SHOOTING WATER

by Adrienne Lubbe

Set you camera to shutter priority mode indicated with a TV on the camera dial.

What this indicates is that you are going to be changing the speed with which

the shutter opens and closes.

NB: To get the best results one should use a tripod.

 HIGHER SHUTTER SPEED =  the camera takes the picture faster = FREEZES THE MOTION

1/1000th of a second

Getting slower 1/80th of a second

1/5th of a second

SLOWER SHUTTER SPEED =  the camera takes the picture slower = BLURS THE MOTION

This gives the water a cotton wool effect.

I normally set the camera at TV 5 (1/5th of a second) not TV 5"

(that would be 5 seconds which would be too long)

COMPARE -  same photo, 2 different shutter speeds (taken with a hand held camera)

Fast                                                                                     Slow

The slow exposure lets in more light because the shutter is open for longer, so you can see the colour  in the background is slightly washed out, but it gives the softer effect of the water which I love. In a brighter situation you may need to set the shutter speed faster otherwise your shot will be overexposed.

The next time you see moving water think TV5 Shutter priority!