Greetings, I am a beginner in photography and interested in learning new techniques. One of which is how to set an exposure for moving water as shown in this recent posting by: mezmerizeme http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=1078016&Start=55&Sectionid=0&filter_genre_id=0&WhatsNew=Yes. I have seen this technique used several times and would like to experiment with it myself. Would you all be so kind to explain exposure settings for this kind of shot? Thank you in advance, Larry-L

Hi Larry, I'll try explain a little 'cos I'm here but perhaps one of the others who takes these will be able to do a better job. The type of shot you are after takes a long shutter speed so the water moves during the time the shutter is open. This is usually achieved by stopping down the aperture to it's smallest setting and using a neutral density filter or maybe a polarising filter to cut down on the amount of light entering the camera. You would need to keep the camera abosolutely still during the exposure so the background is sharp so a tripod will be necessary too. What type of camera do you have? Richard.

Thanks for the reply. I have a Canon Digital Rebel XT and I bought a 12-24 wide angle lens and a macro lens along with a standard 28-105 lens.

So if you used F22 @ 28mm you could focus to about 4ft and have everything in focus to infinity plus it would give you fairly long shutter speed if the light wasn't to bright, otherwise you will need to use a filter to get a longer shutter speed. The shot is best taken on overcast days usually to reduce the contrast a bit to get a good tonal range.

Message edited on: 10/28/2005 09:10

Good thread.. I been asking in comments on the images I see like that to post thier shooting data. This is something I want to try too.

Thanks for the replys. Sorry Jack, being the author of this thread therefore the beginner I wouldn't know where to start a guess.

I think Rich explained it perfectly well Larry! Good luck with that and don't forget to post ur attempts in the forum to have more feedback! ;)

First of all how l would approach some thing like the waterfall or..mezmerizeme water movement is the following.. Take my first shot in automatic this gives me correct exposure and by checking the info l can see the shutter speed and iris setting and iso that the camera has set. Then in manual l can slow the shutter speed down by two stops and close the iris setting by two stops, this gives the same over all exposure.. l can then review that shot on replay..and see the effect on the water. what ever you do on the shutter speed.. you do the opposite on the iris.. one my swan shot managed to freeze the water at shutter speed 1/400 f 7.1 iso 200.... use that as a guideline is you like.. @jack... would say a really good fluke shot on automatic its gorgeous..:)))))

Larry carry with you a note book and pen, take shots on your automatic default .. read the info. write them down..then when approaching the subject , you can work around the settings...it takes time.. anytime you need advise.. your welcome..:)..:))) Nikki

Thanks for your instructions. Once I get some time I will try these out.

Speed is 1/69

Attached Link: Original Waterfall shot

PS. This is the original shot.

smudge tool on pshop..sacrilege.. Its a gorgeous composition...jack..:)..:))))))

p.s truly fantastic website jack.. love the monochromes.. old man of kashmir.... lovely galleries :)

Soulofharmony Many thanks for your kind and generous comments. I have always had a weekness for monochrome. Cheers