what went wrong??

Just a thought .... if, to get all the other settings right, you can't use a small aperture to get the star effect you want then you can add them later in photoshop. I can post up a short 'how to' if yer likes

Keep experimenting, it will come good in the end

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Hmmmmm, sometimes I just wonder if it isn't my life which is slightly out of focus
(C&C always gratefully & graciously received - be critical, I'm a Scot, we have thick skins)
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I always use the self-timer in low light or when I'm zoomed in .... and this was no exception.
I have read some info on my camera ... and it seems that it handles higher ISO ok so will try setting it at 400 and see what that produces.
Thankyou all for your help! Now I've just gotta get back to that bridge ... need to put in an order for a dramatic sky again and a lovely clear evening!

Dave,
Would love a 'how to' if you have a moment spare! Thankyou! Can this be done in Elements as well?

Errrr, would have thought so. I'm sure I have an short tutorial at home I'll look it out tonight.

In the mean time just google: starburst effect photoshop elements

Loads of hits showing different methods. Here is three for starters. Don’t know how good the YouTube tutorial is as I can’t see YouTube at work

Starburst filter effects in Photoshop

Creating Starburst Glints of Light in Photoshop on Renderosity.com

http://youtube.com/?v=UcW0-6RYsK8

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Hmmmmm, sometimes I just wonder if it isn't my life which is slightly out of focus
(C&C always gratefully & graciously received - be critical, I'm a Scot, we have thick skins)
Visit My Web Sitethis is a spaceVisit Me On MySpace

Thankyou! I'll have a look at those links, and also check out some sites using google ...... I really appreciate your help (and everyone else's ... thankyou!).

you should be able to take this photo at f8 but make sure you keep the camera as still as possible and use either the timer or a shutter remote and try not to touch the camera.
And it also looks like a focus problem to me as well.
Andy

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Olympus E510 14-42mm + 70-300mm
www.flickr.com/photos/andybebbs

Wish that I could help also. But it's not that easy, and possibly a little harder than it seems.
All of my night shots were taken using film, and maybe they were a lttle sharper but not that much. On one Camera I used it wide open f2.8 at about 20 sec., and on another I used wide open at f4 at around 15 sec. but film is not as sensitive as digital. Now that I've got my digital back I'll give it a try. One thing in our favour it's certainly easier than in the days of film.
I also have this theory that digital doesn't record as well at infinity, especially at night.....lets wait and see.
(It's so cold at night now though?)


Cheers Joseph.

Thankyou Andy. I'll try again using different settings to see what I can come up with! Now I've just got to find a moment to visit this spot again .....

Thankyou Joseph. I have seen some amazingly sharp night images and would just love to achieve that myself ... try, try and try again seems to be the way to go LOL!

(By the way - Good to hear you have your digital back! Don't let this one out of your sight - you don't want it to 'walk' like the other one did.)