A Travel Photography Tips & Tricks Series Post
Equipment: EOS 60D EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
EXIF: 12mm f/3.5 10sec ISO 100
Travel Photography Nightscape – Sydney
In Travel Photography, nightscape is a desirable shot. Many-a-times, for lack of a vantage or opportunity, it doesn’t work out so well. Not so for my visit to Sydney. Even before booking a hotel, I went to Google Maps and figured out a hotel with a great vantage, as being there would surely accord me the opportunity. Shangri-La passed muster and that’s where I went.
Here’s a 10-sec exposure, shot from the 33rd floor of Shangri-La that gave a superb view of both, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House (How I got a room on the 33rd floor is another story and you may read it here). I opted for long exposure since I wanted the ISO to be at 100 (the least). Additionally, I was clear that long light trails of traffic on the Harbour Bridge are a must!
ISO – The Dilemma
It is always a dilemma you face – to increase the length of exposure by keeping ISO low or to reduce the length of the exposure by pumping up the ISO, depending on which is likely to give you lesser noise. There are no easy answers. You just need to shoot and figure it out. Though personally, I veer more towards keeping the ISO low, you may take your own call.
Any suggestions that you may have on the ISO issue, are welcome!
It’s a fantastic photo. I really need to improve my night photography. I have never really gotten the hang of it with digital. I have been working on it over the past year.
Thanks, Elizabeth! I am happy you are working on improving your night photography! Do let me know if I may be of any help!
Travel Photography… #australia #cityscape #harborbridge https://t.co/AXrAWGX8l9
Many times I’m in a hurry and then I have to click through different ISO and programs and so on. Making me really crazy!
Great shot!!
Thanks a ton! Yes, handling settings when in a hurry can be head-spinning at times!
Great shot! And very timely article as we are researching our new camera and learning more about ISO…
Thanks, Patricia! Good luck with your research and subsequent acquisition!
Always been puzzled with the ISO question, low or high? you have cleared my doubts!
Vyjay, just a quick addition to my submission above – when I am doing street photography in low-light conditions (Street Photography = Hand-held), I have no choice but to fall back on high ISO. It is better to have a shot rather than miss it completely!
Great tips. Practice, practice, practice and ISO adjustment all work.
Here, I remember an old movie – 36th Chamber of Shaolin! It was all about practice, right?
I was in the Shangri-La 5 years ago, amazing view! I just started with photography and had no idea what I was doing 🙂 Your shot is beautiful! I also have the doubt whether or not to pump up the ISO but I always try to keep it as low as possible.
That’s gr8, Cynthia! *From one believer of low-ISO, to another* 🙂
How timely to read about finding a vantage point as I was just researching best hikes for photography for our upcoming trip. And yes, the ISO struggle is real.
What a coincidence, Rob! Good luck for excellent vantage points!
Amazing shot! As always your photography blows me away!
Thanks, Shelly! ?