Hatchet Job

[mknittle]

Thanks for explaining Terry The amount of the chips may not be realistic but the image certainly conveys the feel of crash. So, I didn't even think if the image was realistic or not when I looked at it.

+1 I don't see anything long winded in your explanation Terry.

[Loose Canon]

+1 I don't see anything long winded in your explanation Terry.

I'm sorry to disappoint Mark! I'll try to do better (worser?) next time!

[Loose Canon]

I appreciate the comments guys!

Wow!

Believability vs. realistic huh? Now there’s one for the ages!

Well, I have seen a lot of things that I knew were real that I couldn’t believe! And I see things all the time that are wholly believable that I know are not real! Its pretty subjective and my own lines on this are pretty blurry!

Here is an example. I see in color, so while I love B&W photography I know it can (at least for me) never be real because that’s not how I see it. But it is fully believable.

As for the hatchet shot, each element in the composition is real. The debris, the log, and the hatchet. Whether it is believable or not is up to the individual. But take away any one element and the image is no less real but possibly even less believable. Possibly to the point that the entire purpose of the image is completely changed.

Here is another example. I recently posted this shot.



It is a real live water splash and an honest-to-god real bic lighter. The way they are composited is (to me) not in the least believable and I doubt anyone else thought it was either. And that is the point!

I just try to have fun with what I’m doing! I don’t worry too much about believable or realistic. But I do try to do things that are a little bit different sometimes!

[Rita]

When I first viewed the hatchet I thought I had figured out how you did it. Missed by a mile in my thinking I figured that you did the hatchet hitting the log using a trigger of some kind then did another image with the hatchet in the log without your hands on it, then, combined the 2 images in post masking out your hands.

[mknittle]

I'm sorry to disappoint Mark! I'll try to do better (worser?) next time!

lol it is great

[madcrow]

Terry, you answered my question. What a fantastic setup, explanation and imagination. By the way explanation far from boring.
Thanks, Maurice.

[joebranko]

Magic?

[Loose Canon]

When I first viewed the hatchet I thought I had figured out how you did it. Missed by a mile in my thinking I figured that you did the hatchet hitting the log using a trigger of some kind then did another image with the hatchet in the log without your hands on it, then, combined the 2 images in post masking out your hands.

You’re thoughts are pretty darned good (as usual) Rita. What you are suggesting would probably work I would think. I don’t have a trigger system so other than what I have read I’m not too familiar with the practical application. Would be cool to play around with one though but I had to approach the final shot from a different standpoint.

The problem I might have is what if one needs more than one take? Lots of log splitting and hatchet swinging! And compositing. I got off pretty easy getting this in one frame but I like the idea of a fully repeatable shot with most of the elements of the composition static if I can get away with it. I have composited a dynamic element of a shot before that is supposed to appear static, in the manner you have suggested, but I didn’t always find it easy to do.

Do I recall you having a trigger Rita? If so I sure would like to fire some questions your way as regarding your experience with it.

Terry, you answered my question. Thanks, Maurice.

You’re quite welcome Maurice.

By the way explanation far from boring.

I must be losing my touch!

Magic?

Maybe sleight of hand?

[Rita]

Terry, yes, I do have a trigger. I have played with it on and off but I am no expert with it yet. Fire away on your questions, I would be glad to assist if I can. In regards to "What if you need more than one take?" There is an element of trial and error, which I assume will become less so as I improve with the techniques. When I did the shot of the egg breaking awhile ago it did take a number of shots to get the one I wanted.

[kdoc856]

Beautifully conceived and beautifully executed. My hat is off, and I am feeling challenged to broaden my rather stagnant horizons. Thanks for sharing this, Terry.

[Loose Canon]

Thank you Kevin!

From what I’ve seen of you’re work sir, you have the talent to reach! I’ll be looking forward to seeing what you come up with. We'll inspire each other!


Rita, I recall that thread and went back to have another peek to refresh. Which I enjoyed again I might add!

So here are a couple of things I wonder about these triggers.

Did you ever get around to allowing the trigger to fire the camera and then let the camera fire the flash?

And if so, how did it work out for you with stopping motion? And did you experience noticeable delay going the “long way” around to fire the flash (meaning the stimulus triggers the the trigger, which fires the camera, which then fires the flash)?

One of the reasons I ask, and please correct me if I’m getting the wrong impression here, is that to allow a trigger to fire the flash, the shutter has to be open for a long exposure, meaning working in the dark to keep ambient from affecting the shot. If the trigger fires the shutter, and the camera then fires the flashes, then one may not have to work completely in the dark.

But if there is a noticeable delay between the stimulus that activates the trigger, which in turn activates the shutter release, which in turn fires the flash, are you finding missed shots?

And I would also think “noticeable delay” might not be physically noticeable, but maybe only noticeable in the shot result?

And? Do you have the trigger set for an audible triggering? And what are the choices you have for the triggering stimuli?

Hope I’m making sense Rita! Jeez-o-pete! Maybe I should just read up some more rather than asking you to waste your time here!

[joebranko]

Ingenious!

[Rita]

Rita, I recall that thread and went back to have another peek to refresh. Which I enjoyed again I might add!

So here are a couple of things I wonder about these triggers.

Did you ever get around to allowing the trigger to fire the camera and then let the camera fire the flash?

And if so, how did it work out for you with stopping motion? And did you experience noticeable delay going the “long way” around to fire the flash (meaning the stimulus triggers the the trigger, which fires the camera, which then fires the flash)?

One of the reasons I ask, and please correct me if I’m getting the wrong impression here, is that to allow a trigger to fire the flash, the shutter has to be open for a long exposure, meaning working in the dark to keep ambient from affecting the shot. If the trigger fires the shutter, and the camera then fires the flashes, then one may not have to work completely in the dark.

But if there is a noticeable delay between the stimulus that activates the trigger, which in turn activates the shutter release, which in turn fires the flash, are you finding missed shots?

And I would also think “noticeable delay” might not be physically noticeable, but maybe only noticeable in the shot result?

And? Do you have the trigger set for an audible triggering? And what are the choices you have for the triggering stimuli?

Hope I’m making sense Rita! Jeez-o-pete! Maybe I should just read up some more rather than asking you to waste your time here!

Terry, sorry for the delayed response, I got kind of busy over Christmas. Yes, I did try the trigger firing the camera and having the camera firing the flash. There was a slight delay but in the software for my device the delay can be changed which helps. When I tried this I did have the flash off camera but fired through the camera. I was trying water drops at the time. I did have a lot of failures but I put that down to my own inexperience For different modes on the trigger, I use the trigger trap, I can have it trigger by sound or motion. There are adjustable settings for each of these including the sensitivity. It can also be used as a shutter release and an intervalometer. All in all it is a fun toy to play with but it does take some time to figure it out. When I get some free time I am going to get back to playing more with it as I have some images I want to try. Hope this helps.