Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks is a marvelous place. Ever since I stepped into a pitch black field and witnessed the Milky Way splashed across the night sky, I was hooked.
Last night, I stayed at Safari West in Santa Rosa, CA. Santa Rosa is far less developed than the peninsula, and Safari West is a few miles away in the mountains. So, this was my best chance in quite some time. Although we were between storms, the night was clear at the moment with plenty of stars. I didn’t see the Milky Way, but that may have been a timing issue.
The location also wasn’t completely dark. I wasn’t penalized for leaving the flashlight in the cabin. Also, the outdoor dining area had a bit of ambient light that illuminated the foreground railing. You can also see a flock of flamingos grouped together on the left.
Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 800, 14mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 42.2s
I took this photo almost four years ago. This was before my tripod days.
Since then, I have worked with a D50, D7000 and the full-frame D800. However, I am not sure what I could do differently even with the latest gear. First, the inside of the UK Pavilion was crowded, as was the entire Expo. I could not have even set-up a tripod.
Next, the inside of the pavilion was dark. Despite the aperture, I was still at ISO 1600. You don’t want to see the photo at 100%.
The most challenging part would be the exhibit itself, where all the illuminated rods are situated at different depths. A depth of field nightmare.
Every factor conspiring against a sharp, noiseless photo.
Nikon D50, Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8 N, ISO 1600, 50mm, 0 EV, f/2.5, 1/30s
Ken Chan
February 25, 2014
I knew the general location of the Bing Concert Hall, but had not actually seen it. While driving down Palm Drive, I spotted it on my left across from the Stanford Museum. After walking around the campus, I stopped back at the concert hall to take a closer look. I’m still waiting for an opportunity to experience a performance inside.
Ken Chan
February 15, 2014
Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR, ISO 100, 16mm, f/4.5
Not too many people were in the Stanford Quad last night, even though there was a full moon and it was Valentine’s Day.
Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 24mm, f/8
Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR, ISO 100, 35mm, f/4.5
I was experimenting with HDR all night. Towards the end, I discovered that Live View counts down the number of frames remaining when auto bracketing is activated; i.e., from 5/5 to 1/5. Had I noticed earlier, I could have avoided the problem where I miscounted frames or changed locations in the middle of a set. 🙂
Ken Chan
February 15, 2014
Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR, ISO 100, 16mm, -0.7 EV, f/4, 8.0s
I stopped at the J. Henry Meyer Memorial Library during a night time walk around the Stanford campus. Built in the 1960s, this library has served undergraduate students for almost 50 years. It is scheduled to be demolished next year.
Ken Chan
January 29, 2014
The Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris was crowded. Twice, I stopped by too late to climb up the towers. The long line snaking from the entrance of the cathedral also dissuaded me from waiting to go inside. At night, the crowds have thinned considerably.
During the Christmas season, there was a beautiful Christmas tree festooned with colorful lights right outside the the cathedral doors.
Nikon D800, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 29mm, f/22, 15.0s
I also walked around the cathedral for the Seine view with flying buttresses.
Nikon D800, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 29mm, f/16, 30.0s
Ken Chan
January 28, 2014
The Eiffel Tower at night offers a multitude of photographic opportunities. The beam of light that rotates around the top of the tower presents a unique challenge in that a long exposure is out, if you want to capture that beam of light.
For a low noise image at ISO 100, I selected the widest aperture and the shortest shutter speed that would expose the image properly.
Nikon D800, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 44mm, 0 EV, f/2.8, 1.0 s
Ken Chan
January 26, 2014
During the holiday season, Champs Élysées is illuminated with lights and bustling with people, who are visiting the Christmas markets. From under the ferris wheel, I had a clear view straight down to the Arc de triomphe.
Nikon D800, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 44mm, 0 EV, f/16, 5.0s
Ken Chan
January 23, 2014
Taking a night photo of the Eiffel Tower is an exercise in timing. You have to know the start and end times for the different light shows.
At 7:03 PM, I saw the glittering Eiffel lit up like a jewel.
Nikon D800, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 66mm, 0 EV, f/16, 5.0s
A few minutes later, at 7:06 PM, it was back to the regular Eiffel. Not bad, but not as dazzling as the previous view.
Nikon D800, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 66mm, 0 EV, f/16, 30.0s
Ken Chan
January 23, 2014
The Louvre presents plenty of opportunities for night photography. You can focus on the pyramids, their relationship to the surrounding pavilions, as well as attempt a mirror image with the reflecting pool. From the flag above Pavilion Sully, you can see how vigorous the wind was blowing that that.
Nikon D800, AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 100, 42mm, 0 EV, f/16, 13.0s
