Photo Assignment #15: "Bike Night"

[NitroRoo]

Use this thread for posting shots previously taken, or current shots asking questions, or just talking about the assignment. We'll open up a different post for you to post your actual submission entry. Your submission entry can be something new or one you posted here, but the picture HAS to be taken between now and Monday Oct 5th midnight. A winner will be chosen sometime after midnight Monday and announced at that time. The winner will then post the next two week assignment topic and so forth.

I looked through the past contests and was surprised to not find one that was motorcycle related yet... so I'll be first to break the ice. The subject of contest number 15 is "Bike Night."

No, not your local kickstand party or squidfest (although it could work), I mean a picture of a bike, at night. Pretty simple, but technically challenging. You'll want a tripod or at least a steady surface to set your camera on, and a remote trigger or self timer will help with camera shake. Most modern point and shoots offer a long exposure mode too now so don't let your camera hold you back! One more tip: on camera flash is not your friend.

I'll be looking for lighting, composition, subject matter, background, and technical skill... more or less in that order. Don't be afraid to give it a try, you'd be amazed what you can get with a long exposure!

Thought it might be a good excuse to get out and ride while the weather so nice too! :trust:

Here's a couple to get things started, I will post another thread for entries.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/swimybug/MyBike/Ninja-7.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/swimybug/MyBike/0194a.jpg

[sharkey]

Gee, who would think you could make a Ninja 500 so sporty lookin' :mrgreen:

Nice shots.

[M38A1]

Nice shots.

This should be a good one as well.

.

[JTM]

Gee, who would think you could make a Ninja 500 so sporty lookin' :mrgreen:

Nice shots.

:cough: that is an EX250

[ed29]

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd52/edhegarty/Picture005.jpg

Does sunset count as night?

[XoZe]

I'll have to get out tonight!

[NitroRoo]

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd52/edhegarty/Picture005.jpg

Does sunset count as night?

Sure, close enough. Let's say as long as the sun has gone down :sun:

[XoZe]

A couple from tonight:

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q252/XoZe_Colorado/Boulevard%20M50/IMG_0030.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q252/XoZe_Colorado/Boulevard%20M50/IMG_0037.jpg

[NitroRoo]

ooh very nice! :clap:

[DogBunny]

Tripods, timers, etc, are all very nice, but excellent atmospheric night pictures can be taken with a hand-held camera with a flash. See for yourself. Some are better than others, all were taken in the last couple of weeks, and all at night. I have been on a mission to document the dives of Austin at night:

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/spoke3.jpg

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/bars/continental.jpg

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/bars/nodrugs.jpg

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/bars/horseshoe.jpg

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/bars/ginnys.jpg

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/bars/carousel.jpg

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/bars/hanks.jpg

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/bars/mickeys.jpg

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/bars/emos.jpg

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/bars/canary.jpg

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/bars/poodledog.jpg

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/bars/nastys.jpg

I only have a few hundred more joints to go...
Of course, I wasn't trying for great night shots, I was trying for great atmospheric bar shots, that included my bikes. And, I had to work my bike in between cars.

[blackhawk]

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/bars/nodrugs.jpg



Judging from the signs on this door, it looks to be boring in there! :trust:

[Wes]

Those shots really make me miss Austin. I played at most of those clubs with my crummy band. Ah, good times.

[CBAT]

I have been on a mission to document the dives of Austin at night:



Good shots and an interesting subject. :clap:

[Squeaky]

From a year (?) ago. I wandered towards downtown after bike night.

http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/211877034_hDBR9-M.jpg

http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/211886125_xGh3W-M.jpg

I suppose now I'll have to go back with the FZ :rider:

[DogBunny]

Judging from the signs on this door, it looks to be boring in there! :trust:
Yeah, I want to make a sign with the same colors and script that says "Have a Nice Day!" and tack it on.
Those shots really make miss Austin. I played at most of those clubs with my crummy band. Ah, good times.
Yes, most of those joints have live music, as does almost anyplace in Austin that serves alcohol.
Good shots and an interesting subject. :clap:
Thanks. I was eventually going to start my own thread on it. Probably still will after more documentation. I haven't even touched on sixth or fourth street yet, or the Gay, Black and Mexican places (except for the "No Drugs" place, it's Mexican).

[NitroRoo]

Don't forget to get out there and take some pics this weekend! Contest deadline is the 5th! :)

[M38A1]

Man, tonight is beautiful with the full moon and all. But the rain chances go really high starting Saturday morning...:giveup: Maybe a nice rain shot, eh? lol....

[NitroRoo]

Man, tonight is beautiful with the full moon and all. But the rain chances go really high starting Saturday morning...:giveup: Maybe a nice rain shot, eh? lol....

Bring a trash bag :)

[M38A1]

Bring a trash bag :)

Roger that....
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/M38A1_bucket/Photography/Moon.jpg

[Desert Skies]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/DesertSkies/Big%20Bend%2012-05/Img_0904_800.jpg

[M38A1]

Last night down at the UT fountain that wasn't spouting. :angryfire

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/M38A1_bucket/Photography/Fountain.jpg

[DogBunny]

Last night down at the UT fountain that wasn't spouting. :angryfire
All of Austin's water features are off in response to the drought.

http://www.handspiral.com/images/Diamond_Die/xlforum/2009/bars/hole.jpg
The drag, Friday night.

[NitroRoo]

If you haven't entered in the contest thread you've got a couple hours to hurry up and do so!

