Methoni Castle by Night Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hello friends,
here is the second one from Methoni, although that day I must have capture more than 500 pictures, my first trip with my new Canon, so I made some tests more than the usual :)

First impressions about Canon 450D:
===================================
Light and compact camera, along with its new 18-55 lens with Image Stabilizer which is extremely useful at low shutter speeds. Nice upgraded battery and cheap SDHC cards, I bought a couple of branded (Transcend, Sandisk) and quick speed cards, 16gb and 8gb not more than 100 euros both!. Now even cheaper!

New monster feature: LIVE VIEW! It actually works, its so convenient you can't imagine.
Lets say you want to capture this scene here at 10mm, where everything looks so small from the viewfinder, and you can't trust the AF because its not always accurate.

The best solution for this is to use the live view function, set your focus area at 10x magnification and try manual focus. Way better doing this with a 3" LCD with the focused area magnified, rather than the dark viewfinder and the AF mode. So I did here.

AVOID: High ISO speeds, since the camera's sensor hasn't changed that much on noise levels, even ISO 200 is way too noisy. Use it only under sufficient light conditions and pleeeease avoid it at night. Everything else except ISO 100 is forbidden :D better to carry a tripod, unless you need speed of course.

Highlights Recovery function: Completely useless and turns the ISO to 200 minimum. Try to underexpose a bit, and keep your ISO level to 100 for a smooth quality.

Dust filter: That saved me many times. I change lenses the same way I'm changing scenes. I don't have time to think weather conditions and dust. I ignore those factors in order not to miss the scene. Besides my good old clone stamp does the job. Anyway, the anti-dust function works quite well and I can tell you no serious dust points were visible at narrow apertures.

About the Shot / PP notes:
==========================
Live view capture, manual focus.

The good news: I had a great company, and the Scene was ideal, that day had it all!
a) mist
b) full moon
c) moon eclipse
d) night castle entrance
e) light everywhere
and those sweet kids are my cherry on top for this scene.

Tricky part: I had to capture them as fast as I could, because I couldn't ask them to stay put for some time, they probably wouldn't, so I chatted a bit to distract them while capturing.. sorryyy :) I adjusted my settings to combine those parameters. 1/2 shutter speed, ISO 200, f/4, fill in flash.

Tip: Flash always give a darker background, toning the foreground mostly, try it.

- 1/2 shutter speed: I can live with that :)
- ISO 200: my NR PP filter does a great job without killing the textures.
- f/4: my 10-22 lens is quite sharp, so I added some extra sharpness with USM. However its night, the desired detail was captured with MF and live view, the rest of it doesn't matter.
- fill in flash: That really made the difference. Better colors, and the background exposure were much better captured and not overexposed.

PP: RAW Squeezed: some masked HDR Tonemapping filters, and the usual NR, Saturation, framing/title/watermark adjustments.

Feeling: It was AWESOME, my eyes couldn't believe I was seeing this. Kids in the foreground swimming, and the mist coming toward us from the back, half of the Bourzi tower is covered with mist, it was quite an experience, I have some surprises from that day I'll present you really soon ;)

About Methoni / History:
========================
You can find Methoni history in their local site here. Too big to copy paste, sorry :)

Once more, forgive me for my watermark signature, its the only way to protect my content from stealing.
Further discussions about this are welcome.

Thanks for Viewing/Commenting.

Felip, brandstaetter, argycon, vixchris, delkoo, zeynepe, bostankorkulugu, zmey, v_vicky, danos, meltemi, lilimih33, Floydian, elendim, avene, stelli, labro33, trekks, tolis68, chrkont, jusninasirun, NickPavlakis, Longroute, ManuMay, sacavem has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

nikolos82 (229) 2008-09-25 5:40

Υπέροχη φωτογραφία.

brandstaetter (14388) 2008-09-25 5:55

Hi Stelios,
good note and hints about the 450D and an excellent image..the dark dark blue is my favorite colour and the rest is beautifully contrasting it. Nice that you have a little human presence here :). Your copyright is disturbing but my fantasy is big enough to imagine how it looks without. Did you have piracy problems?
Cheers Chris

vixchris (277) 2008-09-25 6:06

Αγαπητέ Στέλιο,
Εξαιρετική σκηνή και πάνω απ' όλα πολύ ενδιαφέρον σχόλιο!
Θα τα ξαναπούμε,
Φιλικά, Βίκυ

Gessle (70) 2008-09-25 6:14

Hej!
I agree with Brandstaetter - the writing in the middle is disturbing ...:(
The photo itself is fabulous! The light is perfect, the composition too.

