View Full Version : Messing about with shutter exposure time
DarrenSV650S
28-08-09, 08:36 PM
Was out on the bike for a wee run tonight. Didn't get any scenery pics or anything but when I was riding back it was getting dark, and as I passed over this over-pass..... I thought I'd try to get one of those pictures where the car's lights are blurred.
There wasn't much traffic so the effect didn't work that well. And my camera won't let me take a picture for longer than 3 seconds, which is a bit crap. But they turned out not bad.
It was actually darker than it looks in these pics. I must have had it at the wrong light setting
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/DSCF0011-5.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/DSCF0012-2.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/DSCF0013-1.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/DSCF0014-1.jpg
rictus01
28-08-09, 11:42 PM
yeah it can be a good effect, especially with something static in mid shot.
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs174.snc1/6535_126280079134_621884134_2567993_562778_n.jpg
Cheers Mark.
Spiderman
29-08-09, 12:47 AM
Great pic Mark, so captures Soho that shot :thumbsup:
Brettus
29-08-09, 07:32 AM
Nice shots darren! Last time I tried I was cursing having a 15 second limit so to get those with only 3 is pretty impressive IMHO. Will have a go with my new camera with no limit and see wha I can get. Inspired now, my last ones didn't have any foreground either, it really adds to it.
if you wanted more light trials then what you could do is mount your camera on a tri pod, take 4-5 shots using your 3 second shutter speed (taking care not to move the camera at all) then you can merge them all together on photoshop. If you have photoshop its as easy as stacking your 5 shots on top on each other and using the blending mode and selecting linear light (at least i think its linear light without checking)
ok i had a look and the blending mode you use is 'overlay - lighten' if you want to re take some shot i would be happy to blend them together for you. Just need to make sure your camera is locked off on a tripod so it doesnt budge between shots :)
DarrenSV650S
29-08-09, 11:06 AM
if you wanted more light trials then what you could do is mount your camera on a tri pod, take 4-5 shots using your 3 second shutter speed (taking care not to move the camera at all) then you can merge them all together on photoshop. If you have photoshop its as easy as stacking your 5 shots on top on each other and using the blending mode and selecting linear light (at least i think its linear light without checking)
Ahh cool might try that tonight. Didn't have a tripod last night, I just rested the camera on the railing. And I have photoshop so should manage to blend them. Although it does take me a while to figure out how to do stuff in photoshop
If you get stuck mate then I'm happy to help the best I can. For it to work though it might mean a visit back to the bridge with a tripod. There cant be any movement at all between shots :)
PM me if your stuck buddy
DarrenSV650S
29-08-09, 10:18 PM
Went back tonight with the tripod. It's been a nice clear day here today so I thought it would be ideal conditions, but it had clouded over by evening so I think it was too dark. I just couldn't seem to get enough light.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/DSCF0008-11.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/DSCF0021-1.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/DSCF0024-3.jpg
I tried messing about with the ISO but that just made it look grainy.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/DSCF0007-11.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/DSCF0013-2.jpg
I'm really happy with how these two turned out, as a car went past me. It's great how it lights up the bike
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/DSCF0010-6.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/DSCF0016-1.jpg
Ploppy, I got a sequence of 10 pictures that might make a good merge. But my photobucket isn't working now (trial ran out) :(
This is one where i have over layed 3 different pictures, the problem is that the white head lights are really intense in the distance so takes your eye away from the other parts of the photo. Only way of getting around that is a different camera with more choice of how long you can keep the shutter open for. But the red lights came out nice and also i realy liked the effect made by the car that went directly infront of you. It lights up your bike nicely and give some nice trails in the foreground :) Well done on the photo mate :) :)
http://forums.sv650.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5120&stc=1&d=1251661844
Oh and because i copied the photos directly from this thread it means this photo is poor quality, i cant post any larger than this other wise it gets grainy and pixilated :( If you are wanting a photo to keep or enlarge or something (pc wallpaper :thumright:) then if you email me the full size files then i can do it properly for you
Again nice picture buddy, keep snapping :D
DarrenSV650S
30-08-09, 08:16 PM
My mum has a panasonic lumix tz7 which can take exposures up to 60 seconds. So I might steal a shot of that the next clear night :D
Only problem is, it won't let me adjust the ISO. It just locks it to 80
joined two photos bit of one to a bit of another and adjusted the exposer.
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/1801/2layers.jpg
My mum has a panasonic lumix tz7 which can take exposures up to 60 seconds. So I might steal a shot of that the next clear night :D
Only problem is, it won't let me adjust the ISO. It just locks it to 80
Do it :) you know you want to.... hehe
Trick is to get both lanes on either direction to have light trails (if you get my meaning :-k) oh and another car to go directly in front of you because that is a nice touch :)
DarrenSV650S
30-08-09, 08:33 PM
joined two photos bit of one to a bit of another and adjusted the exposer.
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/1801/2layers.jpg
Thanks Richie that's pretty good :)
Do it :) you know you want to.... hehe
Trick is to get both lanes on either direction to have light trails (if you get my meaning :-k) oh and another car to go directly in front of you because that is a nice touch :)
I reckon it would work well on a street with no street lights, but with lots of traffic, so the only light source would be the cars headlights. If I parked the bike side-on to the traffic so they lit up the bike :)
Spiderman
30-08-09, 09:29 PM
yeh, your camera will not cope with all that street lighting and headlights well on a long exposure mate.
As you say, an unlit busy road is a better place to try it....or one thats lit all the way to you. Its that "bunch" of streetlights thats making it tough to get a perfect pic imho.
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