Unsettling alright!
Great capture Endre, perfect with the smoke clearly defined against the black background. Very nice, with excellent composition. Was it really only one shot?
Thanks for the comments, Jane, Dan, Tom, Ed, and John! Much appreciated. As to how I did it, that was pretty straightforward. The EXIF should be easily available but I'll post it if you want. I don't have much in the way of sophisticated lighting equipment so I had to use my good old three lamp tree with three 60 watt bulbs above and on the right while I used a small LED booklight on the left to illuminate the smoke. If you look carefully, you can see that there is smoke rising from both barrels although it is not as obvious from the one on the right. It clearly splits, though, into two streams - the one on the left being significantly more pronounced. I positioned it on a big stuffed toy with a black velvet covering and got my son to hold up the covering from behind. Since it is a 20 Gauge Coach Gun, it has two pull-back hammers - one for each barrel. Those are what are out of focus in the background. With PS, I enhanced the black to remove any contours of the velvet that were visible. Hope that helps.
All the best,
Endre
I have been wondering what you were cooking up. This is an awesome shot! Dick Cheney would be pleased with this one.
Robert
Thanks, Robert. I'm so glad you like it. Your opinion is always much valued and i'm glad i didn't disappoint. I don't know about Dick Cheney finding this much to his liking, though, You can't really do much Quayle hunting with a little 20 Gauge Coach Gun.
Best,
Endre
The EXIF information is not going to tell me how you got the smoke! I doubt that you set up your camera infront of a loaded shot gun, fired and then snapped the photo.
BTW, very creative use of lighting. Sounds like something I might dream up.
I was thinking of something like this but ended up with the hammer and trigger shot, I was thinking of putting a Cigar in barrel and letting the thick smoke come out.
Parrot Head wrote:
Robert, you cracked me up again. Good one
Okay Endre, are you avoiding the question?
The EXIF information is not going to tell me how you got the smoke! I doubt that you set up your camera infront of a loaded shot gun, fired and then snapped the photo.
BTW, very creative use of lighting. Sounds like something I might dream up.
Heh, Heh, Heh... I only lost one lens and removing the pellets from the camera's sensor wasn't all that difficult! I did have to use the cable release, though. Where there's a will, there's a way. I think I'll let speculation accumulate for awhile before I reveal my deep, dark secrets. I promise I will, though. I appreciate the curiosity.
All the best,
Endre
canandaigua ph wrote:
Great shot Endre.......I ducked when the image came thru!
I love the careful lighting, black background, VERY sharp focus
Great entry
Peter
Thanks so much, Peter. I really appreciate your comments. That's exactly the reaction I wanted! I tried to make it as ominous looking as possible.
All the best,
Endre
Jon Arno wrote:
I was thinking of something like this but ended up with the hammer and trigger shot, I was thinking of putting a Cigar in barrel and letting the thick smoke come out.
Excellent shot.
Thank you for your kind comment, John. I told you that you had beat me to the punch with a shotgun photo but I realized that we had very different concepts in mind so I went ahead with what I had planned. Unfortunately, the moment you put a burning object up the barrel of a rifle and close it, the flame goes out. Big problem....
All the best,
Endre
apastron wrote:
Love it!
Perfect compo and light...
Thanks, Andrew. I appreciate your kind comment.
Hey, what kind of astronomy gear do you have? I've got a 10 1/2 inch Dobson mount reflector but I'd really like to get a 25' "Obsession" scope. Awesome instrument! Can't afford it, though.
Best,
Endre
I did have to use the cable release, though. Where there's a will, there's a way. I think I'll let speculation accumulate for awhile before I reveal my deep, dark secrets.