Porto, Portugal – Night in Porto
Porto at night is beautiful!! I love this little old city. This day I walked around for hours taking HDR’s and as the darkness arrived, I wanted to take a standard night shot from the mountain side. The D300 can take decent night shots…but I wish I had a D3 or better for low light situations…ah to dream one day! As the sun was setting I was walking up these roads towards to the top of the hill. Row houses everywhere. Luckily there was a small walkway near the edge to catch a river/city view. From the walkway you can take steps lower each level to more houses. So I know I was not in great safe territory. A dude with a camera bag and tripod in the dark with some odd people walking around…any photographer has been there. So you have to stand confidently and prepare to use your tripod as a weapon if necessary! I snapped away while keeping my third eye on my surroundings. I grabbed my shots and made it out safely and called it a day! The shot was worth the worries! I look forward to heading back to Porto again this year…this time it will just be shots of wineries!! Much safer!!
Talke Photography Settings:
July 1, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Wonderful night city image. And more wonderful because Porto gave the world Port; which we always have a bottle on hand.
July 1, 2010 at 12:34 pm
DJ, It is a wonderful place! Wish I liked wine!!! I’d be drinking on each photo shoot there! Camera in one hand and port in the other!!! LOL
July 1, 2010 at 1:44 pm
I love to read the backstory–especially of such a lovely photo. It’s good to know that it’s not just female photographers who can get a little nervous when the sun has set and you know you’re in a sketchy area, but…”if I can get just one more shot…”
I agree it was worth the worry, and am glad you have your third eye looking out for you.
July 1, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Mary, hello! Thanks! Yeah and I am a big guy 6’1″ and about 215 lbs…one person no problem…but its the groups I worry about. Especially with my gear! So always be safe. I remember one time in SF I was shooting a pier at about 10:30 PM…quiet and cold..thought I was all by myself. The some lady out of the blue comes up taps me on the shoulder as I was looking through my viewfinder and asked what kinda of camera I had. That was my lesson learned for night photography. Whew! Made me jump! LOL So now I am always checking out the scene!!!
July 1, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Very nice, Pete!
July 1, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Thanks Mike! Hope all is well!!
July 1, 2010 at 6:54 pm
And they say the 18-200VR is not a good lens. It’s my favorite and will be missed when I move on to an FX camera. Hoping Nikon comes through with the rumored 28-300VR for FX. I enjoy traveling daily with you, Pete.
July 1, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Scott, I am with ya!! 18-200 on the DX is tough to beat!! I hope to move up when the D800 (or whatever they call it comes out)…yes, they need a nice all around lens for the FX bodies. My travels are fun…you should see my summer sked…ouch! I have already flown 80K miles in 6 months. Whew!! have fun! Pete