Rainy Parisian Night [C/C]

[LizardKing]

Hello everybody!

A couple of days ago I uploaded my first 2 pictures and got some great critiques, tips and comments. So here I go again... :mrgreen:

This time, it's a set of 4 pictures I took in Paris on a rainy summer night, last year. You've probably seen hundreds of shots from these places, but I'm just taking my first steps in night photography. So any reviews, critiques, corrections and comments are most welcomed.


#1

#2

#3

#4

Thank you and have a nice day!

Regards,
LizardKing

 

[LizardKing]

Up?

 

[manaheim]

I would strongly suggest posting one of these at a time. There is plenty worth commenting on in each and people will tend to shy away from bothering when there is either too much or too little to say.

I'll comment generally- watch your compositions. The first one is very interesting, the execution of the technical aspects of night photography are good, but you chose landscape which seems ill-suited, and a very dull/static orientation (too centered, too straight).

BTW, last I checked the lighting on the eiffel tower is a trademarked thing and photos of it are essentially "illegal". Totally whacked, but was true at least somewhat recently.

 

[LizardKing]

Thank you for the advise. I'll try to only include 1 or 2 pictures per thread, in the future.

I apologize for not being clear about what I expected from uploading these pictures. I'm really new to all this world, and even myself wasn't completely sure about what I was looking for, when I uploaded these shots.

Basically, I like night photography a lot... And I know I still have a long way to go when it comes to composition and I'm working on it. So all your comments are very useful for me.
Here, with this set of pictures, I'd like to know your opinion about the exposures and technical stuff. Are they correct in therms of exposure? How can they be improved? Corrections?

Oh, BTW... What do you mean by 'but you chose landscape which seems ill-suited'?... Not sure I understand.

Thanks!

Regards,
LizardKing

 

[GeorgieGirl]

He is saying that #1 perhaps should have been composed in a portrait or vertical mode. I like your shots. There are rules about the Eiffel Tower (so don't sell this photo). My favorite shot is the bridge.

 

[ndwgolf]

Like it ..........good job

 

[manaheim]

Thank you for the advise. I'll try to only include 1 or 2 pictures per thread, in the future.

I apologize for not being clear about what I expected from uploading these pictures. I'm really new to all this world, and even myself wasn't completely sure about what I was looking for, when I uploaded these shots.

Basically, I like night photography a lot... And I know I still have a long way to go when it comes to composition and I'm working on it. So all your comments are very useful for me.
Here, with this set of pictures, I'd like to know your opinion about the exposures and technical stuff. Are they correct in therms of exposure? How can they be improved? Corrections?

Oh, BTW... What do you mean by 'but you chose landscape which seems ill-suited'?... Not sure I understand.

Thanks!

Regards,
LizardKing

Georgiegirl answered the Q on the landscape vs. portrait, but basically you have to ask yourself which orientaiton of your camera (including angled) compliments or represents the subject in a way that makes sense to you as the artist. There is no "right" or "wrong" here, but there are definitely prevailing trends, and there are certainly choices which may feel more right or wrong to your viewers. On those latter two you definitely are "breaking the mold" in a way that I don't personally think made sense, therefore the comment.

On the technical stuff, I believe you did very well. Most night-time photography I see on here tends to need a lot of help and I personally watch for and try to respond to all of these threads as I obsess over night photography and really enjoy it myself. Usually they have all kinds of issues, but I saw very few or none in yours. If you like, search on my name and night photography. There have been a couple times where I've given a whole string of tips and hints on how to do it right. You may find a few nuggets in there, but generally you're already better than 90% of the people I see on here who try this. (again, speaking technically)

 

[GeorgieGirl]

So let me ask then...how did you do it?

 

[LizardKing]

Thank you all!

I understand both exposure and composition are subjective to each photographer/artist. In my particular case (maybe because I'm just starting) I tend to prefer simetrical compositions.
Hopefully after all the comments I get and read in this forum, some books I'm reading about it and, obviously, a lot of practice... I'll improve my composition skills.

Anyway, it's good to know the exposures and technical settings are good. I already searched for your name + night photography a couple of days ago. Saw you said that in another post to another user, and found several really good tips.

Thanks again and have a nice day!

Regards,
LizardKing

 

[LizardKing]

So let me ask then...how did you do it?

What do you mean? Settings and that stuff?

 

[c.cloudwalker]

How ironic that the Lizard King would post photos of Paris

I just visited your grave a couple years ago and your fans still piss me off no end leaving their trash and graffiti all over the place.


Now, back to the photos.

I liked #1. My first thought was: just another postcard. But the way you framed it made me like it anyway and the light is very nice. I most certainly do not think that it should have been shot in portrait orientation. It would have then be a postcard for sure.

I liked #2.

#3 made me wonder WTF.

And when I got to #4, I really wondered WTF about #3. It just doesn't seem to fit within the series. I may be missing something but it doesn't appear to belong.

Now, I did not measure your photos to see if they were perfectly balanced, plumbed and level. However, they fit together well except for #3 in my eye.

The problem with the first one may be that it is too squarish. Make it longer and it might feel better.

 

[edddial]

I like #1 and #3. The third one is best.

 

[GeorgieGirl]

So let me ask then...how did you do it?

What do you mean? Settings and that stuff?

Yupper:thumbup:

 

[LizardKing]

How ironic that the Lizard King would post photos of Paris

:thumbup:

I really wondered WTF about #3. It just doesn't seem to fit within the series. I may be missing something but it doesn't appear to belong.

Well, yes... You're right. It's like those games/tests where you have to identify the 'stranger in the set' (or whatever you call it in english)... But I didn't pay much attention to that when selecting the pictures. Just pìcked some of them to upload and get C&C (specially on the technical matters).

So let me ask then...how did you do it?

Basically, I love low ISOs (all four of these are using ISO 64) and long exposures when it comes to night shots. Maybe because my camera is not that good and when working on higher ISOs, there's too much noise. Or maybe cause I'm such a newbie... :mrgreen:... Besides that, I believe the settings are quite simple. I just always make sure to use a tripod and use the timer to shot them.

#1: 1s at f/4.5
#2: 2s at f/2.8
#3: 1s at f/2.8 (aperture priority mode)
#4: 2s at f/3.5


Thanks again!

Regards,
LizardKing