madshutterbug | Entries tagged with light

Last week today I posted about the good energy in the Studio 318 session, and today you may choose to see some of the work. You may choose not to view it, or to view later. This work does qualify for that wee caveat, Not Work Safe (for various definitions of work, and safe, and such).

The overall concepts going into this session included a surreal setting, providing component pieces for composite fantasy or science fiction work while those same pieces being able to stand on their own. I've been learning that to make a good composite, first start with a good, solid, well made component image. I also wanted to resume exploring Strobist lighting, though in some sense this isn't strictly Strobist (using the component flash units which will fit the 'hot shoe' mounts on ones camera). Some of the images I also simply used 'hot lights', daylight balanced and lighting you've seen me use before if you're following the blog at all.

Not strictly Strobist because, though I did use a Nikon SB800 unit I also used three Spirotone flash units I traded some whiskey with my friend S some time back (oh, ten years or so, maybe). These are AC powered units. S bought them while he worked on his PhD in Marine Zoology. Used them to photograph some wee creatures which were the subject of his doctoral disertation. Said they put out a lot of light, and they do. After all, photographing those wee creatures to fill a 35mm slide frame he also used a bellows on his SLR, and that 'ate' a lot of the light, and... Anyway, yes, they do put out some light. They're also older tech, as mentioned. Newer units are probably more powerful.

Newer units I don't have, other than the two Nikon flash units I also use. And there is a benefit to their being AC powered. So, I ganged them together using the cords that came with their kit, on a single light stand. Improvised a black cardstock 'snoot' light modifier for these, and the SB800 which I mounted on the camera as the 'master'. And proceeded to make photographs.

The mask used is Kitsune, and made by a wonderful mask-maker who lives in Buffalo and goes by the name

merimask on Dreamwidth and the same name over on Live Journal and sells her wares via Etsy. Kitsune is a Japanese mythological, folklore creature, Fox, and a shape-shifter.

Our model today is an old friend who wishes to preserve anonymity, which is part of the reason for using the mask. Still working on a 'working name' so I can provide better credit than 'an old friend'.

Reminder; following the cut links puts you into Human Nudity World.

( First image, Untitled... as usual, do please suggest titles, eh? )

As mentioned above, the 'hot lights' are in the previous image. They are on short stands behind the stage setting. I'd hoped to get that bright, somewhat washed-out look in all the photos. However, either the ganged Spirotones or the SB800 (and I actually suspect, both) put out enough light to overpower the hot lights.

( Second Image: Stalking )

This one and the next three are strictly Strobist. The Gang of Three are off to the side as the primary light, and the SB800 on the camera as the command light and to do some fill.

( Third Image: Energy )

This one is from the get-go conceived to be a component in another piece. All very mysterious and such, stay tuned for further and future developments (pun intended).

( Fourth Image: Meditation #1 )

( Fifth Image: Meditation #2 )

( Sixth Image: On the Battlements )

Not too unhappy at all with the results. Some results contribute to the learning curve; that bit about the strobes washing out the hot lights, for example. One of the lessons learned I read up first, how to work Strobist using DSLR. One of the features of a digital image is the histogram, a graphic representation of the light in the image. Using a histogram display while making the photographs it is really quite easy to 'dial in' the desired camera settings (shutter speed & f-stop) by making a photograph, examining the histogram, and making adjustments to either setting or both, as needed. Once the histogram is 'dialed in', then the rest of the session continues from there.

Lots more to learn, of course, but we're off to a good start.

Current Mood: artistic
Current Location: teh Ranch Net
Current Music: Who: Who Are You

I learned the header concept in the College of Nursing. I chose it for this post because one of the questions I'm asking myself is, what have I learned, is there evidence of a change in behaviour? What's that (my mis-)quote, I believe attributed to Einstein? If we keep doing the same thing expecting different results...

Prove the answer. As in, Prove = test. Proof Marks indicate test demonstrate material ability perform to standard. Proofs in photoraphy = basic image little/no manipulation, usually for a client to approve for print / publication. Here...

Via one of my hardback dictionaries, definitions of Prove and Proof:
Prove: 1. Establish truth or genuineness of / 3. Give demonstration of by action / 4. To subject to test, experiment, comparison, analysis or the like.
Proof: 3. Act of testing or making trial of anything; test, trial / 7. An arithmetical operation serving to check the correctness of a calculation / 9. A test to determine the quality, durability of materials used in manufacture. / 11. A trial print from a negative. / 13. An impression taken from a plate or the like to show quality or condition of worth during the process of execution.