Keep placing!
Thank you for sharing - great job.
Anna

delkoo (34726) 2008-09-25 6:20

hi stelios
for sure , it's a really nice photo, The clarity of this image is excellent. Well composed with good saturation of colour and sharpness.
i am a bit bothered by the watermark,but in the other hand it prevents you against stealing .

best regards
didier

zeynepe (9360) 2008-09-25 6:25

Hi Stelios,
You captured an impressive expression at night, the harmony of colors is fantastic , especially the combination of the blue and the green... Swimming at night is the best!
Congrats and best regards,
Zeynep

argycon (2749) 2008-09-25 6:28

Geia sou Stelio,
Fantastic capture. Lighting and colors are impressive! The little girl is the cherry on top of the cake. ( I just bought the 450D and I did n ot have the chance to use it yet.)
tfs
Kostas

bostankorkulugu (33962) 2008-09-25 6:34

man this is a beautiful combination of blue, green and yellow tones with a bit of a purple touch on the rocks... you are a master in night shots so what can i say as a retard on this issue?... could have cropped a bit more on the very right may be to avoid that overexposed rocks (and that bit of concrete on the corner may be)... the kids add life and extra charm for sure, to this already magical piece of photography... congrats bro...

[2] +

zmey (7282) 2008-09-25 6:54

kalispera stelios! heh, light and color FANTASTIC! :) that's what this photo is about... love that emerald-y feel on the sea and the deep blue behind and the little girl (woman?) posing for you proudly. and, i have to say this: your notes are fantastic. you should write a photography textbook. you don't even have to write it: just print all the photo notes you've written here.

warmest regards,
kristaps

ps. that watermark though: eh... i wish it was not the central piece in your composition :) but I do understand why you have it.

[2] +

danos (33192) 2008-09-25 7:39

Στέλιο καλησπέρα,
εξαιρετική νυκτερινή λήψη από το κάστρο της Μεθώνης με τα χρώματα λες και έχουν όρια και δεν αναμιγνύονται μεταξύ τους(ουρανός-φως προβολέα).Το κιριτσάκι είναι τόσο μικρό και χάνεται στο φόντο του κάστρου.Το watermark είναι πολύ έντονο και κατά την γνώμη μου ενοχλητικό.Πρέπει να βρείς ένα λιγότερο διακριτό σημείο να το τοποθετείς.

Σε χαιρετώ,Δάνος

theofanis (750) 2008-09-25 8:55

Γεια σου Στέλιο,
Εξαιρετικής ποιότητας φωτογραφία!
Μ'αρέσει που δεν έβγαλες απλά το κάστρο αλλά έβαλες και τα παιδιά μέσα,της δίνει μια μοναδικότητα!
Συγχαρητήρια!
theofanis

athanvas (2341) 2008-09-25 9:35

Geia sou Stelio,
Yperoxh h foto sou me kalo kadrarisma kai wraio desimo xrwmatwn ouranou -thalassas.
Nasai kala,BASILIS

TopGeo (22181) 2008-09-25 9:46

Geia soy Stelio!
Poli analiki i perigrafi soy gia ta ergalia kai ekseretika leptomeris i eikona soy! Megia soy ta nea apoktimata kai kales apothanatisis oniremenon soy stigmon!Edo echis petixei ena xroma prasino kai blue tis nixtas kai toy neroy
goiteytiko!
Bravo
Xereto se

gbeli (2026) 2008-09-25 11:20

Geia sou Stelio
Poli omorfi eikona apo to kastro tis Methonis.
Omorfi atmosfera kai tromeri diaxeirisi fotos sti nixterini lipsi.
Xereto

afroditi (499) 2008-09-25 13:10

Hi Stelio!
Poli kairo eixes na valeis foto!kataplhktikh nuxterinh lipsi!Bravo!
afroditi

lilimih33 (9874) 2008-09-25 15:25

Hello Stelios!
Fantastic night composition with lovely light and beautiful colours!
Excellent perspective!
Best regards!
Lili

PS - Congratulations for your new Canon 450D.

v_vicky (1021) 2008-09-25 16:03

Kalispera Stelio,
edoses mia alli diastasi stis toses fotografies pou iparxoun tou kastrou tis Methonis :)
Exairetiki efkrineia..ta xromata denoun iperoxa metaksi tous..
Sigxaritiria!! Katapliktiki douleia!!

