help with Levitation Photography

Hello everyone
On Friday I bought D5100 Kit 18/55
I've learned the importance of shutter speed and aperture and read manual camera and other guides I found online.
I want to make a photo like this:
http://yowayowacamera.com/
Also when I tried to make this photo I received a message that the subject is too dark

I want to take the shot in good lighting conditions at home
What settings should I put the camera?
And is it possible to make this photo with my kit ?

Thanks so much.

First off Welcome to the forum

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Nikon | Imaging Products | Digitutor


Your camera can take a picture like this BUT you may or may not have the expertise in Post Processing to do it. This is not something you can do just in the camera. There is probably a $1,000 worth of software involved. PhotoShop CS6 at a minimum probably .

I know there is an option to make the image using Photoshop only and that I can also do it with just a simple camera.
But I do not want to do it in Photoshop (at least not now)
for example :someone sitting on a ladder and then I delete the ladder on Photoshop.
I saw amazing examples without Photoshop
Example:How to do Levitation Photography - YouTube

I know that i can do it only with Photoshop but i do not want to do it in Photoshop (at least not now)
i can do it with a simple digital camera
Example:
Man sitting on ladder then I delete the ladder in Photoshop and it looks like this man sitting on the air.
But I do not want to do it in Photoshop (at least not now)
I saw amazing results without Photoshop
Example:How to do Levitation Photography - YouTube
How do I do it with the camera I bought D 5100 in my house with good lighting conditions.
I realized I needed to pick up a high shutter speed
Otherwise the image can be blurred.

Agree with Don but here is the EXIF info of the jpeg evidentially not stripped. I would say a manual lens (non-cpu) was used they all have a similar angle so maybe a green screen and then added the background. Not sure if some one could jump and dial the phone so it may have been photoshopped in. She could be kneeling on a small stool and cloned the background in. A lot of things.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_Halsman
Now check this link above it was done with film and strobes, lighting real creativity.


Ciao,
Lou Cioccio

File name: img_99869a5d3437f61f52e5d46ea64db4b0.jpg File size: 173163 bytes (3744x5616, 0.1bpp, 364x)
EXIF Summary: 1/500s f/0.0 ISO1000 50mm


Camera-Specific Properties:


Equipment Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Camera Software: Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Macintosh)


Image-Specific Properties:


Image Width: 3744
Image Height: 5616
Number of Bits Per Component: 16, 16, 16
Compression Scheme: Uncompressed
Pixel Composition: RGB
Image Orientation: Top, Left-Hand
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Image Data Arrangement: Chunky Format
Image Created: 2013:06:15 13:55:58
Exposure Time: 1/500 sec
F-Number: f/0.0
Exposure Program: Manual
ISO Speed Rating: 1000
Lens Aperture: f/inf
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash, Compulsory
Focal Length: 50.00 mm
Color Space Information: sRGB
Image Width: 400
Image Height: 600
Rendering: Normal
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Manual
Scene Capture Type: Standard


Other Properties:


Resolution Unit: i
Exif IFD Pointer: 320
Compression Scheme: JPEG Compression (Thumbnail)
Horizontal Resolution: 72 dpi
Vertical Resolution: 72 dpi
Resolution Unit: i
Offset to JPEG SOI: 1134
Bytes of JPEG Data: 11581
Exif Version: 2.21
Image Generated: 2013:04:30 18:05:51
Image Digitized: 2013:04:30 18:05:51
Shutter Speed: 1/512 sec
DateTime Second Fraction: 10
DateTimeOriginal Second Fraction: 10
DateTimeDigitized Second Fraction: 10
Focal Plane Horiz Resolution: 3849 dpi
Focal Plane Vert Resolution: 3908 dpi
Focal Plane Res Unit: i
GPS Info Version: 2.2.0.0

Ah yes... Natsumi aka Yowayowa. Her self-portraits are just awesome.

As I understand it, her levitation shots don't rely on Photoshop or other post-processing

Just do what I did, levitate on your back porch while the wife takes the shots,

You could also ride a broom, but I recommend having a lot of space,

The above shots were at 1/1250th and 1/3200th at f7.1. You will need great lighting and a tripod will help. Put the camera in high speed shooting mode and have your helper shoot as you move. The really hard part is trying to look natural while in the air. We have a tendency to point our feet down while airborne so be conscious of that.

Good luck!

Nicely done Rick!

Pat in NH

RockyNH said:

Nicely done Rick!

Pat in NH

Click to expand...

Thanks Pat!

​If you ever try this at home, be careful with the broom, I had a rough landing!

rick m said:

just do what i did, levitate on your back porch while the wife takes the shots,

View attachment 43885

Click to expand...

beans for dinner? Looks like your shorts are flapping in the breeze. lol

nikonpup said:

beans for dinner? Looks like your shorts are flapping in the breeze. lol

Click to expand...

​They provide good lift off

Thank you all I will try again
I realized I need really good lighting conditions to get good results

I know this is going to sound like a snide remark, but I find this statement:

Ornikon said:

I've learned the importance of shutter speed and aperture and read manual camera and other guides I found online.

Click to expand...

quite interesting when it is accompanied in the same post as this one:

Ornikon said:

What settings should I put the camera?

Click to expand...

Perhaps you need to read your manual and those internet guides again?

The settings depend entirely on the lighting in your location. Do you plan to do it by having your subject stand on something like a stool and then clone it out in Photoshop, or do you plan to make your subject jump and freeze the action with your shutter speed?

Consider the effects of shutter speed and how it affects your photo in both these situations.

If your subject is just standing on something, the shutter is not so crucial because you don't need to freeze any fast movement - your subject can just hold their pose. In this situation, you can concentrate more on your aperture and determine what kind of depth of field you like, then adjust your shutter accordingly.

If, however, you want to do the jump option, shutter speed becomes the most important factor. You need to freeze your subject mid-jump which requires a fast shutter speed. You'll need to figure out the correct shutter to use and then adjust your aperture to compensate for the likely underexposure that will be caused by having a fast shutter speed.

Once you've really learnt how important aperture and shutter speed are, you'll never need to ask what settings to use again. Good luck and be sure to show us your results!

First of all sorry in advance for my English I'm not American I'm from Israel.
Thank you for the constructive feedback,I know that shutter speed should be high.
My goal is to use only the Shutter speed at the camera to freeze the object

The first time I tried I got an almost entirely black image, i think it happened because poor lighting conditions at my room.
Yesterday I tried out and the picture was sharper, I'll try some more open aperture.
And be sure I'll post my pics
Thank you again.

If you've scoured the net, am sure you would've stumbled upon this-

WhiteLight said:

If you've scoured the net, am sure you would've stumbled upon this-

Click to expand...

I have not seen that one but have seen others that he has done!!!

Pat in NH