Photo Lights

[Mr. Kilt]

Cool links, guys! I've been thinking about building something for awhile now.

[Freelander Sporrano]

Good Idea this one I'm going to have a try.Thanks

[Southern Breeze]

I'm sure there's a lot of us here at X-Marks who have cameras with built in timers. I'd like to ask those who have any experiance using timers to share any tips,tricks,etc. on using them. Anything would be appreciated. Thanks.

[furrycelt]

I'm sure there's a lot of us here at X-Marks who have cameras with built in timers. I'd like to ask those who have any experiance using timers to share any tips,tricks,etc. on using them. Anything would be appreciated. Thanks.

I am assuming you mean the timer that you set, run to the front of the camera, sit down with the rest of the family on the couch, everyone smiles, and then waits, and waits, and then waits... then you get up to check on the camera, and just as you stand up POP, the shutter is release? That timer?

Pro's use that timer feature more than most would think. In times when you are doing shots with long shutter speeds (to let in lots of light) where you want to minimize camera vibration -- no matter how steady your tripod is -- the camera and wiggle just enough to blur your image. The act of pushing the shutter button is enough to do that. Set the delay shutter timer so that the camera rig "settles down" before the picture is made. (this is all assuming you have a good reason to not use a remote shutter release.)

And sure, you can use it for self-portraits. It helps to get a stand-in to focus, meter, and compose on. If you can't find someone, use an old theatre lighting designer trick: get an A-frame ladder and throw a blanket or sheet over it. You should have enough time to get the stand-in out of the way, and get in place. Most cameras are set to 10 seconds (which really is alot of time), newer cameras allow you to adjust that time. My camera has special flash patterns in a tiny LED to let me know how much time is left.

-ian

[Southern Breeze]

I am assuming you mean the timer that you set, run to the front of the camera, sit down with the rest of the family on the couch, everyone smiles, and then waits, and waits, and then waits... then you get up to check on the camera, and just as you stand up POP, the shutter is release? That timer?
-ian

Yes, thats the one. I've never used one and I'm sure a lot of others haven't either. I'm trying to get together some tips on using one for beginners.
The lack of film is what I like about digital cameras-you can experiment all you want and see the results immediatly.