How I shoot Landscape – black card method (use finger)

I actually want to share this “black card” quite some time ago .. but I always forget and not really able to get some good result to share … and while I am doing this , one of my gang actually notice me shaking my finger around the front len .. and she did ask what was I doing … 😀 and here you go ….

what is black card method and when will we use it ?

when we having different exposures, I normally do GND filter, exposures blending, black card, HDR …(we not going to discuss all here but share some sample)

 

A. GND filter

this is just like GND filter, most of the time we have big dynamic range/different between sky and foreground.. it normally have different from 2-9 stops …. e.g. for standard sunrise/sunset/magic hour environment, we face 2-4 stops different between foreground – sky… to resolve this we normally use GND to single frame picture have the correct exposure among foreground and sky e.g.

1. without GND

Magical moment - no GND

2. GND

... the magical moment ...

– the sky is ~4 stops different from the foreground…

– I use GND.9s for above picture and do some PP trick to make the right exposure

 

B. HDR (seldom do this …but think we still good to know this)

Cold Reflection

– why I choose HDR … this was shoot use my SIGMA12-24mm which cannot fit any filter

– it was too cold to think which method to choose so I simply shoot 7 exposures back 😀

 

3. black card

– seldom use this as I am not really experience

– filter much easy

– need a lot of try and error but the good light could be disappear any time

original shot without any filter, blending, black card

– why I choose black card, the environment was dark, not sure how/where to apply GND

– multiple exposures will take double or even more times for single shot

– the exposure different >3 stops

for me I know the area that make me concern as below

the over expose portion

– so what I did was, use my fingers block the over expose area

– allow only ~2-3 seconds exposure over 30 seconds exposure, so I block it until last few seconds and I remove my finger

 

so I get

... another milky way ...

 

most of the time we just need try and error, where some fail sample .. think only expose for ~1s

wrong timing to shake the black card/finger

I will discuss more on other method in future … but let’s try and error on black card 😀

 

Patient to wait …

it is always difficult to have what you wish to have in frame (except we make the story to capture ….)

A good example, I was looking at the beautiful reflection on beach

Kemasik Beach with reflection

*** above picture is ~1.5minutes after picture below but it look about same before too

and what I have with the “magic minute” moment

The wave "took" over the reflection role ....

with the wave, I have no choice to capture it as leading line instead what I original plan to have the beautiful reflection … so do not change yours position even something change but we make the change into our final output …..

 

**** it is always difficult but we still try our best to capture the beauty of the nature … enjoy ……

Milky Way again…

this is not first time I shoot Milky, but this is my very first time see it clearly … it was just above us and we can use our eye to see it … am happy able to make this outing [my East Coast visit | April 20100] and thanks for my friends going with me (Shunfa, Jason, Siah, Seesy, Xiao Yi, Ismail, Norhana & Lio) . We had wonderful trip … and could be most memorable trip for me ….

My very 1st Milky was post before here

and here was picture capture few steps out from the homestay …

Simply look up … the Milky Way

5dm2 + SIGMA24F1.8

# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 10/1 second ===> 10 second
# Lens F-Number / F-Stop = 18/10 ===> ƒ/1.8
# ISO Speed Ratings = 1600

how to capture this, simply same how I shoot stars which I share before here… except we need higher ISO to get it clearly ……….

Update later

… Milky Way …

 

My Landscape Tool – a Circular Polarizers

beside standard tools tripod, release cable, ….I using different filter for different situation and effect … e.g. I use super ND to clear silky effect on sunny day which discuss here.

I also make use of CPL to get better colors contrast, reflection, shot the clearness of the water …. sometime I do use it as ND filters too (2 stops) …

 

 

e.g. of the highlight of the coconut tree leaf on sunny day

without CPL
with CPL but simply turn
with CPL and turn/rotate to make less reflection/highlight

the usage of the CPL just like Photography, it never have right or wrong … it just what you prefer to see … but above e.g. is to show how we use to reduce the highlight of the reflective part of the coconut tree leaf

 

another e.g. to show the water reflection and the saturation of the overall picture

CPL on with rotation for reflection
CPL on with rotation for clear water capture

both sample above show different effect can be archive by rotating the CPL…..

For me, if you serious in Landscape CPL is a necessary tool that always near you so you can have what effect you would like have which not easy archive by other filters or post processing ….

sample

a sample of using CPL

 

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good news is the Marumi DHG CPL/DHG Super CPL are in-stock now… and thanks LeePhoto bringing in the such a good filters into market

Marumi DHG Circular PL(D)

 

contact me for price for COD near Kuala Lumpur/PJ/any place I reach …. or by courier service here

 

 

my East Coast visit | April 2011

since last year July till now, I had travel to Malaysia East coast for 4-5 times but it never slow me down to make another visit but it rather make me feel I should visit there more often as a Landscape photographer .. it is a “heaven”, I would say I only explore <5% location up to Kuala Terengganu from Kuantan…. 31 March – 4 April 2011, me with other 8 friends decided to make a quick trip from Kuantan –> Pantai Kemasik (sunrise) –> Kuala Terengganu (Pantai Pandak & Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah) –> Kota Bahru (meeting www.photomalaysia.com event, Sri Tujuh…) –> Dungun (star, sunrise ….)

