Assignment #29: Frame-By-Frame

[Nikolai]

Springtime (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=57111) coverage was a blast. Everybody seemed to have a good time, taking lazy walks and enjoing blooming girls and pretty flowers... or was it the other way around..:rolleyes

This new class going to be a bit more technical again. And, for the first time in our WA series, it would require some PP skills.

The subject is "Frame-By-Frame" and it was inspired by Desmond (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=57224).

I also posted my own example, which I'm quoting here:
http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/89828333-M.jpg

The idea is to catch a moving subject (or subjects, as in Desmond's Moving Heart ) with several frames and then blend them all into the final image.

Fresh pictures only (as always).
For the rest of the basic rules and index please check out this sticky (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=41800).

Let's get some frames!

[mwalters]

Great image, Nikolai - Pass the sickbag!

I won't be posting for a while, but I'll see what I can grab on my vacation...

Matthew

[ericgtr]

Interesting idea, sorry to sound like a noob here but how does one go about blending multiple photos like that?

[Nikolai]

Great image, Nikolai - Pass the sickbag!
I won't be posting for a while, but I'll see what I can grab on my vacation...
Matthew

It's never late to post, as long as it's fresh:-) :wink

[Nikolai]

Interesting idea, sorry to sound like a noob here but how does one go about blending multiple photos like that?

There are different scenarios. Two most common ones: you know the exact path (Desmond's pic, or some car going along a curved portion of a freeway, etc.) or you don't, but the background is uniform (my chopper shot).

In both cases you'd need to start with setting your camera to manual. Meter the average background and set the manual values.
Then it's a bit different.

1. Known path.
Set up your camera on the tripod in a way that you can frame the whole path. Meter and expose at least one frame with the empty background.
Now wait for or initiate the moving actor(s). Depending on the speed you may need a continuous drive or simply manually exposed shots. Remote trigger is highly recommended.

2. Unknown path.
Well, it's a bit tougher, but the main idea remains the same. No tripod, no remote. Meter and take a few shots of the possible empty scene, lock the exposure settings. Wait for the target, follow and shoot (I would recommend continuous drive).

In both cases you end up with some initial shots (backdrop) and a bunch of frames. Stack them all as different layers (I would use CS3' Photomerge) and then proceed with masking them out (and if you don't know how, check this out (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=57413):-)

All in all, it's a lot of fun and not as hard at it seems. All you need is a good backdrop shot and locked settings (full manual is a huge help).

HTH

[ericgtr]

There are different scenarios. Two most common ones: you know the exact path (Desmond's pic, or some car going along a curved portion of a freeway, etc.) or you don't, but the background is uniform (my chopper shot).

In both cases you'd need to start with setting your camera to manual. Meter the average background and set the manual values.
Then it's a bit different.

1. Known path.
Set up your camera on the tripod in a way that you can frame the whole path. Meter and expose at least one frame with the empty background.
Now wait for or initiate the moving actor(s). Depending on the speed you may need a continuous drive or simply manually exposed shots. Remote trigger is highly recommended.

2. Unknown path.
Well, it's a bit tougher, but the main idea remains the same. No tripod, no remote. Meter and take a few shots of the possible empty scene, lock the exposure settings. Wait for the target, follow and shoot (I would recommend continuous drive).

In both cases you end up with some initial shots (backdrop) and a bunch of frames. Stack them all as different layers (I would use CS3' Photomerge) and then proceed with masking them out (and if you don't know how, check this out (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=57413):-)

All in all, it's a lot of fun and not as hard at it seems. All you need is a good backdrop shot and locked settings (full manual is a huge help).

HTH

It does and thanks for taking the time to explain it. :thumb:

[ShepsMom]

This one is gonna be be tough (for me anyway) I'm not sure what the post processing is, i'm back to square one. Wahhhh!! :dunno

[Nikolai]

This one is gonna be be tough (for me anyway) I'm not sure what the post processing is, i'm back to square one. Wahhhh!! :dunno

Hopefully I'll be able to attend a local airshow this coming weekend.
If I do, I'll try to shoot some stuff specifically for this class and will create a simple tutorial..

[ShepsMom]

Which airshow is it? I'm going to see Blue Angels on Sunday at MacDill in Tampa. I'm hoping to catch some flights LOL

[Nikolai]

Which airshow is it? I'm going to see Blue Angels on Sunday at MacDill in Tampa. I'm hoping to catch some flights LOL
This one (http://www.dgrin.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=58&day=2007-3-31&c=1).:wink

[Nikolai]

As I promised, a frame set from the airshow...

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140995733-2000x400.jpg

[richtersl]

As I promised, a frame set from the airshow...



VERY Cool!!!

