The Photography Thread

[Garf]

Just back from Honeymoon, took some pics...can't seem to link to pics on flickr anymore so thumbnails here or pop over to http://www.flickr.com/photos/spagmasterswift/

Congratulations on the wedding. Had a quick look, and you have some great stuff on flickr - will have a proper look at some point.

To post stuff from 'new' flickr, open a photo, click the 'Share This' button, and then 'Grab the HTML\BB Code'. Select the size you want and the make sure BBCode is selected. Copy the code and paste is straight into your post. Works nicely now - like this:

Southend Pier, early Saturday morning


Forever by GarySmith70, on Flickr

[spagmasterswift]

Thanks Garf!

Any tips on how to take those types of pictures (very nice by the way)? I take it its a long exposure shot, but would that mean you can only take such pics at night, or dusk/dawn due to the amount of light that the open shutter must let in? Sorry to sound like a n00b, I've always wanted to take those style of photographs, you know, waterfalls and the like...

[Garf]

No worries, and cheers !

Yep, it's a long exposure shot, and you are right, you can do this sort of stuff at night or at dawn and dusk depending on what you want.

Not using this as an excuse to pimp my shots, , but this was a 2.5 second exposure at sunset :


Harbour Sunset by GarySmith70, on Flickr

Needed a tripod for it, as 2.5 seconds is far too long to handhold.

That said, if as you say, you want to do this sort of thing in daylight, you will really need filters to block the light coming in while keeping the shutter open for a long time.

For the pier shot above, I wanted a really long exposure (that one was 3 minutes) so even though it was just after sunrise, I still needed a filter. For that length of time, I used a really strong 10 stop filter (increases the shutter time 10 fold), but for waterfalls and stuff in daylight, you won't need one that strong, and can probably get away with a 3 stop or similar (I have a 2 stop which cost about a tenner). Again, a tripod is a must for this sort of thing.

A 10 stop filter for my lens cost about 80 quid, so not cheap, but there is a much cheaper way of getting a similar effect. Loads of guys I know buy a cheap piece of welding mask glass, and use that. It costs about 3 quid, and there is a guy on ebay selling truckloads of the stuff since someone discovered you can use it. He must be minted by now !


I have some links that are really helpful for describing how to get this type of shot, and about filters and stuff. Will post them up if you like ?

[spagmasterswift]

And there you have it - Filters!! I knew there was some magic element that was allowing people to take these shots during the day! I'll look into the welding mask glass as post wedding I'm broke.

Be greatful if you could post some links, I expect others would find them useful too!

[capcom_suicide]

No worries, and cheers !

Yep, it's a long exposure shot, and you are right, you can do this sort of stuff at night or at dawn and dusk depending on what you want.

Not using this as an excuse to pimp my shots, , but this was a 2.5 second exposure at sunset :

That was really interesting! I also didn't know about filters. You have some brilliant shots on Flickr & thanks for sharing them & the background for how you got the exposures.

/C_S

[Garf]

Here you go gents -

Long Exposures Part 1

Long Exposures Part 2

Long Exposures Part 3

The original TalkPhotography thread on using welding glass, and some results

This is all filter based, but as said, in the right conditions, you can do some long exposure stuff without filters, and even if you do decide to use filters, they need not cost a fortune - just depends what results you are looking for...

[Taka]

Just caught wind of a photography programme on Channel Five this coming Tuesday, 19:30 to 20:00.

Presented by Suzi Perry, it's called "How To Take Stunning Pictures". Appears twice on the online schedule, so potentially more than that to come.

[Brad]

Regarding filters, a nicer way than welding glass, yet cheaper than filters dedicated to each lens, is to use the Cokin filter system where you get a filter holder that can take rectangular filters (you can stack up to 3 together I think so to get garf's effect you could maybe stack 3 x 3stop neutral density filters) and just get an adapter ring for each of your lenses:



EDIT: Maybe garf was talking about this system anyway? It sounded like he had a specific filter for the lens though. I guess he'll clarify!

[Garf]

I've got both types of filters. I have the Cokin system which slot in as shown in that picture (actually have the Cokin holder and HiTech filters) and a 77mm screw in B&W filter (I have adapter rings which mean I can use the B&W on all my lenses though.). I have also combined the two, so used the 10 stop with a slot-in Grad filter - that is very fiddly though !

I have tried using stacked slot -in filters for long exposures before, but didn't really have the right strength to get much more that 15 seconds.

The only issue I can see with stacking several filters is that there will be light ingress on very long exposures, as there will be gaps between filters. This could cause colour spots to appear on the photos.

The answer to that is apparently the 'Lee Big Stopper' which is a 10 stop slot-in, but with seals to stop any light getting in.

[PeteJ]

I have the Cokin filters, they create bad colour cast when stacked so I wouldn't recommend them. I hear the HiTech's are better and the Lee's better still. Be prepared to pay (and wait) for the latter though.

Couple of shots taken from last year.
Single cokin filter:


Multiple cokin filters:


They were taken from pretty much the same location but the light had changed between shots (second one taken earlier in the sunset), you can see the colour difference. The problem with the second is the shot wasn't meant to look like that, the scene didn't have those colours.

[stevie vip 99]

Just caught wind of a photography programme on Channel Five this coming Tuesday, 19:30 to 20:00.

Presented by Suzi Perry, it's called "How To Take Stunning Pictures". Appears twice on the online schedule, so potentially more than that to come.

6 shows I believe

[HaHaUK]

Ive been a bit under the radar for a while, but Ive started a new project - photographing people. Have been publishing it on my Facebook account for the past and have received a varied response, ranging from outrage to compliments. For your criticism:

People of the Underground

[Taka]

Ive been a bit under the radar for a while, but Ive started a new project - photographing people. Have been publishing it on my Facebook account for the past and have received a varied response, ranging from outrage to compliments. For your criticism:

People of the Underground

I like it. What's your processing workflow to get the lomography-like look to some of the shots?

What's the worst reaction you've had so far from your subjects? I wouldn't have the balls to do this or proper street photography!

[HaHaUK]

I like it. What's your processing workflow to get the lomography-like look to some of the shots?

What's the worst reaction you've had so far from your subjects? I wouldn't have the balls to do this or proper street photography!

Thanks! Its all shot using the iPhone and Swankolabs app for processing - Ive actually never had anyone confront me as they dont realise theyre being photographed. A bit voyeuristic I know

[EvilBoris]

I'm halfway through my holiday and have taken 20GB of Photos. It's going to take me an age to process it all!