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Photo Forum / General Photo Topics / General Topics / January 2006

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QUESTION: Looking for a certain lighting effect...

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BD - 26 Jan 2006 23:54 GMT
Hey, all.

I'm planning a shoot sometime in the next while, and for some of the
shots there's a certain effect I want. I know I've seen the effect many
times, but don't have a sample to refer people to offhand - so I'll
describe it.

Basically, it's an effect wherein the background light (be it sunlight
or light through a window) really dominates the image - and casts a
glow through the enture image. It's almost like the light is creating a
volumetric mist. In images like this, the sky is almost always near
white.

I don't know whether this is done by the use of a filter, or whether
there's a certain exposure technique at work.

Anyone know what I'm on about? I can try to find a sample image
somewhere, but I'm hoping I won't need to. Hopefully someone out there
knows how this effect is accomplished.

BTW - I have a 6MP Rebel, several lenses, and access to any version of
Photoshop.

Thanks!!

BD
dadiOH - 27 Jan 2006 00:03 GMT
> Hey, all.
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> somewhere, but I'm hoping I won't need to. Hopefully someone out there
> knows how this effect is accomplished.

Sounds like diffusion and/or soft focus.  You need a filter or special
lens to do it.

--
dadiOH
____________________________

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BD - 27 Jan 2006 00:21 GMT
>Sounds like diffusion and/or soft focus.  You need a filter or special lens to do it.

Just did some poking around - yes, that's a similar effect. I do see
some Photoshop tutorials on that, which I'll try before forking for a
filter.

Thanks!
Rob Novak - 27 Jan 2006 15:41 GMT
>Just did some poking around - yes, that's a similar effect. I do see
>some Photoshop tutorials on that, which I'll try before forking for a
>filter.

Old trick - stretch a piece of nylon stocking over the lens.

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Frank ess - 27 Jan 2006 20:00 GMT
>> Just did some poking around - yes, that's a similar effect. I do
>> see
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Old trick - stretch a piece of nylon stocking over the lens.

Or use a cheap P&S 35mm camera with a dirty lens and high-ISO print
film:
http://www.fototime.com/05DAEF8123D2E2E/orig.jpg

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Frank ess

Whiskers - 27 Jan 2006 20:32 GMT
>>> Just did some poking around - yes, that's a similar effect. I do
>>> see
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> film:
> http://www.fototime.com/05DAEF8123D2E2E/orig.jpg

Serendipity?

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Frank ess - 27 Jan 2006 21:27 GMT
>>>> Just did some poking around - yes, that's a similar effect. I do
>>>> see
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Serendipity?

That works, too.

Oh. I see.

Yup. Indubitably serendipitous.

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Frank ess
"I can't sing,
but I know how to,
which is quite different."
-- Noel Coward

Whiskers - 28 Jan 2006 00:13 GMT
>>>>> Just did some poking around - yes, that's a similar effect. I do
>>>>> see
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Yup. Indubitably serendipitous.

I like it when that happens.

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Steve Wolfe - 27 Jan 2006 05:26 GMT
> Sounds like diffusion and/or soft focus.  You need a filter or special
> lens to do it.

 Or really bad flare. ;-)

steve
Beach Bum - 27 Jan 2006 19:21 GMT
> > Sounds like diffusion and/or soft focus.  You need a filter or special
> > lens to do it.
>
>   Or really bad flare. ;-)

Or really "good" flare. The diffused effect and reduced contrast can be
nice. :)

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Mark

Photos, Ideas & Opinions
http://www.marklauter.com/gallery

thewurd@usfamily.net - 27 Jan 2006 03:09 GMT
BEEN DREAMING OF LIVING THE GOOD LIFE, ON YOUR TERMS?   YOU CAN DO
THIS!

You will now become part of a Mail Order business.  In this business
the
product is not solid or tangible, it's a service.  You are in the
business
of developing Mailing Lists.  You deal with information, and
information is
power.  Many large corporations are happy to pay vast amounts for
quality
lists.  However, the money made from the mailing lists is secondary to
the
income which is made from people like you and me asking to be included
on
such a list.