:thumb :clap

[pyroPrints.com]

I got some ideas but i can't shoot it until the weekend. Any way we can make this one extended? I know the deadlines don't matter but still =c)

[Nikolai]

I got some ideas but i can't shoot it until the weekend. Any way we can make this one extended? I know the deadlines don't matter but still =c)

As you said, deadlines do not matter here in WA. We did extend one time, and it didn't help, not much that is. I'd rather have something new going on, so those with no ideas for the current one could move on, while you and those who do can continue to work on it.

Agreed?

[pyroPrints.com]

Meh. Fine =c) But I got a really good idea :D

[Nikolai]

Meh. Fine =c) But I got a really good idea :D
I'm looking forward to see it. :thumb

[photoj]

I have two ideas, both involving the kids, I'll let you know if I get somehthing. I envy your airshow trip, I love aircraft but we don't have many shows in my area.

[Nikolai]

I have two ideas, both involving the kids, I'll let you know if I get somehthing. I envy your airshow trip, I love aircraft but we don't have many shows in my area.

"Show me" :-) :wink

[pathfinder]

Old Photo but maybe you'll allow it...

http://Pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/48701173-L.jpg

[Antonio Correia]

My work from today, Saturday.
Some minutes ago.
Is this any good or you wanted something different ?
I found it so simples that I suspect this is not valid ... :dunno
http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/141786086-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/141784747-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/141775900-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/141780448-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/141779618-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/141782860-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/141779798-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/141774548-M.jpg

[Nikolai]

Old Photo but maybe you'll allow it...

Awesome! :bow
Not eligible(rules are rules:-), but what a great capture! Thanks a lot for sharing it! :clap
Wanna try it again, now fresh?:wink

[Nikolai]

My work from today, Saturday.
Some minutes ago.
Is this any good or you wanted something different ?
I found it so simples that I suspect this is not valid ...
Nice entries! :thumb
Well, I'm glad you found it simple :-)
One point you didn't bring, though, is to show a similar scenario of a moving subject whose movements you can't control.
Try that, it may be a bit more challenging:-) :deal

[Antonio Correia]

Nice entries! :thumb
Well, I'm glad you found it simple :-)
One point you didn't bring, though, is to show a similar scenario of a moving subject whose movements you can't control.
Try that, it may be a bit more challenging:-) :deal
You mean something like this ? (panning blur ?)
http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/141865381-M.jpg http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/141420526-M.jpg

[Nikolai]

You mean something like this ? (panning blur ?)


No sir, you need to hold your camera steady.

Please check this: http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=518516&postcount=5

[Antonio Correia]

No sir, you need to hold your camera steady.

Please check this: http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=518516&postcount=5

Nikolai.
I have read it before.
I did it again.
Humm ... too similar to panning blur I presume. :huh
Or is it just me ? :dunno

I'm afraid I'll stay still and wait for the next assignment.
:thumb

[Nikolai]

Nikolai.
I have read it before.
I did it again.
Humm ... too similar to panning blur I presume. :huh
Or is it just me ? :dunno

I'm afraid I'll stay still and wait for the next assignment.
:thumb

Hmm, it's very different, IMHO...
With panning blur you're following the subject. With frame by frame (known path) you shoot a larger frame, taking several shots of the same identical background, while subjects moves to the different positions.
Just like you did in your first entries, but spiced by the fact that you can't control the moving target entirely...

[pyroPrints.com]

Well here is my entry, I might have to reshoot this, it's a little sloppy. But fun none-the-less.

Speak No Evil, See No Evil, Do No Evil:

http://athena.divshare.com/athena2/files/2007/04/09/367028/Acidic_Version_copy.jpg

Untitled:

http://athena.divshare.com/athena2/files/2007/04/09/367029/Draganizer.jpg

[photoj]

It took me a bit longer than I planned but I got the images I needed today, done a little photoshop and preston one frame by frame.

[Nikolai]

It took me a bit longer than I planned but I got the images I needed today, done a little photoshop and preston one frame by frame.

Great! :clap
As you can see, there is a trouble on the borders, where different "copies" of the same subject intersect with another.
One solution is to avoid it by letting the subject moving across the FOV. Another - be way more accurate in blending :dunno If done properly the latter can bring awesome results, as your image clearly shows....:deal

[Stan]

OK I finally got round to shooting some buts

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/144353474-L.jpg

Stan

[Nikolai]

OK I finally got round to shooting some buts
Stan

Very nice! :thumb
I bet you could have created the whole "wedge" :wink

[dlscott56]

Guess I needed a little faster shutter speed. I'll try it again later.
http://4scotts.smugmug.com/photos/148027163-M.jpg

[Nikolai]

Guess I needed a little faster shutter speed. I'll try it again later.

That's correct, but you're going into a very right direction! :thumb