essential skills: digital photography in available light
Extended shutter speeds
If the shutter speeds are further reduced information about the subject is eventually lost and the
effect of movement may disappear. The technique of very long exposures is often explored in
landscape photography where the photographer wants to record the passage of weather or water.
For very long exposures the camera can be mounted on a tripod and the shutter fi red using a
cable release or via a shutter delay feature. Small apertures in combination with an image sensor
set to a low ISO and light reducing fi lters such as a neutral density fi lter or polarizing fi lter will
extend the shutter speed to seconds or even minutes.
Increased noise
When using exposures of longer than one second increased levels of noise may become apparent
with many image sensors (especially the smaller sensors fi tted to most prosumer digicams). Test
the digital camera you intend to use for any long exposures to establish acceptable levels of noise
at extended exposures.
ACTIVITY 4
Create an image using shutter speeds longer than 1 second. The camera should be braced or
secured on a tripod so that stationary subject matter is sharp.Orien Harvey