Long Exposure help

[smithmaestro]

I was trying out one of those long exposure shots, and it didn't come out as I thought. For a start, I took a picture of water coming out of the shower, and the trouble that came out was what whenever I try to lower the shutter speed, the aperture blinks, and it's at it's highest point, 22. I'm using the TV mode, and I tried the Manual mode as well, didn't work out.

Here's what I keep seeing, or setting up, on my DSLR.
___________________________________
| 30" 22 (blinking) |
| |
| |
| |
| 3..2..1..0..1..2..3 |
| /\ |
|__________________________________ |


Ends up being bright all the time. Something I did wrong? I also tried it outside on a tripod, it's a nice sunny day, and I got it too bright as well (more attempts outside than the shower, actually). I guess it's just my lack of knowledge, this is my first time anyways.

I use a 7D, btw.

Thanks for helping, everybody.


****If I'm not giving enough information, speak out and tell me, I'll try to give more detail.

[Paulos75]

You're over exposing. The blinking aperture number means that for that shutter speed the aperture is out of range, it's needs to go smaller (bigger F number) but it can't as F22 will be the lenses maximum. You'll need to increase your shutter speed until you have a proper exposure.

I would suggest doing some reading to help with understanding exposure. Read your camera manual, books, search on the web etc.
Good luck.

[TGrundvig]

If you are stopped down to f/22 and it is still over exposing, then you will need to get a 9 or 10 stop ND filter. I got one and I have only played with it minimally, but in order to get a 30 second or longer image, you need the aperture very narrow, the ISO as low as it will go. If it is too bright outside, you may not be able to get a 30 second image even with a dark ND filter. You might need more than one of them. There is a formula on how to set it up but I don't remember it. I just play with it until I get what I want.

[smithmaestro]

If you are stopped down to f/22 and it is still over exposing, then you will need to get a 9 or 10 stop ND filter. I got one and I have only played with it minimally, but in order to get a 30 second or longer image, you need the aperture very narrow, the ISO as low as it will go. If it is too bright outside, you may not be able to get a 30 second image even with a dark ND filter. You might need more than one of them. There is a formula on how to set it up but I don't remember it. I just play with it until I get what I want.
I'll be up for reading more about this situation. 30 Seconds isn't really what I'm aiming for, but somewhere along the lines of a slow shutter speed will work out well for me. I also have a ND filter, I don't remember what stop it is, probably 8 stop, and I was using it as well. I didn't mention that.

I'll just keep playing around with it and see what happens or read more about it online.