 

short 5d4n trip, we traveled ~1500KM, managed to capture beautiful sunrise, sunset, reflection, stars …. and Milky way from 2 places …

it going to be slow to share all pictures .. but let’s start this thread and I will be slowly post up the pictures into Terengganu series.

but let’s me start with 1st capture at Pantai Kemasik …

... under the Starry sky ...

and another after sunrise shot before we continue our journey …

... different interest ...

 

stay tune for more update pictures from beautiful East Coast, Malaysia

 

Update 6 April 2011 – everyone seem success capture the Milky way … congraz …

Milky Way by everyone in the trip
Update 9 April2011
Morning Wave at Pantai Kemasik

Cheaper & lighter Twin arm bracket for MACRO lighting

update 2013 May

update version

1. stronger arm that can handle heavy flash like 430EX , sb600 etc …

Fotopro Duo flash Mount
Fotopro Duo flash Mount

 

it is always good to bring flash closer to the object which help to freeze the object even wind or hand shake (for more info please google “Inverse-square law for Light”)

quick explanation : (we have some sample from http://www.rodandcone.com/2008/05/flash-durations-for-canon-580ex-ii-and.html)

1/128 power = 1/36313 seconds Flash Duration —- SCALED to REPORTED DATA
1/64 power = 1/25341 seconds
1/32 power = 1/19232 seconds
1/16 power = 1/12914 seconds
1/8 power = 1/9151 seconds
1/4 power = 1/6107 seconds
1/2 power = 1/4019 seconds
Full power = 1/833 seconds

Canon 580 EXii – Distance from Flash to Sensor: 2 feet
1/128 power = 1/52718 seconds Flash Duration —- SCALED to REPORTED DATA
1/64 power = 1/38845 seconds
1/32 power = 1/26887 seconds
1/16 power = 1/18626 seconds
1/8 power = 1/13039 seconds
1/4 power = 1/8447 seconds
1/2 power = 1/5006 seconds
Full power = 1/871 seconds

simple compare, the lower the power mean we have faster virtual shutter speed which help to freeze the moment (due to wind, hand shake and etc) … so if when we do handheld macrophotography, it is always good to make flash closer to the object …

so some of my testing are base using the flash bracket (which bring the light source closer to the object)

e.g.

with Wimberley bracket with samples pictures

http://liewwk-macro.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-i-shoot-macro-new-accessories-and.html

cheaper version of twin arm bracket

http://liewwk-macro.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-i-shoot-macro-cheaper-version-of.html

some sample use this with SB400 flash from Michael Ee

sample1
sample 2
Fotopro twin arm bracket for MACRO

this bracket is in-stock now …

RM180/each  (with advice how to design the diffuser with yours’ current setup – lenses, flash…..)

contact me if you would like to own one or look for advice …..

 

10 stops filter exposure table

to make my life easier, I always keep this table with me while I use my 10 stops filter

10 stops exposure
1/1000 1 sec
1/800 1 sec
1/640 1 sec
1/500 2 sec
1/400 2 sec
1/320 3 sec
1/250 4 sec
1/200 5 sec
1/160 6 sec
1/125 8 sec
1/100 10 sec
1/80 12 sec
1/60 17 sec
1/50 20 sec
1/40 25 sec
1/30 34 sec
1/25 40 sec
1/20 51 sec
1/15 68 sec
1/13 78 sec
1/10 102 sec
1/8 128 sec
1/6 170 sec
1/5 204 sec
1/4 256 sec
1/3 341 sec
0.4 409 sec
0.5 512 sec
10/16 640 sec
10/13 787 sec
1 1024

for anything before 1/1000, our camera should able to give correct exposure … and for me anything more than 1000sec is almost too long to wait for .. so I will only use the filter

 

this formula is apply for

mySchneider – nd1000x or my Big Stopper

10 stops ND filters (Schneider – nd1000x) on Sales

and some of my Long Exposures pictures

Long Exposures Gear – Big stop ND

Lee Filters, HAIDA filter, Singh-Ray filters for sale

Lee Filters for sale

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update 2015 Aug 18

we are now offer 150mm filters solution for Nikon 14-24mm F2.8, Canon 14mm F2.8 mark2, Samyang 14mm F2.8, Tamron 15-30mm F2.8, Canon TSE 17mm

150mm Filter for CANON 14L , NIKON 14-24 F2.8 …etc

canon 14mm fb

N1424 fb

 

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update 2014 April 22

ADD on Lee Filter little stopper (6 stops ND) for sale … VERY limited stock

Lee Filter Little Stopper
Lee Filter Little Stopper

http://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera/bigstopper

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a good GND that everyone should own one

few samples from the filters

update 2012 Aug 3

Golden flow | Amed
– Lee Filter 105mm CPL
– Singh-ray RGND 2 stops

 

flow | Amed
Lee Filter 105mm CPL
Lee Filter .75s

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… the light/moment that I miss …
… never give up …
… the magical moment …

contact me for the price and further details what holder to use with it ..

