First attempt at a long exposure

[Joe Wilson]

Taken about half an hour after sunset, 6 second exposure at f11. Nearly froze my fingers off trying to get it, and didn't realise there was some movement in the left-hand boat until I got home (it was very windy and this was about as still as it got), but hopefully this doesn't detract too much.



I may attempt this shot again when the weather's a little better, so definitely after suggestions for what you'd do differently!

Joe

[Shadowman]

Looks good for a first effort.

[Downrigger]

Fantastic tones/hues. Very nice , almost magical result for me. I wonder if this would be made stronger by cropping in a bit to lose the shadow on water in the lower right, and to bring the strong diagonal on the lower right leading up from closer to the lower right hand corner of the image.

[Mike Buckley]

Wonderful mood in this photo as Mark indicates!

I believe it's important to understand what you were trying to accomplish by using such a long exposure when your ISO value of 200 indicates that you had other practical alternatives. As an example, were you trying to make the water appear smoother than when fully stopping all motion? Considering your understandable concern about the motion of the boats, is there a reason you didn't use a faster shutter speed?

[Joe Wilson]

Thanks all,

Mike, I did try ISO 400 and also a wider aperture, but it meant the water lost a bit too much of the "glassy" effect which was something I was primarily interested in. I think the best option I have is to try the shot on another day when there's perhaps not so much movement in the water and hopefully the boats will be a bit more well behaved!

Mark, I'll also try to take into account your tips on the composition and definitely value any advice in this area as I feel like it's what I find toughest when putting a shot together.

Cheers,

Joe

[Mike Buckley]

Joe,

Another alternative that might or might not be appealing is to use an even slower shutter speed that renders at least one of the boats more blurry. One of my favorite photos is this one with somewhat blurry boats in the water. The mood is incredible and is enhanced by the implied motion of the boats.

[Joe Wilson]

Really good idea, will definitely give it a try Mike - the photo you linked to is gorgeous.

[Mike Buckley]

I own a print of that photo and didn't realize until looking it up for you that the Brooklyn Museum also owns one. It was an anniversary present that I purchased years ago sight unseen for my wife (long story with no risk if we didn't like it). It really is magnificent to take the time to seriously study the print. It's the only photo of fireworks that I have seen that positions the fireworks in the foreground and I just love that aspect of it; when viewing the photo, it seems as if fireworks are going to crash all around the viewer.

[Nancy Moran G]

Joe, very nice and great first try at long exposure.
You will come to learn Mike's advice is excellent, and wait til you see his photos!
Anyway, as a newbie myself, I found changing my White Balance gave photos a completely different hue/cast. It was fun taking same photo just using different WB and see/learn what happens.

I like this one, just giving you a tip I learned here.
Happy 2014,
Nancy

[Digital]

You did well.



Bruce