Photo Assignment: Weekend 12/15/07

[Threeteas]

This is really a great shot, a well-executed concept: I can see that there's a plan, this photo required forethought, and it seems to have translated well to the image.

The EXIF:

Exposure Time 0.05s (1/20)
Aperture f/4.5
ISO 400
Focal Length 40mm (60mm 35mm)

The flames. . . . Try underexposing slightly. You could set your exposure compensation [+/-] -1.3 EV to start, or if you had your camera set to manual, you might decrease the aperture to 5.0 or 5.6. As an alternative, you could increase the shutter speed to 1/30.

Clearly you're using a tripod? Available light clearly the way to go here. Can you shoot it at a lower ISO? Or would that make the shutter speeds to long to render the fire the way you want. Hmmmm, might be more visually interesting. Might be worth a try.

Have you considered spraying water on the face shield? I don't know if it would work, but it might add a sense of drama and possibly conceal the windows visible in the background.




You prefer this because it is a better photo, a more successful rendering.

The vertical orientation of the image mates the helmet and the tree in a vertical orientation. The image of the tree is far less abstract in this image. The decal on your helmet (a distraction) is not fighting as hard for my attention.

The fire looks more like a fire, the glowing coals (visible but abstract in the upper image), and a bit darker than the image above.

Exposure Time 0.25s (1/4)
Aperture f/4.5
ISO 400
Focal Length 60mm (90mm 35mm)

The background and the gloves are in sharper focus here (a result of being farther from the point-of-focus, the helmet). Speaking of the helmet, in the upper image it comprises 50% of the image space, In the shot below, 25%. This photo is just a bit more compressed, having been shot at a slightly greater telephoto setting (90mm).

The large space at the top of this image needs to contain something which is both visually interesting but not in competition with the subject. Your chosen background, a fire, is a wonderful choice. Move around a bit, slightly, and see what you can come up with. Imagine two or three small flames wrapping that log (there's one on your site!). Manipulate your environment by stoking the fire and shooting it as it wanes. Perhaps your lovely wife would assist you? How is she by the way?

Many photographers would call this done. I commend you on wanting to try to improve a really successful image. Worst case scenario is your left with this effort, a really good picture.

It's an artificial fire, so I can't stoke it, poke it or prompt it to produce more flame I'm afraid. My Christmas list to Santa includes a tripod...fortunately Mrs L, who is very well thanks for asking, has many magazines, that along with a few precariously placed boxes do the job for now.
The idea is that you've been out for a ride in the snow and come back to dry off your gear. I was going to work with this image and try photoshopping in a small puddle of water around the base of the gloves and helmet, again to catch the reflections. But as it would be a darn sight easier, I'll go with your idea of spraying it with water and maybe washing up liquid mix, as it holds shape longer I believe. I could even make some mashed potato, as I understand that is often used as snow, or is it as icecream when an indoor substitute is needed?

Finally, I'll digest the techie details, get them translated, then push a few buttons and see what happens...watch this space....thanks.

(I did move the focal point back to the centre of the 9 options available. That stopped all the whirring noises as the lens did its own thing when I shot the paint pots. This time it held focus, usually set on the BMW logo stud. So good tip.)

[bricciphoto]

Thanks! Glad you're enjoying them! Yeah... that is my reflection in the ornament... there wasn't much I could do about that, though upon reflection ( ha ha ) I could have worn a better color jacket to blend in

An "easy" solution (for future reference) is to wear black. Black reflections look like shadows against chrome, or other shiny objects. I've wrapped myself in a black fleece blanket a few times while taking shots with chrome and other reflective surfaces and the black reflection typically looks like it's supposed to be there. The blanket eliminates the potential for a clearly articulated human form (no arms, legs, etc.).

[SNC1923]

An "easy" solution (for future reference) is to wear black. Black reflections look like shadows against chrome, or other shiny objects. I've wrapped myself in a black fleece blanket a few times while taking shots with chrome and other reflective surfaces and the black reflection typically looks like it's supposed to be there. The blanket eliminates the potential for a clearly articulated human form (no arms, legs, etc.).

What a great idea. Would never have occurred to me in a million years. . . .

[kbasa]

The muse escaped me this week. Probably the best of a bad lot.

[kbasa]

[bricciphoto]

The muse escaped me this week. Probably the best of a bad lot.

