Experiments: Slow Shutter Speed

I’ve been dying to do this little experiment for some time now but only got the opportunity last Saturday, late last Saturday. I’m not a pro, mind you, and I had to experiment with different shutter speed and aperture settings to get my desired effect. The photos below are in no way perfect and I know I still need to try out this technique to achieve the optimal effects of using a slow shutter speed.

Focal Length: 22mm

Aperture: F/25

Shutter Speed: 1/40s

ISO Sensitivity: 0.7EV under 200

Filter: NONE

Post Processing

White-Balance: Direct Sunlight

D-Lighting: Low

Focal Length: 22mm

Aperture: F/25

Shutter Speed: 1/25s

ISO Sensitivity: 0.7EV under 200

Filter: NONE

Post Processing

White-Balance: High Color Rendering Fluorescent

D-Lighting: Low

Focal Length: 18mm

Aperture: F/22

Shutter Speed: 1/6s

ISO Sensitivity: 1EV under 200

Filter: NONE

Post Processing

White-Balance: Auto

D-Lighting: Low

Focal Length: 20mm

Aperture: F/25

Shutter Speed: 1/1.3s

ISO Sensitivity: 1EV under 200

Filter: NONE

Post Processing

White-Balance: Auto

D-Lighting: Low

Focal Length: 20mm

Aperture: F/25

Shutter Speed: 1.3s

ISO Sensitivity: 1EV under 200

Filter: Neutral Density

Post Processing

White-Balance: Direct Sunlight

D-Lighting: Low

Focal Length: 42mm

Aperture: F/5.3

Shutter Speed: 1/320s

ISO Sensitivity: 3200

Filter: Neutral Density

Post Processing

White-Balance: Direct Sunlight

D-Lighting: Low

You guys might have noticed that I changed the white-balance setting during post processing because I just simply shot everything using AUTO white balance settings. I also set my camera file to .NEF (RAW) to preserve the quality of my photos when I edit them. See, when you use JPEG, every time you save it, you get less information. So, if you want to preserve as much information as you want, put your camera to RAW and simply convert your files for posting to JPEG. RAW files do eat up a lot of space though, so I suggest bringing an extra memory card with you.

Oh, and I also used a tripod for this one. I got the legs of the tripod wet and immersed in salt water just to capture my shots. The water was icy cold, by the way, and my feet where stone cold by the time I got out of the water.