Calling All Photogoraphy Experts - Manual Camera Settings

[Kelly Grannell]

Although you shouldn't use "AUTO" setting for Spectro, Wishes and other night-time shots, there is a subset of "AUTO" setting on any video camera. Sometimes they have "indoor", "sports", "night scene".

For Spectro and other night-time shots, go to the user menu, click "exposure" and change from "auto" to something along the line of "night scene" or "dusk" (they are called differently from one manufacturer to another, check your manual).

I used the "night" setting for my town's christmas parade and the colors come alive.

 

[WillCAD]

I envision a picture though of my kids sitting on a railing. They are looking up watching the fireworks but I shoot it of their backs and the fireworks going up. I tried this once with my "old" camera and of course it was junky! Now with the digital, at least I know how junky it is before I waste the film!!!

You can do this! I asked my friend the photographer how it's done and he said to try this:

Make sure the kids are within 10 feet of the camera and turn on the flash. Put the camera in Manual mode and use F5.6 for 1 second. This will leave the shutter open long enough to expose the castle and the fireworks; meanwhile the flash will light up the kids for a split second to expose them.

Now, because the shutter will be open for a full second, you must put the camera onto a tripod on a solid surface like a trash can or picnic table, because if the camera moves, shakes, or even vibrates a little while the shutter is open, the picture will be blurry.

Because of the low light level, you might need to focus your camera manually to get both the castle and the kids in sharp.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

or for more of a weeping-willow effect, 2-second shutter with f/8

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Any update from the OP?