Do some of the camera settings intimidate you? Do you want to learn how to develop your photography skills and learn how to use your camera effectively without always going back to the “auto” function? These challenges are for you!
I will be the host of the next camera setting challenge, and I really welcome any assistance from other more experienced members.
The challenge is: Daylight long exposure - silky water. It does not need to be coastal or a waterfall, any moving water will turn silky & smoother using a long exposure.
Explanation: Using a long exposure of moving water turns the water milky and smooth.
The fast flowing waterfall below was shot in the rain without any special equipment - the camera resting on a rock, and no special filters or adapters. Taken about 3 PM: Exposure: 0.4 sec / Aperture: f/22.0 / ISO : 100
The shot of the pier is by Jerry Plume, and was the first silky water I saw on 365. I think he used a tripod and a neutral density (dark) filter, which is like sunglasses for the sensor! Taken at 7 PM / Exposure: 3.2 sec / Aperture: f/22.0 / ISO : 100 ( @orangecrush )
What you need to do:
Subject - you can find 'moving' water in lots of places - at the coast & waterfalls, but don't forget about canals, lakes, rivers, fountains and even stormwater type drains.
Use manual setting on your camera. To get a long exposure in daylight we need to limit the light getting to the sensor.
Use a small apperture - start with f16 or so
Set ISO to near your lowest setting - about 100
Shutter speed - just how long the "long exposure" required to make water silky, will depend on the amount of light, and the speed of the moving water. Try about 2 seconds to start with. You can use a smart phone app or chart calculator if you have a CPL or ND filter. (see below). Overcast days or dusk will avoid harsh shadows and have lowest light.
Gear - to reduce the light, you can use a Neutral Density filter, a teleconverter, or even a circular polarising (CPL) filter if you have these. I have heard that even welding goggles can work! You can however still take a long exposure withour any additional gear. Use a remote shutter release, or 2 sec delay if you don't have one. Use a sturdy tripod or firm surface to rest the camera on. Make sure your camera strap does not flap around if it is windy.
Don't forget the aim is to take an interesting image - so take some time to test for the best composition before tackling the long exposure settings. Focus your camera in an interesting highlight area in the image that does not have water moving over it, to ensure that there is some a sharp focus in the shot along with the soft blur from the water. Some cameras can autofocus using liveview with an ND filter in place.
Experienced photographers who are knowledgeable in this particular setting are encouraged to offer “kind and constructive” suggestions on the posted entries. Those entering this challenge want to learn and improve.
This challenge starts today Sunday 11 August AEST and lasts until Wednesday 21st 10:00 AM AEST (12:00:00 Midnight Tuesday August 20, 2013 zulu time ). All photos must be taken during these dates to be considered. Enter as many as you would like- the idea is to practice & learn.
TAG YOUR PHOTO CSC-31 ......and post your picture in this thread to receive feedback from other experienced photographers specific to this challenge.
Voting will start on Wednesday and remain open 24 hours, and the winner will be announced on Thursday 22nd. The winner of the challenge will select an experienced photographer to host a new challenge. It is the winner’s option on who they want to host the next challenge; it may be someone they follow whose work they admire, or someone who is active offering suggestions on previous CSC challenges. The winner may also select an experienced photographer for the list of photographers who have agreed to host future challenges as another option. Here is the link to that list: http://365project.org/myhrhelper/365/2011-12-12
Expect to receive constructive suggestions on how to improve your skills.
How to post your photo on this link:
1) Go to your page that has the photo you wish to post.
2) Copy the “share” code in the bottom right section of that page.
3) Return to this thread and paste the code under comments
love your comment about sunglasses for the sensor... i was out today with no ND and in fact used my sunglasses for exactly that purpose... not sure how well it worked - haven't had a chance to pull the photos off the camera yet... but i do love the idea of this challenge and hopefully will have a chance to give it a go!
@ltodd Thank you Lyn for the shout out! To anyone that is about to try this technique, I shot that hand held with no ND filter! It can be done! This was shot after sunset when there is still a hint of light in the sky. I set a 3 sec exposure with a 2 sec timer on the shutter.i rested my elbow against my stomach, held my breath and presto!
I love slow shutter shots and I'm looking forward to this challenge! Thanks, Lyn! :)
I shot this about 1/2 hour before sunset using a 3 stop ND filter and a polarizing filter. F/22 for 25 seconds. It was very cloudy and overcast so the sky is pretty blah. i took a couple more exposures and may try stacking a couple of them for better definition in the sky.
Exposure:1.3 sec (13/10) Aperture: f/20.0 ISO Speed:100
I tried longer exposures using a ND filter but I don't think the quality of the filter was good enough as the results seemed murky.
This was taken just at sunset. F/22 for 25 seconds. I also used a 3 stop ND filter. I processed the RAW file to pull out as much detail as I could. The sky was over exposed, the trees under exposed and the color was off.
Wow -- what a great and diverse set of images! Here's my attempt...it's actually a very small rock garden, using a telephoto lens to maximize the feeling of size -- like real waterfall, not just a foot high garden stream! That's why it wasn't done wide angle, in fact.
@kwiksilver no I haven't see voting for this either. And Lyn hasn't posted in a few days? @ltodd - come out, come out to play! Hope everything is alright and just the daily gripe and grind are keeping you busy.
@myhrhelper Hi Kathy...It was great fun to enter this challenge and amazing to win but I just don't have the time at present to host a challenge. My choice for an alternate would be Jeff Walker. Not sure of the protocol here...do you ask him or do I? thanks J. Voorberg
@365inthelifeofjcvogt Hi Thanks I changed the ISO to try and freeze some water droplets coming from a water wheel and then forgot to change back. There are so many things to remember guess the rule of thumb should be concentrate on what you set out to photograph and don't get distracted and stray from you goal.
@jayberg@myhrhelper I'm going to experiment with something I just recently learned myself and if I think it is good, I'll use it for the next challenge... if not, I'll come up with something else, but will try to get something up soon.... this particular weekend is going to be a busy weekend, so the next challenge might not get up til Wednesday but I will try to get something up sooner.
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I love slow shutter shots and I'm looking forward to this challenge! Thanks, Lyn! :)
!!!
1 second, f/8.0, ISO 80
I tried longer exposures using a ND filter but I don't think the quality of the filter was good enough as the results seemed murky.
I tried shorter exposures but felt this one was better. I'd really appreciate any advice.
0.6 sec (6/10), f/16, ISO 320
@ltodd - come out, come out to play! Hope everything is alright and just the daily gripe and grind are keeping you busy.
Yes. Weird. I haven't thought about this movie in ages, then I saw your reference to it today, and now it's on TV this evening.