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5 minute read
Using Your Camera’s Self-Timer
The humble self-timer is one of your camera’s most handy features, and has more uses than you might think.
The concept behind your camera’s self-timer is a simple one – it puts in a delay of several seconds between the time you press the shutter release button and the moment the camera makes a picture. There is lots you can do in that time, which is why the self-timer has so many uses for everyday picture making.
You can access the self-timer most easily from the camera’s Q Menu. Press the Q button and navigate to the self-timer symbol. You can select a delay of either two seconds or ten seconds by rotating the rear command dial – we’ll look at which of these to choose and when in just a moment. You can also program a Function (Fn) button to access self-timer if you use it frequently.
Now, when you press the shutter release button, the camera will count down for either ten or two seconds before releasing the shutter. You’ll hear a beeping noise to indicate the countdown is taking place, and this turns into a longer steady beep when the shot is about to be taken. The light on the front of the camera also flashes while the countdown is taking place. If you want to cancel the countdown at any time, just press the DISP BACK button.
Note that in its default setup, the camera’s focus and exposure are locked when you press the shutter release button to begin the countdown, not when the picture is actually taken. So make sure everything is looking as you want it before you start the self timer.
Let’s have a look at a few of the things you can use the self-timer for.
Making Selfies
Most obviously, the self-timer is a great tool for making selfies. Balance your camera on a wall or bench, then use a ten-second self-timer delay to run in front of the camera and strike a pose. This looks much better than the arms-extended shots you get with your smartphone or by holding your camera at arm’s length, and allows you to get more in the scene, too.
Remember that, by default, focus and exposure are both locked when you press the shutter-release button, and not when the camera takes the picture. So, try to focus on the spot where you’re going to stand, or use manual focus on the area of your choice. Otherwise you might not be completely sharp.
© Benedict Evans
Photographing Groups
The same principal you’d use to make selfies can be used for group pictures, too: get everyone in the right place, then set a ten-second self-timer before you press the shutter-release button. This will give you enough time to run around the other side of the camera and join in.
One of the problems with making group shots is trying to get everyone looking at the camera at the same time, especially when there’s lots of people in the frame. There’s usually someone blinking or looking the wrong way. A good approach is to switch on your camera’s Continuous Shooting mode. When used in conjunction with the self-timer, this makes five images in quick succession instead of just one, improving your chances of getting one frame with everyone looking straight at the camera.
© Alison Conklin
Avoiding Camera Shake
Blur from camera shake can ruin an otherwise excellent photo. It happens when a photographer accidentally wobbles their camera when using a long shutter speed, and this movement is recorded as blur.
The best way of guaranteeing no camera shake is to support your camera on a tripod (or balance it on a wall or table), but sometimes even this isn’t enough. Just touching the camera is enough to wobble it, which makes it hard to press the shutter release button without introducing camera shake!
The solution is to use the self-timer. The delay between pressing the shutter release button and the picture being made is enough to let vibrations fade away, so the camera will be rock steady when the shutter opens. You don’t need to wait ten seconds, though, so set the two-second option when working in this way.
When You Need an Extra Pair of Hands
The self-timer can also free you up to do other things. With your camera on a tripod, you have two or ten seconds to add a background or reflector in the composition, hold a tree branch out of the way, or include a hand in a setup image for your blog.
© Alison Conklin
Your Next Steps
- CHALLENGE Get more creative with your selfies using the self timer! Show us what you can make using only yourself as a model, and post the results to social media using the hashtag #learnwithfujifilm. You can also submit your work here for a chance to be featured on our social media channels.
