Night shot - need some help

David L. Megahey

Just got back from the Tempe Town Lake. Here's a couple of shots I'd
like your C&C. These are as shot, with a filthy sensor. These are my
first night shots. 30D, 17 -85mm, 30 sec. ap.????

David L. Megahey

Night shot - need help
Looking for advise on how best to

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make it more bestest.

tsk1979

1. The shots lack the crisp sharp feeling
To do that increase contrast and sharpen
2. The composition is not too great. Try looking at other good shots on the web for that lake, and you will get what to frame.
3. The star effect is going against the photo and not with it. I guess F8 should be good?

argyle

#1 has a severe tilt...need to keep things level. A cheap hotshoe level always does the trick. Normally, I wouldn't mind the star points on the lights, but I think in #1 at least there are too many competing lights that "clog" the left side of the composition, as well as the corporate logo on the building. Generally, this effect works well when there aren't too many lights, for example a row of lights along a pier, etc. Contrast in each also needs to be boosted a bit.