Page 16 - Cape-Camera-March-2024

March 2024 Cape Camera Cape Camera March 2024

Long exposure (continued)

There are two ways to capture star trails: one long
single exposure or many single exposures that are
stacked together. The single exposure will require a
bulb mode setting to get the very long exposure and
a tripod. The shutter will stay open for an hour or two.
Keep the ISO low because the length of the exposure
will bring in enough light without the need to push
your ISO. This is a good method to use for a clean,
noise-free image, however, it can be easily spoiled
by someone walking through your frame carrying a
torch or driving a car.
I prefer to take a few hundred single frames of about
20 seconds each and then stacking them in post-pro-
cessing software. To help you determine how long
to keep the shutter open, check the focal length of
your lens and use the 500 rule. This works by dividing Next E&D evening — 17th April
500 by your focal length. For instance, on a full frame
camera with a 15mm lens, the calculation would be Street photography by
500/15 = 33.33. In other words, a shutter speed of 33s. Valérie Jardin
This will give me the optimal shutter length to get
sharp stars without them turning into little commas. Valérie Jardin is an award-winning French photographer
An APSC camera would need a slight adjustment to who is internationally recognised for her street photog-
the formula. First multiply your focal length by 1.6 raphy. Her work is characterized by a strong sense of nar-
to get the equivalent full frame length. That same rative, capturing candid moments with a discerning eye
15 mm lens on an APSC camera is like using a 24mm for composition and a keen understanding of light and
lens, so you formula for stars needs to be 500/24 = shadow.
20.8 seconds.
She teaches and mentors other photographers through
My photos are all blurry! international workshops, online courses, conferences,
exhibits, podcasts and over a dozen books.
The lower the shutter speed, the more camera shake
th
occurs. If you want a sharp image, you must stabi- In her zoom presentation for CTPS on 17 April, Valérie
lise your camera. A sturdy tripod is a must for longer will give an overview of the different ways to approach
shutter speeds. Make sure that you can lock down the street photography.
tripod head and that the legs wont jiggle in a strong She says you will get an intimate insight into her thought
wind. Some tripods have a hook onto which you and creative process, from visualization to capture, as
hang your camera bag. I haven’t found this success- she takes you on a photo walk through a series of recent
ful as the bag sometimes swings in the wind causing photographs. "You will leave this presentation with re-
even more shake. I even remove the camera strap so newed vision and a desire to capture moments of every-
that it won’t wave around in a wind. day life," she promises.
Her presentations are live only and she does not allow
But I want them to be blurry! recordings.

Of course, any article about slow shutter speed pho-
tography should include a section on deliberate
movement while using a long shutter speed, also
known as, ICM. Intentionally moving your camera
while the shutter is open will create abstract images
that are deliberately and beautifully blurred.
Go out and experiment!

As with all photography, you need to decide what
your intention is. Choose a shutter speed and then
work to achieve your result.
Creative photography doesn’t have formulas. It is all
about thoughtful play.
'Summer Vibes' by Valérie Jardin.

16 Cape Town Photographic Society