Twilight in Wheatland

[Ben Ruset]

Tonight Laura and I took off for Wheatland, better known as Pasadena to do some experimental photography.

I have long been a fan of Troy Paiva's Lost America, which is full of fantastic night-time photography from the American South-West. He uses a technique called light painting, which basically involves having really long (10+ minute) shutter times, and "painting" the scene with colored light, either via flashlight or via a camera flash.

He recently switched to digital, and the fact that he's using a camera very similar to my own made me decide to FINALLY go out and try it myself. (I had been putting off trying it with film since my Pentax K-1000 is a pain, and my Sigma 35mm would eat batteries keeping the lens open for so long.)

So anyway, take a look. What you see here is exactly what the camera saw - these images have not been altered in Photoshop. In fact only one image was cropped, and that was just to get a ghost image of myself out of the frame.

Let me know what you think. I'm really pleased at the results from my first time.

 

[woodjin]

That's pretty cool, Ben. I'm not familar with that style of photography. Certainly puts a new perspective on a familar surrounding.

Jeff

 

[BEHR655]

Wow! that is cool.

 

[LARGO]

Really nice shots, the tower is an especially cool effect.
I'd like to try stuff like that.
I love taking pics but as of now I'm your plain point & shoot type.
Good luck if you continue, they are sure to get more interesting as
you experiment.

 

[LARGO]

checked out the sight

Ben,
I checked out his site, seems like he's been at this for awhile.
Man, with all the pines have to offer and with what you and especially Guy have what I would call somewhat exclusive access to some really cool sites, you could have a blast with this type of photography.
I think about what it would be like in a place like the Atsion mansion alone.
I know this might be off track but with my Jersey shore interests I see Lighthouse photos !!! Also.... Think, Fort Mott. Darn it all I wish I had the equipment for this !!! Please keep going & post pics !! I,m not sure about the reds but the greens and blues would be a killer.


George

 

[Ben Ruset]

George,

I still don't have all of the right equipment. I need to get a bunch of theater gels for more colors, and some more flashlights.

I have some ideas for other places to try shooting. Could be interesting. The problem is I am not really all that hot on being in the woods alone at night. My mind starts wandering, and sure enough soon I start hearing the Jersey Devil...

 

[LARGO]

George,

I still don't have all of the right equipment. I need to get a bunch of theater gels for more colors, and some more flashlights.

I have some ideas for other places to try shooting. Could be interesting. The problem is I am not really all that hot on being in the woods alone at night. My mind starts wandering, and sure enough soon I start hearing the Jersey Devil...

Trust me, there's no time like night. Most everyone is somewhere else.

 

[woodjin]

except for the Jersey Devil of course.

 

[uuglypher]

involves having really long (10+ minute) shutter times, and "painting" the scene with colored light, either via flashlight or via a camera flash.[/QUOTE]

Ben,

Fascinating effects! What camera did you use? And have you tried illumination from an LED flashlight?
Neat stuff. Let us see more when you do it.

Dave

 

[Ben Ruset]

I have a Canon EOS-300D digital SLR. For a flashlight, I used my 4 D cell maglite and some colored Conkin filters. I also used a Sigma external flash as well.

 

[bobpbx]

Cool Ben, very cool.

 

[Badfish740]

My mind starts wandering, and sure enough soon I start hearing the Jersey Devil...

Hearing!? In photos one and three it looks like you're SUMMONING the Jersey Devil! That red light is pretty crazy looking, it's a pretty amazing technique for sure. I definitely know what you mean though. I've been "in the woods" (as in around my house) at night plenty of times, but the Pines are a whole different world...