Ghost self-photo
Feb 8, 2016 17:51:19 #
Feb 8, 2016 19:19:52 #
Franku wrote:
Maybe had the flash at real low out put and a long shutter speed. Flash pictures are actually double exposures, the exposure of the ambient and the exposure of the flash.I set my camera for a remote self-photo with focus on the area where I went to stand. I used the on-camera flash as the Controller and an SB-700 as the remote flash. Everything seemed to work as planned;however, my image appeared as a "ghost." I took several photos with the same result. Subsequently, I took photos in other parts of the house and all was okay.
Can someone explain what happened?
Can someone explain what happened?
Feb 8, 2016 22:38:31 #
quagmire
Loc: Greenwood,South Carolina
You focused on where you were going to stand instead of something there where you were going to stand.
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Feb 8, 2016 23:44:33 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
No "Maybe" about it...
This is correct.
Another way of looking at it...
Because you used an auto exposure mode (aperture priority) with ISO 200 and f/9 aperture, the camera is setting a long exposure to capture the scene according to its reading of the ambient light (as if the flash weren't being used at all)... Then the flash is fired only very briefly and at reduced power as "fill", also automatically, only for a brief portion of the overall exposure.
When you tripped the shutter, you probably didn't notice how long the exposure was, saw the flash go off and moved before the exposure was complete. So, a little bit of ambient light and the additional very brief flash are the only illumination on you, while the rest of the scene is fully exposed by the remainder of the 3 second exposure. In fact, you can use similar long-exposure techniques to make pedestrians "disappear" from a scene, so long as they don't stand perfectly still for much or all of the duration of your exposure.
If you had held your pose perfectly still for the entire three seconds, there wouldn't have been any "ghosting" effect. You also could have switched the camera to fully manual, which would have caused the camera to treat the flash as "full" and set its exposure per the flash only. However, you would have needed A LOT of flashes and a very careful setup to evenly illuminate the entire room with flash (overpowering the ambient light). So, standing VERY VERY still for 3 full seconds might be easier.
rpavich wrote:
Shutter speed slow + flash illuminated you for a fraction of a second.
It was a 3 SECOND exposure with flash being at the start of the exposure.
You stood there, it flashed, and then you moved out of the frame and it continued to expose the wall behind you.
It was a 3 SECOND exposure with flash being at the start of the exposure.
You stood there, it flashed, and then you moved out of the frame and it continued to expose the wall behind you.
This is correct.
Another way of looking at it...
Because you used an auto exposure mode (aperture priority) with ISO 200 and f/9 aperture, the camera is setting a long exposure to capture the scene according to its reading of the ambient light (as if the flash weren't being used at all)... Then the flash is fired only very briefly and at reduced power as "fill", also automatically, only for a brief portion of the overall exposure.
When you tripped the shutter, you probably didn't notice how long the exposure was, saw the flash go off and moved before the exposure was complete. So, a little bit of ambient light and the additional very brief flash are the only illumination on you, while the rest of the scene is fully exposed by the remainder of the 3 second exposure. In fact, you can use similar long-exposure techniques to make pedestrians "disappear" from a scene, so long as they don't stand perfectly still for much or all of the duration of your exposure.
If you had held your pose perfectly still for the entire three seconds, there wouldn't have been any "ghosting" effect. You also could have switched the camera to fully manual, which would have caused the camera to treat the flash as "full" and set its exposure per the flash only. However, you would have needed A LOT of flashes and a very careful setup to evenly illuminate the entire room with flash (overpowering the ambient light). So, standing VERY VERY still for 3 full seconds might be easier.
Feb 9, 2016 13:00:20 #
rpavich wrote:
Shutter speed slow + flash illuminated you for a fraction of a second.
It was a 3 SECOND exposure with flash being at the start of the exposure.
You stood there, it flashed, and then you moved out of the frame and it continued to expose the wall behind you.
It was a 3 SECOND exposure with flash being at the start of the exposure.
You stood there, it flashed, and then you moved out of the frame and it continued to expose the wall behind you.
That wud be my opinion also.
Feb 9, 2016 13:24:10 #
Collie lover wrote:
Maybe this isn't what you wanted, but it makes an interesting picture. Be sure to save this. I think it makes a great picture.
Ditto, Occasionally accidents produce interesting results. Perhaps try to reproduce the accident with a bit more lighting of intended subject.
Feb 10, 2016 14:22:01 #
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONSTRUCTIVE, HUMOROUS AND INTERESTING COMMENTS.
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Feb 14, 2016 12:17:40 #
someone above had the right idea, you moved thinking the photo had been finished, when the camera was still taking the shot. 3 seconds is a long time....
OR<><><><> your messing with us and this is 3 or 4 photos combined one with you in the pic and a few with you out, so we could see right thru u... and you wanted to see if we caught it...
or your working on a cloak of invisibility...
OR<><><><> your messing with us and this is 3 or 4 photos combined one with you in the pic and a few with you out, so we could see right thru u... and you wanted to see if we caught it...
or your working on a cloak of invisibility...
Feb 17, 2016 21:48:07 #
You had a very slow shutter speed in Aperture priority, so you got an ambient and a flash exposure. Hence the ghost.
Mar 9, 2016 10:22:09 #
Treepusher wrote:
It's possible you're dead and don't know it. Happens a lot.
hahahaha. Great answer.
Mar 18, 2016 13:44:16 #
the ghost image can be a real crowd pleaser, Ive taken a few on purpose . people seem to love em. I have even been asked to make a few of friends.
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Mar 18, 2016 15:55:46 #
I wish I could do it again....and I will probably try doing it in the manner as many have suggested it happened.
Tree pusher....I checked and I am still among the living.
Thanks to all for your comments.
Tree pusher....I checked and I am still among the living.
Thanks to all for your comments.
Mar 21, 2016 15:39:28 #
Apr 10, 2016 03:24:09 #
RiverNan wrote:
you moved
I've done this before for about a 1/15 of a second for a group photo to enhance the background people where the flash was to weak but never for three seconds. I gotta try that ghostly look. I think this shot is a really neat idea. Especially at night or twilight.
I have used a hand held flash and walked around the yard photographing a tree and used about three or four flashes of the tree at different positions. The camera was mounted on a tripod and set on bulb. I wore dark clothes and these shots came out pretty good. I need to try this out again when it warms up.
duneshot/Bill new guy here (been a lurker for some time)
Feb 3, 2017 09:04:33 #
it looks like a 20 second exposure and you were there for some of it
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