time lapse landscapes

[Lance]

I am new to photography but giving it my best. I want to take some landscape images, using a longer exposure to give a blurred effect. Adjusting the shutter time to the situation and desired results. I am having trouble with over exposure. I have seen it done successfully before (other photographers) so this is no doubt a case of operator error. Can anyone give me any guidance?

Best
Lance

[dn7elson]

I am familiar with two different ways to blur a landscape shot, although I am sure that there are numerous others.

One is to set the camera manually for shutter time and lens apature and zoom the lens while the shutter is open.is open. This yields a tunnel effect with streaks running toward the focal point.

The other is to again set the camera exposure settings manually and move the camera when the shutter is open. This is best done on a tripod and will give you a blur in a horizontal direction.

If you are getting an overexposure, it is likely due to the fact that your shutter time is too long for the lens setting. You will need to increase the setting (decrease lens apature) to compensate for the longer shutter time.

I have shot race cars by panning them as they go around the track using a relatively slow shutter speed. The result, if you do it correctly, is that the race car is perfectly in focus and the background (landscape, etc.) is blurred to give the sense of movement and speed. Shutter speeds below 1/125 of a second usually allow this to occur, depending upon the speed and amount of motion you give during the pan. Remember to keep the movement throughout the process and until after the shutter has closed.

Then there is always "artificial blur" by using a special lens filter or even smearing the lens filter (NOT the lens itself) with Vasoline to create a special effect.

[Mind Socket]

If you are shooting in bright light (ie during the day), you will need a Neutral Density (ND) filter to reduce the amount of light entering the lens, allowing longer shutter times.

I've done many long exposure shots at night that have come out quite good (IMHO). My initial attempts during the day were unsucessful with a filter.
Example of night landscape (http://roger.mindsocket.com.au/gallery/2002-04-01/newtown_and_sydney_parks/pages/CRW_0355L.htm)