[NitroRoo]

Shot this tonight with the help of the moon:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/swimybug/MyBike/NightNinja-1-2.jpg

And if anyone is cares:

ISO 400, f/13, 30sec, and me running around like a madman with a flash (even attracted the attention of a police officer!) :mrgreen:

[M38A1]

OK, spill the beans on 'how' you did that?

I'm guessing the camera on a tripod, set up for your shot and then run to the first tree, use an auto shutter release, pop the flash at the base of the first tree, let it charge while running over to the second tree, pop it off at it's base then get out of the frame?

How many tries did it take to get it right?

I 'gotta know how..... :clap:


Edit to add:
Now that I look at it, I'm guessing three flashes to include the two trees and in front of the bike?????

.

[Janet]

OK, spill the beans on 'how' you did that?

I'm guessing the camera on a tripod, set up for your shot and then run to the first tree, use an auto shutter release, pop the flash at the base of the first tree, let it charge while running over to the second tree, pop it off at it's base then get out of the frame?

How many tries did it take to get it right?

I 'gotta know how..... :clap:


Edit to add:
Now that I look at it, I'm guessing three flashes to include the two trees and in front of the bike?????

.

I think it's called painting with light. I have done some in crime scene and arson scenes. It needs to be dark, open the shutter and use a flashlight to "paint" the area to be shot, or use a flash that you move around to light up different areas. It's a great way to take an overview picture of a scene, like a house, at night. I set the camera on a tripod in the front yard and moved the flash around the house. It came out looking like it was day time.
Now you have a new project, right?

[M38A1]

Now you have a new project, right?

Oh yea..... another project. :doh:

Seriously, that's a very cool technique/effect I'd like to try on some various shoots. Thx. :clap:

[NitroRoo]

Yep Janet has it right... except I don't have a cable release so no bulb exposure - so 30 sec is my max exposure time. Set my flash on 1/4 power and started running around with it... I probably took 6 or 7 exposures before I got one I like, but I'm pretty familiar with my equipment and exposures as they were the only way I made a living for a long time...

Anyway, basically went like this: set camera on tripod, wide angle (16mm), f/13 for plenty of DOF. Then tried a few different exposure times to see what I liked for the clouds. 6sec looked pretty cool but static, and didn't give me enough time to run around and my flash to keep up. 30 sec provided a blurred sky but I like the effect, I think it gives the image a sense of motion. Oh and since it was so dark I had to temporarily put the flash on camera for AF assist. Once focus was locked in I switched to MF. Then hit the shutter w/ camera on self timer. Once the shutter opened, one flash from camera left (on bike). Then another into the headlight from camera right to light up the front of the bike. Then run back to tree on the right, then the tree on the left. It could be done better but I was only out for 10 mins tops (this is right out front of my house). Ideally I would have brought out more flashes and that would have given me more control - but I still like the final result. The biggest challenge will be knowing what flash power/distance/and f/stop combination will give you the correct exposure, and tying that into the correct exposure for any ambient light (the clouds in this case). Painting with light can also be done with a simple flashlight and is easiest to do in total darkness. Lots of trial and error at first but once you've done it for a long time it becomes second nature.

Here's my progression of pictures w/ meta data, maybe this will help?

Getting the clouds right:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/swimybug/IMG_0857.jpg
10:14:20 PM
Oct 5, 2009
4.0sec at f/9.0
16mm
ISO 400

Getting the correct flash exposure:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/swimybug/IMG_0858.jpg
10:14:48 PM
Oct 5, 2009
4.0sec at f/8.0
16mm
ISO 400

Some light on the front of the bike now:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/swimybug/IMG_0859.jpg
10:16:05 PM
Oct 5, 2009
6.0sec at f/8.0
16mm
ISO 400

This is when the cop showed up :lol2:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/swimybug/IMG_0860.jpg
10:17:31 PM
Oct 5, 2009
6.0sec at f/8.0
16mm
ISO 400

Deciding I need a longer exposure to get the trees as well:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/swimybug/IMG_0861.jpg
10:18:48 PM
Oct 5, 2009
20.0sec at f/11
16mm
ISO 400

Second attempt, flash didn't have fresh batteries so didn't make it to the left tree in time... if you look closely on the right, you can see a green blur from the light on my flash recycling
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/swimybug/IMG_0862.jpg
10:20:00 PM
Oct 5, 2009
20.0sec at f/11
16mm
ISO 400

Final attempt, it worked! Back inside I go...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/swimybug/MyBike/NightNinja-1-2.jpg
10:21:23 PM
Oct 5, 2009
30.0sec at f/13
16mm
ISO 400

You can see how I was closing my aperture down the longer my exposure had to be, so as not to blow out the moon too bad. I also had to up the power on my flash a bit (or move closer) to compensate for this as well. Hope that clears it up. If you look on photo sites (like photo.net) for painting with light there have been some INCREDIBLE works of art done with this technique (usually using flashlights though). Mine is pretty rough around the edges but eh.. at least it kind of shows what you can do. :rider:

[M38A1]

WOW! Now that's what I like seeing..... A great 'How To" lesson in a new technique.

I hope everyone enjoyed the lesson as much as I did...:clap:

.

[Tracker]

WOW! Now that's what I like seeing..... A great 'How To" lesson in a new technique.

I hope everyone enjoyed the lesson as much as I did...:clap:

.
+1 :thumb: