Playing with Light

CWSkopec · June 4, 2008

I decide to try some nighttime zoom blur shots the other night. These are of downtown San Diego from across the bay. I don't have an IS lens yet, so even with the tripod there was definite camera shake durring the zooming, but I like the outcomes.

Very abstracted...

A little clearer view, still with plenty of shake though!!

C&C always welcomed!!
Thanks for looking!!

Skippy · June 4, 2008

CWSkopec wrote:

I decide to try some nighttime zoom blur shots the other night. These are of downtown San Diego from across the bay. I don't have an IS lens yet, so even with the tripod there was definite camera shake durring the zooming, but I like the outcomes.

Very abstracted...

A little clearer view, still with plenty of shake though!!

C&C always welcomed!!
Thanks for looking!!

I like the second one because you can see what it actually is in the background.

.... Skippy

.

pyry · June 4, 2008

I like the idea

Shots like this need a tripod to get most of the shake out and even then it helps to have a silky smooth zoom action.

If you want to try something really hard, try making flower patterns or something in that general direction. This is something I've wanted to do with twinkling stars, but I guess it would take a computerized tracking mount

joshhuntnm · June 4, 2008

cool. I'd like to see you try levels to make the sky go totally black.

CWSkopec · June 5, 2008

Skippy wrote:

I like the second one because you can see what it actually is in the background. .... Skippy
.

Thanks Skippy!

I spent a lot of time playing with exposure time and how long durring the exposure I was zooming. The second one was a real quick zoom at the very end of it, while the first was a long slow zoom through out.

I agree that it's nice to be able to see the sky line, but I also like the first because to me, it looks like the lights have taken on almost a woven fabric kind of feel.

Thanks for looking!

CWSkopec · June 5, 2008

pyry wrote:

I like the idea

Shots like this need a tripod to get most of the shake out and even then it helps to have a silky smooth zoom action.

If you want to try something really hard, try making flower patterns or something in that general direction. This is something I've wanted to do with twinkling stars, but I guess it would take a computerized tracking mount

I agree completely Pyry!!
I really was using my tripod!! I swear it!!

But the lens is still new and made I just need to work it in a little more as the zooming really wasn't as smooth as I would have liked... plus I wasn't dressed for the cool air down by the water, so some of the shake was probably a result of me shaking!!

CWSkopec · June 5, 2008

joshhuntnm wrote:

cool. I'd like to see you try levels to make the sky go totally black.

Wow!! Great idea Josh!!

I feel a little silly I didn't see that...
I took a couple seconds to tinker with them here at work, but work is work so they're really quickly done... I'll try some more detailed fixing at home when time allows!!

joshhuntnm · June 5, 2008

nice! gotta love the levels!

pyry · June 5, 2008

CWSkopec wrote:

I agree completely Pyry!!
I really was using my tripod!! I swear it!!
But the lens is still new and made I just need to work it in a little more as the zooming really wasn't as smooth as I would have liked... plus I wasn't dressed for the cool air down by the water, so some of the shake was probably a result of me shaking!!

I kinda thought you did have a tripod

I've been gently directed towards using a tripod when I already was too, problem that time was I'd set the tripod up on a floating pier

If you have access to a 100-400 L or better yet the rarer 28-300 L, those being push-pull trombones with adjustable zoom friction (that goes to really loose

), they might just be well suited to this sort of thing. In fact, I think might give this a go

CWSkopec · June 5, 2008

pyry wrote:

I kinda thought you did have a tripod
I've been gently directed towards using a tripod when I already was too, problem that time was I'd set the tripod up on a floating pier

If you have access to a 100-400 L or better yet the rarer 28-300 L, those being push-pull trombones with adjustable zoom friction (that goes to really loose ), they might just be well suited to this sort of thing. In fact, I think might give this a go

Haha!! Well, Pyry, at least it's nice to know that we're both in the same boat there!!!

Great idea!! I'll look into those lenses to see if I can figure out where to borrow one from!

And I gotta say, doing this was really fun!! I got a ton of shots that are awful, but enough that were at least interesting that I'm going to keep trying and fiddling and having fun!!

Next up, seeing what it does durring the day!!

pyry · June 5, 2008

CWSkopec wrote:

And I gotta say, doing this was really fun!! I got a ton of shots that are awful, but enough that were at least interesting that I'm going to keep trying and fiddling and having fun!!

Next up, seeing what it does durring the day!!

Fun is what it's all about!

And you've given me an inspiration to try something new too, thanks for that

I've tried this during the day, you get a sort of hyperdrive effect that's really wierding out to look at - take a look.

Should be quite interesting in the city streets, give it go

CWSkopec · June 6, 2008

pyry wrote:

Fun is what it's all about!
And you've given me an inspiration to try something new too, thanks for that

I've tried this during the day, you get a sort of hyperdrive effect that's really wierding out to look at - take a look.
Should be quite interesting in the city streets, give it go

WOW!! Awesome shot Pyry!!!!!

Downtown is near the top of my list for next shooting location, I will definitely try some of these shots down there!!
Thank you for giving me some inspiration!!

Playing with Light

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