Posted by Ryan Askren on February 18, 2008 at 4:00 PM
Hey,
So I was at a near by state park taking a picture of a waterfall about a month ago and my first trip right at dusk was really successfull. however, I headed back the next day at about 8:00 in the morning and tried shooting same camera settings and all of my images just turned out white. I was on manual on my D80, 1" shutterspeed, and f/32. What can I do?
Add a neutral density filter (not the split variety). They come in 2-, 4-, and 6-stop versions. You can also stack them for even more light reduction. I've also stacked a 2-stop version and a polarizer for a total of 4 stops of light reduction.
Posted by Zack Schnepf on February 18, 2008 at 4:20 PM
If you wanted to keep the 1 sec shutter speed your best option would be to use a neutral density filter. I carry a 4 stop for just such an occasion.
Posted by DKOSIUR on February 19, 2008 at 12:32 AM
I like using the Singh-Ray VariND (variable neutral density) filter for just such occasions. It's a bit pricey, but worth it in my estimation. Using the VariND, I can "dial in" just about any exposure I want. So if I'd prefer the look of flowing water at 2 min. instead of 30 sec., I can do it.
Posted by Wayne Nicholas on February 19, 2008 at 8:51 AM
The filter advice is great. But, what has been forgotten, or assumed, here is the ISO being used. That information is needed to properly determine what the issue is. IF the ISO was at its lowest setting, then, yes the filter would be the first answer.
Posted by Fred Stearns on February 20, 2008 at 12:33 AM
" I headed back the next day at about 8:00 in the morning and tried shooting same camera settings"
I think this may be your problem. There was probably MUCH more light at 8:00 AM than there was at dusk. I think that you just overexposed the image. Not being there and seeing the lighting conditions that were present, I will make a guess. If the sun was above the horizon (I don't know your latitude), I would think that the exposure at ISO 100 would be closer to f/16 at 1/125 second.
Posted by Dave Gill on February 20, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I use a variety of neutral density filters depending on the the effect I want and the light, set the ISO to the lowest setting, and prefer shooting moving water when the sun is behind a cloud. Contrast can be a problem when the sun is hitting the water.
Great point on the contrast Dave! Knokcing off reflections is the reason I've incorporated a polarizer along with a ND when forced to shoot in direct sulight, but that's second best compared to shooting in shade or difuse light.
Discussion
7 repliesSo I was at a near by state park taking a picture of a waterfall about a month ago and my first trip right at dusk was really successfull. however, I headed back the next day at about 8:00 in the morning and tried shooting same camera settings and all of my images just turned out white. I was on manual on my D80, 1" shutterspeed, and f/32. What can I do?
I think this may be your problem. There was probably MUCH more light at 8:00 AM than there was at dusk. I think that you just overexposed the image. Not being there and seeing the lighting conditions that were present, I will make a guess. If the sun was above the horizon (I don't know your latitude), I would think that the exposure at ISO 100 would be closer to f/16 at 1/125 second.