Photographic Adventure - Page 3

Mary Sparrow · 05-24-2004, 11:35 AM

Mike, sorry I didn't get this done over the weekend, it was SO overcast I just didn't think it was a good time to do it.

I took all of these in the same spots as before, at 11:15.
The first of each in the dining room, the second of each in the bedroom.

Mike McCarty · 05-24-2004, 02:57 PM

Mary,

How do you account for the wide variance in light from image #1 to image #3? Both of these were taken in your dining room right?

For images #1 and #3 (dining room), I assume the chest is against a wall, how much room do you have behind you? Could you bring the subject away from the chest and still have room to work?

Mary Sparrow · 05-24-2004, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Mary,

How do you account for the wide variance in light from image #1 to image #3? Both of these were taken in your dining room right?

Mike, I do NOT know, yes they were in the exact same spot one right after the other. Using the same automatic setting on the tripod. I was hoping you could explain that.

And there is a LITTLE room for play, but not much, if I move too much further back I will go away from the window. It actually isn't as close to that chest as it looks. The chair was about a foot and a half from the chest, maybe more.

Mike McCarty · 05-24-2004, 08:03 PM

Mary,

To save us from getting spun off into a technical direction I think we'll call that odd shot an anomaly and move on.

What I get from these shots is that you have plenty of light.

What I would like to show you at this point is what a 16x20 grayish white canvas used as a reflector can do. I was matching the size of the reflector to the size of the subject here, you could of course use a larger one if need be. I think I prefer the bumpy off white surface of the canvas over the slick white surface of a piece of foamcore. I think it throws off a softer more diffuse light.

These three images were all taken within a few minutes of each other. Notice that the subject never moved. For image #1 there was no use of the reflector, for image #2 the reflector was about twenty-four inches from the subject off camera to our right, for image #3 the reflector was as close as I could get it just out of frame.

Would you try this:

Place your statue out from the chest as much as you can and still be in the line of the light. With your camera on the tripod, place the camera as before in relationship to the subject, ninety degrees off the direction of the light.

After you get the subject framed, make sure that your zoom indicates no less than 70mm, a little more would be better. If you cannot achieve this, then back the subject up (back yourself up) and produce enough distance between the two of you so that you can achieve that 70+mm.

Now, with your camera set on timer, or, using an assistant, do as I have done in the examples below. Your first image should be without any reflective aid, the second, third and fourth if you want, should show increasingly more light reflected onto the shadow side.

PS: Mary, it looks like you may benefit from slightly over exposing your subject about a half to one f stop. If you remember.

PPS:
I think these highly polished props show a bit of a burn out on the light side, my guess is that this same light would show pretty good against skin. But either way, we observe and adjust.

Mary Sparrow · 05-27-2004, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

Mary,

After you get the subject framed, make sure that your zoom indicates no less than 70mm, a little more would be better. If you cannot achieve this, then back the subject up (back yourself up) and produce enough distance between the two of you so that you can achieve that 70+mm.

Now, with your camera set on timer, or, using an assistant, do as I have done in the examples below. Your first image should be without any reflective aid, the second, third and fourth if you want, should show increasingly more light reflected onto the shadow side.

PS: Mary, it looks like you may benefit from slightly over exposing your subject about a half to one f stop. If you remember.

PPS:
I think these highly polished props show a bit of a burn out on the light side, my guess is that this same light would show pretty good against skin. But either way, we observe and adjust.

Mike, Sorry I didn't get to this yesterday..I don't have a clue what you are talking about once you get to the above quoted point.(Though I can guess) I didn't even know my camera indicated (which I'm sure it does) how far I was zooming and I certainly don't have a clue about a half to one f stop. I'm not sure I made myself clear when I told you I totally rely on everything automatic on this camera. Which is why I am looking for a local photography course to take.

That said, about the shots I'm to take. I am assuming you are just wanting me to find something similar to what you describe and for each shot hold it at varying distances opposite the light source?

I'm going to go give this a shot now, just letting you know in advance, you are dealing with a dimwit.

Mary Sparrow · 05-27-2004, 03:39 PM

Ok, let's see if I am following your directions. I placed the statue where you asked and got as far from the statue as possible (Approximately 8ft) and zoomed in as much as possible.

The first image was with no reflector and each following image is with the reflector a bit closer. You will notice that the second image seems a bit brighter over all than the other three. The only thing I can figure is that it is a partly cloudy day and that was taken when the sun was in full force vs. the other three may not have been. (Perhaps that is the same explanation for that other oddly bright photo?)

Mike McCarty · 05-27-2004, 03:41 PM

Sorry Mary, I had a dim bulb moment.

Can you tell me what kind of camera you have been using? At one point I thought you were using a Canon EOS Rebel film camera, but you seem to be turning these images around pretty quickly so I'm thinking you've got a digital.

Mary Sparrow · 05-27-2004, 03:58 PM

I do have a Rebel, but am using my digital for these. Here is my digital.. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...ixs602zpro.asp

Mike McCarty · 05-27-2004, 10:44 PM

Mary,

That looks like a really nice camera.

About zoom lenses ..

Your camera indicates the ability to zoom from a wide angle of 35mm, to telephoto of 210mm. If you look on the top side of your lens you should see these two extremes, and points in between, indicated. As you zoom in or out the number indicated on top will be the degree of telephoto that you are using.

You may have read elsewhere on the forum about lens distortion, this happens most of the time when you try and use the wide angle (lowest number) end of the lens' range. I just wanted you to stay away from that low end and the distortion that it can create.

As far as the f stop business, we can forget that for the time being.

You've done a good job with these images. Clearly the first image shows some of the off side in total darkness. And, in the subsequent efforts you have brought some light into the shadows.

I think we are ready to ditch the naked lady and go for some real flesh and bone.

I would like for you to consider this next part and report back with your thoughts.

I know you have three young children and they are handy, but, I would like to know if there is an older person that you could enlist? Someone that you could use and go back to for additional tries if need be.

Mary Sparrow · 05-28-2004, 10:46 AM

Mike, I have been thinking all morning about who I could possible use as a model. I just can't come up with anyone that would be available more than once at the same time I would need them.

As far as the kids go, yes, I have 3 warm bodies, but only one of them would pose as told within reason. So he may be an option. The other two are strictly moving targets.