North Bovey Ford

BIG STONES

Back Blip - Dartmoor Day 3

The last morning of our mini-break, and we were up at 07.00 as I was determined to get a big stopper shot at the local ford before breakfast. Having just recently purchased a big stopper I need practice as there are so many things to remember!

The shot before this one had a strange black object covering much of the top of the photo. (it was my husbands black underpants which were covering the eyepiece during the exposure!) I hasten to add that he had another pair ON at the time!!

If you have no idea what a BIG STOPPER shot is or what it entails, here is what I have learned so far. The idea is to capture silky smooth water (or clouds) by keeping the shutter open for a determined amount of time. The camera cannot do this without appropriate filters otherwise the image will just be white.

1 Camera on tripod, with filter holder attached. (but not filter)
1a (see I forgot this one again!) . Switch OFF VR (vibration compensation)
2 ISO to 100
3 Set White balance to a preset for big stopper (otherwise it comes out blue, but can be fixed OK in post production)
3a (another one I forgot!) Set your shutter release mode to a 2 second remote timer, so that you do not touch the camera when taking the shot
4 Using Aperture mode, set the camera to expose at 1/30 of second. (The big stopper will then expose 10 times longer ie 30 seconds).
5 Switch to manual, and dial in 30 seconds to hold this exposure, and also match the aperture number ie F/11 or whatever was shown in step 4.
6 Half focus
7 Switch focus to manual, to hold this focus
8 Now insert the big stopper carefully into the holder
9 Cover the eyepiece with hubbys black underpants
10 Using the remote, take the shot which will expose for 30 seconds. Do NOT touch the camera. After 30seconds it takes several more seconds to process.
11 View the results on the screen
12 Re adjust hubby's underpants if included in your shot, and retake!

13 MOST IMPORTANTLY - NOW RESET EVERYTHING!!

If you have big stopper experience and can offer different advice, please do so. This seems to work, but is there are easier way?