Hi all, I'm relatively new to the photography world and I'm currently struggling with slow shutter speeds and long exposures.
I'm trying to blur and soften slow moving water during daylight, however now matter what I try with the camera my pictures are coming out completely over exposed to leave a white square with maybe a hint of feature but not alot.
Looking online, articles suggest using an HD Filter, and again looking on line there's an awful lot available, could anybody give some idea as to what would be a mid-range filter, and the best type to get in the sense of fitting and anything else which I should take into account.
Or equally, alternatively can shed some light from my over exposure problems.......
@woodsy999 pop in & I'll show you the filters I use!
Try spot metering on the area that's getting over exposed & use exposure compensation as appropriate to bring the detail back.
@woodsy999 I'm new to all this too. However I've been trying to do the same and I've had absolutely no luck whatsoever - I'm having the same problem as you, whatever I do it is completely over exposed. I had put it down to not having a dslr and the capability of my camera. However, I have read that an ND filter can help with these type of shots and I have one on order (albeit a cheap one) so it will be interesting to see if that helps!.
Basically, your camera has limits when it comes to exposure. If you are selecting a long exposure time, you need to compensate by selecting an appropriately small aperture to get the right exposure but the smallest aperture (normally f22) may not be enough to compensate if the shutter is open for a very long time, especially if you are shooting in daylight.
The usual workaround for this is by using a darkened Neutral Density Filter which restricts the amount of light entering the camera by several stops allowing you to select more workable long exposure shutter speed/aperture combinations.
@woodsy999 I'm not an expert and someone who knows may come along and set the record straight... but I would try with a smaller aperture (bigger number say f/10.0 or above), this will reduce the amount of light entering the camera and thus increase the exposure time needed.
@woodsy999 Hi Ady ... My routine is:
Shoot on AV as that will determine the shutter speed until you work it all out
ISO = 100 (slow)
f/22 = narrow hole = little light = longer exposure
If you still get fast speeds that don't give you the 'horse's mane look' stick on a filter to 'stop it down' make it more difficult for the light to get through:
ND2, 4, 8 400+ OR
shoot on a not so bright day or early morning or late evening.
@woodsy999 - ISO low, f/high, ND filter and a dull day or evening dusk should equal success. Here is my attempt at the shot you are planning. You can see the details I used....Good luck.
@dgc4rter@natsnell@natandhayley@misschuff@iowsara@sburbidge@asrai Thankyou all for taking the time to reply, I shall take your comments and put them into practice, although from what most of you are saying the kind and time of day it was, it was going to be impossible before I started.
@gjw Yes this is exactly the type of feeling which I had an idea of trying to capture!
I shall be purchasing some filters by the look of it, is there any which I should stear clear off???
@woodsy999 cheap imports - I have the cokin and theyare great ... there is another brand but I forget the name. Just research nd + filter + brand and you'll get the other name. I think it starts with G ... go well.
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Try spot metering on the area that's getting over exposed & use exposure compensation as appropriate to bring the detail back.
The usual workaround for this is by using a darkened Neutral Density Filter which restricts the amount of light entering the camera by several stops allowing you to select more workable long exposure shutter speed/aperture combinations.
but depends what time of day you are trying to shoot, middle of the day - you dont stand a chance without a filter
Shoot on AV as that will determine the shutter speed until you work it all out
ISO = 100 (slow)
f/22 = narrow hole = little light = longer exposure
If you still get fast speeds that don't give you the 'horse's mane look' stick on a filter to 'stop it down' make it more difficult for the light to get through:
ND2, 4, 8 400+ OR
shoot on a not so bright day or early morning or late evening.
Good luck
1/6 sec
f11.0
iso 200
just played around with the shutter speed, to blur water takes less time than you may think
the bottom two pix had a CPF and ND - hence the vignetting ... don't want that on pix ... unless you crop it out.
had to get blur yet clarity and one colour of light ...
@gjw Yes this is exactly the type of feeling which I had an idea of trying to capture!
I shall be purchasing some filters by the look of it, is there any which I should stear clear off???