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Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS lens (hand held at 200mm) with the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 50. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/4 sec. at f/14. |
Flames & BAA Bulletin #352
With the recent cold snaps, the single deciduous tree in my driveway had some nice fall color just a few days ago. (Most of the leaves are on the ground now…) On Saturday morning last, I wanted to go down to the lake to try for some birds but it was 100% foggy. By 10am it had brightened just a bit so I popped a flash card into the my camera, grabbed the 70-200 f/4L IS lens, and made the short trip down my driveway.
I made about 60 images and kept one. Creating pleasing blurs is like playing the lottery. For this one I did a diagonal pan blur with a bit of jiggle on the way down. To learn this technique and dozens more, check out A Guide to Pleasing Blurs by Denise Ippolito and yours truly.
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I took the optimized image back into Photoshop and brought it into Nik Color Efex and ran a 60% Tonal Contrast on a layer to create a brighter variation. |
Do you like the softer subdued look of the first image or the bolder more contrasty look immediately above?
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BAA Bulletin #352
BAA Bulletin #352 is on-line and can be accessed here.
If you have been searching for the world’s best lens cleaning fluid, be sure to check out “Introducing Lens Clens.” The feature includes tips on how I clean my gear (even though I don’t do it as much as I should…)
FEATURES
- BIRDS AS ART GIFT CARDS
- INTRODUCING LENS CLENS
- ADDITIONAL GIFT IDEAS
- “WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY; STORIES FROM THE FIELD” by GEORGE LEPP & KATHRYN VINCENT LEPP
- SOME OF MY CANON LENSES FOR SALE
- SOUTH GEORGIA/FALKLANDS EXPEDITION UPDATE
- IPT UPDATES
Shopper’s Guide
Here is the gear that I used to create “Flames.”
Canon 70-200mm f/4 l IS lens
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV professional digital camera body
Delkin 32gb e-Film Pro Compact Flash Card
If you are considering the purchase of a major piece of photographic gear be it a new camera, a long lens, a tripod or a head, or some accessories be sure to check out our complete Shopper’s Guide.
Artie,
Like the first one, the colors are more subdued and the image seems more balanced. The sharpening creates a much more intense image.
Monte
I prefer A today. The colors and amount of blur are more gentle on the eyes. To me, B is indeed a raging fire, very hot, intense and consuming.
I like them both! The second one looks more painterly, so O.K., I might slightly prefer it because of that. You’re really making me think about my reaction to blurs and I’ve realized that I prefer blurs of inanimate objects like trees over blurs of birds…can’t really tell you why just yet but let me dig down deeper into my psyche and I’ll get back to you!
Wow, at least we are converting some former blur-haters
I prefer the soft, subdued look of the first myself.
Second one for me…better colors, seems more vivid…first one seems a bit mushy…
I definitely prefer the second. I love those colors, and it is a rare blur that gets my attention. Liked the first one, but liked the second even more!
Art: I thought I liked the first one — in fact, it is the first blur that I have ever liked! But when I saw the second one, enhanced with Nik Color Efex, it became my favorite because of the enhanced detail (which, I guess, just goes to prove that I like sharper images over blurs. Pat Fishburne