howard_owen Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 <p>I got permission from the local airport authority to shoot their terminal/tower/grounds tomorrow. I'm planning on being in place (atop a parking garage) about 45 min before sunrise to capture the illuminated terminal against the initially dark sky, giving way to the rising sun. I will continue to shoot outside and inside until around 11 am.<br /><br> I've never done this architectural sunrise thing before so I am trying not to overlook anything. I'll be carrying:<br /><br> D200 with long exposure noise reduction (on?)<br />Nikkor 12-24<br />Nikkor 10.5 fisheye<br />Nikkor 18-70<br />Tamron 70-200 for later in the day<br />Sturdy tripod with ballhead<br />SB 600 with remote cord<br />Remote cable release<br />Polarizer<br /><br> Any comments on the equipment list and/or tips for sunrise exposure will be appreciated.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_bill Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 <p>Shooting RAW? Shooting daylight white balance? Be ready as the black sky turns deep blue and gradually lightens. A flash light for light painting and vision? A red headlamp so you dont loose your night vision? Do you know where the sun will be coming up(or going down)? I check the day before with a compass and note it so can get set up before it is up. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing buddha production Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 <p>If you're shooting long exposure NR be sure to bring an extra battery, it can eat up power. Not sure what you will truly be able to brighten with just an SB-600, especially depending on how far the buildings are, but it can't hurt to have. Instead of a flashlight, maybe a more powerful spotlight.</p> <p>You'll probably want to bracket and I'd even try to shoot a few HDR images.</p> <p>Sounds like you pretty much are set. Flashlight/headlamp good idea. Gloves, wool cap, a folding stool to sit on.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter_in_PA Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 <p>Have you already scouted? If not, you should plan a trip during daylight to scout and pick best locations. I think the 12-24 will yield something dramatic.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebecker Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 <p>Howard,<br> Try a bit of Tungsten WB just as the sky starts to show color. I have an example of this on my page where concrete is being poured pre-dawn for our new St. George replacement airport. <br> Regards,<br> Dave</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph_smith3 Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 <p>Shoot in Raw. If you are facing the east, be prepared for huge differences in light once the sun is up, like 4-6 f stops of light or more for the sky vs the building still in shadow. Take off any filters on your lenses if shooting into the rising sun to prevent ghosting of the sun in the images. Setting the exposure off of the sky away from the sun is one way to set exposure if shooting into the sun. If the D 200 has Active D lighting, consider setting it to open up the areas in shadow. Read your camera manual about this. Bracket your exposures. I would not think you would need the polarizer in the morning during sunrise. I would do any noise reduction rerquired during post processing in Nikon Capture NX2. Since you are shooting on a tripod, I would set my ISO to as low a number as possible. Why not start at ISO 100? Nothing is moving in the images as I understand your post.<br> Joe Smith</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandysocks Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 <p>Digital is not always ideal for shooting into the sun, but depends on a number of variables. Stick a disposable film camera in your pocket.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron l Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 If you can get the sun just peaking outside of the tower, use the 12-24 @ 20mm, f16-f22. You will get a nice star effect. Prior to sunrise, give flourescent wb a shot. It can look dramatic. Shoot raw/jpg combo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_owen Posted September 2, 2009 Author Share Posted September 2, 2009 <p>Thanks for all the ideas. I will post results soon.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_owen Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 <p>Here's the first conversion. The airport's lights are really hard to balance. They appear almost a stark white against the night sky so I had to treat them separately from the natural light. I'll maybe post more on this later if anyone's interested, but if the three stooges had ever done a sunrise shoot, I would expect their results to mirror my own. In other words, if it could be screwed up, it got screwed up. :(<br> <img src="http://www.pbase.com/ho72/image/116839116/large.jpg" alt="" /></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph_smith3 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 <p>Howard, very nice image. Please post some more. Joe Smith</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_owen Posted September 4, 2009 Author Share Posted September 4, 2009 <p>Thanks. Here's one more. I will eventually have them all up on pbase, and I will post a few more here as I process them.</p> <p><img src="http://www.pbase.com/ho72/image/116865829/large.jpg" alt="" /></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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