POTM [05/08] A Flying Start

Okay so I finally made my choice. This one may be a bit soft when viewed large but the motion is smack on so it's my "chosen one".


Supersize Me

EOS 350D, 1/200, f/8, On-body flash, Nifty Fifty lens.

 

OleJ, the idea is great, composition ok, but the whole thing is too soft and out of focus.

I think you should do it again, it's not up to your usual high standard.

PS it shows that it's the onboard flash, too direct and bright, some sort of lighting from the side would be better.

 

Thanks yoda. I concur. Those were my exact thoughts about it too.
I only have the onboard flash unfortunately so it'll have to stay at that.
Oh yeah and "composing" the cloud is a royal pain in the a** It's a question of luck mostly

I took a few other shots tonight that might be better.

How about this one:
-CUT-

or this one:
-CUT-

Cropping should be able to lift composition a bit on the two above.

 

Both of those are nicer, especially the first of the second batch.

 

Went out shooting again tonight. With the onboard flash I can't go below 1/200
Will a real flash allow this?

Anyways I got this out of it tonight:
-CUT-

And I realised that perhaps I very much liked this one from last night:
-CUT-

Which one should I choose? Or should I destroy my economy and buy a flash...

 

I love the new one that you've put up. Great idea

Not really, that's dependent on the camera. However, some flashes have a fast sync mode which fires a strobe kind of effect and that will work up to 1/4000th ish depending on the model (I think I'm thinking of the Sigma EX DG Super or whatever it's called).

There are various bodges to increase the sync speed though - depending on what camera you use (read strobist for more details).

 

Thanks! Though I've posted so many by now that I have no idea which one you refer to?

I'm an utter noob at flash and night photography. It's absolutely not one of my forces so any precise guidance is much appreciated. I'll have a look around at strobist.com(?) and see if there are some answers but I can't be bothered reading endless hours of a site to find out if there might be an answer to my query whether buying a $500 (£300) flash will aid me in shooting this specific composition.

I guess I'll ask in my local photography shop and cross my fingers they are more honest than most sales assistants I would be able to squeeze my economy to afford a flash and I guess this could be my excuse

 

Buying a separate flash unit will allow you more control over the lighting, but i won't necessarily let you shoot at a higher shutter speed. Your camera manual will tell you the maximum shutter speed at which your camera will sync.

There is another way, though. If you get the shot all set up, and you figure out your lighting and timing, then you can turn off all the lights, blow the flower, then fire the flash.

The flash is darn near instantaneous, and it's fast enough to stop just about anything.

I really like the idea, but I prefer the compositions in which the seeds are being blown from left to right. Since I fall into that "Western European descent" category, left-to-right movement feels much more natural for me. Most people begin on the left edge of a picture, and then move throughout.

Keep up the good work!

-monkey

 

Thanks for the input.
Thing is I'm shooting this around midnight and all the lights are indeed off (it's outside in the darkness). The only thing illuminating in these shots is the onboard flash and still you can see in some of the shots that there is motion blur... I don't understand it to be honest. So if the flash is shorter than 1/200 second then thats how much light/exposure these shots have.

Thank you I shall try. Even though I prefer to call it fun or hobby rather than work. Don't want to spoil the fun in it. I found out last year that it's a delicate balance.

I know what you mean. Let me just take them into PS and return to you No actually I shot them this way because I wanted the weight of the dandelion to balance down on the right side but while looking at thm later on I have actually considered mirroring them. Hmmm.... know what, I think I'll mirror them and see how that feels. If it sticks then I'll post them.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

I think I'm gona go a head and recomend the Vivitar 285HV
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/61441-REG/Vivitar_233965_285HV_Auto_Flash.html
It does what it is suposed to do, and it's only 90$ ..built like a tank too
My friend has 2 of those and uses them as off camera flashes, you can see some examples here .
They can also be modifed
http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157602332453109

*edit* oh and cool idea for a photo =)

 

Thank you Alli
I'm not sure I understand how the vivitar works but the price sure is compelling. Otherwise I was looking at canons Speedlite 580EXII based on remembering people recommending this.

I very much appreciate that you say my idea is cool but at the same time it makes me a bit sad that the picture itself doesn't match it . Or at least that's how I interpret it (Please let me know if that's the wrong way to read it )

 

haha no no your pictures are fine Ole, I was just saying I like the idea And I particularly like the photo you denominated,
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2148/2487274803_327496838d_m.jpg

 

Hehe okay thanks I really like the denominated one as well but only when it's that tiny so it's not clear that it is unsharp. The movement and composition rocks though

 

Update

Made up my mind. 1st pick was the one I decided upon. Thanks for the help choosing.

To see the ones I cut just click to my flickr.

Cheers

Edit: OK I had to change one thing. I mirrored it so movement is right->left.

 

I really like the one you've settled on. It's a great shot (you've pretty much nailed the composition), and fits the theme really well. Bravo!

-monkey

 

Too soft for me too, but idea and composition is great. I want more freeze and sharpness. I want to see the detail, the movement doesn't need to be shown for me, as it's already suggested by the subject and composition, and is the less interesting aspect anyways.

But good job . . . just think idea can offer more reward.