PhotoFlash: Issue #3 View archives
Hi there,
We would like to share with you some excellent photos and great discussions.
Independence Day is on the horizon - get out your camera, tripod, and film for a festival of picture-taking opportunities. Read this month's featured article for a few helpful tips and techniques.
And, if you have not seen the results yet, our May photo contest featured a number of fantastic images. The Featured Photo this month earned Bob Garas First Place. Check out all the great winning images at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/contest/winners/0205.asp
In this issue:
Featured Photo: Patterns of Nature
Featured Article: Top Tips for Shooting Fireworks
If you look around, you might have noticed that the United States of America is feeling especially patriotic. I for one feel incredibly grateful for this country. And as the Fourth of July is approaching, we can expect to see some especially exciting fireworks celebrations.
That's why we felt it was high time to share a few tips and tricks for photographing fireworks. Use this brief set of ideas to ensure that you getting the most stunning images of this patriotic celebration.
Read more...
Where in the World?
Can you guess where this picture was taken? If you think you have a clue, try offering a response.To learn the correct answer to the last quiz - and see who came the closest, visit the previous WitW quiz.
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New Photo Discussions
New Photo Discussion 1: Spider Webs
Exceptional shot! How did you get the webs to stand out?
- Steve W.
Response 1:Just moved around until the diffused light lit up the webs. The foggy background also helped.
- Tony S.
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New Photo Discussion 2: Ripples
Ripples
. © Anupam Pal |
Anupam,This is a very nice picture. I love the colors and the simplicity of it. Where was this taken, and with what? Keep up the good work.
- Detlef
Response 1:I shot it in Black Moshannon State Park, PA with Nikon F100 fitted with 80-200 zoom on Fuji Velvia.Thanks for your coments.
- Anupam P.
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New Photo Discussion 3: The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD
PINE TREE WITH STAR TRAILS © Dennis Mack |
Very cool shot. What time of day was this done to get the nice colors to expose, as well as the stars. What was the location?
- Jeff T.
Response 1:This was taken about 1am. 1.5 hour exposure. Film was Fuji Velvia ISO 50. This film works well and does not have the color shift to green. Location was Wishon Lake - 6000ft. A good source of information is a video called Night Photography by Dan Norris avalible through Black Rabbit Productions. (303)443-2232. Thanks for your interest and your comments.
- Dennis M.
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New Photo Discussion 4: Entrance
Entrance
I focused on the shape and selected f/16 to capture the background DOF.I used a polarizer to darken the sky and bring out the highlights in the cloud formations..tripod , canon elan7e, 28-90 @ apx 40mm © Donna Rae
DonnaraePhotography.com |
Micely framed and exposed image, Donna! Texture on the barn leads you right into the scene... georgous puffy clouds!
- Detlef K.
Response 1:Hi Detlef, thanks for the comment. This is new construction of a hotel and what a suprise it was to me. I thought it was my imagination. It didn't work with the rest of the structures around there, so I made a quick turn on the next jughandle to check it out and started shooting!I like your work too. I have seen it here and on another website. Your name stuck in my mind because it reminds me of Def Leopard (the band).
- Donna R.
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Response 2:Thanks Donna. I guess we have two things in common... we like each other's work and Def Leopard. Did you shoot for the hotel, or was this a project for yourself?
- Detlef K.
Response 3:Hi Detlef, glad you like the band too! Regarding the picture, no, I was way out of town looking for things to shoot when I saw this. It was just for me this time.
- Donna R.
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New Photo Discussion 5: Rock Pool, Malibu Creek State Park, CA
Rock Pool, malibu Creek State Park, CA
My friend Blue and I boulder hopped and scrambled back up Malibu Creek, throwing ropes from one boulder to the next to safely get my camera gear across malibu Creek. The colors were on fire . © Anthony Arendt
anthonyarendtphotography.com |
Hi Anthony,Great photo, gorgeous colour saturation. The light must have been fantastic...also you have some great shots on your website. Great atmosphere with your Shanghai pic. Look forward to seeing more of your shots. Cheers,
- Mike H.
Response 1:Mike,
It was a really great day!! It's rare for me to share the day when I am photographing landscapes. I go alone mostly. But on this day, a good friend who enjoys and respects the outdoors as much as I do came along to help. She was as blown away by the fall colors in Malibu as I. The light was slightly overcast which is perfect for fall foliage.
- Anthony A.
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Response 2:Really beautiful, and it must be the only place in California that HAS any fall colors. haha... I lived in the Bay Area for 30+ years and never got to see anything this pretty... Lovely shot.
- Carolyn F.
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Response 3:Carolyn,
The next time you are in the Bay Area, take a drive up the 395 to the eastern part of the Sierra's. Velvia, could just barely handle how bright and saturated the yellows are up there. You don't even have to get out of the car and the colors (mid to late october usually) are overwhelming. I will post a photo tomorrow to give you an example.
- Anthony A.
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Response 4:Looking forward to it. I probably won't be there anytime soon, however, since I'm now living in Oklahoma. Do remember 395, however.
- Carolyn F.
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New Photo Discussion 6: Yucca Colors. Anza Borrego Desert
Anthony, just wanted to say nice job. The colors are spectacular. Very dramatic image. Mark
- Mark S.
