Polarized Flash

Deformed Rock

I am finding that this is a very interesting rock.  You will see more of it.

I was not exactly happy with the "hot" spot on the right.  I have an aversion to this sort of thing.  I did not see "blinkies" in the histogram on the camera or in PS.  It still looked hot.  I see this on TV and I don't like it there either.  I wanted to see what could be done with it.  So I shot it again using polarizing filters on the flashes and camera lens.

Deformed Rock Shot with Polarization

Adjusting the polarizing filter on the camera lens was a little tricky for me.  My camera has a button call DOF preview.  When pressed it causes the flashes to emit a light which does not last very long.  That is the light by which I adjusted the filter.  

I am happy with the "hot" spot on the right in this one.  I am sure that you will notice that the overall exposure is lower.  I did not change settings on the camera or the flash.  My sense tells me that the polarizing did not correct the "hot" spot but rather the polarizing lowered the exposure enough to correct the spot.

Polarizing the flash is something that I have wanted to try for a long time.  I bought the polarizing material from Edmond Optics several years ago.  I just never got around to trying it.  Recently, I saw a before and after shot of a sea shell where it was used to dramatic effect.  I had not realized that polarizing affects sea shells.  I knew about sky, plant leaves, and water surface.  I have some rocks which have been tumbled to a glossy sheen.  I want to try it on them.

I made sure that polarizing material was mounted on the each flash with the plane of it's effect the same.

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Pitted Rock

Pitted Rock

This rock looked nondescript until I examined it under a hand lens.  It became quite interesting to me as I noticed the pits lined with a reddish material, maybe some form of iron.  I photographed it using Deep DOF and also noticed that at some locations it appears that there are pits with a "lid" on them.  I thought of trying to pop these out to see if the interior was like the others but I think that they are too small given the tools I posses.  I don't think I could see these small places well enough to use a straight pin.

Deformed Rock

This shot has been in the "blog" folder for so long that I do not remember why it was there except that I like to look at it.  I did notice some greenish/blue material in the upper left.  I have to imagine that heat and force shaped this rock like it does so many.

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Color for Deformed Rock Shot

Deformed Rock

Seen separately, either one of these shots looks acceptable to me.  They are both Deep DOF, depth-of-field captures.  In Photoshop Curves, I tried the auto button but was unhappy with the result so I went to work manually.  I took it to the point you see here by adjusting the individual RGB Curves and then the collective one.  

Reformed Rock

I used the gray dropper in curves on the background of this one.  It gave the neutral gray background but more happily, a pleasing rendition of the rock.  The same technique was unacceptable on the previous image.  I don't know why.  I did not change any settings on camera or flashes.  Any suggestions?

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My Modifications to Precision Model LC150-14

Precision Model LC150-14

I just looked up this cart and they still sell it.  I think that it is a good value even though a bit more expensive these days.  Precision Model LC150-14    

The weaknesses are two fold.  The 5.5 cubic foot "tub" is the only connection between the handles and the wheels.  That is OK for light duty, but when trying to drag this thing  through the forest, over logs and the like, I think it needs more "beef".  

Precision Model LC150-14

If you can see through the mud, I added steel angles between the handle and the axle.  It takes a lot of stress of the "tub".  I also found that the back corners of the tub brake, especially in cold weather.  I strengthened them with epoxy and bolted on brackets.  That helps but you still need to replace the tub every few years.

My Modifications to Precision Model LC150-14

You may not be looking for a cart to pull around your camera and tripods, but if you are, I heartily recommend this one for use at Gorman Nature Center.


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Wide Tracks in the Snow

Cart Tracks in the Snow

The other morning, I noticed cart tracks in the snow.  I had not seen such tracks before except mine.  I use a cart to tote my gear around so it caught my interest.  I researched my cart several years ago because I was looking to replace it.  There were a few things I did not like about it so I was hoping to find a better replacement.  I think that I looked at about every one out there.

These tracks were considerably wider than my cart.

Wide Tracks and My Cart

They looked like they might be bicycle tires.  I thought immediately of the Yard Way Cart.  It seems that the name has changed.  Carts Vermont now build the cart and call it a garden cart.  It is pricey.  There may be one in the shed at Gorman.  I am unsure.  I decided against that cart for several reasons.  Wheels too wide to go between trees, to expensive, bicycle wheels will not take sideways abuse as my cart wheels will.   A bicycle wheel will turn into a potato chip shape when abused.

Precision Model LC150-14 Cart

I picked up my first one at, maybe, Loews.  It has been so many years ago that I can not remember.  I think it cost me less than $50.  When I was looking to change, I finally decided that this was still the best one for me.  I have made some changes to it and will share those tomorrow.

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"New" Lighting

Deformed Rock

My lights for this photography consisted of floods and spots made for yard lighting.  I had them mounted on a home made stand and a light floor stand.  They collapsed the other day and would have required a lot of repair.  I decided, since I am currently reading Light and Lighting in Digital Photography by Michael Freeman, that it is time to take a step from the concrete light setup to the abstract.  I began using my Canon EX 550 as a master, flash off, and two EX 420 flashes as the lights.  I am not showing my initial products.  I made this one as my first "successful" effort.  I used "fill light" in Adobe Camera Raw, ACR, to bring up the lighting in the front center. 

Deformed Rock

I then placed a piece, about 4x6, of white mat board flat in front and propped up the camera side so that it would throw light onto the front of the subject.  I am much happier with this arrangement.  

This light setup is giving me a chance to grow in using my flashes.  I also have learned that I was usually using an ISO that was too low for effective use with flash.  I learned this by setting my camera, Canon 7D, to auto ISO.  I noted what it chose and learned the ISO range for flash.

Light Setup

My primary use of flash previously has been insect photography.  I have learned that the infrared beams which the flashes use to talk to the camera get blocked in full sun.  Indoors, though, they work great.

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A Red Solo Cup

Red Solo Cup

The place for this cup is at the party or in the trash not at Gorman Nature Center.

Thanks

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