Weekly Assignment #76: Flow

[Nikolai]

OK, let's up the ante and try to capture something more difficult than a parked car. Let's try to capture the flow.
I think of a chiffon scarf flowing in the breeze. I think of gentle curles of smoke rizing from the tip of a good cuban. I think of grains of dye thrown into a clear quiet creek. I think of 3 sec exposure of people in the Grand Central during the rush hour...
I want to see the flow!

DA RULEZ:

Fresh pics only, as always.
One image per entry, multiple entires OK.
Moderate PS, no blur effects in post, please
Please think of a good title, too. It really helps, especially it helps you as a photographer to verbalize what it is that you're actualluy gonna shoot - before you press the shutter.
And, needless to say, I want to see good pictures, the pictures you can actually be proud of. :winkLet's go with the flow!

[redleash]

Looks like the flow got up and went! May not be what you want, but it's worth a shot.....and it's late at night! Thanks for the opportunity and any comments. Lauren

[Nikolai]

Looks like the flow got up and went! May not be what you want, but it's worth a shot.....and it's late at night! Thanks for the opportunity and any comments. Lauren



Too funny :rofl

[sanaka]

Just a rocky space where water goes back to the sea in between being submerged by waves.

http://sanaka.smugmug.com/photos/286319919_LtJhf-XL.jpg

I'd have liked to open the shutter for several seconds, but my camera only goes to f8, so 1/15 was the longest I could go without badly blowing out the highs.

exif (http://sanaka.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=286319919&ImageKey=LtJhf)

Peace,
Sanaka

[Nikolai]

Just a rocky space where water goes back to the sea in between being submerged by waves.

I'd have liked to open the shutter for several seconds, but my camera only goes to f8, so 1/15 was the longest I could go without badly blowing out the highs.

exif (http://sanaka.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=286319919&ImageKey=LtJhf)

Peace,
Sanaka

Very nice entry, thank you! :thumb

I hear you about f/8. Had the same issue with my P&S-s in the past, even very good ones. That's where ND filters come in handy (provided you can use them).

[CWSkopec]

I just found this section at the end of last week, so here's my first entry... well not so much an entry as it is 3 entries... I just can't decide which I like best for the assignment... But lucky for me, the camping trip this weekend gave me the opportunity to play with my new-ish camera in a new way AND participate in my first assignment!! :D

1)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2450928066_c02b3469fe.jpg

[edit] 2 & 3 have been removed... someone should really read the rules first! :D

I hope these fit your thoughts on flow Nikolai, 'cause it's the first thing that came to mind!! :D

~Chris

[Nikolai]

...well not so much an entry as it is 3 entries...
Chris, welcome! :clap

Please read the rules: ONE entry per post. :deal

More almost never means better:-) :wink

Out of three you posted I really suggest you select one and "go with the flow" :lust

[CWSkopec]

Chris, welcome! :clap

Please read the rules: ONE entry per post. :deal

More almost never means better:-) :wink

Out of three you posted I really suggest you select one and "go with the flow" :lust
My appologies, Nikolai!!
Such shenanigans won't happen again!! :doh

~Chris

[Nikolai]

My appologies, Nikolai!!
Such shenanigans won't happen again!! :doh

~Chris
No problem, stuff happens:-)
Now, back to your image...

It's a nice catch of the sparks. Sharp, good exposure and DOF. :thumb

However, I don't get any feeling of the suggested theme out of it. :dunno

Sparks are something that happen one instant and gone the next. They are fast, discrete and very chaotic.

Flow, on the other hand, is anything but.

It's there, it moves and stays at the same time, it's continuous, royally slow and very predictable.

I think you may wanna think the theme over and make another pass at it :wink
HTH

[spb13]

I am pretty sure that this isn't exactly what you have in mind, but it is one of the first things I think of related to flow. I am going to keep looking for something that is actually moving.

"Flowing Bits"
http://spb13.smugmug.com/photos/286790722_fgy7G-L.jpg

[Nikolai]

I am pretty sure that this isn't exactly what you have in mind, but it is one of the first things I think of related to flow. I am going to keep looking for something that is actually moving.
"Flowing Bits"

And get the idea, and in fact it could've being pulled off with the some sort of composite/blurred image, but "as is" it doesn't flow :wink :dunno :rofl

[dtw78]

http://dtw78.smugmug.com/photos/195613199_eE5be-L.jpg

[Nikolai]

off to work
Thank you! :thumb
I'm glad you tried this approach. However, it's not there yet. I'd say, you need significantly more people and longer shutter speed. I also would recommend a higher vantage point.
Remember, we need flow, not just motion blur...:deal

[spb13]

I think this one is more inline with what you are looking for, but I am not sure if it is enough flow.

