Peace Bridge

[kat]

The last one I like! To me, it looks like it's in your focus??? Remote will work wonders!

[Barefoot]

If you don’t mind my asking, if your exposure times range only from 5-10 seconds why are you setting the shutter to bulb? Typically, bulb would be used for exposures of over 30 seconds with the D80.

[JAS_Photo]

If I were you I would start taking pictures right at twilight as well as full darkness. You may get something you like. After all digital is cheap. . I do not think such long exposures are necessarry. Something like 1 sec at f4 for full night time or 1/125 at 5.6 for twilight. I do not think you have to worry about a huge depth of field for this type of photo; accurate focus is what you need to get that prize winning shot.

[Iguanasan]

I don't know about the Nikon but with my Canon XSi I can set a 5 or 10 second shutter to happen after a 2 second delay. That way the tripod has a chance to settle after pressing the shutter release before it takes the shot. This should remove any vibration from your hand. The remote shutter release will work as well, of course.

[AcadieLibre]

They just look out of focus, I cannot see any motion blur. And I would also use a very high f/stop an f/11 at least. Just how I shoot night though and with a long exposure.

[Mad Aussie]

They just look out of focus, I cannot see any motion blur. And I would also use a very high f/stop an f/11 at least. Just how I shoot night though and with a long exposure.

That pretty much sums up my assessment and technique also. f8 - f11 is my choice for these as well for max sharpness and also occassionally catches the odd star-burst around a bright light.

As BF says ... use a timed setting, not bulb. That way you are disturbing the image only once with your finger if it is movement.

I like the last shot but would have panned back out a little more to see more water as well.
I like Raiven's suggestion of twilight. I use that because with different settings you can make it look like the dead of night or a quite bright. You also get some purples etc in the sky sometimes as well. Also cloud formations against a dark sky. Can be quite stunning.

[Barefoot]

I think I'd be at least mid-way through the aperture range of the lens you're using, maybe even higher if you like that effect of diffraction of light off the aperture blades.

[Rinkdaddy]

You have all been so helpful. I have retaken some new pictures and think I am headed in the right direction with these night shots. I tried the twilight shot but since there was a clear blue sky it looked unappealing. More cloud cover would help. As a bonus, as I was waiting on the shoreline for the sun to set, I had a surprise visitor watching me and I was able to reposition my equipment without him moving.

[kat]

Those are spetacular! Great job!

[JAS_Photo]

Very cool!