How to change shutter speed?

Question

I have a cannon powershot SD400 (digital camera) and i am wondering how to manually change the shutter speed. Also wondering, whenever you see cool pictures of blurred rushing water, is that because of a slow shutter speed? if so, i am wondering how to change the shutter speed to make cool pictures like that.

I would also like to know how to take a picture where the background is all blurry, but the object of the photograph is sharp, like those pictures of flowers that proffesionals take.

Answer 1

Your camera has a partial Manual mode that lets you pick a "Long Shutter" speed through the Menus. You will have to experiment, but this will let you get the rushing water type of shot.

To get the blurred background shot, use the Portrait scene mode in combination with the telephoto end of your zoom. make sure there is a reasonable distance between the subject and the background. To get the flower shot, add the Macro mode setting to the above.

You will have to experiment with both the techniques above. Your camera does not have the full Manual mode capability, so you will have to "fake it out".

If you are truely interested in taking this type of pictures, plan on upgrading your camera at some point to one with more manual controls. (You can get started with something $250 to $400.)

You will also need to read or take classes about photographic techniques.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Yes, that cool effect with the water is done with a longer shutter speed. The thing you need to worry about, though, will be keeping the rest of the picture sharp. Use a tripod!

Your camera's manual should tell how you can change your shutter speed (or if you can or not). If you have different modes, look for a shutter priority mode, and experiment with times around a second to half second. You may need to set your ISO higher or use an ND filter to cut some light.

Okay, I read a review of your camera, and it appears you do have a manual mode and your shutter can go slow enough. Remember to set your aperture as small as possible (largest f number) to compensate for having the shutter open.

For your second question, use your macro mode. A wider aperture (smaller f number) will make anything not exactly in the focus zone out of focus.

Answer 3

The SD400 is a point & shoot camera which means it has very limited manual controls (and there's only so much you can do with an ultra compact camera).

You can 'force' the camera to select a different shutter speed or aperture value, by adjusting the exposure compensation or ISO, but you really should learn a little about photography in general first.
To try to get a blurry background as in a 'portrait', you should select PORTRAIT in the scene mode (the camera will select a larger aperture for this).
For close up photos of flowers, you need to be using the macro setting.

If you want to select your own shutter speed and aperture, then you will need to buy a camera with full manual controls (such as the Canon A630, A640 or the soon to be released A570 IS).

check out the photography tutorial links below which might help you to understand more about photography...

Answer 4

I don't know how to change the shutter speed, but yes, the blur in water pictures is based on slow shutter speed. I would try 1/60, maybe 1/30--the slower you go, the more blur you'll get, but if you go too slow you won't be able to tell what the picture's of.

Answer 5

Not familiar with the Cannon SD400 but most digitals have a capability to change things regarding how the camera "sees" an image. I use a manual setting for my Samsung and Pentax digitals for "special" pics and just take them in the normal manner. I get blurred backgrounds and "movement" that you seek. Look in the menu for settings that allow you to set the exposure and f-stop, you should be able to do both.

Answer 6

change shutter speed

Answer 7

tricky issue. look into using yahoo and bing. that could actually help!