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Colours of the Night (Street Level)

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SAM_1782 (Medium)
If there is one thing typical about Hong Kong at night, what would be beyond debate is "streets aglow in neon lights" and, alas, as technology has advanced, "LED lights".  The deep DOF gives small-sensor cameras an advantage in doing these night shots as the photographers can avoid higher ISO by opening the aperture at the widest end without blurring the background.

But of course, for the tiny mirroless cameras, the wide array of available lenses are simply tempting.  We can look into some of the choices in another post.  Besides that, as their IQ performance at higher ISO values is mellowing, the above deep-DOF advantage is narrower.  The photographer can just tweak the ISO value on a mirrorless, for example, to 800 to spare a wide aperture; hence the background in focus.

SAM_1785 (Medium)
The best place to shoot the street shining with neon lights in Hong Kong is not really the thoroughfare, namely, Nathan Road.  For sure, Nathan Road is a good choice.  But why not wander into the side streets like Shanghai Street, which runs parallel to Nathan Road two blocks away starting from Jordon to Mongkok in Kowloon?  Successful night shots reminiscent of the more exotic old Hong Kong is almost guaranteed.     

SAM_1787 (Medium)
These shots were taken with Samsung WB600.  It is not just a point and shoot.  As a matter of fact, it offers users control over the exposure combo, flash output, exposure compensation and more.  That we can leave to another post too.

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宇宙人 said…
yes, especially the area around Mong Kok MTR station, feels like all lights in the Southern China concentrate into a little spot. Such a never ending city night. You never see that outside HK
29 September 2010 at 13:59
Nevin said…
Hello, Cosmoman. Nice to hear from you! The city lit up at night is always fascinating to my eye. Shanghai Street and the street in Mongkok where people shop for cameras are best. I don't quite like the flashing, eye-blinding LED lights though.
30 September 2010 at 07:18
宇宙人 said…
I dun really like HK now, but gotta say that night scenario is one thing u never find outside HK.

btw, I am also reviewing my own photo in my flickr, come over to have a look ?
30 September 2010 at 11:58
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