Your muse didn't get too far away. Sweet shot. Or "Not bad, if you like things close to perfect." Although it doesn't say "BMW" it's all about a vintage airhead and it has a nice holiday feel. I like the way the mat on the right leads the eye back to the bike's jug and mimics the lines of the cooling fins. Get rid of that unidentified object on the right (about a third of the way down from the top right) and you've got a winner.

(Thanks Tom. That's what this thread is all about.)

[wmubrown]

The muse escaped me this week. Probably the best of a bad lot.

I quite like it Dave

[wmubrown]

I had, in my trials, gone both directions similar to some suggestions, maybe one of these fits that vision?

Totally opposite - the objective being to defocus the bike, only most people wouldn't be able to tell it was a bike 'cause it's a little tooooo unfocused:



And then going with the bike as center of focus:



There is only snow on the wreath in either shot which is why I considered them a wash.

[Threeteas]

SMC...is this the flames one you were thinking of?

I'd wanted to get the little BMW button in focus and this is a tad out, plus there's the light from the otherside of the fire coming through.

I'll still try with the angled down version and work on getting that spot on.
Who knows, if Santa turns up with a tripod it might be easier too.

[rocketman]

I had, in my trials, gone both directions similar to some suggestions, maybe one of these fits that vision?

Totally opposite - the objective being to defocus the bike, only most people wouldn't be able to tell it was a bike 'cause it's a little tooooo unfocused:



And then going with the bike as center of focus:



There is only snow on the wreath in either shot which is why I considered them a wash.

I'd go with the first one posted, shows more of the bike and the snow, it leaves no doubt about what is going on and the soft focus of the wreath forces the eye to the subject, yet is still quite identifiable and give the final clue that this is not just ANY time of winter but specifically Xmas time.

RM

[RINTY]

For those of you who might be interested in trying Photoshop, I would recommend the junior edition, which is called Elements. There is also a good Dummies book you can get for it.

As one who is digitally challenged, I am amazed by what you can do with this software.

Rinty

[grossjohann]

For those of you who might be interested in trying Photoshop, I would recommend the junior edition, which is called Elements. There is also a good Dummies book you can get for it.

As one who is digitally challenged, I am amazed by what you can do with this software.

Rinty

I use PhotoShop Elements. $100 and does well enough for most things. I’ve even used it for advertisements and the like. “Real” ad guys scoff at it (probably because they bought the entire package), but I’ve only hit it’s limitations a couple of times.

[wmubrown]

An "easy" solution (for future reference) is to wear black. Black reflections look like shadows against chrome, or other shiny objects. I've wrapped myself in a black fleece blanket a few times while taking shots with chrome and other reflective surfaces and the black reflection typically looks like it's supposed to be there. The blanket eliminates the potential for a clearly articulated human form (no arms, legs, etc.).

GOOD idea! I'll keep that in mind for 'next' time!

[grossjohann]

Alright, Gents.

Thanks for tall the great replies. I wasn’t allowed to steal any of the guinea pig’s hay (not even a plea for the sake of art could sway them “Ginger eats that!”), but I did place a work light so that it shined on the bike. My tripod is at the office, so I used a camping chair, but it was hard to keep steady in the wind (we live on the top of a hill).

The cold eventually forced me in, but I think these are a step in the right direction. Maybe more tomorrow. There should be flurries on Wednesday evening which could add to the effect, but I’m arm candy at my wife’s event that night…


Home for the Holidays II

[SNC1923]

Alright, Gents.

Thanks for tall the great replies. I wasnÔÇÖt allowed to steal any of the guinea pigÔÇÖs hay (not even a plea for the sake of art could sway them ÔÇ£Ginger eats that!ÔÇØ), but I did place a work light so that it shined on the bike. My tripod is at the office, so I used a camping chair, but it was hard to keep steady in the wind (we live on the top of a hill).

The cold eventually forced me in, but I think these are a step in the right direction. Maybe more tomorrow. There should be flurries on Wednesday evening which could add to the effect, but Im arm candy at my wifes event that night


Home for the Holidays II

This is gorgeous and a quantum leap forward. I think I might prefer the lighting to be indirect, not see it's reflection in the windows. Possibly even lower wattage, though turning it away from the bike might suffice.

Be interesting to see what colored lights would do. But I'm repeating myself. GREAT shot.