Long Exp. daytime?

RedDevilUK · May 3, 2007

is it possible to do long exposure shots during the day! or do i need some sort of filter.... because when i try, i just get a complete whiteout!! no matter what the settings are

Sw1tchFX · May 3, 2007

You need a neutral density filter, or two.

usayit · May 3, 2007

SwitchFX is right... ND filters come rated in terms of stops. I personally wouldn't use two ND filters on that relatively wide angle lens you have there. I have a 3 stop ND filter used to obtain a wider aperture for a shallower DOF than possible on a bright sunny day.

Along the same topic, I really would like to get this:

http://www.singh-ray.com/varind.html

but its a bit expensive.

CBRfanatic · May 3, 2007

i like it, just ordered one

now i need to get an adapter cuz i dont have any lenses that are 77mm

Big Mike · May 3, 2007

You can't just do a 'long exposure'...you still need to adjust the settings based on the light you are working with...otherwise you will just get a 'white out'.

First thing to do is to use the lowest ISO setting and a very small aperture...something like F22, F29 etc. Use A priority and set the smallest aperture...that will then show you just how long a shutter speed you can use in that light.

To get a longer shutter speed (without getting a white out), you would use the ND filters.

RedDevilUK · May 3, 2007

i was trying to take a long exposure of a waterfall, thats were the question comes from.

cheers mike, and hey usayit... that filter looks cool

xfloggingkylex · May 3, 2007

RedDevilUK said:
i was trying to take a long exposure of a waterfall, thats were the question comes from.

cheers mike, and hey usayit... that filter looks cool

ND filters, or even a polarizer filter (since they aren't clear glass) are used to prevent some light from entering the lens without effecting color balance. This will alow you the speeds you are looking for. For that nice smooth water look you want something like that.

Lars Leber · May 3, 2007

When I take long-exposure water/waterfall photos during the day I usually use a circular polarizer combined with an ND4.

RedDevilUK · May 3, 2007

what filter No. is best, i see a ND8 58mm at the local photo store... is that best or would ND4 be better for all round use?

Lars, i didnt know you could combine filters?? ummm

Sw1tchFX · May 3, 2007

Now, there will be times that you're meter wont' work with a ND filter on, what you need to do is meter the scene without one, and than use math to figure out your exposure with however many stop the filter cuts off.

RedDevilUK · May 3, 2007

Sw1tchFX, this is true, but with still life and water, i could re adjust and re take the picture with different settings... so thats not a problem really

you see where i live, there is a nature reserve (http://www.healeydell.org.uk/)

it has several waterfalls and i love walking through... so tranquil

you can be in there for hours and not see another person.

i wanted to go, pick a good spot, set up my tripod and take some shots... times not really a problem..... i just want to get some great water pictures

and if im lucky i will get a shot of a Kingfisher too

THORHAMMER · May 3, 2007

if you plan it just right you can get some interesting results

http://uniq.smugmug.com/gallery/2683934/1/142162609/Large

sorry for the self promotion, just wanted to motivate you to try it...
and Im at my work computer without the pic on hand...

JDP · May 3, 2007

The one technique I wanted to try is where you open your camera up on a waterfall, and as the shutter's open, you take a card which has a Yellow filter, then black, then red, then black, then blue and move the card slowly in front of the lens. The entire scene will maintain the same color balance since nothing is moving EXCEPT for minute areas in the water where it churns this way and that, those unique areas inherit some of the color and you have a really neat look.
There's a name for it, but it's completely escaped my mind right now!

THORHAMMER · May 3, 2007

yeah, you can do that very very easily..

stop it down almost all the way , and start stacking filters until

your metering on the water is reading anywhere from 2 seconds to 6 or 7 seconds.

then youll have a good range to expirament with..

the water will end up looking whitish and pretty bright, its better

if you can find a waterfall thats in shade, itll match the rocks better in exposure.

go with a ND, and a polarizer, youll be set..