shutter help...

[phildaint]

hi, im just wondering what kind of shutter speeds you use for :

1. sunsets / sunrises
2. shots of animals e.g border collie (dog) rounding up sheep or similar

or is it just a trial and error kind of thing

thanks for the help and im sorry if this is meant to be in the other section

 

[Remi M.]

Sorry but there is no magic shutter number for each situation, The shutter speed is dependant on other factors like aperture size, ISO and light level.

You have to play withing these factors for you to get a exposure you want. It's called Reciprocity.

There are some aperture and shutter speed combinations that will work. Like the sunny 16 rule.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunny_16_rule

I would suggest for you to pick up a book by Bryan Peterson called "Understanding Exposure".

 

[MikeR]

take Remi's advice.

 

[JIP]

Why don't you try following your meter. This will give you a good starting point and experiment from there.

 

[jstuedle]

You will also have variables that will instill creativity in your photo's. Panning with the dog and dragging the shutter to get background blur for instance. Or exposing for the sun so that the forground is just a silhouette. Way to many variables to list in a short 1,2,3 answer.

 

[neea]

Shooting film or digital?

If it's digital... just try, check, try again.
Film.. personally for sunsets I like to underexpose slightly.