I took this at a bridge opening recently (once we could go there legally ). Being kind of new to this photography thing, I'm curious what you guys think. Let me know what should be changed/cropped/whatever, as well as if I were to do it again, what I could do differently. I appreciate all the feedback.

Being it your first time, it's a good start. But the light painting (IMO) is too much of a distraction on the bridge. It takes away from the bridge itself.

Other than the light, the bridge seems a bit off focus, and isn't standing out that much. For stuff like this, I'd set your f-stop to 5.6, your iso to 200 (or 100), and let it expose for a good 4-5 minutes in city light or 3-4 minutes in full moon. -- Even with the light painting, I'd still let it expose a good 4-5 minutes. You can always adjust the exposure settings in your photo editor at a later time. (download Adobe LightRoom demo if you don't have it)

Otherwise it's good.

_{waiting for others to chime in...}

As far as I can tell this picture is not about the bridge, but light painting. If you want it to be about a bridge, make that the focus.

Also, in my opinion, less is more with light painting. Just try one colour or one pattern.

Posted by argonian As far as I can tell this picture is not about the bridge, but light painting. If you want it to be about a bridge, make that the focus. Also, in my opinion, less is more with light painting. Just try one colour or one pattern.

I can see what you mean, about the light painting. I actually didn't do any of the painting myself--there were performers (it being the opening and all) walking back across after finishing their show, and they had these lights in hand, so I just captured them walking toward me. Thanks so much for the constructive criticism.

As far as a longer exposure goes, as far as I can tell my camera can only expose up to 30 secs. I have a Canon Rebel XS. Might there be a way to get around this and expose longer? Just curious. Thanks again!

bulb mode should be available with that camera.

Posted by argonian bulb mode should be available with that camera.

Oh haha. Duh. Whoops.


(I just got offa work, so I have an excuse. Sorta. )