Thus, proof images from photography, given that media more than film exist (digital) will include any of the initial images from the act of calculating light, time, exposure for the effect. They may be for a customer's or artists approval, they may be complete in themselves, or they may be a step along in a process. I generally refer to the first batch of such images prepared for either the party(ies) involved in a photography session or the party(ies) commissioning same, or other designated viewers as the Proof disk. This sparked some thought when one such delivered to a party involved, where the previous interaction yielded a disk with a folder of 'Proofs' and a folder of 'Web Prepared'. The more recent disk included only a folder 'Proofs'. Are proofs 'ready for viewing'? Are they ready for sale?

Once being known for photographing in available darkness, now I'm also playing with various types of lighting. One initial experiment with a LED rope light indicated a very fascinating effect; I expected and am pleased to verify that multiple rope lights provide rather a goodly amount of light. There are more variations to play with, both in shape, size, and colours, before this experiment is done. It is both available light, and available darkness. In truth, all photographs are a combination of both aspects.

Some of my experimentation I prefer to do with more or less inanimate items. More or less because some of those items, some of the images resulting, will imply animation. Puppet theatre, for instance, is a core thought in my working with the Otters Mob, the collection of stuffed toy otters I and other friends use. This is partially financial. Often, working with a live model requires exchange of value. Always, for the public exhibition of such work, legally there must be an exchange of value. Sometimes that exchange is subtle, intangible, an interaction between two people who hold each other close, as friends. Sometimes, and somewhat simplified by the very fact, it is more obvious and measured in currency, legal tender for the execution of all debts public or private. Because sometimes, the experiment needs that animation.

I also ask myself telling questions. I purport to see a final image and work towards that, called 'pre-visualising' by such as Ansel Adams. However, while I will only exhibit in a show, for example, the final concept, I am not always 'guilty' of beginning the process with that final concept in my mind. I will start with a simple idea, a simple expression: visual illuminated ropes hanging in suspension provide the light for an image. Then while looking at those basic images I start asking 'what if' questions of myself. Combine these within the set done on the day, combine them with other pieces, and what does the ultimate final image bring? What questions does it start to ask the viewer, possibly not seen until the components spark a larger idea.

I do pre-visualise, more than I did when I started out studying photography and probably less than I'm inclined to think that Ansel Adams meant when he discussed pre-visualisation. On the other hand, I often start with a basic concept (photograph using rope lights, photograph using a mesh body veil) and then start to see spin-off ideas from the basic images. I know I'm starting from a 'building blocks' perspective. Perhaps better to be visualising specific blocks to a final image. Perhaps more intriguing to make blocks, then start combining those to see what do I get.

Sometimes it is nothing more than random numbers. There are a few which you'll see here that I picked. There are others which I simply clicked on file names to build an upload, not looking at anything other than the file name (not looking at their icon images, eh) and uploaded to provide examples for this post.

( These are Work-Safe, and over on Flickr )

Part of the reason I mention they're on Flickr is, I'm still filtering how I post certain works there based on 'Is the Viewer a Registered Account Holder, and Do I List Them As A Viewer?" Hence, anything following will be visible here, yet won't be visible there (if you follow the link) unless you are able to answer the above question with Yes, and Yes.

If you aren't interested in the Not Work Safe imagery, you should be able to skip it even after viewing the earlier three images. Skip all the way down to 'Leave a Comment.' Please do. Leave a comment, that is.

( These are Not So Much Work Safe, also over on Flickr )

Summarising, then, these are initial pieces following a Studio 318 session. Proofs, if you will, at least that a couple of people came together and exposed light under controlled timing to a sensitive surface. They are tests as to the outcome of the manufacture, as well as the quality of the product. They may be complete unto themselves, they may become portions of a greater whole.

In short, they are a work in progress, as well as a work completed.

Current Mood: contemplative
Current Location: teh SkyInternet
Current Music: Allman Brothers: Dreams

without doing anything different that I know of -- well not totally true. I did 'flush cookies and temp files' and AVG ran a complete system scan (including two USB connected 500 Gb HD with the internal 120 Gb HD) for a mere 10 hours plus of scanning. And the weather today is clear, nary a cloud in the sky whereas yesterday, Friday and Thursday all saw some overcast here. Other than that, though, nothing different and this morning Flickr and PC co-operate and I can log in to my account.

( Hold Me Closer, Tiny Dancer )

Dance sculpture in the dance studio where my great-niece takes dance classes. Evening sunlight through a window, hand-held and while I'm not sure what ISO I used off the top of my head, I usually am shooting at 400.

Ranch Watch without any problems yesterday. Rain through the morning and early afternoon, so while I did head out to feed the Kids and Horses, didn't put supplemental out for anyone else. Despite their vocal complaints, goats were not coming out from under the shelter roofs and hogs were not leaving their huddle piles. So Houdini and I ran into town for a couple bales of Georgia Coastal on the theory that I'd spread that around in the evening if the rain continued or not.

