crystal ball photography

[rovershooter]

Random question! but my son bought a photography crystal ball for me and i have been taking it out with me while on my walks around the town where i live, I love the shots you can get with one but it only works with certain scenario's so i was wondering if any of you lovely people have one and have any tips or advice on how to get the best images from it

 

[Norkie]

That's a coincidence! I've just very recently bought one. We'll have to experiment

Don't forget that the image is upside down in the ball. You would need to photoshop the image to turn it 180 degrees if needed.

Edit: I've just Googled 'crystal ball photos' and there are some great images there.

 

[Nod]

No advice on using one but DON'T leave it on a windowsill/car seat/dry grass in the sun - they can (and have) caused fires.

 

[Sangoma]

And mine has never given me the correct lotto numbers

 

[Jelster]

I've had one for a while, not used for ages, but here's a couple of shots using it.


Ball @ Bournemouth by Steve Jelly, on Flickr

Glass01 by Steve Jelly, on Flickr

I think you need to be in the right place to use it, it needs a bit of thought going into the shot.

 

[Norkie]

They look just grand

Yes, the subject matter needs careful consideration that's for sure. I do like the beach one, could do with some cloud.

 

[Jelster]

They look just grand

Yes, the subject matter needs careful consideration that's for sure. I do like the beach one, could do with some cloud.

I did it because there was no cloud, just blue sky touching the beach, a cloud wouldn't have had the same effect.

 

[4wd]

You can see what others are doing with them here.

Crystal Ball Photography

This is a group where we can build a community of crystal ball enthusiasts. Share and get new ideas of how to photograph it as well as share tips and tricks to get the best out of your ball. The only Rules that we have is No porn or distasteful content No major profanity please Be respectful...

www.flickr.com

 

[rovershooter]

No advice on using one but DON'T leave it on a windowsill/car seat/dry grass in the sun - they can (and have) caused fires.

yes i put it on my garden bench the other week, it didnt take long to create a burn mark !!

 

[rovershooter]

I've had one for a while, not used for ages, but here's a couple of shots using it.


Ball @ Bournemouth by Steve Jelly, on Flickr

Glass01 by Steve Jelly, on Flickr

I think you need to be in the right place to use it, it needs a bit of thought going into the shot.

I've had one for a while, not used for ages, but here's a couple of shots using it.


Ball @ Bournemouth by Steve Jelly, on Flickr

Glass01 by Steve Jelly, on Flickr

I think you need to be in the right place to use it, it needs a bit of thought going into the shot.

yes i agree there are a lot of places that just dont work

 

[rovershooter]

You can see what others are doing with them here.

Crystal Ball Photography

This is a group where we can build a community of crystal ball enthusiasts. Share and get new ideas of how to photograph it as well as share tips and tricks to get the best out of your ball. The only Rules that we have is No porn or distasteful content No major profanity please Be respectful...

www.flickr.com

just joined this site, it looks good thanks

 

[Nod]

yes i put it on my garden bench the other week, it didnt take long to create a burn mark !!

Steve (Jelster)'s first shot shows the hot spot well.

 

[tikkathreebarrel]

Nice. Maybe a bit "one trick" but when did that ever stop anything good from happening? I think I've got one somewhere so the challenge for today.......

 

[Jelster]

Steve (Jelster)'s first shot shows the hot spot well.

And I well remember that sand was bloody hot when I picked the ball up!! That's why it stays in its little black bag.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

I think these things are a load of balls!

On a more serious note: like fisheye lenses, they're very useful in some circumstances but a lot of the pictures I've found on line just don't appeal to me.

 

[Norkie]

I've been out fooling around, they do require a technique as such to get the most out of them. I'll have another play tomorrow

Crystal Ball 03 by
Jak Gunn, on Flickr

 

[rovershooter]

done this one today

 

[Norkie]

Excellent

 

[rovershooter]

Excellent

thank you

 

[Nod]

You could try shooting with the whole scene in focus as well as the "balled" one and dropping the ball over the OOF ball in PP.

 

[Fuji Dave]

I have two different size balls one at 80 and the other is 60, must try this crystal ball lark again but with the smaller one.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

done this one today View attachment 363240

That looks better to me than with the ball image upside down. worth the extra effort.

 

[CScottMcQueen]

done this one today View attachment 363240

Great shot!

 

[Tysonator]

A unique prop to have, not much else you can do with, however definitely a prop to have

 

[newboyontheblock]

I have one and I want to get out and experiment a lot more with it

 

[benc98]

Apart from the examples we've seen in here, is there much else you can do with them? I think the photos work better without the crystal ball imo

 

[Fuju]

I've got one and I've got a prism but I've not really used them yet. I must say I forgot about the ball until I saw this thread and it might help break the creative blank I'm drawing at the moment.