P3D Re: Snowfall Shots

[Joel Alpers <joel.alpers@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mark Dottle wrote:

> Stereo snowfall
> is a challenge. Shots taken while standing in the middle of a snowfall
> should be avoided. The flakes very close to the lense will not be in
> focus, there will be extreme on film deviations and some snowflakes will
> be present in one image and not the other.

I tried some of these last snowfall, and noticed this very effect.Additionally, one problem I had was that my flash power wasn't
enough (I was at f/22) so the -only- snowflakes that showed up
were those that were too close and blurry.

One thought I had (but haven't had a chance to try, due to lack
of snow ;)   was to extend the flash on a pole, about 6' in front
of the camera (out of view). My thinking was that this way, you
wouldn't need a roof or shelter, as the light would only hit
flakes at the window distance and beyond. Thoughts?


> Although I have some
> interesting shots with this "in the bubble "
> effect, most will be ruined.

I agree.

> It is best to shoot snowfall from
> underneath a porch or shelter, leaving enough distance (6ft +) from
> camera to first snowflake. Using a flash will "freeze" the flakes in
> midair and create a neat effect. (Yes, pun was intended :-)) A time
> exposure can be accomplished in the snow (under an umbrella) with better
> results if the lenses can be kept dry however this may yield a "fog"
> effect as opposed to a "snowflake" result but can be very interesting.

Yes, but not often.  I am planning to try a longer exposure with a flashat the end if I can work it out - a "rear curtain sync" effect, where you'd
get bright snowflakes with little "tails".  Just a thought.

> One of my most interesting snow shots was using a long exposure (several
> seconds at night) and walking around the perimeter of the scene holding
> my flash in hand and firing the "test" button of the flash to "freeze"
> the flakes at various depths, while the long exposure softened and
> diffused the image.

Great idea, thanks for sharing that. In this case did you have a shelter,
or simply not flash within about 6' of the camera???

> I am still experimenting with other snowfall ideas but I'm missing one
> thing right now........a snowfall. :-)  :-)       MARK DOTTLE

;)

Thanks for posting this, Mark!

Joel.


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