i am a beginner photographer and i am trying to learn as much as i can as soon as i can. these sparkler pics are amazing to me. i have a slight idea of how you did this, but if u could tell me exactly how to achieve images like these, i would deeply appreciate it.
Alex
Monday, July 23rd, 2007 at 23:03:23
Hey Alex!
This is a long exposure. It was dark out (no lights on in the yard) and I set the camera to something like 8 seconds at f8. I changed my camera to use rear curtain flash (the flash goes off at the end of the picture instead of at the beginning) and the camera was on a tripod. I gave people warning (3..2..1..click) and while the shutter was open they drew their pattern. After 8 seconds the flash fired (lit them up) and the picture was made.
John
John Harvey
Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 at 08:26:27
Hi John! I also have a beginner question for you. If you used slow sync flash which flash at beginning, would it achieve basically the same result as rear curtain flash except your hand should freeze at beginning of writing instead of finishing?
Learner
Friday, January 1st, 2010 at 05:00:13
Yup - you got it. The only advantage to rear flash (except where the hands are) is psychological. When most people see a flash they freeze. If you want the motion for a second after the flash goes off, you might find it jerky. If you capture the second before the flash goes off, it's smooth unless the subject responds to the shutter sound.
John Harvey
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 20:50:52