Photography: What is Bulb Setting And How Do I achieve it?

Question

I have a canon powershot s3

Answer 1

Bulb setting is where the shutter remains open as long as you hold down the shutter release.

Time setting is where the shutter opens the first time you press the shutter release and remains open until the second time you press it.

I am not familiar with the Canon Powershot S3.

Answer 2

The Canon S3 does not have the "B" bulb setting ... the longest timed exposure is 15 seconds.

The bulb setting is use for making exposures longer than the timed exposures covered by the cameras shutter speeds.

This usually means using a remote release on the camera to open and lock the shutter open as long as necessary for capturing things like star trails,  "strings" of light on highways and even painting with light.

Look on this website for cameras that have bulb settings on them.  Most are DSLR's

http://www.dpreview.com