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How to take this picture?

1027 Views 20 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  SoBe8503, 
EyedClock
Does anyone know how to take a picture with an DSLR (Canon XSi) that makes it look like traffic is blurred together? Like all the lights stretch together as if the traffic is traveling at 1000000 km/h? Anyone have a clue what the setting is or what the thing that you do in the camera to tell it to capture light longer or something?! I have no idea what it is called?!?!?!

EyedClock
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xguntherc
yes... leave the shutter open for 30 seconds. (Or Longer)

Take a longer shot. and they will blur together.. the moving things will blur, and the stills will look normal. Makes a great shot.
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EyedClock
Do you control the shutter speed within the camera, xguntherc?
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aksthem1
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Originally Posted by EyedClock
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Do you control the shutter speed within the camera, xguntherc?

You should be able to.

Also try different combinations with the ISO and exposure. To give you the best pictures.
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B
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Originally Posted by EyedClock
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Do you control the shutter speed within the camera, xguntherc?

Yes
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EyedClock
It doesn't have to do with holding down the "take picture button" or anything, does it? I just got it a while ago and I don't really know yet. I'm attending a class on how to use it at Best Buy for 2 hours for $50 and that is a SICK deal for me. I was selected for a seminar for the 2009 Presidential Inauguration and I need to be able to take wonderful pictures of Change.
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B
Quote:


Originally Posted by EyedClock
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It doesn't have to do with holding down the "take picture button" or anything, does it? I just got it a while ago and I don't really know yet. I'm attending a class on how to use it at Best Buy for 2 hours for $50 and that is a SICK deal for me. I was selected for a seminar for the 2009 Presidential Inauguration and I need to be able to take wonderful pictures of Change.

Shutter speed is a setting. I wasn't sure where in taht camera, but a quick google search yielded this:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4190020AAyMWAZ

Says it's on the main dial.
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IEATFISH
Make sure you use a tripod so everything else stays in the same spot.
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EyedClock
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Originally Posted by IEATFISH
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Make sure you use a tripod so everything else stays in the same spot.

That's a good idea.
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xguntherc
Yes.. use a tripod, and use the timed picture so It's as still as possible. if you have that option.

Pictures of the Presidential Inauguration huh. thats very exiting.. Taking pictures of Change huh. "Yes We Can"

It's time for change. I hope you have fun capturing your View of what that change can and will be. Sure sounds exiting. How did you get picked to do this without any Camera experience. ?? and the Rebel is a great camera. so enjoy.
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GoneTomorrow
Quote:


Originally Posted by EyedClock
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Does anyone know how to take a picture with an DSLR (Canon XSi) that makes it look like traffic is blurred together? Like all the lights stretch together as if the traffic is traveling at 1000000 km/h? Anyone have a clue what the setting is or what the thing that you do in the camera to tell it to capture light longer or something?! I have no idea what it is called?!?!?!

EyedClock

I can tell you how to do this:

1. Mount your camera on a tripod
2. Set the camera to Shutter Priority ("Tv" on the dial), low ISO (100).
3. Set the shutter speed to a slow time; try different ones - 5", 10" 15" and so forth. The longer the shutter speed, the more the blur.
4. Use a remote shutter release, otherwise you will have some blur. If you don't have a remote shutter release, set the self-timer and let it go.

It will need to be fairly dark to achieve this obviously. If you wanted to it at dusk/early evening, you might need an ND filter (dark tinted filter) to add a few stops.
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H
As suggested, you simply set your camera up on a tripod, set a low ISO (50,100,200), set the aperture you want (dependant upon what level of DOF you want) and then either set a reasonably long shutter time, or use bulb mode, so that you get the blurring effect with the lights.

Highly-Annoyed
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xguntherc
I'm going to do one with the vegas lights as soon as I get my remote on Monday.


I'll post it up for ya's people. you should to OP
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X
Increase the exposure(?) time. Or whatever it's called that increases the time of which the picture is taken.
And make sure you have a stand or something. We don't want to see everything blurred, unless you're a machine or something and have ultra-steady hands.
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christian_piper
Another tip: If you have VR (Vibration reduction) or Image Stabilization or whatever your manufacturer calls it- Turn it off! It can get confused in long exposures and actually INTRODUCE blur into the image when staying still.....
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GoneTomorrow
Quote:


Originally Posted by christian_piper
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Another tip: If you have VR (Vibration reduction) or Image Stabilization or whatever your manufacturer calls it- Turn it off! It can get confused in long exposures and actually INTRODUCE blur into the image when staying still.....

Very good point, I really hate when I forget to turn that off, and find out that my 30 sec. exposure is ruined.
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beldecca
Also remember about lens diffraction and blade behavior in long exposures.
f8 or f11 should be fine (unless you want these optical anomalies in your pics - sometimes you do)
As other have said, tripod. If it is windy out or other such conditions, hang a weight (camera bag? / bean bag?) from the bottom of your tripod to help with steadiness - old photog trick.
Also use a cable release or timer function.
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Mootsfox
The biggest problem I find is that there is too much light. Every time I shoot highways, it comes out looking like day with sharp light lines, instead of the darker blurred look.

Example:
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GoneTomorrow
Quote:


Originally Posted by Mootsfox
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The biggest problem I find is that there is too much light. Every time I shoot highways, it comes out looking like day with sharp light lines, instead of the darker blurred look.

Example:

Use a narrower aperture. F/4 is a rather wide aperture and will let in a lot of light. Stop it down to f/8 or narrower and that should darken it up.
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beldecca
Quote:


Originally Posted by Mootsfox
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The biggest problem I find is that there is too much light. Every time I shoot highways, it comes out looking like day with sharp light lines, instead of the darker blurred look.

Also, look into using filters if you want the larger apt - ND (neutral densities) are great for shots like these. A 4 or 8 would get you great results. I have a Singray Vari-ND that I love, but they are pricey. Also, remeber that you Circ Pol works well to cut the light down a tad and might also help your images for reflections.
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