I'm a Failure...

[makinorlando]

I just can't get the hang of the proper settings to take outdoor photos at night - not fireworks, or Spectromagic, but stationary things.

Or last night inside Mexico, I wanted so much to get a good picture of the temple and volcano... geesh - I was sitting at a table!

But, that being said - SE at night, really should not be that difficult - There are many places to place the camera to reduce movement.....

I read, and think I have the whole concept of settings - this should be higher, this should be lower, but then I get there and i get ALL confused. It's like a mental block. I'm doomed to shoot pictures on AUTO for the rest of my life -

Here is SE that I took last night....

I know for some things I need a tripod, and I am still working on that - just haven't taken the time - and I can honestly say - I won't carry one to the parks on every visit.

 

[tmt martins]

What you might want to try one night (and it will take some time ) Is take a pad and pen set your camera on something stable (if you don't want to get a TP) and take a picture on each setting playing with as many combos as possible .Keep track of setting and Picture # on you pad and when you get back compair how they came out.

You can do this for other things as well as long as you have a consistant image that will not change.

Then you can have just a reminder note with you when you go that state if image is this and lighting is that then set to such & such.You can lamenate and attach to strap until you get use to it ( like a cheat sheet)

 

[daddyscooltv]

These are a few of shot I've taken of Spectromagic. What kind of camera are you using? My suggestion is to use a camera or lens that has some kind of image stabilization and use the highest ISO setting that you can and no flash to get the look to the night shots.

Hope this helps some,
Chris

 

[makinorlando]

Here is what I did with Spectromagic a couple weeks ago -

I have a Canon S2-IS.

I think what frustrated me most was the photos inside of Mexico that I tried as well as SE.

I need to get a sitter or ship my DD to a friend for an evening and go alone - which is something I have been trying to figure out - so I can just concentrate on my camera!!!

 

[makinorlando]

You can do this for other things as well as long as you have a consistant image that will not change.

I was doing this yesterday with daylight photos of a tree... while I was sitting in car line to pick up DD from school, just to amuse myself. I wanted to take my manual with me, and but could not find it at the last minute out the door.

I need to pick up the book on exposure that several people have mentioned!

It really should not be this difficult, but I know have created a mental block when I am "under pressure" taking photos!!!!

 

[bsbkmacgowan]

These are a few of shot I've taken of Spectromagic.

This is just one awesome photo, Chris! Very, very nice! Love the way Cindy is so softly illuminated yet no blur whatsoever anywhere! It's a classic representation of a classic parade.

Sandy (and Brian, Bonnie & Kellie, too!)

 

[daddyscooltv]

This is just one awesome photo, Chris! Very, very nice! Love the way Cindy is so softly illuminated yet no blur whatsoever anywhere! It's a classic representation of a classic parade.

Sandy (and Brian, Bonnie & Kellie, too!)

Thanks so much, I have recently sold my DSLR and went with the smaller P&S S2IS. We will going back the first week of June so I will be able to try the S2 at the parades.

Chris

 

[handicap18]

Best practice,,, get a small pocket sized notebook and take notes. Both from here that you like and what you have used yourself. Make your own manual. Using the small pocket sized notebook might make it easier to keep with your camera. Even go so far as to add tabs to it for easy/quick reference.

It is a lot of information to remember if your not doing it regularly or are new. Also you can pick up small tripods that can be stowed in a backback or pocketbook at Ritz Camera (or equivelent {spelling??!!?}) for under $35. Some even as low as $14 or so that will open up to stand on top of a table or trash can.

 

[makinorlando]

Thanks Kyle. I really just need a "solo" trip for about 2 or 3 days at WDW! Like that will ever happen! I live 35 minutes away, but never really have the opportunity alone!

I guess I just need to go outside and practice around the neighborhood at night!