P.S. ok to glikosxolio mou?? :P:P:P

Vicky

Floydian (30970) 2008-09-26 4:49

Welcome back Stelios ;-)

Your careful choosen pp work shows here in all his beauty. It's all about light and that shows. Dedication and knowledge can be seen all over it...for that deep respect.
But...those ugly letters, why? You know they can be removed, you know that. Maybe not perfect, but in this particular image it's not that difficult.

Funny your experience with LiveView. I have that also, but after using it in the beginning i don't use it anymore, i still prefer looking through the lens. I also have no problems with low light noise or AF, it all works perfect.

Highlight recovery works perfect, you only need the right subject for it. Wedding photographers think it a great blessing, no more (at least 80% less) over-exposure on the white dresses. ISO 200...who gives a f**k, there is no more difference between 100 or 200...not in my cam, what a bout the 450?

Regards, Henk

elendim (1677) 2008-09-26 5:27

Geia soy Stelio!
mia akomi poli omorfi fwtografia me e3eretiki eykrineia kai arsogo kadro!moy aresei pou einai kai ta paidia mesa!
Kali sinexeia!

Elena!

Juntas (3536) 2008-09-26 13:49

Hi Stelios. Great night shot as usual; colors and sharpness are wonderful and the kids look just fine. After reading your greaaaat note, can you believe that I miss one information: The water temperature (I only enter water if it at least 20º :)) Ah! The watermark: Well, what can I say: I prefer if it wasn't there, but it is (maybe I'll use the clone stamp....:)). Best regards. Paulo

stelli (2959) 2008-09-27 2:23

Is this a mermaid you captured there? :) Beautiful night picture with exceptional light management! Thank you for sharing! ΦΙΛΙΚΑ Στέλλα

labro33 (2804) 2008-09-27 2:40

Καλημερα και παλι φιλε Στελιο,
Δεν μπορω να πω και πολλα για αυτη τη ληψη γιατι απλα μ αρεσει.
Χρωματα και φως δημιουργουν μια εκπληκτικη συνθεση που ολοκληρωνεται εντυπωσιακα με την παρουσια της μικρης 'γοργονας'
Δεν ειχα την ευκαιρια να δω το καστρο τη νυχτα η το απογευμα παρα μονο νωρις το πρωι.Ευτυχως που εχω την ευκαιρια να το κανω μεσω εσενα...
Σε χαιρετω,
Γιωργος.

Cretense (57010) 2008-09-27 4:10

Geia sou Stelio!

Afonos!!! Ti na sxoliaso, tora, aftasti poiotita, exairetiko kadro, teleia diaxeirisi tou fotos! Omos i pragmatiki axia aftis edo tis fotografias, einai oti symberielaves ton anthropino paragonta, afta ta glykitata paidakia, kati poly dyskolo sti nyxterini fotografisi me tis arges taxytites, omos i epilogi ton rythmiseon sou itan idaniki! Exairetiko, opos panta kai to simeioma sou! Sygxaritiria!

Iraklis

trekks (14334) 2008-09-27 6:36

hi Stelios

Good to see your post again and a new camera!

I have never tried 1/2s shutter with flash and tripod but your setting here works well to show the FG so nicely captured with a girl at good position. I like the blue hour sky and water color. tfs

bill

tolis68 (2006) 2008-09-27 11:58

Γεια σου Στελιο.Ομορφη συνθεση με τον τεχνητο φωτισμο να δινει στην θαλασσα υπεροχο χρωματισμο.

chrkont (3665) 2008-09-28 14:02

Γεια σου Στέλιο
Μου αρέσει η θέση λήψης σου, όπως επίσης η απόδοση των νερών. Μου αρέσει επίσης το απαλό βαθύ μπλέ στο βάθος αλλά και η υφή στις πέτρες στο πρώτο πλάνο. Η υφή όμως στο τείχος δεν είναι τόσο καθαρή (μπορεί και να μην είναι και στην πραγματικότητα). Επίσης η επιλογή σου στο watermark μου αποσπά έντονα την προσοχή στην εικόνα.
Φιλικά
Χρήστος

jusninasirun (10213) 2008-09-29 7:24

Hello Stelios. I have little clue on how the composition was made. The turquoise water faded away to the saturated blue sky is amazing. The glow on the wall and the foreground is just stunning. Sharp image from your new toy with pristine vivid details. A truly wonderful work and TFS. Best regards and well done. Jusni