As it happened, or not. So they still got their hay and the skies cleared off.

Laundry through the afternoon, along with the trouble-shooting mentioned above and some other work on odds and ends about the house. Today looks to be more of the same. There are some physical plant projects I'm contemplating for Studio, but I won't be getting into those while on Ranch Watch as they probably require tools I am 'storing' at a friends shop. Close by, for sure, and 'storing' means S has the use of those tools (and does use them). So for now, simply contemplation.

Current Mood: artistic
Current Location: teh SkyInternet
Current Music: Elton John: Tiny Dancer

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has marked as possibly inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18. )

Current Mood: artistic
Current Location: teh Internet Place
Current Music: Doors: Break On Through

Light is what makes photography. Sometimes it's the lack of light, when working in low-light environments (indoors, nighttime, whatever), but it's still, even then, the light spots which make photography. Understanding the root words this really is no surprise. They come from Greek: photo = light, graph, graphy = draw, so Light Drawing. Yes, that describes it.

I usually wake and rise early. This is body memory; the weekdays I need to be up and ready for work early, and this carries through on weekends, days off, weeks off. So even though I'm not looking at work, despite this being a weekend morning, I'm up early.

Where I'm staying they aren't waking quite so early as me. No worries, I'm quiet, and I've actually slept over a bit from the norm most mornings. Still, I'm up before or about time for the sunrise. I like sunrise light a lot, as well as sunset. Sometimes it's hard to tell which in a photograph, but that's not a problem. It's good light. Mid-day light, particularly for people, is usually less complimentary. The shadows which help define shapes and sizes are straight down or non-existent. Eyes hide in little caves of darkness in noon-time light.

Across the road from Oldest Sister's house is a small, old cemetery. I've looked at it through the bedroom window the past several mornings and contemplated. The first couple mornings, though, we planned on getting moving relatively early so I went and joined in for breakfast. Yesterday morning, I felt very groggy and no desire to wander out. Also, Bro-in-Law is a cautious sort, keeping the house locked even when home.

This morning I went out. Oh, I proved rude, leaving the door unlocked (closed, but unlocked) and sleeping, defenseless people behind. I headed out about 06:30, with the sun up but just over the area's trees. Dew leapt from the blades of grass onto my shoes as I walked through the quiet graveyard and photographed the peaceful start of another day. During the time out walking, perhaps a dozen autos drove by on Old King's Highway, and less than a handful of joggers/walkers passed.

And I brought the newspapers in with me when I returned, an hour and a bit later, locking the door behind me when I entered the sleeping house. The didn't even waken when I made coffee.

Current Mood: accomplished
Current Location: Cape Cod Sandwich

This Saturday coming up, the O.R. where I work at Hospital will be celebrating the holidays. The Bossy One wants to provide the people who attend the opportunity to purchase 'Memory photos' of the good times. She did this last year as well, hiring a local photographer. This year, the Bossy One's Boss is scrooging on the party business, but the Bossy One is viewing it as an opportunity for Creative Book-keeping. In short, there will be party.

And, there will be Photographer. Namely and to whit (risking dislocating my shoulder here): Myself. And in pursuit of this goal I've acquired another ~~tool~~ toy for my photography, a new electronic flash unit. Now in one way, I don't need this, as I've got four others already not counting the one built-in to the Nikon D70s. However, the new one will work together with the built-in flash on the D70s in either a programmed or automatic manner, which will simplify the lighting problem at Party. I'm big on simplify.

See, the other four units are all manual; they're also rather older but that's not the major issue. It's that manual part. Also, three of them require Alternating Current or they don't work. Not battery powered, nor do I exactly have portable power for them. But mostly, the manual. They work really nice in studio type settings, because then I've the time to also calculate the light output for where they're positioned in relation to both subject and camera. Photographing Party will be much like the fellow who photographs the wedding reception after the big brough-ha-ha in the church or synagog or masque, eh? All about being Scarlet Pimpernel and such.

Anyway. So I've acquired this new flash unit, and though I'm not always big on Gotta Go Brand Name, in this instance I did. Why? Because I've not done a lot of research on the other manufacturer's equivalent equipment, and I know this will work (it's Brand, after all), and it will work with the least amount of study/integration. In fact, I've spent about three hours between reading the manuals (wait... did I hear some gasping breaths out there because a guy is reading manuals? Get Over It.) and working with the equipment. Really, about an hour of working with the equipment.

And so I now am able to say, to all my arty, photography friends out there...

Schweeeeeeeeeeet!