Nikon SLR Cameras

Exact settings to capture peoples movement in blur using a Nikon D3100?

Guest
Guest

I need to capture the movements of family members walking about in the rooms within my house, I'm using a standard 18-55mm lens but can't get the settings right, any help would mean a lot, thanks!

Photofox
Photofox

You need a very slow shutter speed; probably lower than 1/15 and the camera must be on a tripod. You will have to compensate with a wide aperture.
Also, you can adjust your ISO up if you need more light. And remember to change the White Balance to whatever lighting is in use.
As to EXACT settings: we can't tell you as it depends on if you are are using natural light, ambient light, flash. And if it's sunny, bright, shady or whatever.

keerok
keerok

You want to freeze them? Use flash.

You want to make them look like ghosts? Set camera to Auto then swing exposure compensation to the extreme minus side.

Frank
Frank

If you want to capture people walking and you want to show motion blur, you need to use shutter speeds around 1/30th of second or slower. You can set the mode to shutter priority to ensure that the shutter speed is fix and won't change as you point the camera at different parts of the house.
You also need to pan with your subject - youtube has videos on how to do this properly.
If you use a flash and have it set to second curtain, then you'll get blur and then the flash fires at the end of the long exposure. This can create a cool effect.

fhotoace
fhotoace

Place your camera on a tripod.

Use shutter speeds of 1/2 second to up to 30 seconds until you obtain the amount of "walking" blur you wish

Use the cameras lightmeter to determine the correct exposure.

Make sure that you set the white balance to match the lighting in the room

Juan
Juan

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