Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register ☰
For Your Consideration
The Master In You: Monthly photo topic
Page <<first <prev 5 of 14 next> last>>
Jul 13, 2021 20:58:35   #
minniev Loc: MIssissippi
 
fergmark wrote:
Isn't that the truth. I am always hoping for a wonderful landscape with water. I have precious few that I would consider special. The first two of these are local, and the next two in Maine, with the last one taken in Newport.


The third and fourth images are some of the most magnificent cloud formations you could ever find. All of these are pleasing, soothing in ways only broad expanses of water can be.

Reply
Jul 13, 2021 21:00:58   #
minniev Loc: MIssissippi
 
ebrunner wrote:
I'm really glad to see how much discussion has been generated since I've been away in Charleston. R.G posted some nice reflections and made a good point: It is hoped that the topics will encourage people to go out and shoot photos based on the topic. However, any shot you have, that furthers the discussion is welcome. In this thread I've read about folks who shoot in bad weather and who try to find reflections where they can. Today we had some very active thunderstorms come through the area. I thought that it would be a good time to go out an shoot some reflections and maybe the rain itself.

First shot was of a beach near where I live. I shot through the windshield and focused on the drops on the glass. I used F/8 to give me enough depth of field to make the structures recognizable. I like the distortions created by the drops on the windshield. (the car was parked, I was not moving).
I'm really glad to see how much discussion has bee... (show quote)


What an interesting image! Glad you included the settings for those who might want to try this. I've had occasional success shooting through rainy windshields, especially in summer or fall where there's plenty of foliage to include.

Reply
Jul 13, 2021 21:04:19   #
minniev Loc: MIssissippi
 
R.G. wrote:
One of my favourite water effects to include in a shot is reflections. Good ones can lift a shot to another level. It helps if what's being reflected is a strong subject visually, but even without that, reflections are often pleasing in their own right. Very often a scene that we've seen a hundred ways already can be given a lift and a new twist if it includes a visually appealing reflection.

As my posted examples show, reflections can be clear and accurate inversions of the reflected subject (as in #3), but they don't have to be in order to be visually appealing. Often it's enough if the reflections consists of light, colours, shapes and textures, as in #1, #2 and #4 below.

Good reflections are very dependent on circumstance and I haven't at this point in time got any new or recent reflection shots, but if that changes before the end of the month I'll post what I've found. I think one of the ideas of this series is that it encourages us to go out and shoot new stuff, but our posted examples don't have to exclude archive stuff.
.
One of my favourite water effects to include in a ... (show quote)


I am most inclined towards the clear reflections but a nicely abstracted reflection in rippling water has its own charm. You have some real beauties here.

Reply
 
 
Jul 13, 2021 21:10:40   #
minniev Loc: MIssissippi
 
jburlinson wrote:
I generally tend towards the stop action side of the spectrum, although I've seen many beautiful photos with blurred water.

Attached is a photo I took during a recent thunderstorm. I was struck by the contrast between the left and right sides of the image, with the left being much more colorful. This was pretty much how my eye saw the scene and I tried to enhance the effect by shooting at a moderately fast shutter speed (1/800) while focusing on the post, in order to blur the background while still retaining a bit of sharpness in the raindrops. I then did a little pp to enhance this effect.

Although I think I achieved my goal, I'm not sure my goal was worth pursuing.
I generally tend towards the stop action side of t... (show quote)


Goals, and the experiments they include, are always worth pursuing! A series of this scene taken with different settings might be instructive about what works best. There's so many variables: the light, the distance between the near and far elements, the reflectivity of the glass, your intent about what should remain focused and what allowed to go soft, the kind of rain you're dealing with. When I'm playing with rain-on-the-windshield shots (an ongoing unsolved puzzle), I also have to factor in the speed of the car. I love these kinds of experiments. We sometimes stumble on a wonderful surprise!

I would, if this were mine, clone out the largest white waterdrop on the right. But it might be your favorite thing, which is fine!

