Shooting in TV question:

[Patrickktown]

Sometimes when I go for a long exposure (say a waterfall in the daytime) if I go past about 2 seconds my shot will be overexposed. What if I wanted even up to 30 seconds?

Why is this and what can I do about it?

Thanks.

 

[runnah]

Sometimes when I go for a long exposure (say a waterfall in the daytime) if I go past about 2 seconds my shot will be overexposed. What if I wanted even up to 30 seconds? Why is this and what can I do about it? Thanks.

Lower your ISO and increase your fstop number.

If it is still too bright you might need a ND filter to block some of the light.

 

[KmH]

Put a ND (Neutral Density) filter on the camera lens.

Camera Lens Filters

• Choosing a Camera Lens Filter: Polarizers, UV, ND & GND
• Understanding & Using Polarizing Filters
• Using Graduated Neutral Density (GND) Filters
• Using Neutral Density (ND) Filters

 

[robbins.photo]

Sometimes when I go for a long exposure (say a waterfall in the daytime) if I go past about 2 seconds my shot will be overexposed. What if I wanted even up to 30 seconds?

Why is this and what can I do about it?

Thanks.

The longer your shutter is open, the more light you let in, and as a result once you get to a certain point your photo is over exposed. You can reduce the aperture of the lens (please note this will affect your depth of feild) or you can add an ND filter to reduce the amount of light coming into the lens.

 

[tirediron]

It is, because too much light is hitting the sensor. You have a couple of options; reduce ISO, use a smaller aperture, or add a neutral-density (ND) filter to your lens. They're available in a number of styles and densities to suit most scenes. I like a 1,2, & 3 stop kit.

 

[robbins.photo]

It is, because too much light is hitting the sensor. You have a couple of options; reduce ISO, use a smaller aperture, or add a neutral-density (ND) filter to your lens. They're available in a number of styles and densities to suit most scenes. I like a 1,2, & 3 stop kit.

Ok, it could just be me.. but I'm starting to sense a theme here.. rotfl

 

[tirediron]

It is, because too much light is hitting the sensor. You have a couple of options; reduce ISO, use a smaller aperture, or add a neutral-density (ND) filter to your lens. They're available in a number of styles and densities to suit most scenes. I like a 1,2, & 3 stop kit.

Ok, it could just be me.. but I'm starting to sense a theme here.. rotfl

Oh?

 

[hirejn]

To answer your question more specifically, it's because at a given ISO and aperture the scene is simply too bright to expose properly at the shutter speed you selected. Exposure is the total amount of light on the negative and is controlled by the three variables ISO, A and S. At a given brightness, there are only so many exposure combinations that expose the negative correctly. Light is light and if there's too much light for the shutter speed you want, then there's simply too much light and if you can't reduce it via ISO or aperture, then you need something else to block it, such as clouds or a neutral density filter.

When possible, wait for overcast conditions. This reduces the contrast in the scene enabling you to capture all of the detail of both the water and surrounding scenery. Contrary to popular opinion, most daylight scenes actually fall within the dynamic range of DSLRs (about six stops), even waterfalls in sun, if you expose correctly. The problem is most people don't expose correctly. Also, even when you capture the full dynamic range, that doesn't mean you don't have shadows. It just means the shadows have detail that you can pull out in software (possible only when you shoot RAW). Overcast means there's less of a difference between the highlights and shadows and you can expand the dynamic range more subjectively in software. I would still recommend shooting in overcast as it's easier to hold the detail and play with the dynamic range in software later, and it means less light, enabling you to get away with slower shutter speeds.

 

[Patrickktown]

[h=1]Thanks for the replies.

I went with the Tiffen 58mm Variable ND Filter[/h]

 

[shaylou]

Thanks for the replies.

I went with the Tiffen 58mm Variable ND Filter

If I may make a suggestion. I would spend a little time studying the basics before I made any purchases. Yes it's great fun to buy new gear but your question indicates a lack of understanding of exposure (no biggie we all started here). Here is a link that I think can help. It helps all photographers, not just beginners.

Camera Exposure: Aperture, ISO & Shutter Speed

 

[shaylou]

Okay now I'm really confused. I went to your flicker page and you are obvious not a beginner in the sense that I thought but your question screamed beginner. What gives?

 

[glun]

you need to turn down the ISO as low as possible to allow the sensor capture LESS light. Usually if you do it in daylight it's very easy to over expose your picutre, so you may need to get an ND filter to cut out even more light. Hope this helps!

 

[minicoop1985]

Try setting it up in manual mode-ISO whatever's lowest (usually 100), I wouldn't quite go to f/22 due to diffraction affecting image quality but go with a smaller aperture, and throw on an ND filter of 2-3 stops and that should help.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Here you go.

 

[shaylou]

Sound like a good place for the Lee Big Stopper....