikon D50
28-85mm F3.5-4.5
Shutter Mode
85mm (Auto ISO 800)
1/1.6s - F18
-3.0EV - Cloudy

guitar guy · Apr 19, 2015

Ideally, I'd like to get something closer to this...

Stone Arch Bridge - Lit Up Photography Forum

Didereaux · Apr 20, 2015

guitar guy said:
Ideally, I'd like to get something closer to this...

Stone Arch Bridge - Lit Up Photography Forum

Personally I refer your version. :icon_cheers:

The other is what is becoming far to common: Over processed HDR that looks like illustrations from some kids fantasy magazine. Just my opinion, of course. :whip:

mmaria · Apr 20, 2015

be aware of the distortion and make decisions accordingly

Designer · Apr 20, 2015

1. your camera focused on the background elements, not the bridge itself.
2. you could try a higher ISO
3. it's underexposed
4. instead of being in shutter mode, try full (edit) manual
5. skip the -3 EV
6. select a focus point on the bridge
7. adjust focal length accordingly, keeping your DOF deep enough to cover the depth of your subject
8. bracket shutter times and inspect your histograms for good exposures
9. don't be surprised to find that you need more time
10 what is meant by "1/1.6 sec."?

guitar guy · Apr 20, 2015

1/1.6s is what it shows in the information for the shutter speed.

Thanks, everyone. I will just have to keep getting out and experimenting.

Designer · Apr 20, 2015

I have corrected my earlier post to "manual". Don't know why I wrote what I did.

bribrius · Apr 20, 2015

why are you shooting at f18 and f22?

Designer · Apr 20, 2015

bribrius said:
why are you shooting at f18 and f22?

Could be because he wanted to get the entire bridge in focus.

Just a guess.

FITBMX · Apr 20, 2015

Not too bad, it is a really good start!

Are you close to the bridge?

guitar guy · Apr 20, 2015

I don't know what the -3.0EV means. I just had the white balance set on cloudy as far as I know.

Yeah, was in shutter mode so I guess it picked F18 & F22 for me. Next time I'll try manual and experiment more.

I also will try to stay out until it's darker, bringing a flashlight!

Designer · Apr 20, 2015

guitar guy said:
I don't know what the -3.0EV means.

It means you want the scene underexposed by 3 stops.

I probably wouldn't.

The white balance could be fixed afterward providing you captured the raw file.

Instead of simply accepting whatever aperture the camera chose, why not decide for yourself? If you look up the depth of field and compare that with the actual real-world situation, you could get most of the bridge in acceptable focus.

It's always hard when the subject (the bridge) is both near and far.