Visit to Chihuly Garden and Glass
Nov 30, 2016 13:21:18 #
dsiner
Loc: Kent, WA
Getting a unique opportunity to visit this place strictly with photographers. The only time you can bring Tripods. Trying to lighten the load so with my D3200 I have 3 lenses, Tokina 11-16 f/2.8, Nikon 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 and a Nikon 55-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR. Looks like the weather outside will be cloudy and rainy in the gardens. Inside is a glass structure and I assume flash is not ok. Looking for tips on which lens(or lenses) to pack. Also, what filters might come in handy. I am pretty new to this kind of stuff so please be kind with the comments.
Nov 30, 2016 13:31:15 #
It has been a few years since going to this location but as I recall no need for a flash inside. All displays are lit. I would think if you use a flash you would get a lot of problems with reflections from the glass sculptures. Outside is another story. Really depends on the weather. Hope this helps.
Nov 30, 2016 13:33:14 #
Where is this as there are several store/gardens around the USA (I think...).
The wife & I visited the one in Seattle.
Pat
The wife & I visited the one in Seattle.
Pat
Nov 30, 2016 13:34:28 #
Nov 30, 2016 13:38:15 #
dsiner
Loc: Kent, WA
I have time to rent another lens if there is something that would work better than what I have.
Nov 30, 2016 13:41:55 #
dsiner wrote:
The Seattle one.
I tried to search for other locations and didn't find any.
Thought I remember someone here seeing his work in a southern state, somewhere.
I must have been wrong.......I hate it when that happens!
Also, I used and crop sensor camera and a 17-55 2.8 lens.
It was a challenge for me to get the light right.....
Pat
Nov 30, 2016 13:50:58 #
Jerry Coupe
Loc: Kent, WA
I shot hundreds of images there about a year ago, in late summer. Outside was almost too bright. Inside I used my 24-70mm f2.8 zoom. a bit wider would be helpful for some images. A tripod might be difficult but a monopod would be very helpful. You will need to look for a variety of angles to reduce glare and reduce the number of other folks in your images. Use a higher ISO SETTING. Experiment early on until you get a shutter speed that works for you. Shoot RAW if you can to maximize WB adjustments in post. Because some areas are pretty dark, take multiple shots of areas to ensure that you get one crisp image of the area.
Have fun, it is an amazing display of glass art.
Have fun, it is an amazing display of glass art.
Nov 30, 2016 13:53:07 #
Jerry Coupe
Loc: Kent, WA
Dale Chihuly has a museum in Seattle at the Seattle Center, in the shadow of the Space Needle and also in Tacoma, WA. Both are amazing displays of blown glass art.
Nov 30, 2016 13:57:18 #
wj cody
Loc: springfield illinois
ahh, Dale Chihuly strikes again!
your lenses are fine and the cloudy, rainy weather for the outside sculptures and goodies is perfect, without flash.
indoors, the same thing - no need for flash - the sculptures stand out nicely. keep your asa down to about 200-400 and see what you get.
some years ago, i got to bid against Dale (via his agent) for one of his early harbour vases. turns out he was trying to get all of them back for his collection, so i dropped out at $38k. so sad.
about 30 years ago Dale exhibited in Chicago and Erica and I took many film pictures. i recall i used my 24mm, 50 and 105mm lenses. Erica used probably about the same - great results - killer images. we were really please with the exhibit. i think you will be impressed.
have fun!
your lenses are fine and the cloudy, rainy weather for the outside sculptures and goodies is perfect, without flash.
indoors, the same thing - no need for flash - the sculptures stand out nicely. keep your asa down to about 200-400 and see what you get.
some years ago, i got to bid against Dale (via his agent) for one of his early harbour vases. turns out he was trying to get all of them back for his collection, so i dropped out at $38k. so sad.
about 30 years ago Dale exhibited in Chicago and Erica and I took many film pictures. i recall i used my 24mm, 50 and 105mm lenses. Erica used probably about the same - great results - killer images. we were really please with the exhibit. i think you will be impressed.
have fun!
Nov 30, 2016 19:16:16 #
dsiner wrote:
Getting a unique opportunity to visit this place s... (show quote)
Easy IMO, just mount the 11-16 and carry the 18-55. Look for wide angle views with foreground subjects. The Tokina will give you a lot of DOF even at f5.6 so make good use of it. My thoughts are based on the vies I saw here. https://www.google.com/search?q=Chihuly+Garden+and+Glass&newwindow=1&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-ContextMenu&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqtOPo2tHQAhWLgFQKHdOvA_UQ_AUICCgB&biw=913&bih=464
Nov 30, 2016 22:12:49 #
par4fore wrote:
Easy IMO, just mount the 11-16 and carry the 18-55. Look for wide angle views with foreground subjects. The Tokina will give you a lot of DOF even at f5.6 so make good use of it. My thoughts are based on the vies I saw here. https://www.google.com/search?q=Chihuly+Garden+and+Glass&newwindow=1&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-ContextMenu&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqtOPo2tHQAhWLgFQKHdOvA_UQ_AUICCgB&biw=913&bih=464
I was going to agree with this advice until I went and looked at my Chihuly photos. We have had two outdoor Chihuly exhibits in Phoenix at the Desert Botantical Garden, in 2009 and 2013. My best photos were telephoto shots, equivalent focal length from 70mm to 300mm. None of my wide angle photos were that great. I used the longer focal length either to "fill the frame" or to get a close-up of some particular detail. So don't leave your telephoto lens at home. If I was in Seattle, I would take my D7100 with 18-140mm lens attached, and carry the 11-16 in my pocket just in case.
Dec 1, 2016 05:46:18 #
Dec 1, 2016 06:04:19 #
I went to the Chihuly show here in Richmond a few years back, not long after getting my 60D. I just used the kit lens - 18-135 - and got some really nice shots. No flash, no tripods. And if you've never been to one of his shows, you are in for a real treat!
Dec 1, 2016 06:58:15 #
dsiner wrote:
Getting a unique opportunity to visit this place s... (show quote)
I saw a display of his in NYC a few years ago. Amazing! I thing the 55-300mm would be more than you need, especially if you want to travel light. However, since it's going to be just for photographers, and you'll have a tripod, why not carry all three lenses? If you leave it home, you know you'll regret it. A polarizer would be useful if it's sunny, but it sounds like it won't be. I look forward to your pictures.
Dec 1, 2016 07:21:36 #
Ron SS
Loc: Silver Spring, MD
I have seen Chihuly exhibitions in Washington, DC, Jerusalem, Israel, and at the college in Toledo, OH which has a glass blowing department. Chihuly taught there one semester.
Many different types of pieces, and BIG.
Definitely a wide angle for most part. Flash, especially remote off camera, can be interesting, but very hard to predict results with too many hot spots likely. Try shooting fairly wide open (low f/#) so can concentrate on one work with others close by in muted in soft focus.
Also go for only part of a work for different perspectives.
Many different types of pieces, and BIG.
Definitely a wide angle for most part. Flash, especially remote off camera, can be interesting, but very hard to predict results with too many hot spots likely. Try shooting fairly wide open (low f/#) so can concentrate on one work with others close by in muted in soft focus.
Also go for only part of a work for different perspectives.
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