Thursday, January 22, 2009

Thursday Challenge #10 - "Experimental": Or, What Happens When You Forget You're Shooting On Manual


"A Half-Dozen Stops Over"
Raleigh, NC - September 2007 (Click to embiggen)

Next Week's Challenge: "Container"


I knew as soon as I saw the theme announced what shot I was going to use. And I know there are going to be some who doubt me but, my hand to God, this is exactly how it came out of the camera.

Usually I don't say much about Thursday Challenge shots. They shouldn't need it, but since the theme this week deals with "Experimental, Interesting Photographic Effects, Failed/Strange Photos, Blurry, Overexposed,..." this one requires a bit of explanation. And the story is mildly interesting, so indulge me.

This shot came from the first intermission of a pre-season NHL game between Carolina and Washington. When I shoot hockey, I'm using a manual exposure of 1/350 second at f/2.8 with white balance set to a custom setting metered on the ice surface. After shooting literally thousands of shots at hockey games, I can tell you that this is just about as close to perfect as it gets for inside the rink.

But outside on the west side of the building on a bright sunny afternoon it doesn't work so well. Just based on my best guess for what a good exposure would be in those conditions, I was probably a half-dozen stops overexposed. Four or five anyway. The effect is actually kinda cool (actually I guess it's kinda hot, isn't it?) but I don't recommend doing it on purpose.
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17 comments:

SandyCarlson said...

A half dozen stops over but close enough, all the same! The curves aren't lost!

GalleryJuana said...

I like Sandy's comment. So true!

carmilevy said...

Makes me realize I need to rethink the definition of the word "mistake". The connotation need not be negative. Rather, it should be exploratory, opportunistic, open-ended.

As is your remarkable picture here. Like a sketch. Perfect as is.

magiceye said...

brilliant!
the art of converting liabilities into assets!

cc said...

hey darlin

i have a new blog opened after a couple of months away

my first cherry popping hnt

on my new site

charlene
http://47cc2009-11-11.blogspot.com/2009/01/ccinmotions-cherry-popping-hnt.html

Shadow said...

i digg it!!! looks like an old carbon copy...

Nuvofelt said...

This would make the most amazing textile print. I'll have to experiment. Great Thursday Theme

Juliana said...

what an cool experiment. if i am not wrong it is jeans pants???

My entry this week : in HERE. I hope you have time to visit. Thanks

Anonymous said...

I can't help but wonder who's behind you were trying to capture there, Mojo. :0)

Some of my most interesting creations came out of "mistakes" where I forgot to check camera settings. And there have also been some shots that I lost because I forgot to check camera settings. :0)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Very cool! It's hard to think of this as a mistake. I love it!

Sheila

Daryl said...

so the real question here is: WHOSE tush is that?

EG CameraGirl said...

Hey, Mojo!
In this case the mistake turned out good!

My offering is at http://moreofme24.blogspot.com/2009/01/experimental-thursday-challenge.html

Unknown said...

That is very cool. Great pic for the theme!!!

Doctor Err said...

its like super acid washed jeans!!!!
:)
but where's the butt?

Leora said...

Looks like a cool Photoshop filter. A nice take on jeans.

Anonymous said...

uuhhh nice butt ;-)

Eaton Bennett aka Berenice Albrecht said...

Hmmmm, cool overexposure and yes, hot butt! :)