What Did I Do Wrong? Pictures Included!

[cmwade77]

You can get great night shots from a pint and shoot camera with some creativity:

This picture was taken at 9:21 P.M. at Disneyland, in a poorly lit area, using a clamppod (clamped onto a railing). No flash was used. Using my Kodak DX7630 camera and a 64 second exposure time. I also can attach filters and small lenses to this camera, but it is not an SLR. I do believe I had a filter attached. Note the lenses cannot compensate for dark conditions, it is all done in the camera. No flash was used.

Also taken with the DX7630

Using my Olympus 770SW, this was taken during a tour (with permission at this point), a little blury as I was still learning how to use this one.

This is from a Kodak DX4530, which I had for a couple of years, gave to my parents when I got the 7630, they then gave it to my sister, but I hear it is now dead after many years. No flash was used in this picture, it is against the rules.

Olympus 770 SW - This was the first night that I was able to try using it at night.

770SW

770SW - From a slowly moving vehicle

770SW

770SW from the back of the theater (wheelchair seating)

770SW - at night, underwater

Please note that on all shots (except from the tour) with the 770SW, it was my first trip with that camera.

 

[qanita92]

You can get great night shots from a pint and shoot camera with some creativity:

Wow these are really good! Do you mind if I ask for help? I actually don't understand much of the photography terms

For fireworks shots the manual on the Kodak V1003 says:

Fireworks


Fireworks. Place the camera on a steady surface or tripod.


2-second exposure, Infinity Focus, Center-Weight Metering, Daylight White Balance, no flash

Have you tried this? How well would this work?

 

[cmwade77]

Those setting would work, if you didn't want anything in the picture that is not a firework, otherwise the other items could come out over exposed. Due to the nature of the fireworks shots that I take (i.e. where I want the castle to be part of the shot), I usually use sports mode, I find this works quite well. Now, mind you this advice goes against what many people will tell you here, but it is the effect that I personally like the best for Disney Fireworks. Other fireworks are different, I usually will put my camera into fireworks mode for those.

Here is the Exif information from the picture I posted with the Mickey Firework:
Exposure time: 1/8 Second (.125)
Aperture: f/3.4
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 8mm (39mm 35mm)

The only one of the shots that I posted that used ANY kind of tripod was the first one, which had an exposure time of 64 seconds, but made for a really cool effect that late at night (especially since it is on the rivers of america while Fantasmic! is going on and I got a ghost effect of the Pirates flag). That one I used my very first "Clampod" for, I now have a gorilla pod and a more updated clampod, both are very useful in different situations and are more convenient than carrying a tripod around the parks all day.

Admittedly I do not understand too many of the Photography terms either (although thanks to this board I am getting better), I just have learned with my various point and shoot cameras what settings work in what situations (mostly by trial and error)

 

[MonoManBlue]

I will admit though.....I was a long time P&S user before I graduated to the DSLR....now though, its all I carry, and when I take a shot like this, I know that with a P&S it would be so much harder to get and the DSLR is just THAT much more versatile.

I just love how well they came out.....my whole spectro was great.....Wishes was also great until a 6'5 giant stood in front of me!!

The greatest thing i've ever done was bought one of those notecard books with a wire binding. I keep all my settings for fireworks at all the parks, and parade shots in it as well as my own homeade guide to Fstops...