It's fall, and the leaves have turned brilliant yellow. They are particularly striking at night when illuminated by the nearby streetlight. So I decided to try to get a shot of it at night. To capture its brilliance.
But as is so often the case, photographing high contrast and intense color scenes rarely come out like you see them with your eye. Night shots are no different than sunset photos. Any bozo can do them, and someone somewhere will fawn over the shot as though it took actual talent to capture it. Though the shots don't ever capture the intensity of the scene, something interesting always happens. Just not what you planned and saw, unless you are really good. Or stupidly lucky. That happens too. Did nearly everything wrong in these shots but still, they didn't turn out entirely crappy. (You can click on each photo to see a larger version).
Camera: Nikon D70 digital SLR
Camera: Nikon D70 digital SLR
Decided to see what my new iTouch camera could do in low light (photo below). Kinda ugh, kinda okay. Not that it should be able to handle this scene all that well. Considering what it is, the iTouch (and iPhone) can take surprisingly good photos. I have been asked many times over the years what camera someone should buy, and my advice remains unchanged. The cheapest, simplest camera you will actually take with you and use. Then spend a little time learning about composition and lighting. If you do that, you'll soon be taking better photos with that $89 point and shoot camera than the dude who insists on spending $1500 on a digital SLR. Use the money you save to go on a fun vacation instead. And don't forget to show us the great photographs you took with that "substandard" camera that snobs on photo sites deride.
Have doubts about what a cheap camera is capable of? Check out the portfolio of a professional photographer, Chase Jarvis, of shots taken with his iPhone. This guys has at least $20,000+ worth of gear scattered throughout his studio. He has gear for every occasion. See what a professional can do with a $300 phone/camera. Then ask yourself, is it the gear or the photographer that makes the difference between merely okay and great shots?
Camera: iTouch (4th Generation)
While wandering around and looking at angles and color and contrast, I heard a sound nearby and out of the darkness came a buddy I recently met.
Camera: iTouch (4th Generation)
One of the neighbors horses decided to came over to have a brief talk. Sniffed the iTouch a little, then insisted I give it some scratches behind its ears. It's pretty fun living in a artsy-fartsy theater and college town where you can walk from your house to downtown in ten minutes, yet still pet horses and sheep across the street.