How do I create a ghosting effect on digital cameras?

[tgf5]

I attached a photo of what I am seeking on how to do. Thanks in advance for the help.

[Photo-John]

There are a couple of ways you could do this. One is to take multiple photos and assemble them using Photoshop layers.

or you could do it "in-camera." To do that you'd make a long exposure and have your subject hold a pose in the locations where you want him or her. For instance, the above exposure might be 1 minute. You'd put your camera on a tripod, set it on manual or shutter priority, and adjust the shutter speed to 1 minute. Then you'd have your subject move from location to location during that minute, holding as still as possible for the ghost locations.

You've got a digital camera, experiement!

[mn shutterbug]

Also, it's a no no to post photos that aren't yours. If the photo is found online, it's OK to post a link.

Sorry, no help with your ghosts.

[tgf5]

I have a Canon Powershot SD110 unfortunately and it does not have it... guess I have to pick up that Panny DMCFZ18 I wanted...

[Photo-John]

I have a Canon Powershot SD110 unfortunately and it does not have it... guess I have to pick up that Panny DMCFZ18 I wanted...

Point-and-shoots don't offer you much control. But there's always a workaround. On the other hand, if you're looking for an excuse to buy the Lumix FZ18, I won't try to stop you :-)

If you do want to try with your SD110, you're going to need a reall dark room and you're going to need to manually set the ISO to it's lowest setting - ISO 80, I believe. Once you've got that set and youre camera is on a tripod, depress the shutter release halfway and check the shutter speed on the LCD. The longer the shutter speed, the better. Because it's a long exposure that allows you to make the "ghost" effect you want. The trick is to have your subject in the scene for less time than the exposure. So if your exposure is 10 seconds, have your subject in the scene for 5 or 6. This will let some of the background show through your subject.

Let me know if that doesn't make sense and I'll try to explain it better. But the best thing is for you to just set up your camera, follow my instructions, and start experimenting. Once you've taken a couple photos it will start to make sense and you can start tweaking things.

[tgf5]

Do you mean my better alternative is SLR over P&S?

I set the PS110 to ISO50 and Long shutter to 15", doesn't work well at all. I barely see myself, and the room is pretty much pitch black. I guess I'll wait and try on the Lumix. Unless SLR is the thing you are suggesting.

[Photo-John]

Do you mean my better alternative is SLR over P&S?..

It's not SLR over point-and-shoot - or to be more specific - SLR vs compact digital. It's auto vs manual exposure control. Your SD110 is a point-and-shoot because it has no manual exposure controls. The Panasonic FZ18 has manual exposure controls and you'll able to set the shutter speed with it.

But don't get frustrated and give up on your SD110 yet. You're moving in the right direction. You just aren't quite there yet. I have no doubt that if I was there with you we'd have it working after 3 or 4 tries.

You have your exposure time at 15 seconds - that's good. If your photo is dark that just means the exposure isn't long enough. If you post a copy of it here it will give me a better idea of what needs to be done. But the next thing I would try is bumping the ISO back up one stop to ISO 100. And also try adjusting the exposure compensation to +1. If that doesn't work, go to +2. You still have a bunch of tools at your disposal. Keep experimenting. As you do this, you're learning about exposure. The more you know about how your camera actually works, the less you're at the mercy of its little computer brain.

[tgf5]

I got the Lumix. I've been playing around with shutter priority. What other adjustments can I make? This is a totally much more complicated camera than the canon.

In shutter priority, I set the shutter speed to 8. I dunno how to get it to "1 minute" like you once said earlier.

[Photo-John]

I got the Lumix. I've been playing around with shutter priority. What other adjustments can I make? This is a totally much more complicated camera than the canon.

In shutter priority, I set the shutter speed to 8. I dunno how to get it to "1 minute" like you once said earlier.

8 is probably 8 seconds. Have you tried it to see? Are you reading the manual?

[tgf5]

Yes, I'm looking in the manual and it seems like 8 seconds is max, in a chart under shutter priority AE.

[uilq]

i'll do like this:
photoshop can get such effect.
put the men on one layer
put this layer on the background layer
set the man's layer transparence 20%