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[Shelby B]

First attempt at slow shutter speed. And it was pretty bright outside so I couldn't go too low. Thoughts?

 

[Ian63]

I like the perspective.. have you though of using an ND filter for this kind of result??

 

[Shelby B]

No I haven't. I'm fairly new at this. I need to get one.

Do you think that would help me get a slower shutter speed by making it darker on top?

 

[Designer]

I could not read the EXIF, but I'm guessing that your shutter speed was not actually very slow.

If you stop down as far as your lens will go, you might be able to get more blur on the waves.

 

[Shelby B]

I could not read the EXIF, but I'm guessing that your shutter speed was not actually very slow.

If you stop down as far as your lens will go, you might be able to get more blur on the waves.

You are correct. I think my shutter speed was less than a second. It was too bright to get very slow. I had my f stop at like 32. And I was having a hard time with exposure being too bright.

 

[Ian63]

No I haven't. I'm fairly new at this. I need to get one.

Do you think that would help me get a slower shutter speed by making it darker on top?

Shelby, A graduated filter would create darker tones at the top of the photograph. Using a regular ND filter is like putting sunglasses on. Factor the ND filter in... depending on how dark it is.. and you will be able to use slower shutter speeds.

 

[KenC]

Yeah, an ND filter will get you the smooth water you're looking for - get at least a three-stop, maybe more.

The problem I have with this image is that it's close to perfectly symmetric, but not there. This may not bother everyone, but I find an image works better if it's either perfectly symmetric or pretty substantially far from it.

 

[snowbear118 49]

It's kind of hard without and ND. Bottom out your ISO. I've seen someone successfully throw their sunglasses (non-prescription) over the lens of a P&S. It might work a little, if they can cover enough of the front element. It might be worth the minute or two to try it, but I like to experiment with stuff like that.

 

[Shelby B]

Thank you all! I have been trying to find a good forum like this one!

 

[spiralout462]

I think it would look better with the waves nice and sharp. In my opinion this shot wouldn't benefit from a slow shutter unless the lighting allowed you to capture a certain "mood". Water doesn't always need to be smoothed out for me.

 

[Shelby B]

That certain "mood" is what I was going for. Lol. It just didn't work out well! I like the "foggy" look that the blurred waves can give. It just didn't work out for me this time!

 

[weepete]

Cool shot, good framing too. I'll look forward to seeing another when you get an ND fiter.