Modification of Ironman Photo

A colleague suggested that I should let the eyes and the chest piece glow.  Which I totally agree.  So try to do a fast job.  I am not very good with photoshop but here goes.

Idea from a movie years back

Remember seeing a poster of a movie years back.  Hence, tried to do the same.  Inside the picture, there are many difference pictures.  Open up the picture to see them.  Not much of a PS trick actually.  Just pure hard work if you have many pictures to combine to make them become the “pixels”.

mmm.  It seems like there is a max size to my photo.  You cannot see it 100% here.  Click on the link below to see 100 view of part of the cropped picture.

My Wine Glass Reshoot II - edited

Reshoot my wine glass for the 3rd time.  This time, I switched off all the lights, used a torch with reflectors to observe how the lights light up the glass.  I have concluded that I cannot take the kind of shot that I want with 1 single shot.  Maybe I can but I have not figured how to place the light yet. 

Hence, I decide to take 3 pictures.  Light up the left side to how I want it to light up. Light up the right side to how I want and light up the rim of the glass.

I couldn’t get the rim lighted up properly alone as I cannot hold the torch and see how it looks like at camera’s perspective.  No choice.  Just pump it up.  Still couldn’t get it right.  Sigh.  Pumped it up in ACR and merge the 3 photos in PS.  Below is the result.

Is it better than the previous shots?  I hope it is. 

Edited this photo due to comment from people in CS to help me improve the picture.  I guess I really need to get a monitor and calibrate it properly.  Currently still using my Samsung TV. hehehe.

My Bike Reshoot

Did a reshoot of my bike on 21 Aug.  Below are the pictures.  Didn’t wash my bike that day.  Hence, it is a little dirty.  Bet you cannot see it at this size.  Washed my bike today.  But am too tired to shoot it.  Maybe find 1 day go wash and polish in the day then dun ride my bike.   Shoot it at night when it is completely dry.  kekeke.

 

No flash was used for this shot.  Had to edit the photo to bring out the detail of the bike as it was underexposed due to the brighter BG.  Need to fill flash if I do not wish to edit the picture.

 

This shot was taken with aperture at F22 and 30Sec shutter.  I simply just walk to the bike and the flash at will.  The result is some BG shown in the picture.  This is not the result that I am looking for.

 

This picture is taken with he Function of my D700.  Multiple shot with no auto gain.  Had to walk to and fro to change the position of the flash and wait for the shutter to trigger.  The result is total elimination of the BG and only the bike and floor is visible.  This is more like the result I wanted.   

I also had to fire the flash from the top back of the bike aiming at the seats to separate it from the BG.  This is a bit like rim lighting.  If not, you will not be able to see where the seat is.

East Coast Skate Park

Went to Skate Park today and saw Angela there.  Took “a few” shots of here there.  Edited her photo the bring out the detail of the cloud.  Had difficulty with the mask for her last picture here.

 

Rescuing a blurred picture

I learnt a the Dave Hill Effect recently.  Though I do not like the effect I made using the tutorial, I learnt I can actually use part of the steps there to rescue a blurred picture.  Below is the example.  Think not too obvious in small size.  But definitely obvious at 100% view.

Before :

After:

If you find this useful and wish to find out how it is done, please do a bit of homework as I have given an ultra big clue on how to get there.

Flash Photography – Part I

Watched a video on http://www.youtube.com about a guy taking picture of a car using 1 flash with soft box and long shutter in the dark.  It reminded of Lucifer telling me that he did it be last time.  Hence, had this idea of using the same method but on Product shoot.  Shall document this in detail in case I forget what I did.

 

My set up is simple.  Items used are as follows:

1. 1 x White cloth as base and background.
2. 1 x hard cover or thick book
3. 1 x Tripod
4. 1 x A4 size paper
5. 1 x flash
6. 1 x DSLR

Preparation:

As I am shooting on my bed, I need the book as the base so that the lens do not sink into the bed creating shadow at the front bottom of the lens facing the camera.

I place the white cloth over the book and position my lens.  I then compose the picture with my camera on tripod.

I did not set up DSLR to fire my flash remotely.   Set the camera to a very long shutter speed and aperture to any value required.  In fact, I do not want much ambient light to be captured. 

I set the flash in manual mode and to an appropriate power to allow firing on the A4 paper which will act as a reflector.

Time to shoot:

After switching of my lights, I press the shutter release. 

Fire the flash at the A4 paper at the pre-determined distance at right 45 degrees to the lens.

I then reduce the flash by 1 stop and fire it again at the 45 degrees left to the lens.

Wait for the shutter to close and it’s done.

Did some burning and dodging to achieve the picture below.

Result:

The second picture is done by the method stated above.  The 1st picture  used another firing sequence and setting of the flash.  But the idea is the same.

This may not be a fantastic picture.  However, it give me some feel on using multiple lighting.  It should be giving a similar result as someone shooting with 2 remotely control flash with short shutter speed.

I have tried shooting with black cloth and the result is not as good.  I think I will need separation lighting.  It’s late now.  Will try again next time.  Enjoy the Video I watched earlier below.

2nd Day in Bali

Cast: The Family

   

 

       Boatman                                         Guide

 

 

 

Woke up late today and rushed out for my half day tour.  The tour is only for me and another family.  Friendly people they are. 

 

1st stop: Circle K.  A place where you can buy drinks.  Something like 7-11.

Activity: Buy drinks

 

2nd Stop: Beach at Nasa Dua
Activity: Water sports.  Erm…. I forgot to bring my extra clothing out in the rush.  It’s ok.  I can still take picture for the family in the tour.

 

Arrived at the sea activity beach and took some random pictures.

 

 

Activity : Parasailing

Time required: 15 mins max.

Cost: Forgotten.

Contestants: Ace, Alan

Risk of getting wet: Near zero unless you are….. Ace.

 

1st to go, Ace.

 

Isn’t this parasailing??? How come there is not tow line.  My god.  He is doing parachuting.  Not a chance.  Erased the line using Photoshop CS4.

  

 

Next in line, Ace’s Bro-in-law, Alan.

 

 

No one in the group actually tried the flying fish as it will require you to get wet.

 

 

3rd stop, visit to Giant Turtle Island.  Some pictures taken on the way to and fro Giant Turtle Island.

  

 

On the island……

 

4th stop: Angsa Putih 

Activity: Lunch

Cost: >100 Rupiah.  My most expensive food of the trip.

   

 

5th Stop: Windhu Sari Art Market

Activity: Shopping for some stuffs like woodcrafts, coffee, tea and some handicrafts.  It says no camera inside.  Hence, no photos of inside.  I shall take it outside.

 

 

6th Stop: Stone carving shop by the road side.

Activity: Looking around and shopping for them, photography for me.

   

 

7th Stop: Silverware shop

Activity: See See Look Look.  No one bought anything this time.

 

8th Stop: Wood Carving Shop

 

 

9th Stop: Painting shop.

Activity: Looking at the nice drawings.  I love the landscapes.  Really nice.  No pictures taken there.  Spend too much time looking at the pictures.

 

10th Stop: Back to Hotel

Time: Past sunset.  No sunset photos again.

Rushed to the beach and managed to get these 2 pictures.

 

11th stop: Kunyit Bali Restaurnt

Activity: Dinner

Cost: From 40000++Rupiah