Love is in the air

MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
edited January 7, 2014 in People
I always wanted to give this a try. Had my chance last night when my kids agreed to stroll through our town park and see the holiday lights. Tougher than I thought!

1.Test subject.
1214-1-L.jpg

2. Home from college!
1214-2-L.jpg

3. Prefers green lights. :dunno
1214-3-L.jpg
Mitch
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/

Comments

  • kdotaylorkdotaylor Registered Users Posts: 1,280 Major grins
    edited January 3, 2014
    I like these! Were they made using a cut-out filter on the camera?
    The last one--her skin looks a bit green?
    Kate
    www.katetaylor.smugmug.com
    "You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." Mark Twain
  • HackboneHackbone Registered Users Posts: 4,027 Major grins
    edited January 3, 2014
    Nice, boy do they grow up fast.
    Charles
    www.cameraone.biz
  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited January 3, 2014
    kdotaylor wrote: »
    I like these! Were they made using a cut-out filter on the camera?

    Yes, I cut a heart out of some black cardstock paper and taped it onto a filter ring. I wound up using a 50mm, f1.4 lens. I tried an 85mm, f1.4 lens but couldn't get the right distance between the subject and the lights for the effect.
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
  • jmphotocraftjmphotocraft Registered Users Posts: 2,987 Major grins
    edited January 3, 2014
    Dang! I totally wanted to do this this Christmas and completely forgot!

    These are nice. The pattern of the xmas lights is a little weird, but they accomplish the effect.
    -Jack

    An "accurate" reproduction of a scene and a good photograph are often two different things.
  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited January 3, 2014
    jmphotocraft wrote: »
    Dang! I totally wanted to do this this Christmas and completely forgot!

    These are nice. The pattern of the xmas lights is a little weird, but they accomplish the effect.

    There's always next year.

    This was surprisingly tough. Being Jewish left me at the mercy of the lights and decorations in my local park. I think the small LED bulbs that are now being used make this type of shot much more difficult and less pleasing.
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
  • D3SshooterD3Sshooter Registered Users Posts: 1,188 Major grins
    edited January 3, 2014
    Great idea, and nice album pictures. The only thing that does not look as good as it could be is the skin tone.
    A photographer without a style, is like a pub without beer
  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited January 3, 2014
    D3Sshooter wrote: »
    Great idea, and nice album pictures. The only thing that does not look as good as it could be is the skin tone.

    True. I always have trouble using flash at night in these situations. The subject always looks a bit too "flashy" for lack of a better word.

    For these I dialed down the flash and got the strobe off camera, but I opted to leave any umbrella or softbox at home since it was raining.

    I wound up with some fun snaps and learned a bit which I will hopefully put to better use next year.
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
  • D3SshooterD3Sshooter Registered Users Posts: 1,188 Major grins
    edited January 4, 2014
    Mitchell wrote: »
    True. I always have trouble using flash at night in these situations. The subject always looks a bit too "flashy" for lack of a better word.

    For these I dialed down the flash and got the strobe off camera, but I opted to leave any umbrella or softbox at home since it was raining.

    I wound up with some fun snaps and learned a bit which I will hopefully put to better use next year.

    Hi mitch,

    Have you tried Off shoe flash ? That works normally rather good.
    A photographer without a style, is like a pub without beer
  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited January 4, 2014
    Actually these are off shoe. I had my mobile, human lightstand (wife) holding the flash for me.
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
  • Bryce WilsonBryce Wilson Registered Users Posts: 1,586 Major grins
    edited January 4, 2014
    Mitchell wrote: »
    True. I always have trouble using flash at night in these situations. The subject always looks a bit too "flashy" for lack of a better word.

    For these I dialed down the flash and got the strobe off camera, but I opted to leave any umbrella or softbox at home since it was raining.

    It's fun watching kids grow up! Thanks for allowing us to do so.

    How's mom and dad handling the first year away at college?

    FWIW...

    I cobbled together a hand held flash unit to use when I need or want to travel light. For what it is, it works pretty darn good and is scads better than a bare flash. Even did a family portrait at night with it when I was in Florida a while ago that turned out pretty decent.

    It's part of an old flash bracket I used to use with a C-330 back in the 80's. The grip makes it easy to hold and gives a bit of height. It's coupled with a LumaQuest Big Bounce that attaches to the flash head with velcro. It folds up completely flat for easy transport and was rather inexpensive.

    Heck of a lot easier than dragging around an umbrella or box yet gives much nicer light than a bare flash.

    11766578236_aec1e901e3_o.jpg
  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited January 6, 2014
    One last shot. This one with the 85mm, f1.4

    1114-2-L.jpg
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
  • anonymouscubananonymouscuban Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 4,586 Major grins
    edited January 6, 2014
    headscratch.gif
    "I'm not yelling. I'm Cuban. That's how we talk."

    Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums

    My Smug Site
  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited January 6, 2014
    anonymouscuban wrote: »
    headscratch.gif

    May I be of assistance with your scratch? headscratch.gif
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
  • anonymouscubananonymouscuban Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 4,586 Major grins
    edited January 6, 2014
    What's this witchcraft that you speak of?

    Are you literally sticking this cutout onto the front of the lens?
    "I'm not yelling. I'm Cuban. That's how we talk."

    Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums

    My Smug Site
  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited January 6, 2014
    anonymouscuban wrote: »
    What's this witchcraft that you speak of?

    Are you literally sticking this cutout onto the front of the lens?

    Here's a pic of the setup on my 50mm, f1.4 on a 52mm ring.

    1414-23-XL.jpg
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
  • HackboneHackbone Registered Users Posts: 4,027 Major grins
    edited January 6, 2014
    You can also do it in reverse.....cut a heart and place it in the center. What ever you design the highlights take its shape.
    Charles
    www.cameraone.biz
  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited January 7, 2014
    Hackbone wrote: »
    You can also do it in reverse.....cut a heart and place it in the center. What ever you design the highlights take its shape.

    Hadn't read that. Certainly would have been easier. ne_nau.gif
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
  • chrisjohnsonchrisjohnson Registered Users Posts: 772 Major grins
    edited January 7, 2014
    Amazing. Enjoyed these. Thanks.
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