April AtoZ Challenge: PH – Z: Zoom Burst

for Zoom Burst

This is a photographic effect which is achieved in camera, during the shoot. Essential is a lens that can zoom. We start the exposure, and then zoom in or out during the exposure. This creates interesting trails, and if done correctly, delivers exceptionally different photos which stand out immediately. Its really easy. Set a long exposure, click, zoom, done. This is how an example looks.

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This is a part of April AtoZ Challenge. For the complete set of all 26 letters, click here.

With this, I come to the end of the April AtoZ Challenge in PH (Photography). In this month of intensive blogging, I realize the importance of planning ahead is paramount. Thanks to the challenge, I now know how to make meaningful gist of long post and keep it short and crisp. Thanks to all who helped me along and thanks to all who loved my posts.

Cheers!!

April AtoZ Challenge: PH – Y: You

for You, yourself!

Call me narcissist but I feel, a post should be dedicated to You! Here, I ll dedicate it to me :p

It isnt easy doing a AtoZ Challenge, find the words, bring the definitions into compact less than 100 words gist, and then arrange the photos that explain each of them. Using own photos do pose certain issues, but then, it feels better too. But, in the end, it feels good to be able to complete this challenge, Z is all set up, so, am happy!

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This is part of April AtoZ Challenge. Upto letter X can be found here!

Cheers!!

April AtoZ Challenge: PH – X: X-Process

for X-Process (Cross Process)

This is a throwback to the old film processing days. Cross Processing was a case when developing solutions for a certain type of photo was used, either by mistake or intention to a different one. The results used to unpredictable and fairly in consistent, and in a lot of cases, made the photos distinct and appealing. Now, with softwares like Picasa and mobile apps like Pixlr-o-matic, cross process photos are easy to make. Dont over use this, but once a while, they do liven up the photos.

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This is a part of April AtoZ Challenge. Previous entries can be found here.

Cheers!!

 

April AtoZ Chellenge: PH – W: White Balance

for White Balance

This is a in-camera option, for setting the color tone correctly while shooting under varying light conditions. Generally, options like cloudy, direct sunlight, shade etc are available along with the Auto mode. The Auto mode suffices mainly, but be advised, during shooting HDR photos, or making a timelapse video, change it to some other setting other than Auto. This is because, in the Auto mode, the white balance might change between the subsequent shots, something that is not desirable while shooting in a series. For flexibility, I shoot in RAW format, and fix the issues in post processing.

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This is a part of April AtoZ Challenge. For the rest of the series, head here.

Cheers!!

Motion!

A black car, an open field, a cloud of smoke and dust. Thats a picture of motion for me.

Whats motion to you? Need inspirations, have a look here.

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Happy Shooting.

Cheers!!

Versatile Blogger…Awarded!

I begin this post by thanking Damini Shah @ https://lifemyntras.wordpress.com for nominating and hence awarding me with the Versatile Blogger Award, many thanks.

As per the rules of the award
1. I must thank those who have deemed me fit to be awarded the award.
2. I must write 7 facts about myself.
3. Must nominate the bloggers I feel are deserving of the award.

I would like to thank Damini once more, I really feel elated and honored. Thank You.

7 Facts about me–
1. I am a Mechanical Engineer, who has served 13 months in the IT Industry as a Software Tester.
2. I took up photography as a hobby quite recently and am self trained.
3. I am a foodie and like to review restaurants often.
4. I love to travel, and often have unusual, sometimes solo, travel plans.
5. I like making elaborate birthday cards for my female friends, pardon the bias.
6. I cook 😛
7. I love to drive cars. Riding bikes are fun, but the car feels a bit better for me.

