Monthly Kerioak's 2013 Etc (January now complete)

Kerioak

Kerioak

Suspended / Banned
Messages
7,245
Name
Christine
Edit My Images
Yes
January:
Star Trails
Domes/Orbs
Sparklers/Fire Dancing
Fairy Lights
Physiogram
City Lights/Night Lights


The start of my challenge - not exactly going to plan as this was supposed to be a star trail because as mentioned elsewhere it was too cold to stand outside with my finger on the button (no leads for that camera) but it might end up being night lights instead although I do have a different idea for those :)

IMG_5688.jpg
 
Last edited:
Fairy Lights - I did not have a tree just a bunch of dried bits with a short string of lights attached

IMG_5710.jpg


Physiogram

IMG_5698a.jpg


Added 8.1.13
Orb 1
I think this is about the only night I am going to be able to go out and do night shots this month so taken advantage of it. I have to admit that orbs are not my favourite subject, in the general forums I don't even look at them as usually when I look at something I try to critique it. So this evening I have been out in the garden swinging a torch around on the end of a dog lead and trying (unsuccessfully) to make a pretty pattern. The dots are car lights in the distance and I thought they added a little bit of interest to an otherwise abysmal attempt.

orb1.jpg


Orb 2
Now this one I enjoyed, for some reason I have never actually got around to really mastering the pen tool in photoshop and thought it was about time I did so I practised by creating this one, might make a brush out of it and use it for Christmas decorations next year
orb2.jpg
 
Last edited:
Heh - last night was a very clear night for me but I have way too much background light for Star Trails. I was thinking of trying to follow Orion for a bit but settled for trying some Orbs.

I quite like that top image though in an abstract kind of way. The transition from the lighter area in the bottom middle of the image, to the darkness around it works well.

I think star trails are for truly dedicated people - especially at this time of year :)

Ian.
 
Thanks for commenting - we had rain (again) last night as we have for nearly every night over the last few months it seems, a clear sky is a rarity but I will try again. I think the lighter area at the bottom might have been caused by headlights, I had the lens at 10mm so rather wide, but I like the effect as well and can now have a real star background for my compositing instead of trying to create them.
 
Aha! You added a secret physiogram after I made my comment!

And it's lovely. When I was doing my research on them I saw a few like this. I'm guessing you've done a mono conversion on it which really adds impact for me. Some lovely shades and it's nice and smooth.

Was it a bulb style torch or an LED one?

Ian.
 
Great atmosphere in the Fairy Lights one, but it's a shame there isn't a little bit more at the bottom as the border just cuts into the star.

Superb physiogram :thumbs:
 
That physiogram looks like a warped version of that evil big eye thing in Lord of the Rings (I don't know the proper name, Saroman or something?). Simple and elegant, well done!

There are so many stars in your first picture! You could try the stacking approach rather than one long exposure? Hopefully we'll get some more clear nights this month for another go.
 
Hi, start trails...:naughty:

Fairly lights, I like the close composition, bit close at the bottom and WB is a tad off.

Physiogram, I like a lot. You haven't gone for the full circle and the border really add to it.

Strong start :clap:

Cheers.
 
Hi Christine :)

Where did you find that many stars in East Sussex? I live in Hampshire, and haven't seen anything but clouds for the last few weeks!

Good shot, but yes I guess technically it's not trails. Or maybe it is, and they're all moving directly away from you!!!

The LED shot is nicely composed, but a little dark for me. I'd have liked to see a bit more glow from the lights maybe, in turn lighting the, umm, twigs (?) a bit.

Your physiogram is fantastic though; simple, but with a kind of 3D effect to it. Great stuff!
 
Im Bald Ok said:
That physiogram looks like a warped version of that evil big eye thing in Lord of the Rings (I don't know the proper name, Saroman or something?). Simple and elegant, well done!

There are so many stars in your first picture! You could try the stacking approach rather than one long exposure? Hopefully we'll get some more clear nights this month for another go.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jason - I think I read Lord of the Rings at school and hated it can't remember any of it now, the physiogram was the one I liked best so far, might have to have another go if the stars don't come out to play

posiview said:
Hi, start trails...:naughty:

Fairly lights, I like the close composition, bit close at the bottom and WB is a tad off.

Physiogram, I like a lot. You haven't gone for the full circle and the border really add to it.

Strong start :clap:

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Thanks Andy - yes bottom is a bit close as I felt it needed a border so something had to give, white balance was a bit difficult as it was weak red lights against red leaves against a reddish brick wall so when I cooled it down it did not look like the real thing, had quite a bit of pp on this one to get it bright enough, another time I will not rely solely on the fairy lights.

Southdowns said:
Hi Christine :)

Where did you find that many stars in East Sussex? I live in Hampshire, and haven't seen anything but clouds for the last few weeks!

Good shot, but yes I guess technically it's not trails. Or maybe it is, and they're all moving directly away from you!!!

The LED shot is nicely composed, but a little dark for me. I'd have liked to see a bit more glow from the lights maybe, in turn lighting the, umm, twigs (?) a bit.

Your physiogram is fantastic though; simple, but with a kind of 3D effect to it. Great stuff!
Click to expand...

Thanks Mark, I think it was 1st January, the night started off clear, I was supposed to be cooking dinner when I was out doing those but by the time we had finished it was cloudy again so as it might be my only glance at a clear sky decided to include it, for now anyway.

I would have liked to see more glow from the lights as well, maybe replacing the batteries would have helped but they still have some life in them even if not much :)

Physiogram was pure luck I have to admit, not heard of or done them before and I had to experiment quite a bit to get one I liked, and that fitted in the space I allowed - got some great ones that went over the edge but they looked too unfinished
 
I like your 2nd orb. I had a go at one indoors but I just managed to make a mess
 
Hi Christine, I really like your second orb; it manages to look both 3D AND like an abstract pattern at the same time!

The first one I'd set aside as a learning exercise if I were you! Rather messy, and with some distracting lights in the background :)
 
Nice physiogram, I'm liking the star sky. Agree work the above in regards to the orb. Saying that the one I did last year wa the same lol.

Matt
 
AdamGP86 said:
I like your 2nd orb. I had a go at one indoors but I just managed to make a mess
Click to expand...

Thanks - I did the second one indoors - see next comment

Southdowns said:
Hi Christine, I really like your second orb; it manages to look both 3D AND like an abstract pattern at the same time!

The first one I'd set aside as a learning exercise if I were you! Rather messy, and with some distracting lights in the background :)
Click to expand...

Thank you - no photography involved in the second orb - totally photoshop, much more fun :)

ChickenDipa said:
I like the star shot, nice colours and details. I think the orb shot is good too, would just try and boost the brightness a little bit.

Good shots!!
Click to expand...

Thank you

mattd85 said:
Nice physiogram, I'm liking the star sky. Agree work the above in regards to the orb. Saying that the one I did last year wa the same lol.

Matt
Click to expand...

Thanks Matt - I did not enjoy doing the outside orb in the least, cold, dark, muddy and I kept losing the camera and tripod as the torch I was using was not powerful enough to find it

I decided to do this challenge to try and make me take pictures of things I would not normally do - I am finding out why I would not normally do them :) It's because I normally do photography I enjoy unless getting paid, I think (hope) there will be a difference in quality when there are subjects I like rather than treat as something to get over and done with :D
 
I'm also amazed your cat stayed there for so long! A different take on the theme too, nice to see something different.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top