Contre-jour (27 Aug - 10 Sep)

[i speak in math]

A friend and I decided to try painting with light for the first time the other night. This is my favorite though so many of them came out amazing. I will definitely by trying this again. I think this meets the requirements -- there is lots of underexposed areas and a few over exposed. If not, let me know and I can post a different one.

From Nate's 8/29/08

Model: PENTAX K200D
ISO: 100
Exposure: 10.0 sec
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 55mm
Flash Used: No

[Grobby]

I love this shot of my youngest, Emma. She was entranced by my wife waving a silver car sunshade in the air. I took the opportunity to use that as the bounce for my flash and get this great shot. I especially love the focus on Emma's eyes.


Camera: Nikon D80
Exposure: 0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture: f/4.8
Focal Length: 48 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0/6 EV
Flash: Flash fired, auto mode

[wulf]

Originally Posted by pictd2lrn

Would this be an example of contre-jour?

Kind of. Some of the definitions I have read on the net would certainly include it although I would classify it more as a silhouette. Perhaps a few moments later, you might have found somewhere within the scene where some of the geese were well lit by the sun rising over the building (I'm assuming it was morning) while there were still plenty of areas in deep shade.

Speaking for myself (so the other moderators may view things a bit differently and give some balance ) I don't just want light and dark - I want drama, lovies!

Wulf

[mallamace]

Originally Posted by wulf

Kind of. Some of the definitions I have read on the net would certainly include it although I would classify it more as a silhouette. Perhaps a few moments later, you might have found somewhere within the scene where some of the geese were well lit by the sun rising over the building (I'm assuming it was morning) while there were still plenty of areas in deep shade.

Speaking for myself (so the other moderators may view things a bit differently and give some balance ) I don't just want light and dark - I want drama, lovies!

Wulf

This is all a little confusing!? I had a look in Wiki and it says "Contre-jour, French for 'against daylight', refers to photographs taken when the camera is pointing directly toward the source of light. An alternative term is backlighting.

Contre-jour produces backlighting of the subject. This effect usually hides details, causes a stronger contrast between light and dark, creates silhouettes and emphasizes lines and shapes. The sun, or other light source, is often seen as either a bright spot or as a strong glare behind the subject."

Maybe I will keep looking at the other posts before deciding how to go about it. Thanks Wulf.

[mallamace]

Originally Posted by Grobby

I love this shot of my youngest, Emma. She was entranced by my wife waving a silver car sunshade in the air. I took the opportunity to use that as the bounce for my flash and get this great shot. I especially love the focus on Emma's eyes.

Great shot! The eyes really draw you in.

[baldmountain]

It's funny. I took this yesterday while out for a mountain bike ride through some local woods. I think it fits the topic?



Nikon P50 point and shoot on Program Auto.
From Exif:
Exposure Time: 1 / 107
FNumber: 4.4
Focal Length: 11.5
Focal Length In 35mm Film: 69
ISO Speed Ratings: 398

I did muck with it a bit in Aperture.

[wulf]

Originally Posted by mallamace

This is all a little confusing!? I had a look in Wiki and it says "Contre-jour, French for 'against daylight', refers to photographs taken when the camera is pointing directly toward the source of light. An alternative term is backlighting.

Remember that Wikipedia, while often useful, isn't an absolute authority because anyone can edit the entries. The first time I came across the term was studying art at A-Level. The tutor explained it using the example of looking out through a door or window at a brightly lit area. For some reason, we never actually did the assignment that had been planned but it stuck with me.

For the purpose of this assignment, work from the description given: "Take a photo that exploits lighting and plays with under and over-exposed areas to dramatic effect - in other words, the opposite of HDR approaches, which try to compress the range of contrast."

The source of light can be indirect - for example, if you look through a window in an unlit room on a sunny day, the outside is substantially brighter and functions as a light source as it reflects the suns light to your eyes. Grapple with shots that give you under and overexposed areas, looking for something dramatic and bold.

Wulf

[murfam]

I got this shot of my grandson Rocky (my favorite subject) at the window of his playroom. The window was the only light source and I certainly think that it fits the category. The shutter speed was a little slow and I'm just lucky that he stayed still for that long.
Date: 9/2/08
Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Exp.: f/4 @ 1/30 sec.
ISO: 500

[liseaux]

[Wombat]

I try to get two things at the same time, motion blur and the light contrast.
The front of the women ????. You have to guess

Date: 4-09-2008
Nikon D3
Aperture f/16
Shutter 1/8s
ISO 100
Lens: 24-70mm f/2.8
Manual setting.