Photography Thread

pblakeney · December 2024

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21109974#Comment_21109974

Very nice!

masjer · December 2024

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21109974#Comment_21109974

A good 2024 finale, Brian and I see where you’re coming from with the dark background shot… so last year (well almost).

I unsurprisingly found myself on the coast in the wind. Surprisingly the last shot of 2024 was a ~~gaggle pride~~ group of winkles.

2025, so futuristic. Let's hope it's a goodun!

briantrumpet · January 1

First CS post of 2025. Might not get any more sun here until I leave in just under a fortnight, so might as well include a sunny photo of my house.

masjer · January 1

The sun managed to punch its way through the clouds, just.

masjer · January 1

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21110017#Comment_21110017

No1 arty frozen leaf photo is effective.

briantrumpet · January 1

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21110044#Comment_21110044

I did a double take, as I had to check the 'exhibits' were all in ice - I assume it's frozen in two stages... the milky texture underneath, then dead clear on top, a bit like those clear plastic-setting things I had when I was young.

masjer · January 2

Taken during this morning’s spell of welcome sunshine, using a ‘soap bubble’ lens.

pblakeney · January 2

Different, and very nice.

masjer · January 2

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21110122#Comment_21110122

Thanks PB.

It’s a fun lens (maybe quirky is more accurate) in the way it renders background highlights. The effect can quickly become wild, but I’ve found that using a polariser allows for a certain amount of control, which is handy.

briantrumpet · January 2

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21110128#Comment_21110128

I think I like the third one most... I stupidly find those individual leaves pointing towards the lens that are out of focus in the first two off-putting. I suspect it's a bit of a hit-and-miss game, unless I'm greatly underestimating your skill with the lens...

masjer · January 2

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21110131#Comment_21110131

There’s a very shallow depth of field, so only a small part can be chosen to be in focus, where that is down to taste, I guess. If the focus point was at the front of the leaves the main interesting areas are then out of focus and for me, worse for it.

One that was focused at the front tip of the leaf. No right or wrong.

briantrumpet · January 2

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21110134#Comment_21110134

Indeed, tis art, innit. Just been to an exhibition of Jaume Plensa's work, and it was fascinating, especially with a good film about his 'journey' and thinking about stuff. One of his quotes was along the lines of 'Art is the best way to pose questions', which I liked.

And yes, like that last one too.

rjsterry · January 2

A quick stroll round the local wetlands.

Unfortunately the only fauna visible was a couple of robins and lots of crows. Last year's heron was not obliging.

Pross · January 2

Was nice to get out with sunshine and blue skies for once. Just a snapshot of the hound enjoying the view at Mumbles Point.

Now out taking advantage of rare clear skies. Glad I bought some photography gloves though, it’s a touch chilly in the Beacons tonight!

Pross · January 3

My first attempt at star circles at Pontsticill Reservoir last night. Just under two hours worth of 90" exposures, ISO 1600 and f2.8 shot at 15mm. A few annoyances:

The dam wall was over 5 foot high meaning I couldn't get as much water as I'd have liked. Not sure If I would have got reflections from the stars or not.
Should have shot at my widest option of 11mm to get more of a circle.
The amount of aircraft passing over was ridiculous and it looks like there was a guidance point towards the horizon as you can see several of them changing direction. I started of deleting the frames with aircraft lights but they were staying in shot for 3 or 4 frames and some had another coming in straight after the previous one had left so it would leave big gaps in the star trails.
As always I struggled to get the tone of the sky as I would like althouigh it's probably less important with the amount of trails.

It's not my favourite form of astrophotography but I wanted to give it a go as the Milky Way core isn't around at present.

Pross · January 3

This was the composition I would have liked but it's looking the wrong way to get the star circles. Glad I quickly changed my set up to get this before heading home as I really like this one. Shame about the annoying boon around the pump house but nothing I can do about that other than try to remove in PS. Single 15" exposure, ISO 3200 and f2.8 at 11mm.