Category: Long exposure

Slow-shutter pictures with motion-blurring effect

Travel

Sometimes, photography can be about repeating shots/angles that you might have come across… a sort of “I must get my very own version of what others might have tried” kind of feel…

I came across something similar to the above on another photoblog. Taken at the underpass linking Fullerton Hotel to the One Fullerton restaurant complex after Valentine’s Day dinner with CY, I do wish that I had a tripod then so that some elements in the shot might have been exposed sharp in contrast to the motion streaks. This was taken handheld as it is… I might consider revisiting this scene again when I get the chance!

In Conversation Amongst Chaos

My test of the 20D continues…

A visit to Chinatown last evening in search of pictures founds hordes of people thronging the streets in search of festive goodies for the upcoming Lunar New Year. One of my favourite techniques for photos in crowded places is to adopt a high angle to spot interesting pockets of activity. Coupled with a slow shutter speed setting, I love the way the moving crowd gets motion-blurred but yet with the main subject kept relatively sharp because of their relative lack of movement. And all this “special-effects” without ever the need to resort to Photoshop filters 🙂 It goes to say that the camera needs to be tripod-mounted and the shutter triggered with a remote/cable release (I just got my RS-80N3 for the 20D) to get the best results!

The Chaotic Sea (of Gulls)

Part of my visit to Scotland in July this year involved an overnight stay at Aberdeen. I noticed a large group of seagulls seemingly having fun at the habour/pier just before sunset. Some were lined up resting and squawking away while the rest were having their own fun in the water. A tripod and slow shutter speed setting (about 2 seconds I recall) was used for this shot, which slowed the movements of the waves (and the gulls on the water) enough to give a motion-blur effect while at the same time, preserving the sharpness of the relatively still gulls perched on the steady outline of the wooden frame.