Taking a blurred picture...

[photoguy0430]

I just got my D50 last week and I'm playing around trying different settings for different pictures and the one thing I'm having a hard time with is getting a "blurred" picture. Yesterday I was sitting on my couch, looking out the window trying to get a picture of traffic as it went down the highway and thought I would try to get one with the cars blurred as they drove by. Every time I tried, my pictures would either come out completely white or with only a few features showing. If I took the picture with everything on auto, it would be fine but obviously wouldn't give me the blurred effect I'm looking for. What would be a good starting point for getting this shot?

Thanks in advance,
Matt

PS- For now I'm just using the kit lense (18-55)

[coldrain]

Put the camera on Tv or P and select a longer exposure time. The camera will choose a suitable aperture to get the right exposure, and you should be fine.

[sherlock]

When he says 'Tv' he means 'S' (shutter) mode on Nikons. 'Tv' is Canon speak :D

[coldrain]

When he says 'Tv' he means 'S' (shutter) mode on Nikons. 'Tv' is Canon speak :D
Haha, thanks for correcting me. I did remember that Nikon also used P, strange that I forgot S ;)

[cwphoto]

You may also want to use the lowest ISO you can (100?) to force lower shutter speeds. Sounds like you just went to M and put in whatever shutter speed you wanted - remember that correct exposure still needs to be satisfied, you can't use any combination of aperture/shutter speed you want...

[K1W1]

Well I guess that's a fail for the Canon members of the class. Zero out of two. :D

The lowest ISO setting on a D50 is 200

[cwphoto]

Well I guess that's a fail for the Canon members of the class. Zero out of two. :D

The lowest ISO setting on a D50 is 200

You know I just found out tonight about the min ISO on a D50! One of my students has a D50 and I told him to switch to ISO 100 and give me a light reading - he said I can't do ISO 100 - Doh!

My error, now I know.:o

[rawpaw18]

Photguy,
Did you try again? Were you trying to blur just the car(motion) or the background (panning) with the car in focus? I've been trying to get the panning down, but I need some more practice. Daughter on roller blades, not too bad, but cars are a little faster.
-Rich