I used to work my butt off for someone else, but not any more.  Getting
on
to the internet changed everything.  I came across an article that said
you
could make thousands of dollars within weeks with a once only
investment of
$6.00!  "Yeah, right, what a scam," is what I thought.  I was skeptical
to
say the least.  Still, I was curious.  I figured I could stand to lose
six
bucks, so I kept reading.

I'm pretty glad I did.  All you had to do was send $1.00 to the 6 names
at
the addresses listed in the article. Then, you placed your name and
address
at the bottom of the list at position #6, and posted the article to at
least
200 newsgroups.

I felt pretty silly after I'd sent the letters, and it took a bit of
time to
post the message to all those newsgroups.  To be honest, I pretty much
forget about the whole deal there and then.  "It's only six dollars. No
big
deal."

Was I in for a surprise. GUESS WHAT!  Within 7 days, I started getting
money
in the mail!  It was amazing!  I figured it would end, but it didn't.
The
money just kept rolling in.  I made about $18.00 in the first week.  By
the
end of the second week I'd made a total of over $980.  $10,328 in week
three, and it just went on and on.  This is now my fifth month and I'm
sitting on about $273,000.  Needless to say I quit my job a while back.
(I
used to work as a computer software manager)

It was certainly worth the $6.00 and change for the stamps.  I've spent
more
than that on the lottery, without a cent to show for it!!

Print a copy of this article, so you can refer back to it, or cut and
paste
it to Notepad or Word.  The process is very simple and is comprised of
3
easy steps.  If you're wondering why I'm letting you in on this, I'll
explain it to you shortly.  Bear with me.  This works.

STEP 1: Get 6 separate sheets of paper and write the following on each;

"PLEASE PUT ME ON YOUR MAILING LIST."

Get 6 US$1.00  bills (or the equivalent in your local currency) and
place a
dollar and a note in each of the 6 envelopes.  Fold the bill into the
paper
in order to prevent it from being seen, and possibly stolen.

You should now have 6 sealed envelopes, each containing a dollar and
the
note.  Don't forget to add your name and address.

Mail the 6 envelopes to the following addresses:

#1 R. Arambasic, 9 Ashmore St, Brunswick, VIC, Australia 3056
#2 S. Vouge, P.O. Box 5173, New York, N.Y. 10163, USA
#3 R. Dumancic, Mlinarska 22A, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
#4 D. Lozina, 128 Nicholson St, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia 3065
#5 B. Spaleta, 39 Stewart Gve, Campbellfield, VIC, Australia 3061
#6 J. Wurdemann, P.O. Box 912, North Branch, MN. 55056, USA

STEP 2: Take name #1 off the list above, move the other names up (6
becomes
5, 5 becomes 4, etc...) and add YOUR name as number 6 on the list.
STEP 3: Post your amended article to at least 200 newsgroups. (There's
heaps
out there)  All you need is 200, but the more you post, the more money
you
make!

*********  HOW TO POST TO NEWSGROUPS (It's easy)  *********

1. You don't need to re-type this entire letter to do your own posting.
Cut
and paste this letter to your Notepad.  2. Remember to eliminate the #1

position, move everyone up a spot (re-number everyone else's
positions),
and add yourself as #6.   3. Save your new notepad file as a .txt file.
If
you want to do your  postings in different sittings, you'll always have
this
file to go back to.

***  NETSCAPE USERS  ***

Step 4. Within the Netscape program, go to the pull down window
entitled
'Window' select 'NetscapeNews'.  Then from the pull down menu
'Options',
select 'Show all Newsgroups'. After a few moments a list of all the
Newsgroups on your server will show up.  Click on any newsgroup you
desire.
>From within this newsgroup, click on the 'TO NEWS' button, which should
be
in the top left corner of the newsgroups page.  This will bring up a
message
box.

Step 5. Fill in the Subject. This will be the header that everyone sees
as
they scroll through the list of postings in a particular group.

