stay away from "auto" - learn your MASP modes. If this is your first dslr then give the manual a quick read through so you know how to best utilize your ISO, F, shutter speed and DOF capabilities. What lens do you have?
I'm going to a meet tonight in atl and I'm going to get some scenery shots and I'm gonna try and get some with my car. I'm trying to find someone with a speed light for tonight
Tripod is going to be must depending on how much light there is. Also, if you're using a tripod and don't have a remote shutter switch you may want to use the timer so it gives the camera time to stop shaking after you press the shutter button.
I think anytime you go shooting at night you have to bring a tripod along due to long exposure times. You can always jack up the ISO and exposure, but then you'll get awful looking shots. I usually have a regualr SLIK tripod and a very tiny one for more ground level shots.
what iso were you shooting in? 6400 or something? No bueno at all..you need a tripod to shoot at night no way around it. The highest iso i shoot at is 400 even then its rare that i shoot at such a high number because you start getting grains.