The computers in the automated processors are programmed to attempt to
cook your photos to 'normal'. My solution to this type of photography is
to bracket widely and hope this confuses the processor---or pushes the negative
so far out of limits that the processor can't compute how to screw it up.
One photo looks like it might be a bit out of focus as well. --- If you have an
autofocus camera, night scenic photos are a great time to turn the auto focus off
by switching to the "MF" mode and just set the lens to infinity and be done with it.
The other issue you must consider is the extraordinary contrast between the
foreground and the background. IF you have an 'exposure lock' it is a grand time
to experiment with it. Point the camera fully at the sky, lock the exposure and
then lower it and take the photo. This should force the forground 'black'.
I usually put the camera in manual metering mode--and set the exposure with
the camera pointed at the sky and then lower it---since I don't have/am not used to
an 'exposure lock'. Of course if you want to see the town with the sky burned out,
do it the other way.
Depending on auto metering to average the two areas of the the photo that are
beyond the film tolerance for contrast will produce an unsatisfactory compromise at
best.
I"ve had a lot of fun taking sunset photos, but if I am going for a silouette,
I start with a meter reading on the sky, and bracket from there. Don't bother with
half stops -- kick it up and
down a couple of stops.
Low light photography is an art form. Point and shoot doesn't work. What does work
is lots of patience, lots of
film, and lots of trying (with the automated features on your camera turned off).
Paul Jones wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Here are some poor photos i took, i am looking for some help with why they
> didnt turn out very well.
>
> I think i had the exposure incorrect, it also looks like it has a similar
> effect to shooting under tungsten lighting.
>
> Here is the link, any comment would be appreciated.
> http://www.alphalink.com.au/~nrg/
>
> Thanks,
> Paul Jones
>
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