Step 6. Highlight the entire contents of your .txt file, and cut and
paste
it the letter into the body of your posting.

Step 7. Hit the 'Send' Button in the upper left corner. You're done
with your
first post!  Congratulations...

***  INTERNET EXPLORER USERS  ***

Step 4. Go to newsgroups and select 'Post an Article'.
Step 5. Fill in the subject.
Step 6. Same as #6 above
Step 7. Hit the 'Post' button.

Alternatively, you can use a program like Forte Agent, which you can
find on
the Web.

THAT'S IT! All you have to do is jump to different newsgroups and post
away,
after you get the hang of it.  It takes about 30 seconds for each
newsgroup!

**REMEMBER, THE MORE NEWSGROUPS YOU POST TO, THE  MORE MONEY YOU'LL
MAKE!!
POST A  MINIMUM OF 200**

There you go!  You'll begin receiving money from around the world
within
days!  You may eventually even want to rent a P.O. Box due to the large

amount of mail you'll receive.  Should you wish to stay anonymous, you
may
use a pseudonym, as the postman will deliver it just the same.

**MAKE SURE ALL THE ADDRESSES ARE CORRECT.**

So, why am I letting you in on this.  Let me explain.

Out of 200 postings, say I receive only 5 replies.  I make $5.00 with
my
name at #6 on the letter.  Now, if each of the 5 individuals who sent
me
$1.00 make the minimum 200 postings, with my name at #5, and only 5
people
respond to each of the original 5, that's another $25.00 for me.  Now
those
25 each make 200 posts with my name at #4, and with 5 replies each, I
earn
an additional $125.00!  Those 125 turn around and post the minimum 200
with
my name at #3 and receive 5 replies each, I make $626.00 more! Get the
picture?  Five responses is actually a below norm response rate.  The
average is about 15 to 25.  For example, here's what you can expect to
earn from 15 responses:

at #6 $15.00   at #5 $225.00   at #4 $3,375.00   at #3 $50,625.00   at
#2
$759,375.00   at #1 $11,390,625.00

When your name is no longer on the list, you just take the latest
posting in
the newsgroups, and send out your $6.00 to names on the list, putting
your
name at number 6 again (which is what I'm doing), and start posting
again.

The thing to remember is that thousands of people all over the world
are
joining the internet and reading these articles everyday,  just as you
are
now!!

Can you afford $6.00?  I believe so. (I just didn't buy lunch that day)

People have said, "what if the plan is played out and no one sends you
the
money?  Doesn't matter.  There are tons of new honest users and new
honest
people who are joining the internet and newsgroups everyday, willing to
give
it a try?  Estimates are at 20,000 to 50,000 new users daily.

This will work for you. Be honest, be fair.  Remember, what goes around

comes around.
BD - 27 Jan 2006 03:18 GMT
> Remember, what goes around comes around.

Yer Damned Right.
Beach Bum - 27 Jan 2006 19:17 GMT
"BD" <bobby_dread@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> Hey, all.
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> volumetric mist. In images like this, the sky is almost always near
> white.

> Anyone know what I'm on about? I can try to find a sample image
> somewhere, but I'm hoping I won't need to. Hopefully someone out there
> knows how this effect is accomplished.

Is this the effect you're talking about?

http://marklauter.com/gallery/Mimi/MimiFieldsSunset

On the off chance it is..

The sun was about 1 or 2 degrees from the horizon.  No filters.  Just
positioning.  If I took 1 step to the right or left the sun's effect was
completely disrupted.  The subject was directly on the line between the
camera and the sun.  Slightly under exposed for the shaddows but still
letting the highlights blow a little for effect.  Shaddows recovered with
light dodging (about 1/2 stop).

HTH.  Good luck on your project. :)

Signature

Mark

Photos, Ideas & Opinions
http://www.marklauter.com/gallery

BD - 27 Jan 2006 20:40 GMT
>Is this the effect you're talking about?

Close - I'll make a point of digging something up this weekend for
people to see what I'm on about.
BD - 27 Jan 2006 20:48 GMT
Alright, I have to do this the hard way.

