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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.
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44 comments:

  1. Luis GomezJanuary 11, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    Great tips! Lovely image.

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  2. 2sweetnsaxyJanuary 11, 2011 at 6:10 PM

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

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  3. JimJanuary 11, 2011 at 6:22 PM

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

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  4. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪January 11, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    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.

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  5. ShirleyJanuary 11, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    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.

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  6. LesleyJanuary 11, 2011 at 7:23 PM

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

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  7. Carolyn FordJanuary 11, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    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!

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  8. SouthernSassJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:02 PM

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

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  9. MarieElizabethJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:10 PM

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

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  10. ThérèseJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:19 PM

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

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  11. MarkaJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Excellent photograph!

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  12. kayerjJanuary 11, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    lovely photo. thanks for the tips.

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  13. Chubskulit RoseJanuary 11, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Gorgeous shot!

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

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  14. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    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!

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  15. OlivierJanuary 11, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    superbe photo de nuit, avec le pont au loin

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  16. Pat TillettJanuary 12, 2011 at 12:07 AM

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

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  17. OwenJanuary 12, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    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...

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  18. MargaretJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    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!

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  19. GineJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:36 AM

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

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  20. cieldequimperJanuary 12, 2011 at 2:27 AM

    Nice lights in the trees too!

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  21. UnknownJanuary 12, 2011 at 2:34 AM

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

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  22. MalyssJanuary 12, 2011 at 2:55 AM

    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..

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  23. KatJanuary 12, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    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

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  24. Cezar and LéiaJanuary 12, 2011 at 7:06 AM

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

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  25. Hootin AnniJanuary 12, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    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

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  26. DawnTreaderJanuary 12, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Impressive photo! :)

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  27. FabienJanuary 12, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Nice night vew

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  28. Stickup ArtistJanuary 12, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    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!

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  29. ElisaJanuary 12, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    It´s simply beautiful!

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  30. UnknownJanuary 12, 2011 at 2:54 PM

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

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  31. Melissa B.January 12, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    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!

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  32. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    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

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  33. NicoletteJanuary 13, 2011 at 5:21 AM

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

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  34. IreneJanuary 13, 2011 at 7:34 AM

    Great image! Looks so lovely!

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  35. Genie -- Paris and BeyondJanuary 13, 2011 at 10:46 AM

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

    Love this shot, too!
    Genie

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  36. Louis la VacheJanuary 13, 2011 at 11:10 AM

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

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  37. SunnyJanuary 13, 2011 at 4:28 PM

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

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  38. T. BecqueJanuary 13, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    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!

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  39. Jeannette StGJanuary 14, 2011 at 3:07 AM

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

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  40. DebraJanuary 14, 2011 at 4:35 AM

    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!

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  41. rumaJanuary 14, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    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...

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  42. UnknownJanuary 15, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    perfect, and WOW!!

    thanks for the tips.

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  43. Suburban GirlJanuary 15, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    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.

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  44. Stefan JanssonJanuary 16, 2011 at 11:46 AM

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

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