Please help this newbie at city photography

[sk8termom]

I recently purchased a Sony DSC-W80 7.2 megapixel camera. I took this picture using the night-time setting. It seems that the bright lights (quicken loans arena sign close to the center) are somewhat over-exposed. Any thoughts on how to make this better? I used a tripod, took this photo just after dusk. Would it be helpful to adjust the EV (ISO) setting?

www.bytephoto.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=81368


I'm not allowed to post a clickable link, so can you please cut'n'paste this to your browser?

Thanks for your patience with this newbie!!!


Gail

[SlipNslide]

Hey Gail this is what I would do. I woldn't put the camera in night scene. When you do that the camera will do all the work for you and you can't control anything. If you have an Aperture mode I would use that. I would start out at ISO 100 Aperture F8 and shoot the scene on a tripod. Let the Camera decide the shutter speed. If the lights are to bright then you have the option in aperture mode to adjust "Exposure compensation" A lot of beginners don't know how to use this function or that it even exists. Im not sure how to change that setting on your particular camera but if you just go to the index of your manual and look up "exposure compensation" the manual should show you how to adjust it. Turn the Exposure down a few clicks and try again. Exposure compensation has saved my butt so many times. I used to think my photos were decent untill I realized all the exposures were off. Once I learned Exposre compensation I feel like my photos have improved. give that a shot.

-Adam