ok guys, my first challenge entry i uploaded this mornimg was ok as far as i was concerned. I wasn't happy because i still didn't capture the candles the way i wanted. after i took that pic of myself, i took a shower, and decided to try again. i changed some settings. to see if i could get the candles the way i wanted and still have me in enough light. i never did succeed last night. i was just too tired to continue and decided to try again another night. another, here are the pics so you can compare and see. sorry to post this one again, but i want you to see the difference in the candles. this one: f/8 exp. 7 sec. ISO 64

ok, i took a break and came back and readjusted. i decided my shutter speed was way too long so shortened it. I'm not in this one. figured there was no way there was enough light to illuminate me.

f/8
1/2 sec
ISO 64

you can see the difference in the candles. they really look a LOT better!

Message edited on: 04/11/2005 01:24

oopsy! uh...let me get that pic...

ok...this time i decide to make another adjustment to see if i can get more lighting...enough to illuminate me AND keep my candles looking the way i want.

f 6.3
1/2 sec. exp.
ISO 64

ok, in this one, you can see me, but not very well. so...i increased the brightness up to 25 and this is the result.

and this is where i ended my experiment last night. i did try almost every shutter speed to see what i liked and i really like this 1/2 sec. exposure. that one flame is pretty big because we have a window air conditioning unit that was blowing in front of the candles.

anyway, now that i have the shutter speed down, i guess i just need to figure out what f stop will work. i will try going down to 4 next time i shoot to see what happens.

Anyway, Pascale, now you see why i wasn't satisfied with my challenge entry! i wanted the flames to look natural. i mean, it was ok, but i knew i could do better. i just got WAY too tired. it's verrrry time consuming.

i find it MUCH easier to take nightshots outside than try to shoot candles!!!!! candles are soooooo hard for me!

i welcome any input, suggestions, etc.! :) thanks ya'all!

Message edited on: 04/11/2005 01:25

I for one am impressed with your efforts.Perfect flames.Though I do like the effect of the top one. Has it's place.

thanks, doug! i just need to keep doing it until i get exactly what i want. in my challenge entry, i think how i'm illuminated is perfect. but my candles are all out of whack. and in that last one i took, my candles are perfect, you can barely see me, even with bumping up the brightness in postwork. i HOPE by changing the the settings a bit more i can find the perfect combo to that will illuminate me like in the first one and show my candles the way i want like in the last! :)

I realize the excerise was to try and capture the candles in their natural state in the best possible way, but I have to say that your first image is really very, very well done. I'd put it on my wall for sure.

How do you find the time i wonder!!!! This is really an interesting and educational thread you started. Thank you!!!! I agree with Peter, your first still is the bomb!!! (and by bomb i mean it in the positive way...sigh..english terms...yikes...)

thanks a bunch, Peter & Andreas!!!! Where do i find the time? i just do it!!!! :) I understand what you mean about the the Bomb and thanks! :)

One thing you may consider is doing some layering in PSP to keep the candles as you want and adjusting yourself in the back. This way you will not lose the brightness of whole image. I think you could make a real perfeect one,but in postwork. Be worth it.

great idea, doug! i really wanna nail this in cam though. you know i don't have a THING against postwork!! :) but i'm really challenging myself to take the pics i want as much as i can in the camera...you know find the right settings. it helps me learn my camera more i think.

one rainy day though i might play with this image again and see what i can do about layering and see what happens...just for fun! :)

Message edited on: 04/11/2005 15:23

That entry is very cool looking, and I don't think the candles are all out of whack. I like the candles in that one better. :-)

thanks, Jeff!!!! :)

Really love the first shot, and respect your trying to nail in camera. Just keep lowering your f-stop until you get the correct exposure. If you get wide open and still not enough light you will of course have to lengthen your shutter speed. Good job, again I really like that first shot.

I do see what u mean Sheila indeed but I still prefer the first one!! A 100%! The candles in ur first image don't bother me one bit, on a contrary! As I told u, I think this first shot is perfect!!! I'm not sure u can achieve what u want in cam though! Sounds kinda impossible to me! But hey...good luck for that anyway! ;)

thanks, Randy! i'll definitely do that! Pascale, thanks girl!!!!! Oh, i KNOW i can achieve it!!!!!!! i just need a bit of time to find the right settings! :)

LOL!! Ok then!! I will patiently wait to see the results! :)