 

[LMarge]

Martha!! I think that shot of SE looks great!! Your shots of the parade are pretty good too - some creative cropping should get that ladies sholder out of the first one! I would say most excellent for your first time doing the night thing!! Gives me hope for our next visit ( whenever that may be!) Once you get your "cheat sheet" made, I'll pay for a copy!!! Seriously, those look awesome to me - I would be happy to scrap those! The one thing I have learned trying to take low light gymnastic shots is to use the 400 ISO and switch to the tv or av mode - I usually shot a couple in each adjusting them until I'm happy and then decide which I like best (usually the av - just seems more clear!) But did you try the night scene mode or fireworks mode on those yet? I would be interested to hear how those modes perform on this camera! Thanks for sharing - you're doing fine research for the rest of us!!!

 

[LMarge]

I do want to apologize for any and all spelling error - I spilled a cup of coffee on my keyboard a week or so back and now several keys have a tendency to stick!!! Should have used Splenda instead of my normal heaping spoons of sugar!!!

 

[manning]

I'm a failure

Not really, you're just not familiar with the camera yet.

On SE, set the exposure meter to spot reading. The exposure meter will read SE only. The spot reading will take place at the center of the image. As you have it set up now the camera is reading the entire picture for exposure. It is taking an average of everything and coming up with what it thinks the the right exposure is.

 

[makinorlando]

I do want to apologize for any and all spelling error - I spilled a cup of coffee on my keyboard a week or so back and now several keys have a tendency to stick!!! Should have used Splenda instead of my normal heaping spoons of sugar!!!

Don't you hate when that happens????

Thanks for your kind words. I just get so flustered when I can't put it all together! I just need to tell DD that I have to get someone to watch her so I can go to Disney without her.... she already tells me I like my camera more than her.

 

[makinorlando]

Not really, you're just not familiar with the camera yet.

On SE, set the exposure meter to spot reading. The exposure meter will read SE only. The spot reading will take place at the center of the image. As you have it set up now the camera is reading the entire picture for exposure. It is taking an average of everything and coming up with what it thinks the the right exposure is.

Thanks. Now I understand spot reading!

We are headed back to Epcot to have dinner at Mexico (again) for Cinco de Mayo. I will be sure to make my note cards by then!

As Martha goes outside to see what she can take nighttime photos of......

 

[Dan Murphy]

One super picture there.

Martha, you are doing just fine.

 

[LMarge]

I just need to tell DD that I have to get someone to watch her so I can go to Disney without her.... she already tells me I like my camera more than her.

OK - I'm already jealous because you live there and I'm stuck here - but now you tell me you're going to get to go without your dd too!!!??? There is no justice in this world!!! -- and all to play with your new toy!!! gosh, I just can't imagine why she would be upset!!! ---the other way to present it is to say "darling, I must do this inorder to better preserve these precious moments in time!!!" of course my dh doesn't want me to open my new PSE4 software because he knows that once I do I'll spend more time on the computer editing and playing with my pictures than I will with the subjects of said photos!!! what a sad, sad situation!!!

 

[makinorlando]

OK - I'm already jealous because you live there and I'm stuck here - but now you tell me you're going to get to go without your dd too!!!??? There is no justice in this world!!! -- and all to play with your new toy!!! gosh, I just can't imagine why she would be upset!!! ---the other way to present it is to say "darling, I must do this inorder to better preserve these precious moments in time!!!" of course my dh doesn't want me to open my new PSE4 software because he knows that once I do I'll spend more time on the computer editing and playing with my pictures than I will with the subjects of said photos!!! what a sad, sad situation!!!

PSE4 is on the computer back in the guest room. I use the laptop in the family room, and I don't really like doing too much photo shop type work on the laptop - cropping etc. is okay (actually I am using my business laptop right now, as mine had to go in for repair, and I don't have anything but Picassa and the Microsoft Office Picture Manager) I get back there sometimes and don't come out for hours too! I have lots of projects in my mind, so I have a feeling I will be creating next week! I did one selective coloring photo the other day, but that is it.

