POTM [03/08] Spark in the dark

Ok, So this will be my first POTM entry. Really difficult to find a good subject this month, so this will have to do.

It's taken with a HP Photosmart R817 camera. Processed in Photoshop: Added a frame, adjusted light and contrast levels, and added a slight tint to it. (I just love to mix slightly warm and slightly cool colors )



So what do you all think?

Oh, and a free cookie (witch chocolate chips!) to the one who can guess what it's really a picture of.

edit: I can't upload to the POTM site. It says it's closed (still on the vote for February). Anyone know why?

 

Looks like a set of voltmeter leads.

I like the concept, but kinda mixed feelings on the execution. The 'spark' looks very unnatural.

 

I meant what the "spark" really is. (No, it's not a spark. Probably why it looks unnatural )

I may redo this one later. If i get the time.

 

A blue LED ?

Not sure about this one tbh, maybe if you hook up a battery and generate a proper spark

 

Ah, right. I get the impression it's a really hard flash, but given the amount of space the shot covers, that seems unlikely.

 

Is it a laser?

 

Yoda is (almost) correct. It's a green SMD LED.

I have managed to create a proper spark, but can't get any good pictures of it...

(HV transformers are scary...)

 

Try doing a long exposure to capture your spark. You can then merge a well lit picture of the scene with the shot with the spark and probably get a pretty decent result.
When doing the long exposure, try to go for an underexposure.

Cheers!

 

OK, so here is the second try.



It didn't turn out quite as I wanted, but my rig burst into flames, so I figured it was a good time to all it a day.

I was unsure if the shadows looked good, but it just didn't feel right without, so...

 

Shame its not uber sharp, cos I like it

 

Yeah. The camera isn't very good. Pictures tend to get blurry when they have high contrast for some strange reason.

I want a SLR camera!

 

LOL!

Did you have lighting or flash on when shooting? I think you ought to dim everything but the spark so to match the title.
Hope you don't mind me commenting

I think your approach to the theme is great and I really like your title and idea.

 

I love the second one...

 

I'm giving up now before I set the entire house on fire.

Note to self: Check that the cooling spray isn't flammable when using near sparks...

I had a rather dim halogen lamp above the subject. I tried to dim the light, and used longer exposure, but the image gets to noisy to be usable.

the problem is that the spark itself isn't very bright, so if no external light is used the only thing that shows in the image is a blue horizontal line, basically.

Anyway, I really appreciate the feedback and comments! Thanks a lot, guys!

 

I love that second shot!

I can imagine you shouting about having a home-made hand-held flamethrower and the cat running for its life and then the missus comes in wondering what the racket is.

 

Hehe! I don't have a wife. And no cat either...

It was just a "POFF!" and a lot of hammering on the burning papers nearby to extinguish all the small flames. Luckily the gas/liquid from the cooling spray burned up instantly.

Anyway, I tried once again. Nothing started burning tis time!



I went for a bit of darker version this time, but with a white background to get the glow from the spark. It's shot as ISO 50, but I still get some noise in the picture.

 

If you could perhaps soften the light source a bit to lose the hard shadows and reflections on the screws, it would be imrpoved a lot, but I otherwise quite like it. Given that you say it was a halogen bulb your options might be limited for doing so in terms of safety, but that's your problem
(of course, you beat me to it by five seconds, you sneaky barsteward)

 

Third one is the best so far, nice smooth tones in colors. Great pictures.
-aaron

 

I much prefer the second, the third seems too dark and a bit soft on focus.

 

Ooooh! Love the third one there! It's got great graphic quality and the blue highlight is really good against the darkness.
With some more darkness around it it would make a killer wallpaper. (I'm imagining the shot quickly fading into a black void making it just hang there in the darkness).

Great job mate!