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View Full Version : Dusk Photo settings ??



Originaldoc
18th January 2009, 05:48 PM
Ok so I'm crap at photography i admit that much , so i wondered what the best settings were for a dusk photo shoot, Like ISO how long to leave the shutter closed etc.

What settings do some of the other members use?

I have a Panasonic dmc-fz5 camera if that helps

Thanks.

R3N
18th January 2009, 06:07 PM
How long is a piece of string? It all depends really, no such thing as one setting for every dusk shot. Do you have a tripod? If you do, you can leave the ISO low, in terms of shutter speed, there should be a meter you can see what shutter speed to adjust to if you want over/under/proper exposure, also depending on the aperature. Best advice is to play around with the camera. If you don't have a tripod and want to do low-light photography, go invest in one.

Originaldoc
18th January 2009, 06:17 PM
yeah we have a tripod so i might just try a bit of what you said and see how it comes out

Originaldoc
18th January 2009, 07:12 PM
iso around 400
shutter speed 2-5
depending on lighting

Cheers Nicole :D

R3N
18th January 2009, 08:10 PM
reeally depends on the subject as well, i wouldn't crank up the ISO unnecessarily. if its a moving object then yea put up the ISO, if its still, don't really need to

ASTRAY
18th January 2009, 09:51 PM
reeally depends on the subject as well, i wouldn't crank up the ISO unnecessarily. if its a moving object then yea put up the ISO, if its still, don't really need to
in bright daylight too?
i can only adjust iso on certain settings on my cam.

R3N
18th January 2009, 11:31 PM
ISO, Aperature, Shutter speed are all interrelated...

If you're shooting in bright daylight, a moving object will require a fast shutter speed, usually in bright daylight you can do so whilst still having a low ISO (200-250) and a smaller aperature (higher f/stop number). When there is less light and you still need the fast shutter speed, either increase the ISO (more noise) or use a larger aperature (area of focus becomes smaller)

PaulyJ
18th January 2009, 11:31 PM
Bright daylight and dusk are completely different
Every photo will need different settings. As Ren mentioned, there is no such thing as a set setting to use.
What camera are you using? We can tell you do this/do that, but your camera may not be able to do what we tell you to do.

ASTRAY
18th January 2009, 11:49 PM
Bright daylight and dusk are completely different
Every photo will need different settings. As Ren mentioned, there is no such thing as a set setting to use.
What camera are you using? We can tell you do this/do that, but your camera may not be able to do what we tell you to do.
sony dsc-w80 7.2mp

immenotu
19th January 2009, 09:23 PM
just so you know, you cannot take the same quality pics on a normal point to shoot dig cams like you can with a dslr....

I have to disagree with that a bit. Some point and shoot cameras can get very close to D-SLR quality if you know how to use them :)

This is a dusk shot i took with my Canon IXUS-75 point and shoot...


http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb258/immenotu_sri/idesine%20photography/No%20Logo/SunsetontheCourse2.jpg

ASTRAY
19th January 2009, 11:06 PM
dunno matt, nearly always you get the annoying digitalised look in the pics.
eg, on your dusk pic, bottom left, reflection of clouds in water, you can see squiggly lines.
this is the reason ill be looking to buy a dslr this year sometime.

MAD-16V
20th January 2009, 01:18 AM
Learn to use your current camera to its full potential first jay.

Dslr is a whole different kettle of fish - It wont make your photos better , unless you know the basics of photography first.

Your current camera is capable of some pretty nice shots from what I've seen around the net.

Play with settings - Set up bowls of fruit or random scenes inside and outside , shoot in different light situations - get used to what mode and what settings work for you depending on the condition - When your skills exceed that of which the camera is capable of , Then upgrade :)


..


immenotu

That photo is fantastic -
Could you provide the Exif data and what post processing you used. please?

ASTRAY
20th January 2009, 01:46 AM
Learn to use your current camera to its full potential first jay.

Dslr is a whole different kettle of fish - It wont make your photos better , unless you know the basics of photography first.

Your current camera is capable of some pretty nice shots from what I've seen around the net.

