Rufford Abbey

[Autumn]

Since viewing Burning Butter Lights, I have retrieved these pics from my recycle bin.

Yesterday I was experimenting taking these pics of Rufford Abbey without using flash.

I have straightened and cropped one of them and only used levels.

They were hand held for just under 2 secs - as you can see they have camera shake, but I thought you might like to see the building anyway.

I should be interested to know the best way to cope with taking pics like this. I expect you will say I should have used a tripod. Oh I think I used exposure compensation by quite a lot. The EXIF is on my gallery.

[bigbob]

Re: Rufford Abbey

I've done a few low light shots inside churches and cathedrals but never had a 2 sec exposure before , i've found without flash is to raise the ISO to 800-1600 and find a corner to wedge yourself in for support , or support the camera on something .
Battle abbey and Chichester farm museum

B..

[Autumn]

Re: Rufford Abbey

Nice Pics. I forgot all about altering the ISO! I did try to hold it still on my knee but not still enough!

[bigbob]

Re: Rufford Abbey

Not all cameras are good at noise over 400 iso , you can also use the largest aperture you have (smallest Fstop) this will let more light in and providing you have'nt anything too close you'll get even focusing .
Even in low light with both high iso and a large aperture watch out for overexposure , if you have a meter in the viewfinder or a histogram use them .
This might all sound very complicated unless you've been doing it for some time , so practise indoors with natural light .

B..

[Archangel]

Re: Rufford Abbey

Since viewing Burning Butter Lights, I have retrieved these pics from my recycle bin.

Yesterday I was experimenting taking these pics of Rufford Abbey without using flash.

I have straightened and cropped one of them and only used levels.

They were hand held for just under 2 secs - as you can see they have camera shake, but I thought you might like to see the building anyway.

I should be interested to know the best way to cope with taking pics like this. I expect you will say I should have used a tripod. Oh I think I used exposure compensation by quite a lot. The EXIF is on my gallery.

Hi Autumn,

From what I see from these pictures the lighting is enough to take blur free shots. I don't know what camera are you using but generally have this in mind in situations like this and without having a tripod with you.

a. ISO: 200 or 400 or more if your camera can take higher ISO photos without any extreme increase in noise.

b. Exposure Compensation: from -1 to -2

c. Metering: Spot AF or Spot if you don't have the first one.

d. Sharpness: Set to 0 if you can adjust it.

If you need to experiment more, read my "Coolpix 7900 Vibration Reduction Tweak" posted here:

Article:

http://www.coolpix7900.com/VR_Tweak/7900VRTweak.htm

Photo Samples: http://www.coolpix7900.com/Gallery/t...s.php?album=32


Regards

George

[coupekid]

Re: Rufford Abbey

Since viewing Burning Butter Lights, I have retrieved these pics from my recycle bin.

Yesterday I was experimenting taking these pics of Rufford Abbey without using flash.

I have straightened and cropped one of them and only used levels.

They were hand held for just under 2 secs - as you can see they have camera shake, but I thought you might like to see the building anyway.




I should be interested to know the best way to cope with taking pics like this. I expect you will say I should have used a tripod. Oh I think I used exposure compensation by quite a lot. The EXIF is on my gallery.

2 Seconds!
Thats ridiculous Autumn, you must have one steady hand.

[Tinka]

Re: Rufford Abbey

Hey Autumn,
I like your pics, 2 Seconds? you done a good job at that speed, I have nothing to add to others advice as I have not had too much experience, I usually follow the advice already given, but I also take lots of shots and keep the best. I have found that most times flash spoils the atmosphere of the image, so I try to avoid it.

[Nicholas]

Re: Rufford Abbey

2 seconds is a very long time.

I don't think I have ever had a 'good' 2 second exposure regardless of the lighting conditions. Can't remember having to attempt it to capture an image.
Guess that I'd give up on the idea, while you would take the chance to capture a moment.

If I had to, I would hold my camera to my eye and fix parts of my hands/fingers/thumbs against the bones of my face/head to 'lock' the camera
onto my head. This way you can look around through the viewfinder by moving your head, without the camera moving from its position relative to your head.

Secondly I would try to keep my feet wide apart, and lean against something if possible. Set the self-timer on, compose, press the shutter, hold my breath and wait calmly until my camera snaps the picture. It may also be useful to say to yourself ' be still my heart' ( tounge in cheek, of course ).

Maybe I should practice what I preach and give it a try.

Regards, Nicholas

[Autumn]

Re: Rufford Abbey

Coupekid and Nicholas:

EXIF for the middle picture above.

File name: Rufford_Abbey_I.jpg File size: 188597 bytes
File date: 2006:11:21 22:11:20 Camera make: FUJIFILM
Camera model: FinePix S9500 Date/Time: 2006:11:20 14:31:45
Resolution: 800 x 603 Flash used: No
Focal length: 6.2mm (35mm equivalent: 93mm) CCD width: 2.40mm
Exposure time: 3.700 s Aperture: f/5.6
ISO equiv.: 100 Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)


As you can see, it was 3.700 seconds!!


Everyone else, I have looked and listened to your kind advice and will do a bit of practicing at home, when I have time!

I also have a problem with my flash, but that is another story. Is it me? OR Is it the camera?

I'll send details soon.

Watch this space.
Audrey

[Autumn]

Re: Rufford Abbey

Ian, I really like this new section. It was certainly needed - for me anyway.

[Ian]

Re: Rufford Abbey

Coupekid and Nicholas:

EXIF for the middle picture above.

File name: Rufford_Abbey_I.jpg File size: 188597 bytes
File date: 2006:11:21 22:11:20 Camera make: FUJIFILM
Camera model: FinePix S9500 Date/Time: 2006:11:20 14:31:45
Resolution: 800 x 603 Flash used: No
Focal length: 6.2mm (35mm equivalent: 93mm) CCD width: 2.40mm
Exposure time: 3.700 s Aperture: f/5.6
ISO equiv.: 100 Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)


As you can see, it was 3.700 seconds!!


Everyone else, I have looked and listened to your kind advice and will do a bit of practicing at home, when I have time!

I also have a problem with my flash, but that is another story. Is it me? OR Is it the camera?

I'll send details soon.

Watch this space.
Audrey

This was a 1.7 second exposure - taken in a rather posh hotel in Marrakech incidentally.

Ian

[Autumn]

Re: Rufford Abbey

Nice one. Was that your bedroom Ian?

[Ian]

Re: Rufford Abbey

Nice one. Was that your bedroom Ian?

Haha! This was the pool at the Palmaraie Golf Palace in Marrakech - we stayed there for one night. The previous night we were in tents in the desert

Ian