There are shots on this site which have the effect I want. The shots
are in galleries of thumbnails, which are easy to navigate but which
have no direct links to them

So - for those willing to take a moment:

Go to http://www.archerphotography.com/wedding_photography.php

select Wedding gallery
4th column 5 down

select Wedding gallery #2
1st column, 3 down

The lighting in these shots (and others in the gallery) is almost
overwhelming in the background, and seems to wash out the edges of
foreground objects. As well, the lighting is softened. I'm less
confused about the softening than the actual lighting effect, because I
can easily see how this can be accomplished in post if necessary.  The
lighting of the sky in these shots is the head-scratcher for me.

Any comments as to how this effect can be achieved would be MUCH
appreciated.

;-)
Beach Bum - 27 Jan 2006 20:57 GMT
"BD" <bobby_dread@hotmail.com> wrote in message

> Go to http://www.archerphotography.com/wedding_photography.php
>
> select Wedding gallery
> 4th column 5 down

That can be done with either a filter (which one?) or later in Photoshop
with "diffuse glow"

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Mark

Photos, Ideas & Opinions
http://www.marklauter.com/gallery

BD - 27 Jan 2006 21:04 GMT
>"diffuse glow"

I'll give it a go. I haven't used that filter; presumably I'll have
some control over where in the 'brightness' range the colors merge to
white...

The more I can do in post the better - I don't have a _problem_ with
buying more filters, but given that I may be using any of 3 lenses with
3 filter sizes, it makes sense for me to find a software process that
can give much of the same result.

Thanks much!
Paul Furman - 27 Jan 2006 21:20 GMT
Or gaussian blur a copy of the layer then set to lighten mode & adjust
opacity.

>>"diffuse glow"
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Thanks much!
BD - 27 Jan 2006 21:33 GMT
>Or gaussian blur a copy of the layer then set to lighten mode & adjust opacity.

Yeah, I found a tutorial on that today - gives a similar softness, but
it doesn't 'wash out' the sunlight in the same way - unless I dodge the
blurred layer around where the sky is...?
Pat - 27 Jan 2006 22:35 GMT
I would try the nylon-stocking-over-the-lens trick.  As mentioned, an
oldie but goody.  Slightly different than a filter, though, because it
can give a slight star to a point light.

I think you are looking for overexposed shot with a soft filter and a
lot of soft backlighting.  Try it at home and post it with your
comments so we can take a look.

You can't get 100% that shot like a upscale wedding photographer
because he/she would probably use a soft-focus lenses.

Another option is to use a clear filter and smear a bit of vasoline
(petroleum gelly) around the edge.  That can give a soft/diffused
outside and a sharp inside. It's another oldie.  And you don't need
much!
BD - 27 Jan 2006 22:49 GMT
I will try some variants - I'll also try some Photoshop work with RAWs
I already have, to see what I can accomplish in Post.

I do tend to lean towards the software solution - simply because if I
use a physical effect like a stocking or vaseline, I have to get it
right 'at the time', rather than being able to work with it slowly
until it's the way I want it. And the stocking/vaseline options can't
be un-done!

But, that's coming from a guy who hasn't tried these options. I guess I
should at least give them a go before writing the notion off.

If anything shows promise, I'll post links.

Thanks for all the assistance!!

BD
Pat - 28 Jan 2006 05:49 GMT
I do my fair share of photoshopping, but I learned photography on film
so I sort of think "old school".

Here's how I would try this.  Find a nice big window with some okay
light such as high overcase or facing any direction other than into the
sun.  Try the nylon and the vasoline.  She with a nice bright
background and use fill flash with a difuser on the subject.  Over
expose it a bit.  Then take in into photoshop, correct the white so it
is dead-on white.  Set the contrast by eye to see how you like it and
it should be about done.  Don't let your blacks get too black.