Play with settings - Set up bowls of fruit or random scenes inside and outside , shoot in different light situations - get used to what mode and what settings work for you depending on the condition - When your skills exceed that of which the camera is capable of , Then upgrade :)


..


immenotu

That photo is fantastic -
Could you provide the Exif data and what post processing you used. please?


thankyou for your advice mate.
i think matts pic is great too, its a very nice scene, i just hate how sometimes when i take a pic you can tell its digital. i dont think you get that with dslr.

immenotu
20th January 2009, 07:24 AM
dunno matt, nearly always you get the annoying digitalised look in the pics.
eg, on your dusk pic, bottom left, reflection of clouds in water, you can see squiggly lines.
this is the reason ill be looking to buy a dslr this year sometime.

I think the squiggly lines you may be referring to are actually ripples in the water as it was lightly sprinkling when i took that pic. If you look closely you can see them all over the surface of the water.




immenotu

That photo is fantastic -
Could you provide the Exif data and what post processing you used. please?

Thanks mate.

It is a HDR image using a series of 5 images taken with different shutter speeds. I combined them in photomatix pro then just cropped the image a bit.

Exif data:

Shooting Mode: Manual
Tv (Shutter Speed): 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60
Av (Aperture Value): 2.8
Exposure Compensation: -2
ISO Speed: 80
Focal Length: 5.8mm
White Balance: Auto

Rhino
20th January 2009, 09:00 AM
Check this site out:
http://www.canon.com.au/visual/bebit/photography.html

Great for beginners and can be a good refresher.

Just go and play with your camera. If you're under pressure because of time and you can't afford to take a bad shot, use aperture or shutter priority which lets you adjust your shot for motion or DOF (depth of field) and let the camera take care of anything else to get it exposed correctly.

When you have more time, flick over to manual and see what happens. You can great some great 'wrong' shots during this time of learning :) A mate was playing with my camera on manual and took a photo of my headphones on my desk. Completely over exposed, out of focus, camera shake, you name it, he did it. Was the most awesome abstract image!

aza28
20th January 2009, 09:04 AM
if ur buying your first DSLR, i'd recommend taking some classes with a quality photography school. This is what i did when i bought my first dslr and it was absolutely worth the money. I paid $350 for a 12 week course which is nothing when u compare that to what you outlay for your DSLR. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of what your camera functions are, what they do and how they work with one another so that u can get out and capture the photographs you're after.

Its not rocket science and ur base model DSLR's are not that complicated to use.

The fact is, as pauly and ren have pointed out earlier, there are no set rules, every photo opportunity more often then not require completely different settings. U need to learn the basics.

Good luck!

aza28
20th January 2009, 09:09 AM
Check this site out:
http://www.canon.com.au/visual/bebit/photography.html

Great for beginners and can be a good refresher.

Just go and play with your camera. If you're under pressure because of time and you can't afford to take a bad shot, use aperture or shutter priority which lets you adjust your shot for motion or DOF (depth of field) and let the camera take care of anything else to get it exposed correctly.

When you have more time, flick over to manual and see what happens. You can great some great 'wrong' shots during this time of learning :) A mate was playing with my camera on manual and took a photo of my headphones on my desk. Completely over exposed, out of focus, camera shake, you name it, he did it. Was the most awesome abstract image!

This is why there isn't one right answer. it all depends on what ur trying to portray in ur photograph. photography is all about being creative!

wishbone
20th January 2009, 09:34 AM
noticed how alot of people are into photography here. i just bought a dslr. i've put some pics online. anyone else on flickr? my username is jsalantes

AH Sri Turb04
20th January 2009, 11:44 AM
noticed how alot of people are into photography here. i just bought a dslr. i've put some pics online. anyone else on flickr? my username is jsalantes

You know after going through the process of getting a photographer for the wedding and the big $$$$ we'll be spending it's almost worth considering a change in career into photography specialising in weddings!!!

wishbone
23rd January 2009, 06:08 AM
i know that people spend so much money on a wedding photographer.
i would think about doing it too.. first i think i have to try shoot a wedding first :P

Peety117
23rd January 2009, 04:58 PM
http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/define-digital-slr.html

great site for explaining DSLR terminology

Kudrow
23rd January 2009, 06:24 PM
Also www.dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com). Lots of information on the cameras, reviews, specifications, forums, what to use etc...

These guys are that popular with the manufacturers that some (e.g. Canon and Nikon) GIVE them their new models to try out.