Daffodils, Some Spring Sunshine & A Vari ND Filter
Posted 26/03/2014 - 13:19
Link
I'm not really clear on what benefits the ND filter is providing here, could you expand a little further?
Posted 26/03/2014 - 13:31
Link
Hi Rob, I will try.
OK, f/2, ISO 200 Shutter I think was 1/1250 or thereabouts. Needed some fill flash on Frans Face, but can't sync the flash at the above shutter speed. The light from HSS would have been killed and it would have been on camera, not the look i wanted.
Solution, use a variable ND to reduce the ambient and thus reduce my shutter speed in order to sync my flash of camera and enable me to mix the flash and ambient and shoot wide open.
you can also get some nice effects without using flash with a viable ND in harsh light as well as a load of other looks with an variable ND. I have used various brands of ND, but the Genustech Variable ND filter in my experience seems to work the best.
Fletcher8
OK, f/2, ISO 200 Shutter I think was 1/1250 or thereabouts. Needed some fill flash on Frans Face, but can't sync the flash at the above shutter speed. The light from HSS would have been killed and it would have been on camera, not the look i wanted.
Solution, use a variable ND to reduce the ambient and thus reduce my shutter speed in order to sync my flash of camera and enable me to mix the flash and ambient and shoot wide open.
you can also get some nice effects without using flash with a viable ND in harsh light as well as a load of other looks with an variable ND. I have used various brands of ND, but the Genustech Variable ND filter in my experience seems to work the best.
Fletcher8
Fletcher8.
Posted 26/03/2014 - 18:44
Link
I like it, Gareth.
Was it taken using your Sigma 35mm Art lens?
Regards,
JC
Was it taken using your Sigma 35mm Art lens?
Regards,
JC
Posted 26/03/2014 - 19:11 - Helpful Comment
Link
Some creative thinking going on there.
Ken
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
Posted 26/03/2014 - 19:27
Link
Interesting light. Looks like a studio shot.
So I'm assuming the dark part if the filter is coming down from the top. Don't people end up with dark heads?
So I'm assuming the dark part if the filter is coming down from the top. Don't people end up with dark heads?
Posted 26/03/2014 - 19:36 - Helpful Comment
Link
Darkmunk wrote:
Interesting light. Looks like a studio shot.
So I'm assuming the dark part if the filter is coming down from the top. Don't people end up with dark heads?
This isn't a graduated filter DM but instead an even Neutral Density filter. The 'variable' bit isn't between one part of the filter and another but the ability of the whole filter to be anything from very dark to slightly dark.Interesting light. Looks like a studio shot.
So I'm assuming the dark part if the filter is coming down from the top. Don't people end up with dark heads?
What Fletcher is doing here is to simply reduce the light so that a longer exposure time can be used. The benefit of the longer exposure time being that it allows conventional flash usage, which can't be done at faster than 1/100th second or so (depending on the exact camera model).
Also thanks for the explanation Fletcher - I hadn't realised at first what you were doing.
Posted 26/03/2014 - 20:10
Link
major wrote:
I like it, Gareth.
Was it taken using your Sigma 35mm Art lens?
Regards,
JC
HI JCI like it, Gareth.
Was it taken using your Sigma 35mm Art lens?
Regards,
JC
Thanks, I took it with the Sigma 85mm and a Metz flash and a variable ND. Just trying out a few new ideas, more to be shown in the next few weeks.
Rob, I should have stated I used a flash in my original post, but I took it for granted that people would know that.
I just want to create some interesting portraits outside rather than the usual studio type shot, am really enjoying mixing flash and ambient and learning loads.
Fletcher8.
Posted 26/03/2014 - 20:24
Link
Leaving aside the technical conversation - which I appreciate - and would never have thought of doing being a complete no-hoper when it comes to flash use - I would just add that as far as I am concerned - it worked!
Really like the light and almost studio effect achieved.
Carl
Really like the light and almost studio effect achieved.
Carl
No matter how many lenses I have owned - I have always needed just one more
Posted 27/03/2014 - 07:32
Link
Just thought i would show another two images from Sunday using the same technique.
The one with the Daffodils was the first image I took on that day. during this shot I then noticed the sunlight in a different area and took the image at top of this thread, I think this worked out to be the best on that day. The Metz flash was wrapped to a tree branch as I had no light stand and I attached a small Rogue flash bender the flash head.
The final image of Fran in the red hat was taken in a wooded area and the sun fading in and out of clouds. I managed to get good eye contact, but that was about it.