Now, I nominate the following for the award:

  1. Pooja Dasgupta ( https://dialifestyle.wordpress.com/)
  2. Shreya Das ( https://shreyadas1.wordpress.com/)
  3. Karen Anderson ( https://expressingmyvision.wordpress.com/)
  4. Tuhina Mitra ( https://tuhinamitra.wordpress.com/)
  5. Ami ( https://yearful-of-sundays.com/)
  6. Amy Sampson ( https://playingwithmyfirstdslrcamera.wordpress.com/)
  7. Bob Byrd ( https://byrdwords.wordpress.com/)
    8. cjdraper1961 ( https://dancingechoes.com/)

Should you choose to accept this award, you must follow the above mentioned rules too. And once you have complied, feel free to copy the image and use it.

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Have fun, and keep blogging!

Cheers!!

April AtoZ Challenge: PH – V: Vibration Reduction

for Vibration Reduction (VR)

VR, is also known as IS (Image Stabilization) in Canon lens, is a system of arrangement of lens and motor which constantly moves the lens elements to compensate for the tiny hand vibrations. It becomes visually significant in slower shutter speeds and at extreme telephoto focal lengths. Normally they allow for 2 or 3 stops worth of stabilization. On the downside, when taking long exposure photos, on a tripod, the lens may try to compensate and actually cause blurring. Contrary to certain beliefs, keeping the VR mode on, hardly drains the battery in an excess, but the advantages are immense.

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This is a part of April AtoZ Challenge. Previous letters, right here.

Cheers!!

April AtoZ Challenge: PH – U: Underexposure

for Under-exposure

The photographic condition, when enough light is not received by the photo, we term it as an under-exposure. The overall photo appears to be darker and needs corrective tweaking in post processing. Most likely causes being high shutter speed and/or small aperture values. In some cameras, the RAW files capture more details in the shadows than in the highlights, hence having an under exposed photo is more usable than an over exposed one. When in doubt, under expose the scene by one stop, that’s my suggestion.

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This is a part of April AtoZ Challenge. Rest of the preceding letters can be found here.

Cheers!!

April AtoZ Challenge: PH – T: TTL Metering

for TTL Metering

TTL is for Through The Lens. This is a type of auto metering where the camera decides the exposure values and white balance etc based on the incident lights, measured through the lens, hence the name. It is also used for flash metering, where a pre flash is fired and the response acts as the deciding value for the flash power. In a fix, Auto mode works fine, but often we want more control and this setting is left untouched. Do explore it though, might come handy someday.

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This is a part of April AtoZ Challenge. The other letters can be found here.

Cheers!!

April AtoZ Challenge: PH – S: Shutter Speed

for Shutter Speed

This is one of the basic stuffs that is required for a photo to be correctly exposed and also for unleashing the creativity. As the name suggests, this is the measure of how fast the shutter will actuate. Denoted in terms of parts of second and notation is 1/250, 1/500, 1/2, 1′ etc. Faster shutter speed freezes motion, while slower will blur things out, both with specific uses. It is imperative to learn to master this aspect. A fully detailed and better post can be found here. Check it out, and you ll be able to do these!!

 15s 1/250

1/200

 

This is a part of April AtoZ Challenge. The letters upto R can be found here.

Cheers!

April AtoZ Challenge: PH – R: Rear Curtain

for Rear Curtain

Rear Curtain is a term used to describe flash setting when the flash is fired at the end of the exposure. In general, the flash is fired at the beginning. In a fast shutter speed, it doesnt really matter, but in the slower ones, having a rear curtain flash has very interesting effects. It shows movement, and then freezes at the end moment. On the flip side, is the front curtain, which also shows movement, but in a different form. I suggest all to try these out. A full detail post can be found here.

Rear Curtain
Rear Curtain

This is a part of April AtoZ Challenge. The letters up to Q can be found here.

Cheers!!

Peekaboo!!

I dont take selfies often, but when I do, they are a bit…shall we say….uncommon!!

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I saw a similar photo while browsing through the internet, and creating this was not tough at all. Two separate images merged in photoshop, thats all. This is an example of Double Exposure though. Some cameras, the high end ones offer this function in body, others, like me, we merge. For perfection, ask someone to take the shot, selfies, can actually be a bit tricky 🙂

Happy Shooting. Cheers!!