Not the Most Exciting Shot

[Chris Calohan]

But it is my first foray using the Big Stopper filter correctly. I takes a bit of getting used to, but I really like the potential.

[BernardLanguillier]

I like the first one, but:
- a slightly different sky would help emphasize the smoke a bit more,
- the right third of the image doesn't add that much

Cheers,
Bernard

[Steve Weldon]

I agree with Bernard.  The first image is the best but hampered by the sky and lack of contrast with the smoke.  Industrial scenes can be very interesting.

The second picture is just.. well.. it seems pointless.

The third seems too familiar, the water way too smooth to be natural, and the colors not quite right.

Sorry I could not be more positive.

[Chris Calohan]

I agree but was more interested in trying to get the exposures right than the subject matter. They're tricky little buggers.

[Johnny_Johnson]

So, what works Chris? Do you take an exposure reading without the filter, then mount the filter and adjust the exposure by the number of stops of the filter rating? Or is it more complicated than that? Do you also need to do long exposure noise reduction?

BTW, you have my admiration for not succumbing to the temptation to seek compliments by giving your skys and water that orange/purple Mars look that seems to be so popular.

Later,
Johnny

[Jeremy Roussak]

But it is my first foray using the Big Stopper filter correctly. I takes a bit of getting used to, but I really like the potential.

What do you mean by "correctly", Chris? In what way have you been using it incorrectly?

I ask because I have one and I'll happily accept any tips anyone can offer.

Jeremy

[Chris Calohan]

So, what works Chris? Do you take an exposure reading without the filter, then mount the filter and adjust the exposure by the number of stops of the filter rating? Or is it more complicated than that? Do you also need to do long exposure noise reduction?

BTW, you have my admiration for not succumbing to the temptation to seek compliments by giving your skys and water that orange/purple Mars look that seems to be so popular.

Later,
Johnny

I just recalibrated my monitor and printed this shot and there is none of the orange/purple you mention.

[Chris Calohan]

What do you mean by "correctly", Chris? In what way have you been using it incorrectly?

I ask because I have one and I'll happily accept any tips anyone can offer.

Jeremy

Just going through all the steps - MUP, viewfinder covered, remote release set to "bulb," get exposure and focus in AP, switch to manual focus to lock focus, change to M and calculating the exposure. Lee is nice enough to give you a reasonable guide to exposure but it's based on the wholes and not the halves so you do have to think a little - not much, but some. In my first attempt I didn't cover the viewfinder and got some big purple splotches of light and had to make inquiries. It's all elementary stuff but still has to be done each time. I have a little cheat sheet taped to my accessories bag just as a reminder though at this point, it's pretty much a rote routine.

[Johnny_Johnson]

I just recalibrated my monitor and printed this shot and there is none of the orange/purple you mention.

I didn't say that there was.

Later,
Johnny

[Jeremy Roussak]

Just going through all the steps - MUP, viewfinder covered, remote release set to "bulb," get exposure and focus in AP, switch to manual focus to lock focus, change to M and calculating the exposure. Lee is nice enough to give you a reasonable guide to exposure but it's based on the wholes and not the halves so you do have to think a little - not much, but some. In my first attempt I didn't cover the viewfinder and got some big purple splotches of light and had to make inquiries. It's all elementary stuff but still has to be done each time. I have a little cheat sheet taped to my accessories bag just as a reminder though at this point, it's pretty much a rote routine.

Interesting. I've previously calculated exposure by metering on aperture priority, then switching to bulb and giving it 1,000 times as long. It has seemed rather hit and miss, though.

Jeremy

[Chris Calohan]

I didn't say that there was.

Later,
Johnny

Sorry, Johnny, I misread that. LOL No, I really didn't do much of anything PP to the shot other than some slight tonal adjustments and a bit of sharpening.