Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Philadelphia Belle and Philadelphia Ben

Penn's Landing Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-
The riverboat is named Philadelphia Belle and the bridge is named Benjamin Franklin. I think they make a cute couple. The river is the Delaware, this side is Philadelphia Pennsylvania
and the other side is Camden New Jersey.
You can tell that it was cold and windy by the snow on the ground and the blur of the waving flags. When the wind is blowing it's hard to get a shot that's not blurry even when I use a tripod.
The other day I said I would give some tips about night photography. I still haven't taken a photography class or even read a book about it yet so keep that in mind.
I'll just share what I do and I hope it helps others.
1) use a tripod
2) use the camera's two second delay
3) try to take your time and not rush the shot
4) try to take more than one shot of the same things (because it ups the chance of getting a good one)
5) never touch the camera or tripod while the picture is being taken
6) use manual settings
7)wider apertures and higher ISO equals more light while smaller and lower equals darker pictures
8) try shooting the same thing with several different camera settings(to see which is best)
9)study and learn from other people
That's about all I can think of right now. I'm hoping to get a couple of photography for my birthday next month so I'll do an update post if I learn something new.
I'm always happy to learn so if anyone has tips or critiques about my photos please let me know.
This is my Watery Wednesday post.

44 comments:

Luis Gomez said...

Great tips! Lovely image.

2sweetnsaxy said...

That is just beautiful. I love how soft the lights looks and the soft reflection of the lights on the water is great!

Jim said...

That's a really beautiful shot.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

We often go up to our high point, and wish I have a tripod to take the night photo. Some one told me if I put my camera on th ecar roof, it might work.

Shirley said...

They do look good coupled together for an extraordinary photo! Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately I am using a point and shoot. Someday I will graduate to an SLR.

Lesley said...

a riverboat cruise at night sounds wonderful. though, maybe in the summer!

Carolyn Ford said...

The blue and golden tones in this shot are stunning! It's tack sharp and very impressive, James! Add that all up and I am looking at a beautiful scene!

SouthernSass said...

Beautiful night shot and thanks for sharing your knowledge! I am learning as I go too, and all tips are very much appreciated!

MarieElizabeth said...

Just beautiful, I like the starlight on the far side as well.

Thérèse said...

Such a good try! You should try this website perhaps you would like it a lot.

Marka said...

Excellent photograph!

kayerj said...

lovely photo. thanks for the tips.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Gorgeous shot!

Please come and see my Watery Wedensday entry, thank you in advance!

Anonymous said...

Instead of #2, I highly recommend the canon RC1 wireless remote (check for compatibility, I'm 99.9% sure it will work with your camera). It's cheap and effective.

I also suggest using the mirror lock-up.

Nice shot!

Olivier said...

superbe photo de nuit, avec le pont au loin

Pat Tillett said...

Nice photo James! I'd say under the circumstances that this is a GREAT photo!

Owen said...

Lovely James, doesn't look like you are going to be needing to many books, you're doing just fine already... pretty crazy colors you got there, like into the realm of HD ? I don't know much about HD, but the more I see the more I like... Scotty Graham's blog being one excellent example...

And Walt, where's Walt, the good old Walt Whitman bridge is still around there somewhere ? I guess off to your left and a bit behind you. And the I-95 bridge over the Schuykil...

Margaret said...

Love the two second delay idea. Also love this photo for many reasons - it glows and the complimentary colors of blue and orange, and of course, the reflections. Stunning!

Gine said...

Enchanteur ! La prise est réussie et la photo garde de son mystère ...

cieldequimper said...

Nice lights in the trees too!

Unknown said...

this is a beautiful night photo. the bridge at the background is gorgeous. thanks for the tips.:p

Malyss said...

French rivers are too small to have such boats!But I remember Showboat, with Ava Gradner..
I notice that your pictures often make me think of movies, and I'm wondering if it comes from you and your pictures , or from me?.. But I have not the same feeling with other US blogs..

Kat said...

Love this shot, the Ben Franklin is such a great subject, especially for night work. I have never really learned the patience for good night shoots, but DH uses a wireless remote. He is in love with it. Of course, he has also tried to unlock the car with it :) Kat

Cezar and Léia said...

Stunning picture!
That bridge with all lights is fantastic!
Léia

Hootin Anni said...

Wow....I've been going through all the links on the Watery Wednesday, and so far, I think this is THE BEST!!!

My Wednesday post link In Search of the Elusive WHOLE Sand Dollar

http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com/2011/01/beachcombingits-obsession.html

DawnTreader said...

Impressive photo! :)

Fabien said...

Nice night vew

Stickup Artist said...

Great shots and tips! I haven't tried using the delay, but do use a tripod and increase exposure as well as open the aperture. I try to keep the ISO as small as possible to reduce the possibility of "noise." But you don't seem to ever have that problem! Glad to see Penn's Landing looking so good!

I have found that a good exercise is to shoot the same scene as the light changes from light to dark. That taught me a lot about manual settings. I'd also love to get a remote shutter release or even one on a cable which is much cheaper, to eliminate camera shake, but haven't gotten around to that yet. But you seem to be doing just fine without fancy gadgets. Great job. The great results inspire me to try new things!

Elisa said...

It´s simply beautiful!

Unknown said...

The boat is gorgeous but your photo is even more. Awesome work, James!

Melissa B. said...

Although I still have a point-and-shoot digital, I'm trying my darnedest to capture some decent snaps. Thanks for the tips. I've resolved to do better this year!

Anonymous said...

you wouldn't belive how much this moved me. such beauty, peacefulness, happiness. thank you for sharing this journey.

please have a good thursday you all.


daily athens

Nicolette said...

Amazing photo... the river boat is fabulous... Thank you for the tips about night photography. I shall definitely try this in Belfast.

Irene said...

Great image! Looks so lovely!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Great tips, James, and I would just skip the books as you are doing just fine!

Love this shot, too!
Genie

Louis la Vache said...

hee hee...
We need to link this to this coming Sunday Bridges.

Sunny said...

I am totally loving your night shots and thanks for all the tips.
☼ Sunny

T. Becque said...

Solid tips and pretty night shot. I like the blur of the flags. I'm hoping I can convince someone to go night shooting with me this weekend...we'll see how that goes!

Jeannette StG said...

Beautiful colors in this night shot -I agree, you don't have to take any classes if you're such a natural:)

Debra said...

Ok now you've inspired me to try some night shots! The blue reflection on the water from the bridge is so spectacular....I love it! This is really stunning!

ruma said...

The white art is dazzling.
The blue bridge seems to welcome it.

That time in the ship will pass slowly.
Like the speed of the ship...

Unknown said...

perfect, and WOW!!

thanks for the tips.

Suburban Girl said...

Thanks for the tips. You don't need a class to give tips. If you are self taught that works just as well!

I love the BF Bridge at night and this is a great coupling for sure. Very pretty.

Stefan Jansson said...

Some good advice here. I don't do much night photography, perhaps it is time to buy a new tripod.