BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Traditional Film Photography

Photography Question 

Sobia Chishti
 

Slow shutter speed and whatelse?


I and my husband are going on a few hours trip to a fall and streams place near our hometown this weekend. I just stepped into this art. I know that I should use slow shutter speed to capture cotton candy effect of falls and streams, but how much slow? And how can I shoot the vibrant colors of fall season. I just have a UV protection filter. Any thoughts would be appreciated.


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October 10, 2002

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  When shooting moving water and trying to achieve that silky look you must first consider whether the water is moving towards/away from you or across your path. If it is moving towards/away it requires a longer shutter speed than if it's moving across your field of vision. Typically, water moving across your POV can be blurred with a 1-2 second shutter speed. Water moving towards/away may require 3-4 seconds. Of course this all depends upon the speed of the current too so bracket your exposures to see what looks best. To achieve these shutter speeds you may need a polarizer and/or a ND filter. Overcast days are best. If the sun is out then wait for it to get off the water before shooting.

For fall colors a polarizer is again a very nice tool. It will remove glare from the foliage and make the colors more vibrant. A warming filter can be nice as well. Overcast days are also best. The sun has a tendency to cause glare that takes the punch out of the colors.

For both scenarios, in addition to using a polarizer and shooting on overcast days, be sure to use a tripod.


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October 10, 2002

 

Sobia Chishti
  thanks Jeff K. My questions are always responded promptly. I don't have a polarizer nor a warming filter. But the weather has been cloudy since a couple of days. I just hope for an overcast weekend in my area.


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October 10, 2002

 

Sobia Chishti
  Jeff, how can I bracket my exposures? My camera has AEB ( auto exposure bracketing). Is this what you mean?


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October 11, 2002

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  Yep, the AEB will work. Or you can do it manually. Just pick the f-stop you want and then adjust your shutter speed. Shoot one at the recommended shutter speed and then one a little faster and one a little slower.


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October 11, 2002

 
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