The Recipe for Getting This Type of Shot


SCOTT KELBY

Characteristics of this type of shot: smooth, silky water; dramatic skies; sharp detail from front to back; contrast of color in the sky and the water.

  1. To get a shot like this, with the silky water look, requires a number of things. First among them is you have to shoot it in very, very low light (before the sun comes up or well after it goes downthis shot was taken more than one hour after sunset) because you have to leave the shutter open long enough (10 seconds or more) so the waves can wash in and out while your shutter is openthat's what gives it the silky look. Normally, leaving your shutter open for 10 or more seconds will totally blow out your sky. That's why you do it well after sunsetso there's little light in the skybut don't worry, the long exposure will capture what little light is there, giving you a shot like the one above. If you have a neutral density gradient filter, you can also use this so you don't have to wait quite as late to shoot, because it darkens just the sky for you.

  2. Set your camera to shutter priority mode, set your exposure to 10 seconds, and try a test shot to see if the ground is light enough (the sky won't be the problem). Your camera will automatically choose your f-stop in shutter priority mode.

  3. If your camera has a feature called long exposure noise reduction, turn it on before you take your shot and it will help reduce noise in your shadow areas.

  4. Shoot low by setting up your tripod very low to the ground (don't extend the legs), and use either a cable release or your camera's self timer to reduce camera shake.



The Digital Photography Book
The Digital Photography Book
ISBN: 032147404X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 226
Authors: Scott Kelby

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