[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Terry989

Long exposures can be hit or miss. To improve the hit rate, I:

1. Use in camera long exposure noise reduction
2. Use a solid tripod or camera support (rock, log, table, etc) and a remote shutter release
3. Start with no filter on
4. Find the focus point and use auto focus
5. Turn off Auto-focus (or just turn off focus on shutter release to start with or just manual focus)
6. Use aperture priority mode and dial in the ISO and f/stop to what you want
7. Go to full manual mode
8. Set the shutter speed to bulb mode
9. Use a smart phone App to calculate a new exposure time using the original metered shutter speed
10. Put the filter on and time out your exposure using the App data
11. Note that if you use in camera noise reduction, the camera will need to process the data for a time ~ equal to the exposure time

Have fun. If I haven't done long exposure in a while, I will practice a shot or two at home before leaving on a trip.

Which cellphone app do you like?

Don't forget to take the ND off occasionally and take a "realistic" shot. Sometimes it's harder to impress with reality. If you can get killer shot that real, then the long-exposure version will have more power. In other words, don't let the focus on long exposure lead you to short change your composition.

[Terry989]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Which cellphone app do you like?

Don't forget to take the ND off occasionally and take a "realistic" shot. Sometimes it's harder to impress with reality. If you can get killer shot that real, then the long-exposure version will have more power. In other words, don't let the focus on long exposure lead you to short change your composition.

I usually use the "LEE Stopper App". While not as flexible as some apps, it's intuitive and easy to use with camera like dials to calculate the new exposure time and a built in timer/stop watch when you are ready to time it out.

Good point on taking the "realistic shot". I have wasted time on shots with 8 min exposures + 8 min of in camera processing when some test shots would have probably told me not to do it!

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by Terry989

Looks like the RX10 makes a great travel camera - - - a crazy range for a relatively compact camera! Are these black & white images out of the camera, or are they post processed to black and white?

It is a great all in one as long as you recognize the limitations.

I shoot everything in RAW, and then I use SilverEfexPro as a plugin to do all my B&W conversions from Photoshop.

[Itsed65]

Pt. Reyes today, the absolute closest I have ever gotten to a GHO.

The Wise One by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[jmg]

20180703_2002 - Portland - 6D - IMG_6067_100 by JMG, on Flickr

[allachie9]

Originally Posted by jmg

20180703_2002 - Portland - 6D - IMG_6067_100 by JMG, on Flickr

I just love super big skies like that !

[allachie9]

Although we are already more than 3 weeks after the longest day, sunset here is still after 10pm.
I went down to our local West Beach just before sunset as the sky looked interesting. It was still warm and there were plenty of people still down on the beach.
This shot was taken just before 10pm looking across The Moray Firth towards Dornoch and the mountains of Easter Ross.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by allachie9

Although we are already more than 3 weeks after the longest day, sunset here is still after 10pm.
I went down to our local West Beach just before sunset as the sky looked interesting. It was still warm and there were plenty of people still down on the beach.
This shot was taken just before 10pm looking across The Moray Firth towards Dornoch and the mountains of Easter Ross.

Alan, thanks for staying up for us. Wonderful light.

[Itsed65]

Venus photobombed the moon last night

Venus and the Moon by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Venus photobombed the moon last night

Nice shot Ed.

I saw that, ran to get my camera and then a cloud covered until the moon went down.

Oh well.

[jmg]

20180704_1007 - Portland - 6D - IMG_6160_100 by JMG, on Flickr

[Itsed65]

Too hot to get a really crisp shot of this kitty at Point Reyes

Be Very Very Quiet by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Pt. Reyes today, the absolute closest I have ever gotten to a GHO.

Very nice shot, Ed. Well done.

[M_Six]

Beautiful shot, Alan.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Nice shot Ed.

I saw that, ran to get my camera and then a cloud covered until the moon went down.

Oh well.

My brother called and asked if I was going to get a shot. I ran outside and saw this cool shot, but the moon was just about down behind the trees across the street. By the time I found a charged battery (argh!!!) and got my big lens mounted, it was too late. I did grab a few images, but the dew point here is well into the 70's and I was already underexposed, so they're useless. I needed to be setting this up on a tripod about 30 minutes earlier. Oh well.

[Arsonism]

I haven't posted in a while! I'll hope to have plenty of shots to share in the near future. Deployment was fun, but vacations are going to be better

Here's an adventure I had with my buddy the other day, I thought the shot turned out alright. It was very impromptu, he and his sister just returned from one of the trails and had the camera sitting by, snapped the shot in haste.




David Jeep by Shane

[Itsed65]

Wine in progress

Veraison Time by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Beautiful shot, Alan.

[Itsed65]

I had too much lens and couldn't keep the whole thing in frame. I am not as used to handling the big Canon with a 500 on it these days since getting the much lighter Sony setup.

Harrier with Prey by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

I had too much lens and couldn't keep the whole thing in frame. I am not as used to handling the big Canon with a 500 on it these days since getting the much lighter Sony setup.

That's a high-class problem. I think getting that much detail on a bird with prey, offsets the technical preference to have the whole bird in the frame. Focus on the bird and the prey is what's important here, and you nailed it, Ed.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by dcstep

That's a high-class problem. I think getting that much detail on a bird with prey, offsets the technical preference to have the whole bird in the frame. Focus on the bird and the prey is what's important here, and you nailed it, Ed.

My thoughts exactly. That is a great shot, framing issues be damned.

BTW, are you safe from this round of fires out there, Ed?

[Terry989]

California scrub jay. While this photo was taken in Sonoma, I now have one of these terrorizing the squirrels, insects and other birds in my back yard.