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Help and advice for beginners If you don't classify yourself as being particularly expert or experienced and you have a question or problem that you need help with in the area of improving images, this is the board to get the assistance you seek.

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Old 26-09-07
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Question Help Re: Shutter Speed


I would be grateful for any advice on camera shutter speed and what effect this has on subjects during daytime shoots (I understand that night shots require a longer exposure).

Since becoming ill in 1991 one of the problems I have been left with is being able to read and retaining information. I used to be able to read technical manuals standing on my head while drinking coffee, holding a conversation and repairing military equipment; now I can't even read a novel never mind a technical manual and to try and get around this problem have purchased DVD's on photography but sometimes you're left wondering if the presenter is a photographer or some actor reading a script. I have just placed an order for the DVD 'Better Photography' by Philip Dunn who is a photographic journalist.

Thanks in advance,

Brian
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Old 26-09-07
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Re: Help Re: Shutter Speed

Quote:
Originally Posted by himmelblau View Post
I would be grateful for any advice on camera shutter speed and what effect this has on subjects during daytime shoots (I understand that night shots require a longer exposure).

Since becoming ill in 1991 one of the problems I have been left with is being able to read and retaining information. I used to be able to read technical manuals standing on my head while drinking coffee, holding a conversation and repairing military equipment; now I can't even read a novel never mind a technical manual and to try and get around this problem have purchased DVD's on photography but sometimes you're left wondering if the presenter is a photographer or some actor reading a script. I have just placed an order for the DVD 'Better Photography' by Philip Dunn who is a photographic journalist.

Thanks in advance,

Brian
Hi Brian - you come across as completely sane and normal to me

Your question about shutter speeds is rather general - what in particular are you thinking about? Can you give us a photography scenario that your question relates to?

Ian
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Old 26-09-07
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Re: Help Re: Shutter Speed

Hi There Brian,
Sorry to hear your pedicament, Her is a VERY SIMPLE explanation, Shutter speed and aperture are linked together, and if only one is wrong (in manual mode) then the image is normally under or overexposed. Aperture gives or controls the depth of field (front to back sharpness) shutter speed controls Blur in moveing objects, Ie: moving foliage in wind, animals or sport objects such as runners or cars. TOGETHER THEY BOTH CONTROL THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT hitting the film or digital processor. I use shutter priority auto for sport or moveing objects, this means that the camera contols the exposure based on the shutter speed I set, or aperture priority auto for landscape etc: In manual mode you would be responsible for both settings, and a light metre would be a wise move. Full auto mode or program mode are also options.
So to sum up, the shutter speed in day light does much the same as in night shots, together with the aperture ( and ISO/ASA) it controls the amount of light allowed to hit the film or digi processor, in general Use shutter priority Auto for moveing subjects, or for scenic/plant life in windy conditions. But they all can be used creatively. I do hope I have got it right and it is of some help. Good luck.
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Old 26-09-07
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Re: Help Re: Shutter Speed

Quote:
Originally Posted by himmelblau View Post
I would be grateful for any advice on camera shutter speed and what effect this has on subjects during daytime shoots (I understand that night shots require a longer exposure).

Since becoming ill in 1991 one of the problems I have been left with is being able to read and retaining information. I used to be able to read technical manuals standing on my head while drinking coffee, holding a conversation and repairing military equipment; now I can't even read a novel never mind a technical manual and to try and get around this problem have purchased DVD's on photography but sometimes you're left wondering if the presenter is a photographer or some actor reading a script. I have just placed an order for the DVD 'Better Photography' by Philip Dunn who is a photographic journalist.

Thanks in advance,

Brian
Hi, I would suggest Google Shutter speed there is lots out there that explain all how it works etc. Here is one to start you off.
http://www.geofflawrence.com/photogr..._apertures.php
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Old 27-09-07
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Thumbs up Re: Help Re: Shutter Speed

Thanks everyone for your replies; I was thinking back to Stephen's post about himself and a friend taking photos of the same waterfall, if I remember right Stephen used fast shutter speeds and his friend was trying slow shutter speeds.

Also, I was thinking back to my photos of the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall; the shutter speed was 1/200th of a second and there looked to be camera shake in the image, I thought at that speed there should have been none and that the water should have appeared more frozen. I must admit that the day I took those images my camera settings were well out and I don’t mean simple settings; I had made a right royal mess of things in the menus. I have now adjusted them but have not had a chance to get out and see how things are now, as my fiancées 85 year old father has been very ill.

When I next get the chance to take photos of fast flowing water, I'll try fast and slow shutter speeds and check the results for the effects given by different shutter speeds. (Practice makes perfect) I just wish I could get a days tuition with a pro before I start work on the project I have been offered.

Thanks again,

Brian
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Old 27-09-07
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Re: Help Re: Shutter Speed

Quote:
Originally Posted by himmelblau View Post
Thanks everyone for your replies; I was thinking back to Stephen's post about himself and a friend taking photos of the same waterfall, if I remember right Stephen used fast shutter speeds and his friend was trying slow shutter speeds.

Also, I was thinking back to my photos of the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall; the shutter speed was 1/200th of a second and there looked to be camera shake in the image, I thought at that speed there should have been none and that the water should have appeared more frozen. I must admit that the day I took those images my camera settings were well out and I don’t mean simple settings; I had made a right royal mess of things in the menus. I have now adjusted them but have not had a chance to get out and see how things are now, as my fiancées 85 year old father has been very ill.

When I next get the chance to take photos of fast flowing water, I'll try fast and slow shutter speeds and check the results for the effects given by different shutter speeds. (Practice makes perfect) I just wish I could get a days tuition with a pro before I start work on the project I have been offered.

Thanks again,

Brian
The nice thing about digital photography is that you can experiment - take some pictures of something moving - maybe cars or a branch swaying in the wind - at different shutter speeds and get a feel for how the different settings affect the results.

1/200th is not particularly fast and probably wouldn't freeze a waterfall. You would be aiming for 1/100th or even higher to do that.

Ian
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Old 29-09-07
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Re: Help Re: Shutter Speed

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Originally Posted by Ian View Post
The nice thing about digital photography is that you can experiment - take some pictures of something moving - maybe cars or a branch swaying in the wind - at different shutter speeds and get a feel for how the different settings affect the results.

1/200th is not particularly fast and probably wouldn't freeze a waterfall. You would be aiming for 1/100th or even higher to do that.

Ian
For 100th read 1000th
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