Night shots

[Stormchase]

This is school for me here. please let me know what I can do better in quality. The dock was 1 hour after i bought my camera.
1st one was on a whim. 2 sec exposure. how can i cut down on the noise for a long exposure?
any good hints for night time shoots?
1st picture is the first shot took with SLR in 20 years.
2nd going down the road wondering what a longer exposer might look like. and hmm .. cars.

 

[syphlix]

you shot the first one at 1600 iso... drop it to 1-200 and just use a longer exposure... you're using a tripod right?

 

[Stormchase]

Yes, I use a tripod whenever i can. I keep one in my car at all times. I understood for low light shots use a high ISO with the chance of noise. When would you use a 1200 or 1600 ISO? Ill go back tonight I think and try some different things. thanks man. Your all over this forum!

 

[chammer]

use the higher iso's when you need a faster shutter speed (like to stop motion in lower lit areas), however, when shooting from a tripod just leave it at 100 and use a longer exposure...like 10, 20, even 30 seconds or more.

 

[RussJasper]

first one is pretty good. I agree with what is said above, you need to use a low iso. 100 or so.

you will only want to use the higher iso when you aren't using your tripod and have to make up for a faster shutter speed in darker situations.

 

[Stormchase]

I went back last night to try some lower iso's and mess around more. I wasnt as lucky for conditions as the first time so i will keep trying.