Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: John R on October 26, 2010, 05:53:38 pm

Title: Persistence, autumn winds and multiple exposures
Post by: John R on October 26, 2010, 05:53:38 pm
Years ago I saw an image which looked like a painting (now more commonplace) and the photographer said that he took it on one frame at a slow shutter speed while the wind was blowing. I tried in vain to produce similar results, but always ended up with poor to mediocre images. I could never produce what I really wanted in the camera with any consistent results. Finally, with the onset of multiple exposure capability and the camera doing all the proper exposure calculations, I was able to produce more images with more consistent results. Yesterday, at High Park in Toronto, everything came together, autumn, gusting winds, colour and good light, and this is the result. The irony is, that this not a maple tree, but a Japanese Cherry from that now famous cherry lane hill at High Park where, justifiably hundreds come in Spring to see the breathtaking blossoms.

JMR

Title: Re: Persistence, autumn winds and multiple exposures
Post by: PeterAit on October 26, 2010, 06:47:26 pm
That's a really beautiful image. Coming from me, this means a lot - I have always been indisposed to efforts to use photography to create painting-like images. But, you have really nailed it!
Title: Re: Persistence, autumn winds and multiple exposures
Post by: LoisWakeman on October 27, 2010, 06:56:23 am
I like it! I have tried similar effects, but manually sandwiching several longish tripod exposures (in this case, of barley). I have not tried it in camera  - and am not even sure my modest kit would allow it anyway. But lightening each frame and using soft light to combine layers, then playing with transparency, seems to work well enough for me. Multiply is another option.

(http://photos.photosig.com/photos/28/39/2183928-fd293f05f61ea358.jpg)

(Yep, that piece of horizontal grass in the top left middle has to go. Other have suggested that a scarecrow would improve it ;) )
Title: Re: Persistence, autumn winds and multiple exposures
Post by: Glenn NK on October 27, 2010, 08:44:28 pm
John:

I think you really have it.

Persistence isn't supposed to be creative, but in this instance it is.

Glenn
Title: Re: Persistence, autumn winds and multiple exposures
Post by: John R on October 27, 2010, 09:16:44 pm
Well, thanks, Peter, Lois and Glen.

Let's face it Peter, if it wasn't any good, I would not have posted it. It takes a while to get an idea of how mulitiple image shots will look, especially when the subject is moving or the camera itself. And the results are not always predictable, even with experience.

Lois, I don't think you need my advice on such images. You have many lovely images yourself. But, I will pass on that you try a range of 1-2 seconds per shot, as this seems to produce a good combination of motion blur and recognizable subject-matter.

Glen, I have many similarly fine images, but this is the first time I was able to produce in-camera without a sandwich, results that good, and/or acceptable on more regular basis.

Thanks all for the comments.

Title: Re: Persistence, autumn winds and multiple exposures
Post by: Ifocus4u on October 28, 2010, 09:15:41 pm
Well John.. it was finally well worth the effort!  I love the soft pastel nature of the leaves and overall shot.  Very, very nice indeed!!  Freeman Patterson would be proud!
Title: Re: Persistence, autumn winds and multiple exposures
Post by: EduPerez on November 01, 2010, 06:08:25 pm
Very nice picture, and an inspirational technique too; thanks.
Title: Re: Persistence, autumn winds and multiple exposures
Post by: John R on November 03, 2010, 10:04:55 pm
Very nice picture, and an inspirational technique too; thanks.

Well John.. it was finally well worth the effort!  I love the soft pastel nature of the leaves and overall shot.  Very, very nice indeed!!  Freeman Patterson would be proud!

Thanks you Ed and Ifocus. I confess that I have been following Freeman Patterson for many years. And, among other, he has inspired me. It's not so much the techniques, but finding ways to express yourself that matters.

I am adding two more which were also produced using camera motion. Of course one has to hone their skills and practice, practice, practice.

JMR