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June 19, 2007

Experimenting With Exposure Time

July 12, 2009 12:19 PM EDT (Updated: July 23, 2009 11:43 AM EDT)

views: 136 | rating: 10/10 (16 votes) | comments: 42

After taking dozens of shots of the fireworks I decided it was time for something new.

The girls wanted to go ride the Spider. But, it was getting a little dark to get any good shots.

So, while the girls were riding I thought I'd do a little experimenting. All three shots were taken with my Pentax K10D. I didn't have a tripod, so they are all handheld. The ISO was set to 100. The focal length 18mm.

First, I took a shot of the Spider while it was sitting still. The aperture was set to f/6.7 and the shutter speed was 0.7 seconds.

The ride started to move and I took another shot with all the same settings.

I kinda liked the effect of the streaks of light. I got to wondering...

So, I changed the aperture to f/19 and slowed the shutter speed w-a-a-a-y down. I left it open for 6 seconds, to be exact.

I think I'll have to go back to Oaks Park and do some more experimenting. It could be kinda fun!

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Tags: oaks park, amusement park, pacific northwest, oregon, fourth of july, portland, photography, exposure time, spirograph, how

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Comments: 42

strongthrufight E. Jul 12, 2009, 12:31pm EDT

Whoa cool! Your shots make it look like a wild ride for sure :)

Rick *Don Rico* J. Jul 12, 2009, 12:34pm EDT

Thanks, mrslisae.

It turned out better than I was expecting, considering it was a 6 second handheld exposure.

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phil w. Jul 12, 2009, 1:15pm EDT

Awesome experimentation ,Rick . Super colorful shots.

Rick *Don Rico* J. Jul 12, 2009, 1:26pm EDT

Thanks, Phil!

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Tracy Fabre Jul 12, 2009, 2:10pm EDT

Spirograph! VERY COOL, Rick!

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Jennifer J. Jul 12, 2009, 3:04pm EDT

Cool! I have friends who sell pictures like this for big bucks!

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Priscilla (wishing I was in Costa Rica) ~. Jul 12, 2009, 3:14pm EDT

That is pretty cool looking Rick!

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DesertDarlene L. Jul 12, 2009, 3:15pm EDT

That's pretty cool!

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heather "chickenlips" g. Jul 12, 2009, 3:50pm EDT

That is so cool!

Wow...I have a LOT to learn about this photography stuff. I have no idea how to change all the settings. Guess I need to get my manual out :~)

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Roy ☯ Hilbinger Jul 12, 2009, 5:34pm EDT

Nice work, Rick! That last one is fantastic; it almost looks like a Spirograph drawing.

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Cynthia J. Jul 12, 2009, 6:53pm EDT

Love the shots. Really neat. Great job for playing around.

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Jan S. Jul 12, 2009, 9:12pm EDT

These are awesome, Ron. Bet the girls will want to go back with you to take more pics so they can ride again.

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Denise E. Jul 13, 2009, 12:30pm EDT

You got some wonderful shots! What a great subject for this experiment! I wonder what other things we could come up with like this? We could start a new competitoin in Phot Art called Artistic Experimentation. Thanks for the inspiration, Rick!

Thank you for posting to Any Photo Art

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Denise E. Jul 13, 2009, 12:53pm EDT

Wonderful for the "How Did You Do That?" Theme too! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

Thank you for posting to Photo Art Monthly Competitions ~ How Did You Do That?

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señoritafish (oxyjulis californica) Jul 13, 2009, 7:36pm EDT

Very Nice! Yes, like a Spirograph, as mentioned earlier. I have to say my experimentation doesn't turn out nearly as well - especially when hand-held.

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Jeanna S. Jul 13, 2009, 9:17pm EDT

Very nice! You definitely need to do more!!

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Carol B Jul 16, 2009, 8:04am EDT

Very cool experiment. They are all wonderful and thanks for giving us the information on how you took each picture. I loved them.

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Gary H. Jul 19, 2009, 6:38pm EDT

Interesting experiment Rick, it's very cool

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Jeff K. Jul 19, 2009, 7:41pm EDT

Well executed by a steady hand. While the photo was taken by your Pentax, it would take a very talented "Spirographer" to come up with something like this within 6 seconds using a Spirograph device.

Here is a link to Wikipedia describing the product: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirograph

AND

a link to a Java applet that approximates what you have done, but the image remains circular: http://www.wordsmith.org/~anu/java/spirograph.html

Rick *Don Rico* J. Jul 21, 2009, 6:35pm EDT

Spirographer...

I like that term!

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Denise E. Jul 23, 2009, 3:18pm EDT

Thank you for posting to Any Photo Art

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Denise E. Jul 23, 2009, 3:31pm EDT

Thank you for posting to Photo Art Monthly Competitions

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elizabeth e. Jul 26, 2009, 1:37pm EDT

Looks like you had fun, Rick.

Rick *Don Rico* J. Jul 26, 2009, 2:37pm EDT

Yes, I did!

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Lisa C. Jul 26, 2009, 2:07pm EDT

That's really neat!

Rick *Don Rico* J. Jul 26, 2009, 2:37pm EDT

Thanks, Lisa!

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Gary L. Jul 26, 2009, 3:10pm EDT

Now you have stepped over into my area of experience.
Night photography using existing light can be very exciting.
I have always liked photos of interstate interchanges with exposures of a minute or more.
You did GREAT and hope to see more!

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Marilyn M. Jul 26, 2009, 4:39pm EDT

That's amazing! Thanks for sharing your experiment.

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Katherine M. Jul 28, 2009, 11:25am EDT

Wow you have a very steady hand!!!! These look amazing can't wait to see more of your experimenting!!!!

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Denise E. Jul 29, 2009, 10:53am EDT

Congrats Comments
Myspace Comments - Profile Slideshow

You have been chosen as an example for August's Show Me How Competition for Photo Art Monthly Competitions

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Denise E. Aug 1, 2009, 11:52am EDT

Congrats Comments
Myspace Comments - Profile Slideshow

You won first place in July's Photo Art Monthly Competitions~ Show Me How Competition

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Denise E. Aug 1, 2009, 12:31pm EDT

Congrats Comments
Myspace Comments - Profile Slideshow

You won first place in July's Any Photo Art ~ Photo Art Gallery/Artistic Descriptions

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JoAnn C. Aug 1, 2009, 3:06pm EDT

congratulations Rick on your first place wins. that is pretty cool. Some day I'll actually learn how to do that stuff with my camera.

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Carol B Aug 1, 2009, 4:36pm EDT

Back to say congrats on your July Photo Art Win. I loved the effects on this one and the way you explained it to someone that is just learning. thanks

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Rose H. Aug 1, 2009, 4:55pm EDT

Congratulations - that looks fabulous. I'll have to try it with my camera. I don't do a lot of night shots, but I love the outcome on this.

Question - Did you have your flash on auto or off or manual?

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Marilyn M. Aug 1, 2009, 11:21pm EDT

Back to congratulate you on your PAMC win! I think shots like you've presented here are some of the toughest to do and you seemed to do an amazing job of it. My hat's off to you! =)