Waterfall

I saw this waterfall decoration and I couldn't resist the opportunity to get some more long-exposure shots. I waited until the sun was almost completely down and set my aperture as narrow as I could. Here are the settings I used to make these images:

Camera Mode: Manual          Exposure: 2.5sec          Aperture: f/32          ISO: 100

If you would like to get these kinds of shots yourself, but don't want to mess with Manual mode, try setting your camera to the Shutter Priority mode. Then, you can just set your exposure time and not have to worry about the rest!

Shooting Fireworks

Shooting fireworks can be a bit tricky. There isn't enough time for the auto-focus to do its job. You're never quite sure exactly where you need to point your camera. And, it's nearly impossible to snap the picture at the exact right moment.

Here is my solution to capturing Independence Day fireworks. First, I set my camera to the Bulb setting. Sometimes this is found on the mode dial, on other cameras it will be the exposure setting after 30 sec. Next, I set my aperture to a mid-range setting, in this case f/8. I set the lens to manual focus and set the focus itself to Infinity.

Then, I attached the camera to a tripod and pointed to where the fireworks would be going off. Here, you might have to make some adjustments once the show actually starts.

I use a shutter release remote to capture the images. I press the button when the firework is shot off and release it once the explosion occurs. Sometimes I will keep the button pushed down in order to capture more than one going off in the same image. You have to be a little careful with this, though, because if you hold it down too long then the fireworks will start to look thin and stringy.

As always, just experiment and have fun!

Moon Shot

Moonshot
Getting photographs of the moon is one of those things that is deceptively easy. Click the next button to learn more!

Getting photographs of the moon is one of those things that is deceptively easy. Click the next button to learn more!

This is what happens to a lot of people's images of the moon. It's a result of trying to get a shot with the camera on full auto. What's happening is that the camera's light meter is taking readings across the entire scene, then it tries to balance

This is what happens to a lot of people's images of the moon. It's a result of trying to get a shot with the camera on full auto. What's happening is that the camera's light meter is taking readings across the entire scene, then it tries to balance it out. Leaving you with an overexposed moon. Here the camera selected F-5.6 at 1/30th of a second with an ISO of 3200 (which is why it appears grainy).

Instead, try using full manual mode. By taking control of the settings, I was able to properly expose just the moon. To do this, I changed my metering mode to Spot Metering. I also set my ISO to 400 to increase my shutter speed and reduce the chance

Instead, try using full manual mode. By taking control of the settings, I was able to properly expose just the moon. To do this, I changed my metering mode to Spot Metering. I also set my ISO to 400 to increase my shutter speed and reduce the chance of camera shake. I stuck with an aperture of F-5.6 which gave me a shutter speed of 1/500th of a second. Also, with this speed, there is no need for a tripod.

On this last one, I decided to have a little fun. I didn't change any of the exposure settings, but I did change the white balance. To give it more of a harvest moon type feel, I set the white balance to the Shade setting. This warms the image givin

On this last one, I decided to have a little fun. I didn't change any of the exposure settings, but I did change the white balance. To give it more of a harvest moon type feel, I set the white balance to the Shade setting. This warms the image giving the moon a orange-yellow look.