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Response 1:Mark, thank you for the kind words. The sun was setting and I could not find the photo I was looking for. I started my long hike back and this Yucca jumped out at me. I just started shooting with a 4x5, and the Macro bellows compensation, and manual macro metering I am still getting a handle on. The colors in the 4x5 transparency are really something compared to 6x7 which I used to shoot with.
- Anthony A.
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New Photo Discussion 7: Jennifer and Christopher Stehle
Hello, what type of equipment did you use for this shot? Please include film info. Thanks. Great shot!
- Albert G.
Response 1:Hi Albert, I used a Canon Rebel 2000 with a 28-200 Sigma lens. I had the camera on the portrait mode setting, which blurs the background nicely. I used Kodak MAX film (400 ASA). Thank you for your compliment!
- Patricia M.
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New Photo Discussion 8: The Bell Tower
The Bell Tower
Five Wounds Church in San Jose, California. Picture was taken after sprinklers had wet the sidewalf in front of the church. This is the reflection of the church off of the wet sidewalk. Shot with Canon EOS 650, Canon 28-80, on Provia 100. © Craig Rose |
Craig, I could've sworn I'd already commented on this shot. I really love this. Looks like a Polaroid transfer. Very artsy. Good of you to see this on the ground!
- Piper L.
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Response 1:Thanks for the comment! This was just one of those moments when everything came together. I have had people say that it looks like I did some manipulation in Photoshop, but not a single keystroke has been added to this one.Cheers!
- Craig R.
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Response 2:Congrats on placing in the contest with this shot, Craig. It is well deserved.
- Piper L.
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Response 3:I extend Congratulations to you as well, Craig! Your camera and expert eye was ready for this one!
- Dolores N.
Response 4:Craig,
I do a lot of Polaroid work and I thought this was an SX70 manipulation ! What a fantastic shot!!
Good for you.
- Cathy G.
Response 5:Thanks to Cathy, Dolores and Piper for all of your kind comments on this photo. I really appreciate your kind words and take them as sincere encouragement.Cheers! Craig
- Craig R.
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New Photo Discussion 9: Orange Cells
Orange Cells
105 2.8 micro, f.22, portra 160nc © John Solheim |
Okay, I'm assuming this is literally a shot of microscopic cells -- as in the types of things we used to study in microbiology lab. This is just too cool, John. Do you shoot this type of subject often? I presume you need a special lens for this. Very cool pattern. (Wouldn't be for a certain workshop assignment, would it? Hmmm) Nice job.
- Piper L.
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Response 1:Thank you for your kind comments.Nothing quite so exotic. It's acutally a close-up of the turn signal on my SUV. I used my Nikkor 105 2.8 racked out so that I was pretty close to 1:1. I tried slapping on 52mm of extension, bringing it up to 1.4x, but I didn't like it as well. The cells were too big. Of course, that's just my subjectivity talking. I prefer it horizontal, but when I uploaded it, it came out verical. I do need to pay a bit more attention to digital life. I keep hoping digital is just a fad, soon to be fogotten. I am indeed taking the Bryan Peterson BetterPhoto course.
- John S.
Response 2:Definitely had me perplexed. Very nice shot. I love those shots that make me wonder. You will LOVE this course, by the way. I just finished it and am presently taking the Exposure workshop. My work has improved tenfold. Good luck and have fun!
- Piper L.
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New Photo Discussion 10: Twilight Ride
I really like this photo; the colors, the movement, the time of day.
Nice job!
- Mary M.
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Response 1:Hi Mary. Thanks for the nice comments. I'm pleased you like the photo!
- Kerry D.
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New Photo Discussion 11: OH NO! Shutter Speed Problems
OH NO!
Is my flash and shutter out of sync? Where do I get a 30 year old Chinon camera fixed? © Nikki Schwerdfeger |
HELP! I need some advice on what to do with my camera. I have two full rolls of this kind of picture. Apparently my flash and shutter were not working together. Some of the pictures will actually show the candles or other lights in the dark strip, and when we took a couple of pictures without the flash, the dark strip is gone. The only thing that could have been more heart breaking would have been the dark strip on the top. At least this way I can crop a few faces and use them in a scrapbook display.
- Nikki S.
Response 1:It's possible that your camera needs service, but I think it is about 98% probability that you were shooting with the shutter speed set higher than the camera's x-sync speed. The x-sync speed is usually marked with the speed in red or with an "x-" next to the speed, like "x-60". Sync speeds of 1/60, 1/90, or 1/125 are most common. When the shutter speed is set faster than the x-sync, then the shutter doesn't open on the entire frame, but instead forms a slit that travels across the film. The flash is much shorter duration, so it affects only the portion of the frame that the shutter is open on.
- Jon C.
Response 2:Thanks Jon, you are right. I checked the camera and the shutter speed was set at 250. This is not my normal setting and must have been accidentally moved during set up. What an expensive lesson in the use of my camera, both in terms of $$$ and disappointment. I appreciate your quick response as I was lamenting the fact that I could not use this camera for Prom pictures tomorrow night. Thanks again to you and BetterPhoto.
- Nikki S.
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