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Prestonian
8th of June 2006 (Thu), 05:34
Hello, I'm new here and pretty new to photography, hence me needing to ask this question.

I am going to be taking pictures of a new water feature in the centre of my city, one of the shots I want to take, is a long exposure shot that will make the moving water look like a blanket. The problem is, it's a bright day and everything will come out bright white (I have been practicing in the garden).

So, can anyone tell me the best setting on a Canon 350d to acheive this type of shot on a bright day?

Many thanks in advance.
marctwo
8th of June 2006 (Thu), 06:03
Try putting the camera in Av mode and select the highest aperture value possible. This will give you the longest possible shutter speed. Make sure you have the camera set to ISO 100. If this is still not long enough (quite likely) then you will need a Neutral Density (ND) filter to reduce the amount of light entering the lens.
Sean-Mcr
8th of June 2006 (Thu), 06:52
Well being in Manchester i know that you'll soon have a day where it's pretty over cast

You can't do it in sunshine, they'll just be too much light, even stopped down. So it's the ND filter as Marc said

Whey not shoot the fountain at night? it must be lit?

Obviously you have a tripod?
Prestonian
8th of June 2006 (Thu), 08:48
Yes, I have a tripod. I'm not sure if its on at night, I will have to have a look tonight. I went today, I don't think its the type of water display were you could get a pic like that. I'll post up my Flickr when I've got them uploaded.
Prestonian
8th of June 2006 (Thu), 09:56
Here you go.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/99585382@N00/sets/72157594159552099/
lmitch6
9th of June 2006 (Fri), 16:10
I've been doing this type of shooting a lot lately. You'll definitely need an ND filter, probably a strong one if yo're stuck shooting it in bright sunlight. I'd seriously try to shoot it eithe early in the morning or late in the aftenoon when the light levels are lower, if the fountain is off in the evening.

Below is a link to one of my galleries. These shots were made by stacking my CPL, 2x, and 4x ND filters to get the exposure down to 2-4 seconds. I'd start shooting about a half hour before sundown until about a half hour after. By the end of the shoot, I'd typically be down to just the 2x ND. Hope this gives you some ideas!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lmitch/sets/72157594152799500/