Fortnightly competition no.14 Comments

Have a look here for the theme and here for the rules.
That should help even blondes

Prieni

Hi Ralf, No problem.
I had a look at the PPG for some star trail shots.
And noticed that for a usable and visible trail in conjunction with the used lens (in my case 18 mm)
a 20 minute exposure (give or take) would do the trick.
(I have seen them with 8 hours exposure time. Using extreme wide angle)
You must double that, for the dark frame subtraction.(lesser noise)

Then you have to be on time, well before total darkness so you can compose, level and focus before the lights go out.
During the actual exposure It was pitch black, and I simply waited in my car with some coffee to accompany me.
It was the only shot I did, and with prep time it cost me about 2 hours.
I had a small torch to find my way back in the meadow to collect my camera.

If you have the time, and worked out for how long you want to expose to get the killer shot, you don't have to wait, until the dark frame subtraction has done it's work. After the shutter is closed, by manually unlocking the cable release( check your watch) you can pack up things, and go home. Just leave your camera on. And let the electronics do it's work. Otherwise you won't get some sleep, any more.

Martin.

Thanks Martin!

Yes, I saw some brilliant star trail shots in the voting for PPG.

Any problems with battery power when leaving the shutter open and mirror up for such a long time? The manual warns that sensor cleaning should only be done with a full battery (or power supply). And that only takes a minute at most...
It must become a serious issue at 8 hours exposure time (plus, it seems it's a thing that you only can do far far from any civilisation).

Sounds like a fun thing to try, quite unusual these days that you set up the camera only to take a single shot...

Cheers,
Prieni

Thanks Prieni, it did help a blonde but what do I do about those senior moments. I might just give it a go, these light nights in the UK arn't helpful for this one
Caz

No problem at all. After I went home, it still reads Full Power.
I don,t think it would manage an 8 hour exposure. That would take an old fashioned mechanical film camera.
But than the outcome isn't predictable, due to different films and their behaviour during long exposures.
Glad I am digital these days.

Anyway...I am curious with what you are going to surprise us.

Martin.

Me too I haven't figured it out, yet. I had a few (lame) attempts over the last few days. I'm hoping to get something on the weekend. My wife is at sea so I have ample time...

Prieni

BTW, slightly OT I know, but I might as well announce it here.
I have decided to stop with the weekly competitions. And from now on, only enter the Fortnightly.
I can come up with a lot of reasons, but it is mainly because of the ending time (when involving judging) and well......
TBH, the just "pick up one from the archives" percentage of entries isn't ringing my bell, any more.
Just in case you wonder, why you don't see me there. Any more.

Martin.

I'm saddened you are retiring from the weekly competitions Martin because you are one of the stars of the show. I'm also disappointed you think there are too many archival entries. If the entry is a picture that hasn't been submitted previously I don't undertand why that should be a problem. Different photographers have different ways of working and while some rise to the challenge of a set subject with a short deadline, others shy away from this. Personally I'm very much an instinctive photographer reacting to situations as they arise and find working to a 'commission' like being back at work. I'd rather keep my photography as a relaxing hobby. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the work of the photographers who shine in the fortnightly competitions and those who take something fresh for each of the weeklies. But most of the time I'd rather match the subject with some thing I've taken recently, rather than specifically in the past couple of weeks.
best wishes, David

Hi David, don't get me wrong here. Everybody is free to submit whatever he or she wants. For me it is just not that satisfying to do so.
I don't pass any form of judgement on the overall quality of the entries in the weekly format. Which we know is of a very high standard.
It is there fore my personal choice to compete in a competition from which I know the other participants also take the extra effort to come up with something new, specially for the occasion. That is, were I get my satisfaction, without degrading or looking down on the other competition.

Martin.

I have to say I agree with Martin. Despite not entering so far this fortnight, I find the challenge to go and shoot something for a theme to be very satisfying, and find I learn a lot even if I only come up with a poor effort.

I won't withdraw from the weekly (not that I have entered as much recently, but that is another story), but will probably only enter when I feel I have a cracker of a picture from my "archives".

There is nothing to stop anyone going out and shooting a new image for the Weekly Competition. There is nothing to stop someone setting one for new images taken that week.

Don't feel too constrained - the rules, such as they are, are very light to enable us all to make challenges that stretch our abilities. Not every week, there need to be simpler themes as well, but as and when the mood strikes...free your imaginations!

I tend to mix up the two competitions already. As my archives are so tiny.... In most cases I just have to take a NEW pic. I just have to remember: do I have one week or two for taking the pic....

I agree with Aiki. I, too, have very few archive photos, which is one of the reasons I haven't entered recently. I haven't had any real "camera time" to shoot specifically for the competitions. Or anything else for that matter.

Anyone know where I can find an extra day for the week. Seven just aren't enough anymore

I'm really struggling with this topic and probably won't manage an entry so apologies.

Mike

Great entrie, Ralf!! That twilight zone does add something special.
Little side note, about your avatar. Was it taken during that long period of absence from your K20 D ?
You look kind of Grimm.......

Anyway....let's hope some more pictures are entered. How hard can it be, taking a picture at night. Or should I rephrase.....
How hard can it be to take a good picture at night

Martin.