Reply
Jul 13, 2021 21:11:48   #
minniev Loc: MIssissippi
 
CassidyMariya wrote:
I took these images with my iPhone. They both were from seaside boardwalk.

1) I like this image but I feel it’s a little to dark. I didn’t use a filter. Although I do like how the seagull is flying in the air in this shot.

2) I love this image but I don’t know how to get the white on the bottom to blend in with the rest of the water. I changed the sky to a purple. As you can see I also had the lights from the houses show on the water as well.

I hope you love these pictures as much as I do! Thanks!
I took these images with my iPhone. They both were... (show quote)


Love that first image! Classic beach shot. (I would like it even better with a level horizon, though).

Reply
Jul 13, 2021 21:19:08   #
minniev Loc: MIssissippi
 
JD750 wrote:
1. It depends on the subject and the “story” I wish for the image to tell.
2. All of them. And rain. I love rain. I love after the rain.

So here I will suggest that with respect (1) it is not simply blurred or stop action. Because while “stop action” is “stop action” there are many “shades” of blur.

Let me illustrate with some examples. Some will say “I like this one or I only I use that one” but my point is one should consider the shade of blur to complement the story and the mood of the image and of course the style of the artist.
1. It depends on the subject and the “story” I wi... (show quote)


Good to see someone discuss the differing levels of blur when shooting moving water. What one intends as an end product has to either know or discover the level of desired blur, then find the formula to achieve it while still maintaining the level of brightness necessary. This can be tricky because cascading water is as white as an egret's wing and presents the same problem: it will blow out in a heartbeat if you let it. That's why I'd always rather shoot water scenes on cloudy days or early/late.

My own goals for capturing water may vary wildly depending on the nature of that water, among other things. I've learned at the milky ones can lose all detail if you blur too much. But if there's no tumultuous flow, the water can look puny if captured with too fast a shutter. Like all of photography, there are devils' bargains in flowing water. Less so in still water.

Reply
Jul 13, 2021 21:21:30   #
minniev Loc: MIssissippi
 
Triplets wrote:
All 3 images shot on a Nikon D750 using a Nikon 24-120 f/4 lens.

1. Old Stone Church, West Boylston, MA. I wanted bright colors and calm water to produce a mirrored reflection. ISO 100, f/16, 1/25 sec

2. Fan Pier, Boston, MA. I liked the misty look of the lights reflecting off the smooth water. ISO 100, f/16, 76 sec

3. Stream along the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire. I liked how the only movement in this image is water. ISO 100, f/16, 8 sec, 6-stop ND filter


All are lovely. The Boston shot is a great example of shooting still water with a slow shutter for an artistic effect. Very nice.

Reply
 
 
Jul 13, 2021 21:23:52   #
minniev Loc: MIssissippi
 
fergmark wrote:
Some of my thoughts about this. I am glad to see this effort you are making to provide an area of interest for exploration and discussion. However this sort of thing is so far off the beaten track, I don't see how it will take hold. I know that is a fairly pessimistic view, but so many people here on uhh are obsessed with camera gear and processing gadgetry, they don't seem to have much interest beyond those rather superficial infatuations. The actual subject you have chosen, is literally as deep and wide as the ocean. A very high percentage of my own photography is focused around water, so within the category of water are dozens of sub categories. A few shots here that fall into a couple of those. Water is just magical. What you are able to see in it because of photography, is simply astonishing.
Some of my thoughts about this. I am glad to see ... (show quote)


These are very nice. Some of them are, IMHO, abstracts of water, which is a fascinating subtopic we could go much deeper into.

That second shot with the floating leaves is just exceptional. I hope it is printed and framed. If not, you should remedy that.

Reply
Jul 13, 2021 21:24:45   #
JD750 Loc: SoCal
 
minniev wrote:
Good to see someone discuss the differing levels of blur when shooting moving water. What one intends as an end product has to either know or discover the level of desired blur, then find the formula to achieve it while still maintaining the level of brightness necessary. This can be tricky because cascading water is as white as an egret's wing and presents the same problem: it will blow out in a heartbeat if you let it. That's why I'd always rather shoot water scenes on cloudy days or early/late.

