Just to stir the pot and get some more conversations going, anybody got any good night shots or tips on shooting at night.  I know as usual there is a great variety out there, and I can't wait to see what others are doing.  Here are a few of my favorites:

http://asawyer.zenfolio.com/europe/h28dce1f6#h28dce1f6

http://asawyer.zenfolio.com/europe/h28dce1f6#ha4af2f7

While I'm at it, I'll toss in a link to some really interesting work involving special tripod mounts and shooting through telescope lenses done by Tony Rowell (Galen Rowell's son):

http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/locations/north-america/the-art-of-astrophotography.html

http://jacekfortunaphotography.zenfolio.com/p38698332/h14be87d#h14be87d

http://jacekfortunaphotography.zenfolio.com/p352596687

Fireworks show from July 3, 2009 at dusk.

http://www.thsoto.com/p191331798/hd723481#hf7da022

http://www.thsoto.com/p191331798/hd723481#hd723481

Shots of lightning and a funnel cloud around March 2008. Shot through a tinted window.

http://www.thsoto.com/p191331798/hd723481#h6b43a31

http://www.thsoto.com/p191331798/hd723481#h18658581

http://www.thsoto.com/p191331798/hd723481#h106ddfcb

TIP: Tower lights suck when trying to take a photo! Obviously, I have learned some tricks to help over exposure in this situation.

FYI - The fireworks were shot from the roof. So no purple hue to the pictures.

This is one of my favorite subjects. I absolutely enjoy night photography. I also pursue light painting photography. There is much trial and error but the rewards are great. I just got back from a trip into the desert to take advantage of the full moon.

Here is my favorite from the other night:

http://nealrideout.zenfolio.com/p422282106/e1e85aa9f

Here is the gallery (night shots near end)

http://nealrideout.zenfolio.com/p422282106

Here is some from a few months ago:

http://nealrideout.zenfolio.com/p681673690

I hope this thread grows.

Neil,

Your night shots are awesome!  They're very original, and I imagine it's a lot of fun to run around at night like a mad scientist with colored lights.  What are you using for your light source for the bright green, blue, red, and yellow? 

Aaron

can I assume you are using radio triggers on gel'd flashes?

Mad scientist,, that's a first. Radio triggers? No. I'm a little more low budget.

My arsenal consists of a small LED flashlight, hand held spotlight, My old flash from my Cannon AE-1, and different colored pieces of plastic sheet. 

I use long exposures and walk around lighting up what I think will look good. I cover the flash with the plastic sheet and use the test button to light up a bigger area. The spot light is used mostly to help me focus. Sometimes if the subject is inaccessible, I cover the spotlight with colored plastic and paint away. I have to be quick since it gets hot and easily over exposes.

The Moon is the best light source.

Thanks for the tips, Neal!

firedog:

Thanks for the tips, Neal!

Your welcome, love the lightning photos.

Here is an example of when I need to use the spot light. The wind turbines were behind a fenced area and the flashlight wasn't powerful enough. One million candle power spot light can reach out easily.  There are other photos in the same gallery with different color plastic sheets over the light.

http://nealrideout.zenfolio.com/p314730513/ef185a20

 I absolutely love night photography.  I actually enjoy all aspects of photography, but for some reason, night photography does it for me. 

Boat dock

http://proofs.mobilephotoshoot.com/p258057152/h322aaa51#h322aaa51

Parking lot fair

http://proofs.mobilephotoshoot.com/p258057152/h322aaa51#h3d48d822

http://proofs.mobilephotoshoot.com/p258057152/h322aaa51#h207e2726

City scape overlooking river

http://proofs.mobilephotoshoot.com/p258057152/h322aaa51#h17199de5

http://proofs.mobilephotoshoot.com/p258057152/h322aaa51#h2c2850c

Aquarium

http://proofs.mobilephotoshoot.com/p258057152/h322aaa51#h102524cb

Park riverside

http://proofs.mobilephotoshoot.com/p258057152/h322aaa51#h18be4e76

Fireworks

http://proofs.mobilephotoshoot.com/p258057152/h322aaa51#h1a4791ed

http://proofs.mobilephotoshoot.com/p258057152/h322aaa51#h556ac58

http://proofs.mobilephotoshoot.com/p258057152/h322aaa51#h2cf8a1

Neil,

The windmill shots, like your others, are really amazing.  This really encourages me to go and do some experimenting. 

Nice work to Chris and Tom as well.  The fireworks and storms are really beautiful.  Nighttime cityscapes are pretty to look at, but kind of boring sometimes, so it really helps to have some drama in the sky.  Motion has really been interesting to me lately with water and wind.....it helps to have some good examples.

Not a particularly exciting photo, the new Winnebago County Justice Center is probably the prettiest 'jail' I have seen, and I (thankfully) haven't been exposed to many.

http://www.thompsondigitalimage.com/p839531331/e93341e4

What was 'exciting' however was being in downtown Rockford, alone on the street with 'pro camera gear' at about 2:30am standing outside the jail trying to take a picture.  Was I being 'over-dramatic' in my head at the time thinking about what might occur?  I don't know, but I'd like to believe my over-active imagination is what has kept me out of these places and safe during my life.  :)

Kevin, I understand your concern. Traveling in the desert alone at night, my worries are rattlesnakes and meth labs. Being miles from any civilization ya got to listen to your internal alarms. I do travel with extra food, water, tools and firearm. I leave a map of the area I'm exploring with family. They know if I don't contact them by morning to call the Sheriff. I have been very fortunate. Most people I meet are friendly. You can usually tell before you get too close. When in doubt, I practice avoidance. You would be surprised how many people live in the most remote areas. There are still many gold prospectors out there. The only animals I have run across, other than snakes and Coyotes, was a Bobcat crossing the road.

Thanks to all for the compliments on my photos. It means a lot coming from other photographers.

You know, now that you mention it, I suppose if I were in the desert areas I would know to be wary of rattlesnakes and other predators, but you are right, and I never would have thought about stumbling across a meth lab.

Oh the times, they are a-changin' ~ Dylan

Great night shots here; always great shots here.

This is one of Salt Lake City at night