Slow Shutter Speeds and Long Exposure Photography

Many new cameras will come with built-in shutterrelatively fast shutter speed of 1/20 of a second may
speeds of up to 30 seconds or longer, which is enoughgive you the results you are after, however, if you
for most long-exposure photography. Other cameraswant to make stars in the nighttime sky look like
will have a B (bulb) setting that will keep the shutterglowing rings as the earth rotates, your exposure may
open as long as you keep your finger on the shutterlast all night.
release button or a T (time) exposure setting that willThe light meter on your camera may not be able to
keep the shutter open until you press the shutteraccurately judge the best aperture setting for longer
release button a second time. Cameras with bulbshutter speeds, especially in low-light situations, so your
settings can also be fitted with a locking cable releasebest bet is probably to "bracket." This means taking up
so that it isn't necessary to keep your finger on theto six pictures of the same subject, but doubling the
shutter for long exposures. If your camera doesn'tshutter speed each time. This will give you a variety of
have a cable release, you can use the self-timer optioneffects and exposures and allow you to choose the
found on most cameras. This will eliminate camerabest shot. In general, slow shutter speeds will allow a
vibration from your hands.lot of light into the camera, which means that you will
A tripod, or something to rest your camera on, iswant to use a small aperture (ie. f/22) to avoid
essential because the camera must be completely stillover-exposing the shot. In bright daylight it will be
during the time that the shutter is open. If you want tonecessary to use the lowest ISO available and a
make a fast-moving car blur as it speeds by you, aneutral density filter to cut the light down.