I haven't tried it to do this image in photoshop, but here would be my
guess.  I am sure others will opine on this.  Doing on the camera will
look different than a filter.  I don't know the technical term for it,
but light bends around any object.  With all of the soft light and the
bright background, some of the light will bend around the subject and
alter the edge detail (just like a setting sun across a horizontal edge
bends around the edge a bit.  If you do it with filters, you will want
to loose some detail along the edges.  (okay, now everyone can tell me
how wrong I am).

Good luck.
dadiOH - 28 Jan 2006 14:33 GMT
> The more I can do in post the better - I don't have a _problem_ with
> buying more filters, but given that I may be using any of 3 lenses
> with 3 filter sizes, it makes sense for me to find a software process
> that can give much of the same result.

And/or buy filters that will fit the largest lens and use step down
rings.  Or use a matte box.

--
dadiOH
____________________________

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...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
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dadiOH - 28 Jan 2006 14:43 GMT
> Alright, I have to do this the hard way.
>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Any comments as to how this effect can be achieved would be MUCH
> appreciated.

The first one (wedding gallery) appears to have been taken with a
diffusion filter.  But the hot sky in it is a result of an overcast,
overexposed sky.

The second (wedding gallery 2) is a straight shot exposed for the
shadows.  The hot background is because there was too much light
differential twixt it and the subjects for background objects to
register.

Choice of film can affect the result too.  For example, blue sensitive
film (or a blue filter) will wash out blue skies.

--
dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
BD - 30 Jan 2006 19:01 GMT
>The first one (wedding gallery) appears to have been taken with a
>diffusion filter.  But the hot sky in it is a result of an overcast,
>overexposed sky.

>The second (wedding gallery 2) is a straight shot exposed for the
>shadows.  The hot background is because there was too much light
>differential twixt it and the subjects for background objects to
>register.

I checked out the Diffuse Glow function in Photoshop. It appears to
accomplish both results; 'hot' background, and soft light on the
subject. Interesting!
Beach Bum - 31 Jan 2006 01:02 GMT
> >The first one (wedding gallery) appears to have been taken with a
> >diffusion filter.  But the hot sky in it is a result of an overcast,
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> accomplish both results; 'hot' background, and soft light on the
> subject. Interesting!

Yeah, I got that idea from a photographer in
alt.binaries.photography.glamour sometime in 2005.  It's a nice trick to
have in the tool box. :)

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Whiskers - 27 Jan 2006 23:15 GMT
> "BD" <bobby_dread@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> Hey, all.
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
> HTH.  Good luck on your project. :)

I think the general term is 'contra jour'; some lenses handle the flare
'better' than others, and the atmosphere itself can play a part (mist and
dust especially).

Here is another example
<http://server3.pictiger.com/img/12082/reality-and-real-world/end-of-road.jpg>
(cropped sightly and re-sized downwards from a jpeg produced by a Samsung
Digimax V700 on 'programmed auto').

Sometimes the 'natural' flare in the lens goes a little too far
<http://server3.pictiger.com/img/12415/reality-and-real-world/the-old-road.jpg>

(I hope those links work; I'm trying out a new image hosting service as
well as gaining a feel for this camera).

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aussie bongo - 27 Jan 2006 23:23 GMT
>> "BD" <bobby_dread@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> Hey, all.
[quoted text clipped - 43 lines]
> (I hope those links work; I'm trying out a new image hosting service as
> well as gaining a feel for this camera).

     The page you are looking for is currently unavailable. The Web site
might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your
browser settings.
Whiskers - 28 Jan 2006 00:23 GMT
snip

>> Here is another example
>> <http://server3.pictiger.com/img/12082/reality-and-real-world/end-of-road.jpg>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your
> browser settings.

They seem to work OK from here; perhaps there was a temporary blip?

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BD - 27 Jan 2006 23:23 GMT
>I hope those links work

Yes, they work fine - very nice!
Whiskers - 28 Jan 2006 00:29 GMT
>>I hope those links work
>
> Yes, they work fine - very nice!

Thank you.  You don't think 'The Old Road' has rather too much flare?  The
ferns in the fore-ground particularly are lacking both detail and contrast
- although pictorially that could work, in a small print.

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