More examples

Today was really about getting my entry for the 'long exposures' challenge, but its also given me the chance to continue practicing the 'experimental' images.

The first of my experiments was to put the main target on the left hand edge of the frame. I think this works because of the complementary sunflower heads which fill the rest of the image.

The second is really an experiment for the long exposure which didn't really work too well. My objective was to use the strobe effect on the EX550 flash and to capture the formation of the 'crown' through 10 or 12 stages. Unfortunately I couldn't get the effect I wanted, and this single image is not a long exposure;-)


The third is avertical pan taken in the redwoods which surround one of the lakes in the Peak District National Park. I really like the colouration in this one.

Day off

I've not done much with the FP stuff today. I was concentrating on 'long exposures' but nothing really went right so I'm still without an entry for that challenge.

Ursula mentioned in the main thread that we should try and record what we have learned so far. Thats a good idea so here goes ...

With the rule about main subject and focus, as I said earlier, I think its really important for the main subject not to be too far out of focus, and for the secondary, sharply focussed element to be small enough for the eye to skip over. Also the main element has to have some strength in the graphical or compositional form in order to pull the eye through.

Rule of thirds. Yes well I know my brain is fixated with this rule, I really don't know when I'm using it. I'm going to have to practice very very hard to be able to 'see' without this rule kicking in.

Lightmeter. Well I've never done high key stuff before, and I did enjoy this. What did I learn?
Well I found it easier to choose subjects which would naturally recede into the white background. Knowing that the over-exposure would lose the lighter elements made me look at the subjects and the way I set up the lighting. Quite different to my normal setups.

Oh yes and the motion rule - I'm not too sure about a good 'use case' for this, but I'm going to try one or two more experiments over the next dew days. Watch this space.

Breaking Rule #4: Always use the lightmeter

Now this one should be a little easier as I tend to shoot in Av mode about 75% of the time, but then the rest is usually in fully manual mode. I always shoot macro in full manual. I haven't ever done any High Key work so thats my first target.

The first is a fern frond over exposed by 3 full stops plus the EX 550 flash set to +2. I'm quite impressed with the result. I set up my small cardboard box, the one I used for three in one macro and lined it with white paper.


The second image is the top of a stalk of heather pushed through the paper.

Breaking Rule #3: Rule of thirds

You won't believe how difficult this one has been for me. I just went out specifically to try and break the rule, but when I got back and looked at the results, guess where the point of intersts was .... thats right ... bang on 1/3 or 2/3. Going to have to go out again this evening and try again.
Sorry about the subject matter and the crappy focus - handheld macros are not easy - hope there are no Arachnaphobes out there ;-)

Having said all that I quickly ran back to my PAD project and pulled up this just to prove that I am able to do it ;-)


OK I went out into the garden again this evening, aremed with a flash and the 100mm macro lens. This is one of the results of trying to break the rule of thirds.



Also I tried one of the images from later in FP's book - wonderful ;-)

Breaking Rule #2 continued: Keep the center of interest is in sharp focus

I think I've learnt something looking at all our attempts to break rule 2. The main subject, I'll call this the 'primary target' cannot be too far out of focus, otherwise the viewers eye discards it as not applicable. Also the 'secondary target' which is sharp must be a very minor element which the eye can skip over. Now - I tried to rework another version of my Foolow Lane image with these principles in mind. What do you think?

Breaking Rule #2: Keep the center of interest is in sharp focus

Now this is really going to be difficult for me, I really don't like the main subject being out of focus. But I managed to get out for an hour this evening into my favourite Peak District National Park.

The first image is a fly fisherman casting his line, but I've deliberately made the stone wall sharp whilst just being able to make out the fisherman. If you look closely you can see the line being flicked out.

The second and by far my favourite is a winding lane near a village called Foolow. Taken from the ridge above the lane. I made a space in the yellow ragwort to allow the eye to get through to the lane, and then I hope follow the lane off into the distance.

Breaking Rule #1: Hold your Camera Steady

OK so, we all know that camera shake is to be avoided. We buy Image Stabalised lenses, huge heavy tripods, beanbags, monopods, cable releases, we lock up the mirror before shooting. Well the first task FP has us do is to forget all that and actively try moving the camera ..... OK here goes ....

So out into the garden armed with the Canon 10D and a 100mm lens. I chose the 100mm to give me a closer view than a 35/50 standard lens. I took about 100 images this morning before breakfast and here are my 3 favourites.


The first is of some Thistles, taken at f32, 0.6 seconds and with a circular motion. I quite like the 'fireworks' impression.


The second is a Choisyia Ternata 'Sundance', a nice bright yellow shrub. The image was taken using f32 at 0.8 seconds and using a wave motion. It reminds me of fish scales.

The third and my favourite really made me think of waves and water. Its actually some grass taken again at f32 and about half a second but this time with a simple horizontal motion. Because the image reminded me so much of 'Flowing Water' I put it into Photoshop and adjusted the colour temperature to have a blue cast to reinforce the feeling of water.