I have found a whole new world to photograph by going out in my Gardens at night with my mighty little LED light. This is a Purple Coneflower beginning to bud. There are LOTS of challenges to work around, (the most nerve-racking one is our neighborhood skunk :D) but a shot like this makes it all worthwhile.
(Note: I did use some camera flash partially covered up, on the lowest setting.)
Greetings! I'm from Connecticut (USA) Photography is one of my lifelong passions (others including gardening, woodworking, history, and being a part...
Love this so much, Les ... I must try this (when I get an LED light!) Haven't taken many night time shots and always have to use a tripod. This is lovely ... great colors and clarity.
@boogie Very cool! You will have an absolute blast fumbling around in the dark, seeing (and hearing) new things, (I recently saw an Ant migration - 1000's and 1000's - they're on the move at night because birds would pick them off during the day. I was enjoying it too much to bother trying to photograph it.) and seeing how dramatically diiferent things look at night. Ta Ta for now, Les
@karenann Much appreciated Karenann. See, the thing about these shots is that because they're macro, I can't use a tripod; I need to get in the flowers where I "see" the picture. So I have the camera in one hand, and the light in the other. NOT easy.....but so much fun. I wish I was an Octopus! LOL Take good care, Les x
@glimpses I tried last night (yes - light in one hand, camera in the other!) but the flash kept popping up. I need to venture into manual focus, yes? (erk!!)
How fantatastic that you've already tried it; I'm impressed! Sounds like you're a "go-getter." :D
if you read the "fine print"on the photo above, you'll notice that I did use some little camera flash.
NO manual focus needed; oh, that would be impossible, at night, being eaten alive by mosquitoes, getting knocked in the head by a bat, (that happened to me this summer. LOL!) trying to angle your light, etc. Bother! Hang that!
Try this: find your shot, with the camera set on flash; which means you'll be shooting at 1/60 sec. You'll want to have the flash up so you can take a reading, and get a focus point with your infared sensor. Have your LED light on and ready; it also helps you see what you're doing. To avoid the camera flash, I have handy a little piece of cardboard with scotch tape already attached to it. I have already fitted the cardboard so that I can cover the entire flash unit snugly, or partially cover it. I have the cardboard already taped to my camera or my strap when I go out so there's no need to fuss with it. Then you're good to go. Choose your shot, try a camera reading if you want to see it, cover the flash, angle you light where you want it, and fire away.
If it's too tricky at first, (by gaw, it was for me :D) use your flash on the lowest possible setting, and see what you get, or cover a part of the flash, and see what you get.
-Do a lot of bracketing
-Try to get the hang of the lighting first, then go for the focus
-Study the settings of your results so you know what worked
-Have something ready to dust off the lens; I was surprised at how much dust accumulated on the lens. (I use a small, soft watercolor paintbrush.)
I've given you ALL my secrets! :D Happy to share because i'd love for you come up with shots you like. If you come up with a new idea or technique, please do pass it along.
Oooh, also, be sure that your LED does not change the hue of temperatrue of your shots. You'll find this out just by looking at a shot and seeing how realistic the color is. If the color is "off", you can try setting your camera to a different light setting: tungston, cloudy, flouresent,. etc. OK??
Practice, and keep trying, practice and keep trying............you WILL get something you love. :D
Hope I didn't overdo it here..........Keep me posted..........My very best to you, Les
if you read the "fine print"on the photo above, you'll notice that I did use some little camera flash.
NO manual focus needed; oh, that would be impossible, at night, being eaten alive by mosquitoes, getting knocked in the head by a bat, (that happened to me this summer. LOL!) trying to angle your light, etc. Bother! Hang that!
Try this: find your shot, with the camera set on flash; which means you'll be shooting at 1/60 sec. You'll want to have the flash up so you can take a reading, and get a focus point with your infared sensor. Have your LED light on and ready; it also helps you see what you're doing. To avoid the camera flash, I have handy a little piece of cardboard with scotch tape already attached to it. I have already fitted the cardboard so that I can cover the entire flash unit snugly, or partially cover it. I have the cardboard already taped to my camera or my strap when I go out so there's no need to fuss with it. Then you're good to go. Choose your shot, try a camera reading if you want to see it, cover the flash, angle you light where you want it, and fire away.
If it's too tricky at first, (by gaw, it was for me :D) use your flash on the lowest possible setting, and see what you get, or cover a part of the flash, and see what you get.
-Do a lot of bracketing
-Try to get the hang of the lighting first, then go for the focus
-Study the settings of your results so you know what worked
-Have something ready to dust off the lens; I was surprised at how much dust accumulated on the lens. (I use a small, soft watercolor paintbrush.)
I've given you ALL my secrets! :D Happy to share because i'd love for you come up with shots you like. If you come up with a new idea or technique, please do pass it along.
Oooh, also, be sure that your LED does not change the hue of temperatrue of your shots. You'll find this out just by looking at a shot and seeing how realistic the color is. If the color is "off", you can try setting your camera to a different light setting: tungston, cloudy, flouresent,. etc. OK??
Practice, and keep trying, practice and keep trying............you WILL get something you love. :D
Hope I didn't overdo it here..........Keep me posted..........My very best to you, Les