Night time shots with a Canon Powershot A700?

[Stitchless]

Hi, my first post here and I'm using it to ask a question. I've been reading these forums for a while but I find the information a bit overwhelming regarding digital photography. I'm new to this (just bought my first camera about 2 weeks ago) and I'm in need of some advice. I want to use my camera, a Canon Powershot A700, to take night time pictures and also shots of fire works in the Disney parks. Can you tell me a general setting that would get me nice shots? I've read some of the information and understand that there isn't "one" best setting but if someone could recommend a setting or two I could practice with that would be great.

I don't have a tri-pod, it's going to be just hand held shots. I'd like to get pictures like:

Bah, I can't post URL's? Anyway, I was trying to link the picture by Pea-n-Me, the shot in MGM after the rain storm in the Show me: your low-light *FLASHLESS* pictures thread.

If that's not possible can you show me something that I would be able to achieve? TIA

 

[Master Mason]

For the low light pictures your looking for you would be well served to pick up a try pod. It doesn't have to be a big one, I purchased a table top one last week, that is about 8 1/2 inches when folded up, and will sit on a flat garbage can perfectly.

For Fireworks, you would use said table top tripod, or worst case put it on a blanket or coat on the top of the garbage can. And in your case try the fireworks mode that is built in.

For the pic similar to Pea and me's try the Night landscape mode.

Both of the above are settings where the cameral makes all the decisions.

But you did buy a pretty good camera for being able to start making your own choices about things when your ready. You can adjust Apature, shutter time, and ISO, as you would be able to with a dSLR. Once your comfortable with using the camera and the preset modes, you'll be able to start experimenting to get the shots exactly as you want them.

Good luck and have fun.