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DSLRUsers member Steve Griffin inflating his new "mini-airship" prior to what would have been its maiden flight. Sadly, the wind refused to play nicely and this was about as high as he got.

Photographically, I was really guessing. ISO at 800, 1/50 @ f10. The high ISO was due to other shots I was taking when the burner wasn't on; dusk light required the high setting. I wanted to retain as much as I could of the surroundings and so opted not to use any flash. Comments very welcome.





EDIT: Second image added

What a shame the wind didn't allow for take off and some more photo ops Simon. I like this though, the enthusiasm and hope is relayed in the photo well I feel. Not much noise at ISO of 800. Got any more?

I like it Simon the colours are great, and as Geoff said the ISO doesn't seem to be a problem.

Struth - was it really that dark.
As I said earlier Simon I am glad we only drove 2 hours to get weathered out. Those 40 hour plane flights really suck.

Nice capture anyways but how does it look pushed a stop??

SteveGriffin wrote:Struth - was it really that dark.
As I said earlier Simon I am glad we only drove 2 hours to get weathered out. Those 40 hour plane flights really suck.

Nice capture anyways but how does it look pushed a stop??

Thanks Geoff - yes there's more but they'll have to wait 'til tomorrow. They'll need a bit of playing with - though I was using my tripod folded like a monopod, the shots were basically handheld. Not a good scenario in such low light with the kit lens.

Craig - cheers mate - I loved the colours too. Steve knits a nice sweater as well! (This, like most of Steve's rigs, was all home-made)

Steve - I tried all kinds of pushing and pulling the exposure, curves and levels but this was, to me, the best compromise between the available light and maintaining some detail in the flame. Tough balancing act and one I'm sure others could do better with. I've got the RAWs if you want to play.

Great atmosphere !

Nice shot Simon, But I'm wondering if just a light tad of fill flash wouldn't have improved that even more?

Homemade, Seriously ? Wow!

That's a lot of "knitting".

Thx Casnell - it was pretty frenetic trying to get things set up before the wind won and started dragging everything across the paddock.

Matt - you're absolutely right. The speed at which everything was happening was another reason why I quite literally forgot the basics. I just jumped in and shot what I could. A great learning experience - next time I'll take the time to sit back for a second or two and plan what I'm going to do.

That being said, I can always blend mulitple exposure versions in PS. But that would be cheating...

Simon
You would be suprised how many photographers look down at their cameras and say 'if only I had the SB-800 attached!"......But.....they forget about that brilliant little built in pop-up flash that can be dialled down to around minus EV 1.3 for just a tad of magic fill!

I did indeed ponder grabbing the SB800 out of the car Matt! I use it so often that, as you say, I keep forgetting there's another light source tantalisingly close.

I think the word is: Bugger.

Simon

This is a nicely evocative image. I think the dark suits the mood.

Top pic! The colours, lighting and mood and perfect. My vote for a POTW for this one.

Which lens btw?

Thanks Peter.

Wayne, though I had my 70-300G (G for "Groan"), my 50mm1.4 and access to Steve's 70-200VR, this was definitely a wide-angle exercise. The only WA I had was the 18-70 kit lens and, as always, it was up to the task. A Sigma 10-20 or Tokina 12-24 would have been nice though..

Great shot Simon. The dark adds to the early morning/late evening mood of the image.
Craig

Matt. K wrote:Simon
You would be suprised how many photographers look down at their cameras and say 'if only I had the SB-800 attached!"......But.....they forget about that brilliant little built in pop-up flash that can be dialled down to around minus EV 1.3 for just a tad of magic fill!

Matt, I'm looking at one of my bodies and can't find the pop-up flash button... can you help me out?

Simon,
I forgot to tell you that my Nikkor 12-24 and 10.5 FE were in the blue bag.

Simon,

This is a great image, and for me there's really little that needs any improvement.

I actually prefer the darker background and how the light from the burner is falling on the faces of the people below. It's quite an involving capture that makes you look deeper at it.

I'd be proud of this one

(and the 18-70 DX... it's a fine lens, and pretty damn decent for the size and price)

SteveGriffin wrote:Simon,
I forgot to tell you that my Nikkor 12-24 and 10.5 FE were in the blue bag.

!!!

daniel_r wrote:Simon,

This is a great image, and for me there's really little that needs any improvement.

I actually prefer the darker background and how the light from the burner is falling on the faces of the people below. It's quite an involving capture that makes you look deeper at it.

Thanks Daniel - I was lucky with the way the light fell.

Simon, Steve,

Great work, and I can't wait to see the others.

I think that. as others have already said, the darkness adds to this image, and gives it almost the sense of adventure that Steve must have been feeling at the time this was all happening.

A great image, and of a great event.

Well done, and I truly hope that the next time you meet with a bit more success, Steve.

daniel_r wrote:Matt, I'm looking at one of my bodies and can't find the pop-up flash button... can you help me out?

Daniel,

Matt's referring to the camera body.

Great capture! Really nice colour, lighting is spot on, composition is perfect.

It's an all-round good capture of the moment, showing a sense of adventure, with the darker background drawing the viewer into the happenings.

Nicely done and potential POTW material IMHO

gstark wrote:

daniel_r wrote:Matt, I'm looking at one of my bodies and can't find the pop-up flash button... can you help me out?

Daniel,

Matt's referring to the camera body.

As is Daniel I suspect - his D2H (like my D2x) has no onboard flash & hence no button

stubbsy wrote:...his D2H (like my D2x) has no onboard flash & hence no button

And how much did you pay for it???

New image added to the original post. Steve was very close to lift off at this point. The burn is now from the gas cylinder onboard the 'mini-airship' (or 'The Locust' as I called it). Seconds later the attempt was all over due to wind gusts.

Great shot Simon! I like the first one.

Alex

Peter
The D2x has a candle holder on top. Give it a try...you'll love it!

Matt. K wrote:Peter
The D2x has a candle holder on top. Give it a try...you'll love it!

A small mirror, or the foil tray meat pies come in are also useful for directing your candle light.

Eat the meat pie first!