RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Been there, done that.. also Laconia up here.. Thats why we are meeting in JAX
Pat in NH
RockyNH's Project 365 2013
- Thread starter RockyNH_RIP
- Start date
Been there, done that.. also Laconia up here.. Thats why we are meeting in JAX
Pat in NH
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
day 54 - 2/23/2013
Here are today's photo's
Playing with smoke!!
Again, not my idea... but I had fun setting it up (more than once!) and shooting it...
It was another learning experience for me... I will share setup info shortly..
Pat in NH
Here are today's photo's
Playing with smoke!!
Again, not my idea... but I had fun setting it up (more than once!) and shooting it...
It was another learning experience for me... I will share setup info shortly..
Pat in NH
Pat, I vote for you as being most creative with all the things you have been trying lately. Keep up the great work!!!
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Jeff, thank you for the kind words... These creative little projects not only give me an opportunity to do something I never would have otherwise.. Most of them are manual flash, manual exposure and manual focus... I learn alot about exposure etc playing with these and have to overcome flash spill on the background, into the lens and getting good exposure on the subject.
I appreciate the encouragement... Learning is my goal and this whole forum has bean enabling in that respect!!
Pat in NH
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Ok fellow Nikonites... Time to share what I did (with smoke) and what were my issues... Again, this was NOT my idea!! I got it from the internet, several have posted ways to do this, all similar.
One common thread, use a small desk lamp to light the smoke so that your camera can see the smoke to auto focus... I tried that but had issues, I think maybe because of my small area. No matter what I did, I could not get the over spill out of the camera and the background. (maybe I could have made some barn doors - but did not have extra black board) Not a big shake, I have used manual in water drops and bubbles so did the same, autofocused on incense tip, switched to manual and good to go.. I made a couple test shots last night and encountered some splash onto the background and depending on angle a little flare in the lens.. I was able to edit in post so I was good...
Today, I went to do the shoot and decided to rotate 90 deg on the table. I figured this would let me back the backdrop some and also the light from the. Now, you experts will get a real kick out of this!!!! All looked good on my exposure tests, backdrop was jet black with teh flash.. Only issue I had.. light flare from 2 windows at the end of the room.. I commented and my wife (who cannot spell photography!) said, why not shoot from the other end of the table ! I laughed so hard, I could not see the forest for the trees!! Good thing she was there to straighten me out!! (am I the only one who can get so focused and yet be so blind??)
One last change and I was good to go... As I tested I still had a small amount of spill so I put a Rogue Flashbender on the speedlight and formed it into a snoot... Good to go and I was pleased....
Here is the overall of the setup.. Windows of Stupidity are to the left
Props were modeling clay, a saucer, incense, matches/lighter and scotch tape
I taped the backdrop to a box it was propped against...
Piece of clay on saucer and insert stick. I shot some with stick oriented left and right
Speedlight set to the right, on a small car box for proper elevation..
Yongnuo 560 II set at 1/2 power with Flashbender snoot.
The shots themselves were with my D5100 and my 50mm f/1.8 lens.
ISO 100
1/200 at f/8
They were all handheld so I could "follow" the smoke.
Hope some of you enjoyed the summary here. Tomorrow, not fancy but something new for me...
Stay Tuned....
Pat in NH
One common thread, use a small desk lamp to light the smoke so that your camera can see the smoke to auto focus... I tried that but had issues, I think maybe because of my small area. No matter what I did, I could not get the over spill out of the camera and the background. (maybe I could have made some barn doors - but did not have extra black board) Not a big shake, I have used manual in water drops and bubbles so did the same, autofocused on incense tip, switched to manual and good to go.. I made a couple test shots last night and encountered some splash onto the background and depending on angle a little flare in the lens.. I was able to edit in post so I was good...
Today, I went to do the shoot and decided to rotate 90 deg on the table. I figured this would let me back the backdrop some and also the light from the. Now, you experts will get a real kick out of this!!!! All looked good on my exposure tests, backdrop was jet black with teh flash.. Only issue I had.. light flare from 2 windows at the end of the room.. I commented and my wife (who cannot spell photography!) said, why not shoot from the other end of the table ! I laughed so hard, I could not see the forest for the trees!! Good thing she was there to straighten me out!! (am I the only one who can get so focused and yet be so blind??)
One last change and I was good to go... As I tested I still had a small amount of spill so I put a Rogue Flashbender on the speedlight and formed it into a snoot... Good to go and I was pleased....
Here is the overall of the setup.. Windows of Stupidity are to the left
Props were modeling clay, a saucer, incense, matches/lighter and scotch tape
I taped the backdrop to a box it was propped against...
Piece of clay on saucer and insert stick. I shot some with stick oriented left and right
Speedlight set to the right, on a small car box for proper elevation..
Yongnuo 560 II set at 1/2 power with Flashbender snoot.
The shots themselves were with my D5100 and my 50mm f/1.8 lens.
ISO 100
1/200 at f/8
They were all handheld so I could "follow" the smoke.
Hope some of you enjoyed the summary here. Tomorrow, not fancy but something new for me...
Stay Tuned....
Pat in NH
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Thank you Rick... Its funny, by nature, I am not a patient person but I am the exact opposite with my photos.. I am relaxed, patient, if something does not work I try and analyze why and fix it.. I find photography both relaxing and fulfilling .. and I so enjoy learning!
Pat in NH
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
day 55 - 2/24/2013 Part (Project) 1
It is only 7:30 and I have completed my 2 projects for today... and my daily photos.. Yippee.. Snow is falling now, gonna go play in it later...
First up... alternative lighting... Like a Flashlight??
How about smaller... like a pen light!!!
here is the setup...
Black paper, camera on tripod, radio in position and SPOT & remote
ready for their turn. Speedlight, triggers and other items were for next project.
2nd photo is the penlight I used for lighting.
Settings - ISO 100, 35mm f/1.8 shutter at 15 seconds
1. room light on, auto focus, then switch to manual
2. room light off, trip shutter
3. move penlight around to illuminate how you want..
Here are the results....
This was shot at f/5.6
I had trouble with overexposure on this so stopped down to f/10
This was also f/10
This was easy and fun, all kinds of effects are possible...
Enjoy!
Pat in NH
It is only 7:30 and I have completed my 2 projects for today... and my daily photos.. Yippee.. Snow is falling now, gonna go play in it later...
First up... alternative lighting... Like a Flashlight??
How about smaller... like a pen light!!!
here is the setup...
Black paper, camera on tripod, radio in position and SPOT & remote
ready for their turn. Speedlight, triggers and other items were for next project.
2nd photo is the penlight I used for lighting.
Settings - ISO 100, 35mm f/1.8 shutter at 15 seconds
1. room light on, auto focus, then switch to manual
2. room light off, trip shutter
3. move penlight around to illuminate how you want..
Here are the results....
This was shot at f/5.6
I had trouble with overexposure on this so stopped down to f/10
This was also f/10
This was easy and fun, all kinds of effects are possible...
Enjoy!
Pat in NH
Very nice lighting effect. You can learn to control it and light almost anything with this technique. I would only like the white balance to be a lot warmer. The blue cast I find a little overpowered.
Good workout for an early sunday morning Pat.
Just-Clayton
Senior Member
My wife gives me ideas and helps me see through the forest too. I had done my first wedding and had her look at the pics to make sure I didn't miss anything. When she got done looking she asks me "Aren't the dresses supposed to be green" I didn't even notice! So, I had to go through and fix the dresses from yellow to green. It does help to have an editor around. I'm going to have to try the smoke shots now using your tips.
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
day 55 - 2/24/2013 Part (Project) 2
Ok, these were shot right after the previous.. Recently there were some discussions on here about Macro and close up filters. As I cannot afford (nor know what I would want) in a macro lens, I decided to try a set of close up filters. Picked up a set on Amazon for under $11. Includes a case, +1, +4, +7 and +10
I tried using a desk lamp but could net get a good exposure and maintain a decent f-stop so I had some DOF. Added a trigger activated speedlight, bouncing off the ceiling. After some trials, settled on:
35mm f/1.8, ISO 100, shutter 1/200, f/8.0 and 1/2 power on the Yongnuo 560 II
Here we go..... No crops so you can see and compare.. all are at the minimum focus point. (I also was able to use AF)
1st is No filters................................................................ 2nd is a +10
1st is 2 & 10 for +12..................................................... 2nd is a 10 & 7 for +17
1st is no filter...............................................................2nd is a 10 & 7 for +17
Obviously not a replacement for a good macro lens but in a pinch (and to learn) you can make something presentable. Up here in the Great North East, too cold for bugs until Spring!
Pat in NH
Ok, these were shot right after the previous.. Recently there were some discussions on here about Macro and close up filters. As I cannot afford (nor know what I would want) in a macro lens, I decided to try a set of close up filters. Picked up a set on Amazon for under $11. Includes a case, +1, +4, +7 and +10
I tried using a desk lamp but could net get a good exposure and maintain a decent f-stop so I had some DOF. Added a trigger activated speedlight, bouncing off the ceiling. After some trials, settled on:
35mm f/1.8, ISO 100, shutter 1/200, f/8.0 and 1/2 power on the Yongnuo 560 II
Here we go..... No crops so you can see and compare.. all are at the minimum focus point. (I also was able to use AF)
1st is No filters................................................................ 2nd is a +10
1st is 2 & 10 for +12..................................................... 2nd is a 10 & 7 for +17
1st is no filter...............................................................2nd is a 10 & 7 for +17
Obviously not a replacement for a good macro lens but in a pinch (and to learn) you can make something presentable. Up here in the Great North East, too cold for bugs until Spring!
Pat in NH
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Thanks Marcel... I appreciate the comments.. Funny, never even looked at the white balance as I actually liked the blue!! Now you have me thinking and I am gonna go back and look at the light balance... I look at my normal shots for that but it never entered my mind here.. I appreciate the opinion and tip... It also reminds me to keep an open mind and explore all!! (I think I was so happy that it worked and they were presentable, I maybe did not go deep enough!
I appreciate yours and everyones help... I have a long ways to go but I have also come a long ways since October when I started!!
Pat in NH
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RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Here are the originals and a warmer copy as suggested by Marcel...
Serves as a reminder to me to slow down and look at all options!! My preferred is probably some where in between, maybe just a bare hint of blue.. Thank you Marcel, you were right, my originals were way too cold!
Pat in NH
Much better Pat. Sometimes I hesitate to post my comments as some members do not like them as they interpret them as critics. As far as I'm concerned, I only try to help and make people realize that there are always other options and opinions. I hope no one on this list gets annoyed with my comments that are only meant as suggestions.
Thanks for understanding Pat.
Scott Murray
Senior Member
Feel free to pick the crap out of my pics Marcel
its the only way I will learn...
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Marcel, feel free to comment on my stuff any time!! It is the only way I will improve and I sincerely appreciate it. many times a minor suggestion may improve a photo but in this case, beyond that.. causes me to open my mind more and also "slow" down, sometimes hard when you are excited!!
Appreciate suggestions from you and others...
Pat in NH
Feel free to pick the crap out of my pics Marcel
Marcel....... I hope you wear gloves. :dread:
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Day 56 - 2/25/2013
grabbed a couple shots before dawn of lights and snow after yesterdays "event"
At lunch I caught these guys.. there was at least 4 in the trees and it was
difficult to get a shot through the branches
Pat in NH
grabbed a couple shots before dawn of lights and snow after yesterdays "event"
At lunch I caught these guys.. there was at least 4 in the trees and it was
difficult to get a shot through the branches
Pat in NH
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Day 57 - 2/26/2013
Well today was rough... Had several night shots, all bad... Shot some ducks, no dice...
Did manage to get a few....
Nashua City Hall before daylight.... & the Huskie at Horsehoe Pond!
The balance of these are all at Horshoe pond
Around a marsh area with little streams off the pond..
Pat in NH
Well today was rough... Had several night shots, all bad... Shot some ducks, no dice...
Did manage to get a few....
Nashua City Hall before daylight.... & the Huskie at Horsehoe Pond!
The balance of these are all at Horshoe pond
Around a marsh area with little streams off the pond..
Pat in NH
Your creativity and choice of subject has improved over time.
I believe that is a tougher lesson than camera manipulation.
When you can "see" something in a bare fence post, you're imagination is operating far better than most.
Keep up the good work.