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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> CSLR CHALLENGE 90: UFO (hosted by Cat) >> EXHIBITION > Lights in the Sky
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davev

Lights in the Sky


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Guest 03-Apr-2007 12:57
Thanks so much! Guess what I'll be practising today!
Debbi
Guest 03-Apr-2007 12:41
Debbi in California asked in the forum:
> Please expand more on the flashlight on a string technique... that is sooo cool! Dark > room? Timer? spin? how do you keep the spin within the view plane? Such fun...put > a gel on the flashlight and get colors...

Here's how it's done:

First, get a small flashlight. Tie a string to the end of it and fasten the other end to the ceiling. Set the camera, on manual mode, under the flashlight pointing straight up at the flashlight and set the exposure for 10 to 15 seconds and aperture at f22. Focus is not critical. In a totally dark room swing the flashlight and fire the camera. This will give you a simple oval that is spiraling down.

Second, create a double axis pendulum. Hmmm, let me explain. Take a piece of string about 3 feet long and fasten it to two points on the ceiling about 2 feet apart. Then take the string from step one and fasten it to the second string. This gives you a pendulum with different swing frequency on the two axis. It will give you a much more complex pattern. Again swing the flashlight and take the picture. This is what I've got here.

Using a gel filter is a good idea. I'd hold it close to the lens 'cause then I could switch filters in mid shot and get more than one color.

Results are pretty much a crap shoot: Shot, examine, adjust and shoot again.

Import the picture into PS and play with the settings.
Guest 02-Apr-2007 13:13
This is so cool... I would have thought it would be over exposed at 30 seconds. Dark room, right? How many tries?
Debbi
Guest 25-Mar-2007 13:29
Yep. Flashlight from a string with the camera right below it. I think this was a 30 second exposure. dave
Guest 23-Mar-2007 19:05
Nico's got it. I know 'cause I used to do this long long ago in a galaxy far far away.

jnconradie23-Mar-2007 18:15
Some light emitting object swinging on a piece of rope/string? Beautiful! Regards jnconradie
Guest 23-Mar-2007 14:33
Wonderful geometry at play!!! I have no clue what would have generated pattern like this... is it some kind of toy with a rotating light at the top... or some scientific instrument or something...I am lost ... -Cat