My own goals for capturing water may vary wildly depending on the nature of that water, among other things. I've learned at the milky ones can lose all detail if you blur too much. But if there's no tumultuous flow, the water can look puny if captured with too fast a shutter. Like all of photography, there are devils' bargains in flowing water. Less so in still water.
Good to see someone discuss the differing levels o... (show quote)


Thank you for the technical details on shooting moving water!

Reply
Jul 13, 2021 21:25:14   #
minniev Loc: MIssissippi
 
rmalarz wrote:
Graphic View II, 210mm Schneider-Kreuznach Symmar S, Hoya 85B filter, Ilford FP4+, ISO 125, f/45, 1 sec.
--Bob


Good to see that a water image does not require color to imply movement. Well done.

Reply
Jul 13, 2021 21:28:41   #
minniev Loc: MIssissippi
 
fergmark wrote:
I'm glad to hear you were finally able to return to this place. I well remember an enchanting photo that I believe you had posted, with wooden walk along the right hand side. Never the less, this view appears to be largely intact. The dappled lighting gives this image a cheerfulness.


This is taken from that wooden walkway, looking left/north. It is the only intact view left. The rest is either full of crashed trees, or the new form the swamp is taking - the tupelos are overwhelming the older cypress trees, so the canopy is much leafier, and the younger trees are thick and bushy instead of spare and thin.

Reply
 
 
Jul 13, 2021 21:32:00   #
minniev Loc: MIssissippi
 
R.G. wrote:
"...my favorite little cypress and tupelo swamp".... There's an expression you don't hear every day .

I'm finding it hard to put my finger on what makes reflections so effective in a photo. After all you're just seeing more of the same stuff but upside down. Without actually trying it I can tell that if you tried lifting the shadows in the reflections to bring out more detail it would detract from the overall effect. Perhaps that's part of the effectiveness. The reflections are a darkened, glossy version of what's reflected which allows them to be a bit more dramatic. Plus we're seeing the reflected stuff but with less bright harshness. If the whole scene was dark and glossy it would probably be too much but if it's just the reflections, it's an opportunity to include that element of subdued lighting while keeping the brighter version to maintain the overall balance....

....or something like that .
"...my favorite little cypress and tupelo swa... (show quote)


In the swamps, the canopy prevents the reflection from being very bright, except for what's in the patchy light that shoots in through the gaps. I have had fun with such shots converting them to monochrome where the bright patches seem to float on top like small clouds. I've even turned the photos upside down, which gets some interesting comments.

Reply
Jul 14, 2021 06:27:22   #
jburlinson Loc: Austin, TX
 
ebrunner wrote:
Let's please try to stick to photography. We all have our political opinions and we are all right; but that is not what we came here to talk about. Thank you.
Erich


I couldn't agree more. For the record, though, I didn't express a political opinion.

Reply
Jul 14, 2021 07:19:50   #
ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore
 
jburlinson wrote:
I couldn't agree more. For the record, though, I didn't express a political opinion.


Granted.
Erich

Reply
Jul 14, 2021 09:00:37   #
R.G. Loc: Scotland
 
jburlinson wrote:
I couldn't agree more. For the record, though, I didn't express a political opinion.


Not wanting to start any kind of argument, but since you asked, I meant Trump. It's going to be revealed soon that the election was indeed stolen and there will be no shortage of evidence. The only reason they've got away with it for so long is because of the lying mainstream media and widespread corruption (including corruption in high places). No point in arguing just now one way or the other, but I will say that time will tell, and when things start to come out there'll be no arguing about it. America's nationhood is under attack and patriotism is under attack, but it's an attack that won't succeed and the patriots will have much cause to celebrate.

Reply
Page <<first <prev 5 of 14 next> last>>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
For Your Consideration
Home | Latest Digest | Back to Top | All Sections
Contact us | Privacy policy | Terms of use | DMCA
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.