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How to shoot water screen

May 30, 2008

This month, at Putrajaya, Malaysia we have the world biggest water screen show. I went out to try shooting water screen for the first time. At first I thought I can use the same setting I used to shoot fireworks. But I was wrong. For fireworks, you need to use very slow shutter speed 2 , 10 or sometimes even 30 seconds is used. But for water screen shot, I have to use faster shutter speed. The best is 1/8 and above. It was quite hard actually to get the right exposure because of the faster shutter speed.

1. The right stuff

• A camera (SLR or compact) with manual setting
• A sturdy tripod
• Cable release or remote release is recommended to prevent camera shake (if don’t have one, use timer)

2. The right setting

• Shutter speed: 1/8 and above (use the fastest possible)
• Aperture : f 5.6
• ISO : 800 - 1600 (use the lowest possible)

3. The steps…

• Be there early because you want to get the best spot
• Bring sweater to keep you warm because this show made at night
• Open up and level your tripod
• Set you camera exposure setting
• Wait for the show to start
• When the show start, test the first shot. You need to change the exposure setting little bit because the amount of light from the show may get very bright or vice versa
• Keep shooting until the show finish

4. Other subject to shoot during the show

• The emotion of the people
• If the water screen is being showed for many days, try to come to 2 or 3 times and try different angle
• The scenery, adjacent building etc

Click here to see my water screen shots…

Entry Filed under: How to shoot Series. Tags: How to shoot Series, tips, water screen.