Project 365 - 2012: Axeman

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AxeMan - Rick S.

Senior Member
DSC_1848.jpg

Day 344
LOR (Light-O-Rama)

Christmas Light Sequencer
 
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AxeMan - Rick S.

Senior Member
Eye-level said:
Rick what settings are you using doing the Christmas house lights?
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LOR (Light o Rama) Was a moving show so f/22 30sec ISO 100 17-50 2.8 lens to get all the lights on. Don't like to shoot at f/22 but had no choice. You have no idea how bright this show is.

Tonight's photo I totally wimped out and shot in full auto it turned out to be f2.8 1/8 sec ISO 1400 (that's great for the D90!) once again the 17-50 2.8 lens.

I have no one setting I use. Normally if I were to go out and shot Christmas lights I like to use f/5.6 -f/8 ISO 100-200. With the camera in bulb mode and using a cable release I wing it on shutter speed. I look what my last shot looks like and either hold it open or closed as needed to adjust. I can usually come up with something in about 12 shots that I like. Funny it's the same starting point I use for my Lightning shots. So I'm right at home starting out.

I shot RAW and make adjustments in Lightroom to the Highlight slider (usually turn it down) and the Black slider (usually turn it up) then other misc, adjustments from there till I like what I see.

On a good note I did tonight's photo in one shot. It was one of those nights where I wish I never started a second 365 or ditched it a lot earlier in the year. I come this far I be a fool to quit now. I'm trying to finish the second year and keep some type of quality to my photo's, but after 713 days it has become very old and I really can't wait for it to end.
 
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Eye-level

Banned
AxeMan - Rick S. said:
LOR (Light o Rama)
Tonight's photo I totally wimped out and shot in full auto it turned out to be f2.8 1/8 sec ISO 1400 (that's great for the D90!) once again the 17-50 2.8 lens.

I have no one setting I use. Normally if I were to go out and shot Christmas lights I like to use f/5.6 -f/8 ISO 100-200. With the camera in bulb mode and using a cable release I wing it on shutter speed. I look what my last shot looks like and either hold it open or closed as needed to adjust. I can usually come up with something in about 12 shots that I like. Funny it's the same starting point I use for my Lightning shots. So I'm right at home starting out.

I shot RAW and make adjustments in Lightroom to the Highlight slider (usually turn it down) and the Black slider (usually turn it up) then other misc, adjustments from there till I like what I see.
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Thank you sir that is what I needed know...guess I will have to buy a tripod if I want to shoot the Christmas lights...dang it!

I like this technique of yours I think I am going to have to try and incorporate it into my zeitgist. :)
 
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AxeMan - Rick S.

Senior Member
Eye-level said:
Thank you sir that is what I needed know...guess I will have to buy a tripod if I want to shoot the Christmas lights...dang it!

I like this technique of yours I think I am going to have to try and incorporate it into my zeitgist. :)
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http://nikonites.com/project-365-daily-photos/4385-project-365-2012-axeman-64.html#post91788

Jeff I went back and looked how I shot this one. I know I shot it in manual so I was working it.

f/8 10sec. ISO 100 17-50 2.8 lens. A little on the bright side for my taste, but had a lot of ambient light behind me with a street lamp and a Hospital in the back round.

If I were to make and adjustment here I would shorten my exposure first then try a smaller aperture or both. With being slow close on shutter speed I would come out of bulb mode and set my shutter by hand.

No histograms or handheld's here you're going to have to chimp each shot to do it the way I do it.
 
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AxeMan - Rick S.

Senior Member
Eye-level said:
Man that Santa Clause guy looks familiar. haha
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NO NO NO Not me. I don't "do" Santa. But it was my camera, and crappy lighting even with a bounce card flash. Had a row if track lighting on cable wire right above Santa and a high ceiling. I could not overpower it with the SB700 with out blasting him with it and washing everything out.:mad:
 
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AxeMan - Rick S.

Senior Member
Marcel said:
So you are counting Rick… :) Not that many left...
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Kind of in a way. Really posting pictures I don't care about right now till I can figure out a way I feel comfortable posting after the shenanigans earlier this week.:mad-new: Last night was the first night I took another photo and did not post it, I may come back later and add it.

I like what others have done to their signatures I'm trying to come up with one without coping one, but I really like "RickSawThat's" line the best and if Rick does not mind I might use his.

I'm off this weekend so I'll have time to work on a new watermark and placement something I been wanting to do for a while now.

Plans are for 2013 is to drop my 365 for a project 52 where I can concentrate on quality not quantity. Also I want to work on studio shots now that I have a backdrop and four speedlights. I'm hoping to pick up some new gear if a new high end DX body comes out, and maybe start up a web site. I've had a lot of interest in some of my photos and people are asking if I have Web site so maybe not a bad idea to start one up.

I've been approached by my step sons PTA (School) to shot a Photos with Santa event on the 15th for the schools Winter Carnival, This time I will have more control of the lighting than my last few outings with Santa at a different location so I'm hoping for better results. It looks like word of mouth has done me good, time to roll with the changes and see what I can make of it.

I have also been in contact with a local photographer who has a studio who also learned of me by word of mouth. We have coffee a few times a week together. He's a Cannon user, so after the mutual Cannon / Nikon bashing we hit it of together pretty good and have become friends. A lot is going to change in mine and my wife's:couple_inlove: life for the good 2013 :greedy_dollars: and by chance the timing of all this is perfect.:encouragement:

Like others have done on this board don't be surprised if I step somewhat into the shadows sometime in 2013 to pursue other endeavors. By not having 365 project slowing me down I'm going to have more time to work on areas that I need to work on and not have to worry about posting a photo a day. After two years it has been very demanding project that has helped me but at the same time it has hurt me. It goes back to what I said earlier quality not quantity.

Is this my way of saying goodbye?:dejection: No, I will always remember were my roots are. In some capacity I will always be here. This is a group of fantastic people here with a wealth of information willing to share. I would never think of turning my back on you guys.

I would like to thank all active members and non active members (you are missed) for all the information that I have learned from you, and still have to learn.:applouse:
 
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