Moorpark 2009: Highlights of Twilights

[Nikolai]

Even though this was not the first battle of the reenactment, I was very curious to see how my new "night technique" would work out, so the first set I processed was the 3d Saturday one, nicknamed "twilight battle".

#1: Union started the artillery fire on the heavily dug in Confederates

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/708551229_UxYqY-X3.jpg

#2: As Union fire was getting more accurate, Union skirmishers started to advance, too

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/708552295_t6Rzx-X3.jpg

#3: And then first Union battalions began their advance

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/708551300_wELvg-L.jpg

#4: Now it was the time for the Confederate artillery to start talking

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/708551105_q9DyE-X3.jpg

#5: Confederates are using their fortified position and fire both their guns and rifles

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/708551186_rj9yE-X3.jpg

#6: Confederate guns are getting closer to Union front ranks

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/708551125_kUzRD-X3.jpg

#7: Confederate artillery got a good aim at the attackers

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/708551835_L8ao9-X3.jpg

#8: Despite heavy Confederate fire (and heavy losses), Union forces continue to press

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/708551470_SrxqZ-L.jpg

#9: The fire from both sides continued for a while

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/708551846_ifs2D-X3.jpg

#10: Southern positions were much better, and their fire was much more effective

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/708552198_GGiJN-X3.jpg

#11: But despite all odds, Union was still trying...

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/708552073_8Mtdw-X3.jpg

#12: But the positions were too uneven, and Union had to withdraw

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/708551680_NhwzY-L.jpg

The full set from that night can be found here (http://nik.smugmug.com/Events/2009-11-07-08-Moorpark/Selected-Highlights-of/10266707_5AwW4#708551229_UxYqY)

Enjoy! (and there will be more, just not from the night:-)

This post was made with the assistance of Star*Explorer (http://www.starexplorer.com)

[anwmn1]

#3 and #12 for me Nik. :thumb

B&W conversion?? :wink

[Memories by Melinda]

Great set! I could see #12 hanging on a wall!:clap

[Nikolai]

#3 and #12 for me Nik. :thumb

B&W conversion?? :wink
Thanks, ISO!

I don't know about BW, I kinda like the "halogene" tint of the scene

[Nikolai]

Great set! I could see #12 hanging on a wall!:clap
Thank you! :thumb
Judging by your location, you guys should have these events much more often and at much larger scale...:-)

[heatherfeather]

I think these are a hit. I called my 11 year old son over to check them out cause I knew he would love them...and he made all the sound effects of what was going on. Fodder for his imagination...

I bet it was really loud!

What was your shutter speed on these? How long did you have to drag it?

[B Rock]

3 and 12 for me as well. These are amazing shots.

[Nikolai]

I think these are a hit. I called my 11 year old son over to check them out cause I knew he would love them...and he made all the sound effects of what was going on. Fodder for his imagination...

I bet it was really loud!

What was your shutter speed on these? How long did you have to drag it?
Thank you!
Yeah, it was pretty loud:-) The nearest action was no futher than 150 ft away.
All the "panoramic" ones were taken in bulb mode, anywhere from 1 sec to 10 sec and all in between, depending on how I felt necessary. Kinda the same idea as with the fireworks/lighting storms. :deal

[Nikolai]

3 and 12 for me as well. These are amazing shots.Thank you!
Those were just handheld at ISO12,800 (Canon 7D + EF 100-400L)

[toddb]

Love 3 and 12 -- and as the new owner of a 7d I'm thrilled to hear the iso numbers

[Nikolai]

Love 3 and 12 -- and as the new owner of a 7d I'm thrilled to hear the iso numbers
Thank you!:thumb

[Memories by Melinda]

Thank you! :thumb
Judging by your location, you guys should have these events much more often and at much larger scale...:-)

We do and my 9YO son loves all of the history that is in this area. I also hear a cannon go off twice a day, everyday (located about 1/4 of a block from my home).

[bloomphotog]

#3 is superb. Perfect shot timing. Wow

[Nikolai]

#3 is superb. Perfect shot timing. WowWhy, thank you! :thumb

[Eia]

3, 8, 12. !!! I think this is very moving. I went to your site and I especially like the panos!!! I would like to have seen you photographing all of that. :D did you get caught up in the moment or were you able to concentrate?

[Nikolai]

3, 8, 12. !!! I think this is very moving. I went to your site and I especially like the panos!!! I would like to have seen you photographing all of that. :D did you get caught up in the moment or were you able to concentrate?
Thank you! :thumb
As to your question: I hope for the latter:-) :wink

[Nikolai]

Wow: 26,000+ visits on my reenactment set yesterday! :huh
I hope somebody would purchase something:-) :wink
Just 1% conversion would be golden! :rofl

[GP Images]

Great set Nikolai! I think if the house lights and the cell tower in the background were cloned out they would be that much more realistic looking.
Great job with the night shots.
Glynn

[kdog]

Really cool shots Nik. Great action and they give a real sense of being there. So what specifically was your "new night time technique"? :wink

Cheers,
-joel

[Nikolai]

Great set Nikolai! I think if the house lights and the cell tower in the background were cloned out they would be that much more realistic looking.
Great job with the night shots.
Glynn
Thanks Glynn!
Yeah you right about that... I was just too in a hurry... I'll prolly retouch and reupload:-)

[Nikolai]

Really cool shots Nik. Great action and they give a real sense of being there. So what specifically was your "new night time technique"? :wink

Cheers,
-joel
Thanks Joel! :thumb
The technique is the same you'd use when shooting fireworks or lightning storms. Since the muzzle flashes are the light sources by their own nature and it's dark around, you can simply put your camera on a tripod, set it on a bulb mode and then start playing.
What threw me off a little was the extra stadium lights, I'd need to count for them next time. Combined with the clouds of gunpowder smoke and a rather still night (no wind - smoke clouds stay in place) they create a fairly strong extra light source. Basically, I overexposed everything about a stop-odd. Luckily, RAW allows for a great flexibility, so I was able to take care of that problem in post.
HTH

[kdog]

Thanks Joel! :thumb
The technique is the same you'd use when shooting fireworks or lightning storms. Since the muzzle flashes are the light sources by their own nature and it's dark around, you can simply put your camera on a tripod, set it on a bulb mode and then start playing.
What threw me off a little was the extra stadium lights, I'd need to count for them next time. Combined with the clouds of gunpowder smoke and a rather still night (no wind - smoke clouds stay in place) they create a fairly strong extra light source. Basically, I overexposed everything about a stop-odd. Luckily, RAW allows for a great flexibility, so I was able to take care of that problem in post.
HTH

Gotcha. Yeah, that was a great idea. I think the balance of light looks good. A stop either way is nothing in RAW.

Cheers,
-joel