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My Personal Challenge


My Personal Challenge
Photo Information
Copyright: Steve Reekie (LordPotty) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1172 W: 145 N: 2712] (8404)
Genre: Fungi
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-17
Categories: Rain Forest
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8
Exposure: f/8, 3 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-06-17 5:24
Viewed: 508
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
As many of you who know me know,I have been way behind with my technical knowledge of cameras and photography for a long long time.
Intimidated by manuals and unable to concentrate for long,I have ended up spending the best part of 5 years shooting totally in auto mode.
Although I have had some success with subjects in good light,I have failed miserably in low light conditions.
At times I had tried to set the aperture and shutter speed,but not having much success had soon reverted to using auto ... the result,soft images,poor DOF and many many rejects.

This photo represents a milestone for me.
Last evening I went for a walk to the Omotumotu Reserve,just on the outskirts of Greymouth to see what fungi were around.
Just as it was getting dark I found this Coprinus (lagpous I think) growing from a log by the track.
It was so dim that I could only see the cap. The log and stem were hardly visible at all.
I decided to challenge myself,and see if I could get a reasonably sharp detailed image in the failing light,using manual settings.
I put the camera on a mini tripod and set the ISO to 200
Then I set the F stop to my cameras highest setting,a modest F/8
I set the exposure time at 3.2 seconds and set the timer for two seconds.
I used my LED light at a distance to slightly light the stem of the mushroom.
I was delighted with my result.
Had I shot this on auto,I would only have got a very blurred image that somewhat resembled a mushroom.
Instead I got a reasonably clear image,enough to see the powdery textures on the cap and some good detail in the upturned gills.

Obviously,this is a great boost to my confidence,and I'm excited about what I might capture in the future.
I look forward to showing you the results of my future efforts.

Thanks for looking.
Steve
joey, Hormon_Manyer, Argus, aes_thor, NinaM has marked this note useful
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To elizabeth: Thanks !LordPotty 2 06-17 19:06
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1696 W: 242 N: 5596] (19883)
  • [2008-06-17 7:36]

This is a really good shot, Steve!
Especially seeing as you exposed this completely manually which is very difficult to do!
Excellent use of the mini tripod to keep the image tack-sharp and get an effective low-down POV.
I love the luminous light too.... it almost looks as if this mushroom is glowing in the dark! :-)
Superb DOF from f/8 and very contrasty black surroundings.
Brilliant clarity and detail.
In this case it wouldn't have made much difference but if you're using a tripod then put the ISO as low as possible to increase the quality, the tripod will keep everything sharp so a lower shutter speed wouldn't matter.

Anyway it's really great to hear you're experimenting and to be frank I would be VERY proud if I'd taken this shot!
Brilliant to hear you're feeling happier too!

And imagine what you could get with that Raynox... I'm really looking forward to seeing what you take with that gem of a lens :-)

Very well done!!

Cheers mate,
Joe

Hi Steve,
First of all really big congratulations! Perfect using of Your equipment and the available minor lights. Very nice night shot of the small ephemerical Coprinus - it's really pity this specie isn't bioluminescent. :)
You're right, this image was a challenge to do. But the way You solved the "problem" is something must be proud of. Wonderful experiment, not least a beautiful result. Bravo bravissimo.
Also thanx for sharing the interesting story how You managed to do the capture.
Best regards, László

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2613 W: 133 N: 7504] (23403)
  • [2008-06-17 10:05]

Good work Steve!
And congratualtions on your successful manual manipulations. The result is excellent (I'm not fishing for points!), this delicate and strange-looking Coprinus looking great against the dark BG as the exposure is optimum.
Thanks for sharing this work,
Ivan

Hi Steve
Well done on achieving a great result with settings you picked. I really like the texture and detail on top of the mushroom on this one.
Cheers and TFS
Sue

Hey Steve, nice shot! Using your camera in manual mode makes all the difference, it puts all the control back in your hands. The detail and textures in the cap have shown up well in your image and you have chosen a good composition. Well done.
Cheers
Elizabeth

Hi Steve,
Interesting species, good shot despite of very low light- sharp and clear, good details. Interesting note as well. Some time ago I've bought a tripod and that was a milestone for me - low light is not a problem any more:). Keep experimenting.
cheers,
Adrian

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 566 W: 0 N: 1388] (4593)
  • [2008-06-17 15:54]

I am delighted too that you captured this beautiful fungi the way you did. I love seeing it where it grows, in this dark and humid place underneath the trunk of the tree. I like the subtle lighting making the white glow a little bit. You are right, it is going to be a world of discovery for you. Thank you!

Francine

Hi Steve

Well done, I 'm you've finally been able to to turn that dial off auto. And you've got a mini-tripod, great stuff. Its a good result, sharpnes and plenty of DOF. The composition is good too.
I hope to see more of your 'experiments' as you explore the full potentail of your equipment. Trust it will be very rewarding.

best wishes
Chris

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