Heart & Soul of Photography: Waterfalls & Freeways

Friday, October 3, 2008

Waterfalls & Freeways

Remember last night I proclaimed October as "Get to know your camera" month? Well, today I took some time out of my day (and my night) to do just that. Today I played with slow shutter speeds.
I started out this afternoon at the entrance to our community where there are 3 different waterfalls. Here are a couple of the images I captured. . .

My goal with these photos was to get that "silky" "smokey" water look. I have always been a fan of that look but always figured it would be too hard for ME to do. Well, look at me go! They are not perfect but for a 1st try I think they are pretty darn good. And they also helped me with that Love/Hate relationship I told you I had with my camera!

Here are the specs on this 1st one:

Mode: Shutter Priority

Shutter Speed: 1/8 (of a second)

Aperture: F32

Lens: 18-200mm

Focal Length: 65mm

EV Compensation: -2.3

Here are the specs on this next one:
Mode: Shutter Priority
Shutter Speed: 1/8 (of a second)
Aperture: F32
Lens: 18-200mm
Focal Length: 65mm
EV Compensation:-5.0

I didn't realize until I started typing out the specs for these 2 photos that I had picked 2 with the same specs to put on the blog.

This afternoon's shooting adventure went so well I decided to head back out right after the sun set for some fun highway photos. Here are a couple images from tonight's shoot. . .

Again I was shooting with a slow shutter speed. My goal here was to get those "tracers" that lights can make. I know you have all seen these kinds of pictures before. Again, not perfection, but I am pleased. Unfortunately all of the highway overpasses here in Phoenix have "cages" around the walkways so that you can't jump if your pictures don't turn out. (that is the only reason for making overpasses - right?) Because of this, you can see a little bit of a grid in these photos. Oh well, safety first I suppose.

Specs for Highway Photo #1:

Mode: Manual

Shutter Speed: 8 Seconds (WOW!)

Aperture: F32

Lens: 18-200mm

Focal Length: 116mm

EV Compensation: 0.0

Specs for Highway Photo #2:
Mode: shutter Priority
Shutter Speed: 15 Seconds (WOW!)
Aperture: F22
Lens: 18-200mm
Focal Length: 44mm
EV Compensation: 0.0

Specs for Highway Photo #3:
Mode: Shutter Priority
Shutter Speed: 8 Seconds (WOW!)
Aperture: F16
Lens: 18-200mm
Focal Length: 98mm
EV Compensation: -1.0

I hope you enjoyed the photos tonight, and even more I hope it inspires you to try something with your camera (or anything) that you didn't think you could do! A couple little tips for you if you want to try the slower shutter speeds with your camera this weekend.

Be sure you use a tripod when you use these slower speeds. It is virtually impossible to hand hold your camera under these circumstances. You will just get too much camera shake.
Take advantage of the self timer on your camera for these shots too. It futher decreases the chance of camera shake.

So, enjoy your weekend! Get out there and enjoy these cool temps we are supposed to get this weekend. WOW! Can you believe the low 80's this weekend! Sounds like heaven to me!!!!!

2 comments:

Eva said...: Wow what beautiful pictures. Awesome work!; October 9, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi how are you? I was looking through your blog and found it very interesting to me. As an artist here in Southern California I appreciate a variety of artistic expression.

Having said all that I would like to invite you to become friendly with me here in my San Diego blog, and comment.

You may also see that many of my labels are unique in artistic expression and always at least a music video and other aspects.

I hope you will stop by,
take care; November 16, 2008 at 6:30 PM

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Photography Dictionary

This is designed to be a quick reference of photography terms. It can be a useful source of information for you by providing a quick and easy reference for terms you may not know or that need to be refreshed.

Aperture - This is the opening in your lens through which light passes, allowing it to expose the film. The size of the aperture can be fixed or adjustable. It is usually referred to in f-stops ( i.e. f5.6). The higher the number, the smaller the opening in your lens.

Aperture Priority - This is the AV setting on your camera. It allows you to pick the f-stop that you want and the camera will select the correct shutter speed for you for the right exposure. Each time you change the aperture, the shutter speed will automatically adjust.

Auto Focus (AF) - Your camera will automatically focus on the selected part of your subject.Automatic Camera - The camera automatically sets the aperture and shutter speed for proper exposure.

Bulb (B) setting - This setting allows for timed exposures. The shutter will stay open for as long as you hold down the shutter release button. This is great for fireworks, etc.

Backlighting - This is lighting that is coming from behind your subject towards your lens. It helps your subject stand out from the background.

Bounce Lighting - This is where you take the light from your source (i.e. flash) and you bounce it off of a reflector or a ceiling for the look of natural light. When doing this with a flash, it would need to be able to swivel or adjust.

Bracketing - This is useful when you aren't sure what the exposure should be. You take 3 pictures (of the same subject) at different exposures to determine which would be the best setting.

Composition - This is the way you arrange the elements (the subject, background and foreground) in your picture for a more pleasing look.

Contrast - This is the difference between the light and dark areas on your picture. Also called density.

Depth of Field - This is the difference between the nearest and farthest objects that appear in focus on a photograph. This is controlled by setting the aperture. The smaller the number, the less in focus. The larger the number the more in focus, creating a larger depth of field.

Double Exposure - This happens when two pictures are taken on the same film frame, or when two images are printed on the same piece of photographic paper.

Exposure - This is how much light (how long and the amount allowed through the lens) that is allowed on your film.

Fill In Light - This is when you some additional source of light (flash, reflector, etc) to fill in shadows or dark areas caused by the primary source of light.

Film Speed - This is how sensitive the film is to light. The film speed is referred to as ISO 400, 800, etc.)

Filter - A special piece of glass to place over your lens to change certain aspects of the scene (colors, eliminate or even enhance certain colors, soften, etc.)

Flash - A burst of light from an electronic bulb on your camera (or separate flash) used when there isn't enough light.

F-number - This is in reference to the size of the lens opening. The larger the f-stop number, the smaller the opening on your lens. (See aperture)

Front Lighting - When the lighting comes from the side of your subject facing the camera.

ISO Speed - The sensitivity of the film according to International Standards Organization.

Lens - A piece of glass that has been made to collect and focus rays of light to form a sharp image on your film.

Lens Speed - This is the largest lens opening (smallest f-stop) that a lens can be set to. A fast lens has a larger opening and lets in more light than a slow lens.

Macro Lens - A lens used for extreme close ups.

Overexposure - This is when too much light has reached the film. Often your print will be very light and not have much contrast.

Polarizing Filter - This is used to create a deeper blue in the sky. It is also useful in reducing reflections from glass, water, etc.

Program Exposure - The mode on an automatic camera that will automatically set the aperture and shutter speed for proper exposure.

Reflector - Something use to reflect light onto your subject. They can be purchased or be a simple as a piece of white foam core.

Shutter - Controls the amount of time that the film is exposed to light.

Shutter Priority - The program on your camera which allows you to set the shutter speed and the camera will automatically choose the aperture that will allow for the optimum exposure.

SLR (single lens reflex) camera - A camera which allows you to see the scene through the lens used to take the picture.

Soft Lighting - Lighting in which the contrast is low, such as a cloudy day.

Tripod - A three-legged stand used to hold the camera still. This is useful when using slow shutter speeds or in low lighting conditions.

Underexposure - When there wasn't sufficient light reaching the film to expose your subject properly. Your picture will be dark.

View Finder - The place on your camera through which you look to see what will be recorded on your film.

Zoom lens - A lens in which you can adjust the focal length over a wide range.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Waterfalls & Freeways

2 comments:

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