I think DD has got to be one of the most photographed children. She had better not ever tell me I did not record her childhood. I have boxes of photos from her early days (prior to digital) and everytime she turns around now I am taking her picture! She had me taking pics of her friends with our kittens today, hoping that when the took the picture home the parents would just have to have the kitten!

DD being the only, and us being all we have, she gets very upset if I want to go anywhere without her. She just doesn't understand why I would want to do anything with out her beside me!

I don't do too much with other "grown ups", but when I have friends from out of town visiting and we want a adult only meal out, she gets so upset. I have a friend coming in a couple weeks, and we are going the Cocoa Beach for a couple hours after I drop Tara off at school, and not even telling her we are going! (I will warn the school that I will be a little further away than normal, as I work at home). We are planning on taking her out to dinner with us the next night though at Cape May!

 

[LMarge]

Martha - what a great mom you are!! I admire your dedication to your daughter and to the creation of your family as a unit! That is so vital and important in our society today and while you two have this terrific bond, I've witnessed it lacking in families that have both parents. We love our 3 blessings and have a very strong bond with each of them, so please don't get me wrong - but I also share in that lack of adult only time, only from a different vantage point! My dh is a pilot and is gone 15 days a month - when he's home it's all about the family unit- so any dinners out are ususally to kid friendly places! The quiet one-on-one adult dinners happen on birthdays and anniversaries! Dinners with other adults happen probably every 3 months, due to scheduling conflicts, sick kids, etc. I do realize it's just a season of our life and that pretty soon, they will be going "see ya later, I've got a date!" uugghhh - so not ready for that! But until then I'll content myself with Wendy's and our newest favorite Chipolte's! (we're branching out!) As for those boxes of photos - one day she's going to look back and realize the tremendous effort you put into all of that and it will carry with it the full weight of your love for her! (at least that's what I'm praying for!) Kudos to you Martha!!
Marge

 

[makinorlando]

Martha - what a great mom you are!! I admire your dedication to your daughter and to the creation of your family as a unit! That is so vital and important in our society today and while you two have this terrific bond, I've witnessed it lacking in families that have both parents. We love our 3 blessings and have a very strong bond with each of them, so please don't get me wrong - but I also share in that lack of adult only time, only from a different vantage point! My dh is a pilot and is gone 15 days a month - when he's home it's all about the family unit- so any dinners out are ususally to kid friendly places! The quiet one-on-one adult dinners happen on birthdays and anniversaries! Dinners with other adults happen probably every 3 months, due to scheduling conflicts, sick kids, etc. I do realize it's just a season of our life and that pretty soon, they will be going "see ya later, I've got a date!" uugghhh - so not ready for that! But until then I'll content myself with Wendy's and our newest favorite Chipolte's! (we're branching out!) As for those boxes of photos - one day she's going to look back and realize the tremendous effort you put into all of that and it will carry with it the full weight of your love for her! (at least that's what I'm praying for!) Kudos to you Martha!!
Marge

Thanks! Tara's father, has been out of the picture since she was 5 months old. Pretty much has just disappeared. No support, etc. I also have a small immediate family, so sometimes it does feel like it is just us in the world. My mom and sister with whom I am close, live in PA, and we are in contact all the time, but day to day - it's us against the world. I work from home, so I don't have a great deal of outside contact at all, and in my neighborhood for some reason being a single mom, I just don't 'fit' the "perfect family mold". I think that's why I love the DIS, as well as having Disney be such a big part of our lives!

Okay - enough of this stuff! Back to the business of nighttime photos.

I will get a good photo of the interior of MEXICO next Friday, if I have to spend the entire meal taking pictures of it on every setting!

Maybe by the time she 'leaves the nest' I will find time to put some of them into scrapbooks! At least the digital one's I can just give her a CD (or whatever media we are saving files too by then!)