long exposures

[2gdsm]

My last camera didn't have any settings, a simple point and shoot, so I am having real fun with my new one. I like experimenting with the shutter and aperature alot to find that perfect shot. I like the water effect I see in certain photos on this site where it looks like it's moving. I tried some stuff around the yard, but my pictures are overexposed. The aperature on my camera ranges from around 2.8-8.0 and I can't seem to correct the exposure with the AE setting.

DO I NEED A FILTER?

Will this help? I have never played with filters before so anything will help me. Thanks in advance.

[photosbyVP]

well....to add motion to your waterfall shots....a filter isn't "needed" but it is good to have...the waterfall has to be in a shadow, or you have to get up early or go during sunset....

manual settings are definetely fun
Vito

[David Chen]

I am not familiar with the Z1, but long exposures need small aperture, dim light or neutral density filters. No way around this fact.

Wait until dark and use a tripod.

dpc

[LoXish]

Also, no one mentioned that you may have the shutter speed too high, therefore allowing too much light in -- try making the shutter speed faster.

[JCW3]

Sounds as if your goal is a slow shutter speed to get a nice flowing water effect. But you have to meter the photo out correctly to get the effect. Even if you turn the shutter up the 16 seconds, its just going to be a white OVER EXPOSED PHOTO.

So to get the longest shutter speed out of your camera I would set the f-stop to 8.0, turn the camera A mode (aperture) so it will then meter the photo for you, drop your ISO down as low as it will go such as ISO 50 or 100, get a good stable tripod, and if your able to use a remote or delayed shutter to stop motion blur from pushing the shutter.

If this is still not getting then you will have to add a ND filter or even a polirizer.