Anyway, all just experimentation and trying new ideas and techniques
The one with the Daffodils was the first image I took on that day. during this shot I then noticed the sunlight in a different area and took the image at top of this thread, I think this worked out to be the best on that day. The Metz flash was wrapped to a tree branch as I had no light stand and I attached a small Rogue flash bender the flash head.
The final image of Fran in the red hat was taken in a wooded area and the sun fading in and out of clouds. I managed to get good eye contact, but that was about it.
Anyway, all just experimentation and trying new ideas and techniques
Fletcher8.
Posted 27/03/2014 - 10:15 - Helpful Comment
Link
Ah, 'variable', I didn't know such things existed, sounds really handy. More kit I have to have
Gwing, thanks, I knew the principle, I just assumed he was talking about a gradient filter. Not much of a gear freak me
I think it's essential to use a large light modifier here, and gentler flash, maybe gelled with a warm colour to simulate reflected light.
Incidentally, have you tried the Metz' high-speed sync Fletch? maybe with a TTL cord at arm's length. I appreciate that's wasn't the objective here, just wondering. I find it very effective, especially at outdoor events where I can shoot into the sun and get shots the hoards of point-and-shooters can't.
Gwing, thanks, I knew the principle, I just assumed he was talking about a gradient filter. Not much of a gear freak me
I think it's essential to use a large light modifier here, and gentler flash, maybe gelled with a warm colour to simulate reflected light.
Incidentally, have you tried the Metz' high-speed sync Fletch? maybe with a TTL cord at arm's length. I appreciate that's wasn't the objective here, just wondering. I find it very effective, especially at outdoor events where I can shoot into the sun and get shots the hoards of point-and-shooters can't.
Posted 27/03/2014 - 10:41
Link
Hi Mark
When I go hiking I always take a camera and from time to time a flash and two triggers. I wanted to experiment with the variable ND, but did not want to take any light modifiers or light stands. I have used HSS, but its limitations are power and connection with the camera and you lose control of the light.
As I was walking I had to improvise with the flash, by placing it in a branch from a tree it was gelled with a 1/4 CTO, I think shoot through brollies would work really well in this situation, but I would have needed a light stand, stable ground and very little wind. If I was planning a shoot like these, I would use light stands, shoot through brolly or a soft silver PLM.
The variable ND filter provides a lot of freedom and the ability to shoot flash manually which I prefer and you can create some really interesting lighting effects with it.
The first variable ND I used was a Lightcraft workshop one, but it had a fair amount of colourcast and reduced the IQ a lot too. The Genustech ND is superb for the price, I have read that the Heliopan is the best, but the price is far to high for my pocket.
Mark, a variable ND will enable you to do a lot of creative things photographically and also solve a fair few problems when using flash, One of the best and most versatile accessories I have purchased and worth every penny.
Regards Fletcher8
When I go hiking I always take a camera and from time to time a flash and two triggers. I wanted to experiment with the variable ND, but did not want to take any light modifiers or light stands. I have used HSS, but its limitations are power and connection with the camera and you lose control of the light.
As I was walking I had to improvise with the flash, by placing it in a branch from a tree it was gelled with a 1/4 CTO, I think shoot through brollies would work really well in this situation, but I would have needed a light stand, stable ground and very little wind. If I was planning a shoot like these, I would use light stands, shoot through brolly or a soft silver PLM.
The variable ND filter provides a lot of freedom and the ability to shoot flash manually which I prefer and you can create some really interesting lighting effects with it.
The first variable ND I used was a Lightcraft workshop one, but it had a fair amount of colourcast and reduced the IQ a lot too. The Genustech ND is superb for the price, I have read that the Heliopan is the best, but the price is far to high for my pocket.
Mark, a variable ND will enable you to do a lot of creative things photographically and also solve a fair few problems when using flash, One of the best and most versatile accessories I have purchased and worth every penny.
Regards Fletcher8
Fletcher8.
Posted 27/03/2014 - 11:33
Link
Oh great Just what I needed to hear
Maybe I'll have a quick look, no harm in looking right?
Anyway, nice work.
Maybe I'll have a quick look, no harm in looking right?
Anyway, nice work.
Posted 27/03/2014 - 11:48
Link
Mark, just been looking through some of your work on here and on your website, some very good quality work.
Fletcher8.
Add Comment
To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.
1017 posts
17 years
Just experimenting ready for some spring portraits I will be taking and thanks to Fran for being so patient whilst i experimented. Portrait wise not the best image of Fran as there are shadows on her face together with the pose and she was dressed for walking, but it does provide an example of how you can use a variable ND to create some interesting looks.
I just thought i would share this for anyone interested in using variable ND for something different than blurry Landscapes.