A different take on yesterdays image, after a little additional post processing, not sure if this will appeal to you good folks out there, but the only way I’ll knpow is if you actually tell me – Leave a comment, or drop me a line.
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I’ve seen quite a few shots recently involving playing cards and motion blur so though I’d have a go myself having borrowed a rather nice Manfrotto Tripod from a friend. I didn’t realise how hard this is to do by yourself !! – For those interested, the Flash was bounced off of the ceiling, and the exposure was metered for the ambient light minus around 1 stop.
Multiple test shots gave me a resultant shutter speed of 1/5 @ f6.3 which captured the movement of the cards quite nicely when I was able to get the timing right. Keeping an eye on the timer, and making sure the cards are within the frame was rather tricky, and I only ended up with two usable shots from 20 or so attempts
Sadly, my living room is too small to not have included the wall in the shot. I already had to clone out a bit of sofa behind me. This for me, makes this shot pretty much just below average, but at least it’s good practice. I thought about trying to remove the wall by copying or cloning in more floor, but my PS skills fall way too short to even attempt it.
Added to the list of shots to re-try properly at some point this year.
With the Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro lens that arrived this week. Purchased as an emergency replacement for the trusty Tamron, which has developed a rather irritating fault beyond economical repair. Still in two minds as to whether to flog it on ebay for spares or repair (along with all my now useless filters for it or take it apart to see how they’re all put together.
Unfortunately, the skies have been perpetually grey. That and the usual heavy work load has meant that although I’ve had this lens all week, I’ve yet to actually take any photos with it to see how it performs. I did manage a couple of shots through the office window into the gloominess and have noted that the chromatic abberation (or lack of) with this lens is quite impressive. It was always a bit of an issue with the Tamron. Nothing too terrible but a nuisance to correct in post processing. As for sharpness, I’ll have to wait for a better day.
Today’s shot is one of those test ones. There’s a green washing line running diagonally across the frame (rendered almost invisible thanks to the far focus and Depth of Field), and it was hand held with a shutter speed of 1/200 @ f5.6 and focal length of 300mm.
Something different to end the month with. Different in that it’s kind of a self portrait (well, it’s me in the picture at least). Been reading up on Flash, and after owning the 480EX for over 6 months, I still haven’t fiured out how to use it properly.
So, with a view to practicing, I got hold of some black foamy stuff, and wrapped it round the end of the flash to focus the light in a narrow field rather than having it spill all over the room.
The flash was then attached to the wireless trigger set to 1/16th power and placed on the floor so it pointed upwards to the space where I wanted to be. I took a couple of test shots to make sure my position and the flash position worked OK (f32 was too dark, f8 let too much ambient light in for the exposurte time I wanted).
Once I was happy with the effect, I then stuck the camera on the tripod, locked the focus just in front of a black tv screen and set the timer. I had a few duff attempts where I hadn’t managed to get myself in the shot, but finally got myself in the right place. The Flash was set to first curtain sync, so as soon as it fired, I slipped out of the shot and then used a keyring torch (one of the cheapy single LED ones) to paint in some swirly light.
Empty promises
Post processing was just a bit of sharpening and a conversion to black and white.
Aperture – F11
Shutter Speed – 10 Seconds
ISO – 100
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The main reason for posting this is to try and get some discussion going in one of the Flickr Groups I belong to. It’s the usual thing, 1000 member, all shy except for when posting photos.
So, with the Group Owners permission, I’ve started a monthly challenge with the first theme being Romance. If you have a Flickr Account, and you take photos, then please go ahead and Join the Cool Britannia Group and enter the comp. there’s no Prizes, it’s just for fun but it may help improve your skills by setting you a challenge that’s outside your usual comfort zone. As far as I can tell, despite being a group called Cool Britannia, there are no rule on membership for those of you that aren’t sure where Britain is. The themes transcend the general ethos of the group in that it doesn’t have to be a British Romance (in which case two chairs with reserved signs on would work quite well). The only things I would ask
The group can be found HERE – Cool Britannia on Flickr
Inspiration, or something to avoid? You decide.