and if you need other Lee Filters.. e.g. Big Stopper, ND8 … do feel free to contact me and drop me a message …

 

Update page for what filters are available for pre-order and sale

http://www.liewwkphoto.com/market/leefilters/

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Beg solution for 100mmx150mm filters

http://liewwkphoto.com/blog/?p=1438

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Lee Filter Big Stopper sample

http://liewwkphoto.com/blog/?p=1347

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Lee Filter Glass ENhancer

http://liewwkphoto.com/blog/?p=1329

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ZHolder for 100x150mm filters

http://liewwkphoto.com/blog/?p=1298

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Stock update 27 July 2012 2:00pm

Zholder 77mm

Lee Filter UWmm77mm

SOLD OFF (contact me for pre-order)

1.2ND   100x100mm Un 2mm [NEW STOCK Arrive !!!!] 2013 Aug 15.9ND   Grad Soft 100x150mm Un 2mm th.
Big   Stopper 10 – 100x100mm Un 2mm th
.9ND   Grad Hard 100x150mm Un 2mm th.
.6ND   Grad Soft 100x150mm Un 2mm th.                 New Stock arrived
Circular   Polariser 100x100mm Un 2mm
1.2ND   Grad Soft 100x150mm Un 2mm th.
.75ND   Grad Soft 100x150mm Un 2mm th.
.6ND   Grad Hard 100x150mm Un 2mm th.
Linear   Polariser 100x100mm Un 2mm
Pro   Glass Filter 100x100mm 0.9ND                          New Stock arrived
.9ND   100x100mm Un 2mm   th.
.45ND   Grad Soft 100x150mm Un 2mm th.
Enhancement   Filter Glass 100x100mm Un2mm    [no more in Production due to Material shortage by Lee FIlters]
Circular   Polariser 105mm Screw-in
105mm   Front Holder   Ring
Mist   Set
.6ND to   81A Grad 100x150mm Un 2mm th.
.6ND to   81B Grad 100x150mm Un 2mm th.
SW150 ND   0.9 Grad Soft  150mm x 170mm
SW150 ND   0.9 Grad Hard  150mm x 170mm
Coral   Set
SW150 ND   0.6 Grad Soft  150mm x 170mm
SW150   Filter Kit for Nikon 14-24
RF75   Polariser
RF75   Digital Basic Filter   Set
RF75 ND   Grad Set   Soft
RF75 ND   Grad Set   Hard
RF75   Digital Advanced Filter Set
Coral   Stripe 100x150mm Un 2mm th.

 

LEE FILTERS Triple Filter Pouch

LEE FILTERS STARTER KIT

LEE FILTERS Multi Filter Pouch -10 Filters

LEE FILTERS Inspiring Professional Book

10 stops ND filters (Schneider – nd1000x) on Sales

a ND must have when you really into a slow shutter or long exposure photography which give you 10 stops down …and easily create silky, motion of flowing objects e.g. water, wave, clouds …

Schneider - nd1000x

*** further details and spec can view @

https://www.schneideroptics.com/ecommerce/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?CID=679&IID=3263

short sharing @ Long Exposures Gear – Big stop ND

And this is In-Stock now (24 March 2011)

contact me for further details here

Long Exposures Gear – Big stop ND

Even on day light ? At bright condition how we can get silky feel on sea/lake/river etc ….so normally we will use a big stop of ND and in the market have few well known

1.  B+W/Schneider 10 stops filter (nd1000x) (10 stops)

2. Lee Filter Big Stopper (10 stops)

3. Hoya400 (9 stops)

At daylight (Malaysia), even with smallest aperture & lowest ISO … we still will get something 1/400-1/100… e.g. even with 1/100 we will never get the silky effect

slow shutter at Dungun

and this was shoot early morning where already bright enough to fail you to make silky wave…by using the “Lee filter – Big Stopper” I shoot with exif below

# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 116/1 second ===> 116 second
# Lens F-Number / F-Stop = 11/1 ===> ƒ/11
# ISO Speed Ratings = 200
# Original Date/Time = 2010:12:18 07:26:43

 

or with sun still on the horizon, I still able to make the shutter to 20s to create the silky as exif below sharing

... difficult to reach ...

5dm2 + 1635@18mm + Lee Big Stopper + Lee .9s GND
# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 20/1 second ===> 20 second
# Lens F-Number / F-Stop = 9/1 ===> ƒ/9
# ISO Speed Ratings = 100

 

previous share on this super ND with some compare among Big Stopper vs Schneider

http://liewwk-macro.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-gear-10-stops-nd-filters-b-w-nd100.html

 

and for those interest on Schneider – nd1000x (which give you 10 stops) and I have few on my hand brand new and few free to click link below

http://liewwkphoto.com/blog/?p=386