NickPavlakis (492) 2008-09-29 21:58

Xmm, kati pou den einai voliko me ta makria posts (se text terms) einai pou den mporeis na kritikareis kai na vlepeis th fwtografia, isws kati pou prepei na alla3w kai egw sta posts moy. Twra edw 8a sou pw ti mou aresei kai ti oxi. Opws 3ereis eimai latrhs tou koresmou opote to C1 pou isws xrhsimopoihses edw de me ikanopoiei ws pros ton koresmo stous toixous kai den exei kalo recovery sta kamena, opws fainetai stois toixous kai stis petres. To LR kanei kalyterh douleia ekei. To "kerasaki sou" xanei se leptomereies, fainetai kameno kai as einai recovered, den 3erw, isws to LR pali na eftiaxne tis xamenes leptomereies. Epishs 8a ekova sxedon to 1/4 apo thn aristerh pleyra gia na isorophsw to kadro. Epishs h petra sthn katw de3ia gwnia, prepei na klwnopoih8ei.
Ayta pou mou aresoun: To "kerasaki", eyxaristh pros8hkh kai omologw oti egw 8a kwlyomoun na tous milhsw kai na ta symperilavw, mpravo sou gi ayto. H omixlh pali an kai dysdiakrith einai mia eyxaristh pros8hkh, epishs ta prassina nera apo to spot aristera einai wraia. Vlepw noise artifacts sthn epifaneia tou neroy, sto anoixtoxrwmo pros to kleistoxrwmo prassino, dior8wnontai.
Framing ok, watermarking de me peirazei.
Nikos

Longroute (9801) 2008-09-30 4:11

Hello Stelios,

I'm back from my long sailing vacation and I'm trying to be updated with all the picture I missed this summer.

The blue/blak of the sky, the green of the water and the yellow of the wall mingle wonderfully in a composition where dark and light get married very happily.
Compliments for your new camera, I was thinking about that one too...
Thank you for your long and interesting note too,
Greetings,
Donato

kpav (5025) 2008-10-02 1:19

Γεια σου Στέλιο πανέμορφη λήψη με εξαιρετική διαχείριση του φωτισμού και καθαρότητα και απίθανα χρώματα. Τα δύο πιτσιρίκια προσθέτουν πολύ στην σύνθεση. Χαιρετώ φίλε,
Κώστας.

cherryripe (19173) 2008-10-02 11:55

Hi Stelios
The emerald water and the way in blends into the deep blue sky seems quite mystical. Lovely light on the wall and the little girl is beautifully place unlike your watermark which could be better placed.
Regards
Nikki

CatherineD (4860) 2008-10-02 13:15

Hi again,
This is a fairy view and I can imagine you feelings in front of this scene. The colours are so fantastic. And the two kids add life to this amazing scene. Very interesting note and congratulations for your new camera you will explore with great exciting!
About the watermark... well I know that some people are stealing photos on TE, but with the size of the photos, it is only for other websites I suppose. I agree with some other TE members to say it is disturbing. Anyway, I understand you can be angry to see your creations stealed.
Kalinyxta,
Katerina

testmaniac (12262) 2008-10-04 0:32

Hi Stelios, nice photo with excellent exposure and colors. Good job!

TFS

Phil

ManuMay (11343) 2008-10-04 0:38

Kalimera Stelios!!
Absolutely great!!
Thanks for your note in order to help us and teach about the camera!
Great image, very well done, superb light management.
Congratulations.
Manuel-

Vames (4356) 2008-10-12 1:35

γεια σου Στέλιο,είσαι καλλιτέχνης φίλε εχεις φαντασία και ζητάς το παράξενο το όμορφο παραξανο να δενει στη λήψη ,το πετυχαίνεις πάντα είναι πλέον το στοιχείο σου ,εξαιρετική λήψη !

Felip (3905) 2008-11-04 8:53

Hi Steliosk,
Everything seemed to be placed in order to satisfy your desires that night! Wonderful night scene...astonishing colors and exposure!
Kind regards

Felip

Didier38 (710) 2008-11-07 2:27

Salut Stelios,

J'aime bien le contraste entre l'eau, le ciel et le mur.
Bon cadrage. Bien vu !

Didier