"Tranquil Flow"
http://spb13.smugmug.com/photos/287694150_PmHJe-L.jpg

[Nikolai]

I think this one is more inline with what you are looking for, but I am not sure if it is enough flow.
"Tranquil Flow"

Very nice shot :thumb , but you're correct, not enough flow.. :dunno
Don't think "water", think the concept :deal

[silversx80]

Does this work?

http://web.mac.com/joseph.anthony/iWeb/My%20Site/Run%20for%20the%20Cure%20+%20Old%20Salem%20-%203%20May%202008_files/P5031516.jpg

[Nikolai]

Does this work?

I say it does! Thank you! :thumb

[Shima]

Flowing fire:

http://photos.cathoffman.com/photos/289964470_7hxAA-L.jpg

How's that?

[Nikolai]

Flowing fire:
How's that?
Hi Cat:-)
Nice shot, I see the idea, but, in all honesty, it's not *there* yet.
I must admit, flame/fire is an extremely tough subject for this type of assignment due to its highly volatile nature. As I expressed earlier in my "sparks" comment, for me "flow" implies slightly different type of process/motion, more continuous, more slow, more steady, more repetitive. Flames are fast and usually completely chaotic.
HTH
PS
Wanna try lava instead?;-)

[ChrisJ]

Wanna try lava instead?;-) NOT an eligible shot... wow it's been 5 years already?
http://chrisandjoy.smugmug.com/photos/44242888_83rct-L.jpg
Sony CyberShot 3MP

[Nikolai]

NOT an eligible shot
But a very cool one! :thumb

[Shima]

Hi Cat:-)
Wanna try lava instead?;-)

I liked that because of the "flow" of the flame, I'll try again later...but likely not with fire since that was not at my house. I don't have a fire pit at home.

Oh and I live in Indiana... care to tell me where I can find a volcano? lol

Off to post a palm photo in a few moments for the other assignment :)

[redleash]

How does this one look?

http://redleash.smugmug.com/photos/292432826_xZNZR-S.jpg

[Nikolai]

How does this one look?

Thank you! :thumb
I can feel the wind :wink , but the flow is not there yet...:-( :dunno

[CWSkopec]

Well, it's been a while looking for an adequate replacement for my earlier attempt with the sparks. How's this one Nikolai? :D


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2215/2532700049_1e953535dc_o.jpg

~Chris

[Nikolai]

Well, it's been a while looking for an adequate replacement for my earlier attempt with the sparks. How's this one Nikolai? :D
~Chris
Chris, thank you! :thumb
I understand it's a long exposure shot of a river, but for some reason "the flow" is not there for me. Something's missing :dunno

[spb13]

I think I might finally have something that works...maybe.

"City Walkers"

http://spb13.smugmug.com/photos/340728413_wPvK5-L.jpg

[Nikolai]

I think I might finally have something that works...maybe.
"City Walkers"

Very cool! :thumb :clap
Can you elaborate on the technique, please?

[spb13]

Very cool! :thumb :clap
Can you elaborate on the technique, please?

HA! Sure I was standing on the upper deck at Universal City Walk and realized that I might be able to get a "flow" pic of the people flowing to the parking lot. I tried setting up on the trash can, but was too far from the edge to get the right angle. So I just put it right up on the rail and held it as steady as I could. This shot is from right near the top of the escalators and there was some kind of a sign illuminating the people walking by. I have some other shots that are of a more open area and it isn't quite so interesting.

So really the only thing I did special was manage to keep the camera still for 5 seconds. :D

[Nikolai]

HA! Sure I was standing on the upper deck at Universal City Walk and realized that I might be able to get a "flow" pic of the people flowing to the parking lot. I tried setting up on the trash can, but was too far from the edge to get the right angle. So I just put it right up on the rail and held it as steady as I could. This shot is from right near the top of the escalators and there was some kind of a sign illuminating the people walking by. I have some other shots that are of a more open area and it isn't quite so interesting.

So really the only thing I did special was manage to keep the camera still for 5 seconds. :D

Very nice, thank you for sharing! :thumb

[MooreDriven]

I submitted a shot in the Reflection assignment from the same location. I liked the flow of the water from the wall and the kids running trying to catch it as it was stopping. This kids were having a good time.

http://mooredriven.smugmug.com/photos/351473754_AGeEp-M.jpg

[Nikolai]

I submitted a shot in the Reflection assignment from the same location. I liked the flow of the water from the wall and the kids running trying to catch it as it was stopping. This kids were having a good time.

It's probably my monitor, but I don't see anything flow-like...:dunno

[MooreDriven]

It's probably my monitor, but I don't see anything flow-like...:dunno
The first shot was two opposing flows (water from the wall towards the kids and the kids chasing the water), yet movement towards the left of the frame as the water coming from the wall was being turned off, and the kids chasing it. I'll admit that had I taken the shot two seconds sooner it would have been a much better shot.

