Abstract - Restaurant window

[Manfred M]

I was wandering through the downtown Byward Market, in downtown Ottawa area yesterday evening when I walked past a restaurant with lights in the window. What struck me is that this would make a fairly funky shot where I zoom the lens during the exposure. I hadn't tried this technique with any great success in the past, but this one seems to have worked.




This is a more "normal" shot of the same window.

[KingsHockeyFan]

That's a neat technique. I like how even the blur came out--good job controlling camera shake. I wonder if you could fire a second shutter flash to capture the contents of the window behind the zoom blur?

[Mike Buckley]

I like both images but the abstract is stunning for me.

[DonnaK]

You nailed the abstract shot. I fee like I'm traveling through the stars rather rapidly

[Donald]

but this one seems to have worked.

It has indeed.

[Manfred M]

That's a neat technique. I like how even the blur came out--good job controlling camera shake. I wonder if you could fire a second shutter flash to capture the contents of the window behind the zoom blur?

The flash would have to be inside the restaurant, otherwise the window would act as a giant mirror and wash everything out. Part of the reason this technique worked here is that the lower light levels in the restaurant acted as a darker "surface" to contrast the light streaks.

As for camera shake; I "cheated". This shot was taken with a tripod...

[KingsHockeyFan]

The flash would have to be inside the restaurant, otherwise the window would act as a giant mirror and wash everything out. Part of the reason this technique worked here is that the lower light levels in the restaurant acted as a darker "surface" to contrast the light streaks.

Yup....sure would. I overlooked that part of it.

[Wavelength]

This is awesome

[Shadowman]

I like the first technique, second works as a simple interior shot.

[Rebel]

Both are nice shots

[Manfred M]

I like the first technique, second works as a simple interior shot.

The first was "the shot". The second was to demonstrate what the subject matter was, rather than a standalone shot.

[thegman]

The first was "the shot". The second was to demonstrate what the subject matter was, rather than a standalone shot.

+1 On Manfreds comments. #1 is the shot.

[bnnrcn]

Great abstract!

[joebranko]

I like this abstract. Could you share how it was done?

[Manfred M]

I like this abstract. Could you share how it was done?

Sure - this shot is basically a long exposure (between 1/2 - 2 seconds). Focus on the subject, release the shutter and while the shutter is open zoom in or zoom out. In this shot, I had the camera on a tripod, but hand held works too, but the lines will not be as straight.

[joebranko]

Sure - this shot is basically a long exposure (between 1/2 - 2 seconds). Focus on the subject, release the shutter and while the shutter is open zoom in or zoom out. In this shot, I had the camera on a tripod, but hand held works too, but the lines will not be as straight.

Thanks Manfred!

[Mike Buckley]

In this shot, I had the camera on a tripod, but hand held works too, but the lines will not be as straight.

In this particular image, there are two kinds of lines that require being straight for an effective image: the black window frame that is a vertical line in the middle and the lines formed by the zooming action imposed upon the lights. Other kinds of images that I've seen that were made using this technique of zooming the lens had different characteristics that would lend more toward being effective even though they are only handheld. I doubt that I would have been as satisfied with this particular image if it had been captured without using a tripod.

[Manfred M]

Mike - I also tried a handheld, but knowing that I could not get the the "lines", I took a slightly different view...

[tbob]

Very interesting. I quite like the effect and the tripod one works the best . I have seen several of these but this holds my interest for much longer than a cursory glance.

[Jill]

Love it,
Well seen and well executed
It is not easy to get that right.