Long Exposure for best reflections

[Peely22]

Hi,
I'm really chuffed with how this picture came out.
I had my tripod, and adjusted the aperture setting, which the camera then automatically increased the exposure time to 30s to compensate.
It was dusk, and all the lights were coming on in the houses opposite, and fortunately no-one had closed their curtains at this point!
I've posted the 0.4sec pic as well so you can really see the difference it has made to the reflections.
Top tip - I tried this a few days later, but there was a breeze. The reflections were nowhere near as nice, as the wind ripples 'muddied' the effect.
0.4second

30sec

[Shourov244]

love the way it looks on ur 30sec capture

[MOmilkman]

30 Sec exposure is much more calming and tranquil. Something about smooth water that really is appealing.
Next time try bracketing and merge the exposures. That might even be more appealing!

[Peely22]

I think I will try the bracketing,
it might save the illuminated cross on the Abbey, which has blown in this shot.
Thanks, Peely

[Peely22]

I've boosted the brightness and contrast a notch or three(following critique)
and it's worked a treat!

[sk66]

I actually prefer the slightly underexposed version...it seems more like night/twilight. And I like the bluer water. The reason it underexposed slightly is *probably* that the max exposure time on your camera is 30sec. unless you go to bulb mode. IMO, most images benefit from slight underexposure (might be a holdover from slide film days).

What I don't understand is why the longer exposure is clearer in reflection....Was the shorter exposure taken on the windier night?

[Peely22]

Thanks, I know what you mean about the darker image!

You get a smoother reflection from the long exposure as with the ripples from the water you get light bits, and dark bits (the peak and dips in the ripple), which blend together in a long exposure to get a more even reflection.
The light bits are slightly darker than from an instand shot, and the dark bits are lighter!?
does that make sense?

All 3 shots were taken within 10 mins of each other. I tried a few nights later, but the images weren't wrth the bandwidth, lol. The natural ripples of the water, caused by the weir, made for a clearer reflection than the windy ones.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by Peely22

Thanks, I know what you mean about the darker image!

You get a smoother reflection from the long exposure as with the ripples from the water you get light bits, and dark bits (the peak and dips in the ripple), which blend together in a long exposure to get a more even reflection.
The light bits are slightly darker than from an instand shot, and the dark bits are lighter!?
does that make sense?

All 3 shots were taken within 10 mins of each other. I tried a few nights later, but the images weren't wrth the bandwidth, lol. The natural ripples of the water, caused by the weir, made for a clearer reflection than the windy ones.

Of course that makes some sense. (like getting a "silky" waterfall etc) but usually in a scene like this the edges of the reflection (blurred by longer exposure) would be less crisp. (as you found later).

You hit it just right this day....

[dub one]

Nice comparison I might try some night photos later.

[Spinnerette]

the water on the 30" is incredible!