| Actual Image
My Personal Challenge (16)
LordPotty
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1221 W: 146 N: 2825]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (8928) | As many of you who know me know,I have been way behind with my technical knowledge of cameras and photography for a long long time.
Intimidated by manuals and unable to concentrate for long,I have ended up spending the best part of 5 years shooting totally in auto mode.
Although I have had some success with subjects in good light,I have failed miserably in low light conditions.
At times I had tried to set the aperture and shutter speed,but not having much success had soon reverted to using auto ... the result,soft images,poor DOF and many many rejects.
This photo represents a milestone for me.
Last evening I went for a walk to the Omotumotu Reserve,just on the outskirts of Greymouth to see what fungi were around.
Just as it was getting dark I found this Coprinus (lagpous I think) growing from a log by the track.
It was so dim that I could only see the cap. The log and stem were hardly visible at all.
I decided to challenge myself,and see if I could get a reasonably sharp detailed image in the failing light,using manual settings.
I put the camera on a mini tripod and set the ISO to 200
Then I set the F stop to my cameras highest setting,a modest F/8
I set the exposure time at 3.2 seconds and set the timer for two seconds.
I used my LED light at a distance to slightly light the stem of the mushroom.
I was delighted with my result.
Had I shot this on auto,I would only have got a very blurred image that somewhat resembled a mushroom.
Instead I got a reasonably clear image,enough to see the powdery textures on the cap and some good detail in the upturned gills.
Obviously,this is a great boost to my confidence,and I'm excited about what I might capture in the future.
I look forward to showing you the results of my future efforts.
Thanks for looking.
Steve |
|
