C+C/help Needed.. 2 moon pics

Bayer-Z28Bayer-Z28 Registered Users Posts: 392 Major grins
edited July 13, 2009 in Technique
I am kind of at a loss as far as night shots.. None of the white balance settings were right, so I just adjusted the color balance until the moon and the reflection was about right..

I PS'd these a little bit.. Some exposure increase, auto color, auto contrast and auto levels (Quick fixes). How do I know what what balance to use at night? and When there isn't really a dominant focal point, how do I focus the shot when auto focus won't 'grab' anything??


I also tried to kill the lens flare, but it then the moon was out of focus and the exposure was too dark. I stepped from an f22 down to an f12 in gradual steps. I don't have a remote yet, so I was shooting a 30 sec exposure and then I held it open manually for 60 seconds with my finger. I think this first shot was the 60 sec finger shot.. LOL.. I take it I would need a remote to get the exposure I would need.


moon1k.jpg

moon2r.jpg


Here's the original of the first shot if anyone needs a reference or EXIF data.
dsc0026f.jpg
Auto enthusiast. I drive a 2000 Camaro Z28. LOADED w/ mods.

Camera: Nikon D80, 18-55 f3.5 stocker & 18-200 Nikon VR.... with a small collection of filters..


My Smugmug.. STILL Under construction.
http://bayer-Z28.smugmug.com

Comments

  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited July 13, 2009
    In the dark, you focus manually, or you set your focus manually to infinity before it gets dark, and you turn off your autofocus.

    Color is up to you.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • Bayer-Z28Bayer-Z28 Registered Users Posts: 392 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2009
    OOOOOooooooohhh.. OK... I completely forgot about the infinity adjustment! Thanx!! thumb.gif
    Auto enthusiast. I drive a 2000 Camaro Z28. LOADED w/ mods.

    Camera: Nikon D80, 18-55 f3.5 stocker & 18-200 Nikon VR.... with a small collection of filters..


    My Smugmug.. STILL Under construction.
    http://bayer-Z28.smugmug.com
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2009
    few points...
    • The great way to focus on the moon is to use the LiveView (40D/50D/5D2/etc)
    • At f/11 and slower feel free to use the hyperfocal distance. Check www.dofmaster.com for details.
    • WB in low angle moon shots is NEVER right. It's what you want it to be. Or use a WB target.
    HTH
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • Bayer-Z28Bayer-Z28 Registered Users Posts: 392 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2009
    Live view??


    It's been a while for me, you'll have to refresh my memory.
    Auto enthusiast. I drive a 2000 Camaro Z28. LOADED w/ mods.

    Camera: Nikon D80, 18-55 f3.5 stocker & 18-200 Nikon VR.... with a small collection of filters..


    My Smugmug.. STILL Under construction.
    http://bayer-Z28.smugmug.com
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2009
    Bayer-Z28 wrote:
    Live view??
    It's been a while for me, you'll have to refresh my memory.
    Oh sorry, you're Nikon.... ne_nau.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited July 13, 2009
    Nikolai wrote:
    Oh sorry, you're Nikon.... ne_nau.gif

    Nice. rolleyes1.gif
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • Bayer-Z28Bayer-Z28 Registered Users Posts: 392 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2009
    What could I have done to kill the lens flare? How is the overall picture?
    Auto enthusiast. I drive a 2000 Camaro Z28. LOADED w/ mods.

    Camera: Nikon D80, 18-55 f3.5 stocker & 18-200 Nikon VR.... with a small collection of filters..


    My Smugmug.. STILL Under construction.
    http://bayer-Z28.smugmug.com
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2009
    Bayer-Z28 wrote:
    What could I have done to kill the lens flare?
    1) Remove UV filter
    2) Orient your camera that it looks straight into the moon instead of a slight angle, and crop in post.
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • Bayer-Z28Bayer-Z28 Registered Users Posts: 392 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2009
    ^ Ahhh, ok.. thanx bud!
    Auto enthusiast. I drive a 2000 Camaro Z28. LOADED w/ mods.

    Camera: Nikon D80, 18-55 f3.5 stocker & 18-200 Nikon VR.... with a small collection of filters..


    My Smugmug.. STILL Under construction.
    http://bayer-Z28.smugmug.com
Sign In or Register to comment.