Hopefully this has a stronger "flow" appearance.
http://mooredriven.smugmug.com/photos/352037311_Z3ryr-M.jpg

[Nikolai]

The first shot was two opposing flows (water from the wall towards the kids and the kids chasing the water), yet movement towards the left of the frame as the water coming from the wall was being turned off, and the kids chasing it. I'll admit that had I taken the shot two seconds sooner it would have been a much better shot.

Hopefully this has a stronger "flow" appearance.

I see now. Yeah, it kinda does, but the point is still moot, IMHO :dunno
This was a great reflection shot, but I wouldn't put this one on the cover of the "Flow" magazine, you know what I mean? :rolleyes

[MooreDriven]

I wanted to give this assignment one more shot (no pun intended). Waterfalls are an easy target, so I tried for a different angle.

http://mooredriven.smugmug.com/photos/357507178_tHADt-M.jpg

I wish I had brought my tripod, I could have used a slower shutter, but its the best I could do handheld.

[Nikolai]

I wanted to give this assignment one more shot (no pun intended). Waterfalls are an easy target, so I tried for a different angle.

I wish I had brought my tripod, I could have used a slower shutter, but its the best I could do handheld.
Cool shot :thumb
But flow.. nah :dunno

[douglas]

Crane walk at sunset
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/357614776_EMm5c-L.jpg

Falls
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/357622567_eVaC8-L.jpg

[Nikolai]

Crane walk at sunset
Falls

Douglas,
nice crane! :thumb

[Trevlan]

Vertical fuild

http://trevlan.smugmug.com/photos/365612287_HaLpf-L.jpg

[Nikolai]

Vertical fuild
Frank, nice picture :thumb but too far stretched for this class, IMO.
We need something more "in your face" blunt kinda stuff. :deal

[Trevlan]

Frank, nice picture :thumb but too far stretched for this class, IMO.
We need something more "in your face" blunt kinda stuff. :deal

I'm trying hard Nik. I'll come up with something better. :)

[AndMan]

Does this go with the flow?
http://andmanphotography.smugmug.com/photos/383657679_fxBGv-M-1.jpg

[Nikolai]

Does this go with the flow?

Interesting concept... Now let me ask you - did you took all those different pictures today?:scratch

[AndMan]

Interesting concept... Now let me ask you - did you took all those different pictures today?:scratch

Hi Nikolai, not all taken today but taken to fit the assignments over the last month or so. I got a list of some of the assignment topics then took them with me when I went out to shoot. Just took me a while to get round to uploading & posting them. They are "fresh" from when I knew of the assignment topic.

Peter

[Nikolai]

Hi Nikolai, not all taken today but taken to fit the assignments over the last month or so. I got a list of some of the assignment topics then took them with me when I went out to shoot. Just took me a while to get round to uploading & posting them. They are "fresh" from when I knew of the assignment topic.

Peter

Ah great, phew, thank you for the clarification! :thumb

[divamum]

This possibly a bit literal and not terribly artistic, but consider it a first try (not helped because the tripod wasn't to hand and I had to manage without it!).

I'm also trying to figure out what the flare was from - I wasn't shooting into light, and if I recall correctly, there wasn't anything shiny behind the tap. Hmmm... (anybody care to enlighten me on flare 101?)

Minor PP - I tilted it to get some angle from the straight down stream of water (would have liked a true diagonal, actually, but there wasn't enough blank space at the edges to do that without losing too much of the subject), cropped, and tweaked the color and brightness slightly.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/mezzomg/SOTK0ktV00I/AAAAAAAABiM/_ojZ2VA4Q3g/s640/IMG_1506s.JPG

[Nikolai]

This possibly a bit literal and not terribly artistic, but consider it a first try (not helped because the tripod wasn't to hand and I had to manage without it!).

I'm also trying to figure out what the flare was from - I wasn't shooting into light, and if I recall correctly, there wasn't anything shiny behind the tap. Hmmm... (anybody care to enlighten me on flare 101?)

Minor PP - I tilted it to get some angle from the straight down stream of water (would have liked a true diagonal, actually, but there wasn't enough blank space at the edges to do that without losing too much of the subject), cropped, and tweaked the color and brightness slightly.



Thank you!

Unfortunately, this is one of the examples where the literal match (it is a capture of a stream of flowing water) doesn't help to deliver the message - I feel no flow whatsoever...:dunno

[divamum]

Thank you!

Unfortunately, this is one of the examples where the literal match (it is a capture of a stream of flowing water) doesn't help to deliver the message - I feel no flow whatsoever...:dunno

Yeah, that's my own take on it too, but I was itching to shoot something last night, this assignment caught my fancy and so I went ahead with it anyway :D

Another attempt to come soon.....! (and THANKS!)