Niagara falls C&C please!

[AustinChap]

How could I have improved theses photos I took at Niagara on both sides. I was pressed for room to get a better comp of the falls so I worked with where I could fit. There had to be thousands of ppl there.

This is my first time shooting night shots. All the photos were around 10-12pm with a sigma 10-20 lense.
1.

2.

3.

4. Shot with out a tripod... Free standing.

5. Same as four

 

[Bend The Light]

3!

 

[Stryker]

the location is breathtaking however, I dont know if its my monitor but, I find all the shots quite soft. May we know your exif data?

 

[LaFoto]

No wonder they are a little soft if he was shooting at long exposure times (see blurred water, night out) and without a tripod, while being surrounded by people. Given all those facts, the outcome looks ok in this small size, mostly so Photo 3, which - with all the colours of the lights - is the most impressive.
For nighttime photography of townscapes you'd really need a tripod, though, AustinChap. This is ok for a first attempt, but shows you what is needed: a firm rest for your camera, aka "tripod". Then nighttime photography is even more fun!

 

[sroc3]

#1 is very nice - the "soft" effect works well in that one.

get a tripod and and a trigger.....works even better!

You also just solidified my want to purchase the Sigma 10-20....great lens I can see!

 

[Cheesy_DSLR_Man]

You also just solidified my want to purchase the Sigma 10-20....great lens I can see!

i have just bought the sigma 10-20mm and WOW it is a brilliant little lens for the price, same good quality of the Canon 10-22mm but half the price of it, would recommend buying it

number 3 love the multiple colours, shame you have that bit of the tree in the shot, but at the same time it adds another element into the picture, nice collection

 

[AustinChap]

Thanks guys! I had a pretty good benro tripod strapped to my shoulder, I just didn't have room for it any where. I thought about moving back and setting up on a hill with my 55-300 but I dont think i would have been able to get all the falls in frame. I like cityscapes I just can never find a good spot to do them.

Is there away to get rid of the circles from the lights on the falls?

 

[AustinChap]

Here is a few more during the day. Not sure if I like them.

1.

I think it's a bit grainy.I exposed it to the sky the played with my highlights&darks.

3.

4.

 

[AustinChap]

Bump.

 

[greenjackson16]

the first 3 is the best, the second 2 is good also. you have great colors, but all of them look really, really soft. Invest in a cheap tripod, it'll be worth it

 

[spacefuzz]

I like your comp in the second #2, nice with the falls and city.
feels like you might have a bit too much sky in the first set.