What setting should my camera be on for night photos?

Question

i just got a canon powershot s2 is. im having trouble with taking pictures of the skyline at night. is it because of the light pollution?

Answer 1

By skyline, do you  mean the pretty buildings and traffic lights, or literally the sky?  If you're trying to take pictures of buildings, light pollution is irrelevent (they are the light pollution!).  If you're trying to take pictures of the stars and so on in the sky, light pollution could be your problem.  Your camera has a night scene.   Try this:

1.  Take the picture at the lowest magnification.

2.  Set the ISO as high as it will go, which is only 400 for this camera.  This could be your problem.

3.  Set the exposure time to the longest (15 seconds).

4.  Make sure you are using a tripod or other stationary object to hold the camera.  

5.  Use the self timer.

If it comes out to bright, put the ISO back to a more reasonable rating, like 200.

Answer 2

there should be a night setting, I have a cannon and there should be a night setting.