Thread: My first post ,therefor my first photo effort

That's excellent , obviuosly a Tripod used " what F-Stop , Exposure ? secs etc.

Thanks, Yes tripod used

Pentax istDL using a Sigma 18-50 Lens and set to 18.Around 10 second exposure. With Focus set to manual...infinity.

are you using a cable release......your picture looks a little blurry surprising for a tripod set camera. But this will happen if you set the camera off by using the shutter button with your finger

If you dont have a cable release or wireless remote set the camera on timer when doing your long exposure this way you dont have to touch the camera when the shutter opens.

as any small movement is amplified when in low light

Thanks, yeah was using a cable release setup, not sure how to do a remote timer, but i'll look into it

Cable release should be ok. I'd turn off the house lights next time.

did you have your aperture wide open?.........I was told by my teacher to not think that because i was shooting in very low light that I had to have the aperture wide open make it smaller and leave the shutter open for longer, then you still get some depth of field. And maybe then you wont have the softer look.

I'm only guessing here by the way as you blew my last theory out the water

There is a really good reason why my answers may seem a little vague...I have no idea about photography I use the "Take lots of shots in the hope one works" methord. Changing a setting after each shot till i get a half decent shot. Thats why i got a digital camera as film was way to expensive So far i'm self taught, maybe i need to find a teacher

Originally Posted by hoadie72

Cable release should be ok. I'd turn off the house lights next time.

Unfortunatly it wasn't my house