Help me with This one

[epeyton@tampabay.rr.com]

This is my attempted at close up. My exp information is on Flickr. My problem is with focus. It is manual and no matter what I did I couldn't get it focused. I shot this by candel light with a blue pen light. It is a toy bike.

Thanks for any suggestion.

[ELAY]

Evelyn, is it possible you are too close?

Many zooms have a relatively large minimum focus distance, that require you to be a couple of feet back -- if you are inside that zone, then you won't get good focus.

Otherwise, are you using the focus dot? On my D40, and I think on your D50, there is a dot in the lower left corner of your viewfinder which will light up when you nail manual focus. If you make sure your focus point is the right one, and are steady and patient (maybe a tripod?), the focus dot gives sharp results.

EL

[clockdoc]

This is an interesting lighting process. But first, let's figure out why your camera won't focus. You said you were in the manual mode. Try recreating the scene in normal light and allow the camera to auto focus. Caneras often find it hard to focus properly onlow light levels. Then swtich the camera to manual and don't move the focusing ring on the lens. That should lock the focus. Since you said this was a closeup, were you also experimenting with a macro mode or trying to focus too close for the focal length of the lens?
Once you have mastered getting good sharpness by switching from auto to manual focus to lock the focus in, then experiment with your very interesting lighting technique. You may also want to use a slower ISO than 200 and stop the lens down. This will give you more time to manipulate your 'paintng with light' technique.
I do not own a Nikon D50 so I am not familiar with its manual focus properties. Perhaps a Nikon owner can shed more light on this for you.

[epeyton@tampabay.rr.com]

I was using my lonest lens, a tripod, and I had my camera set to blub. The first couple of shots were really bad I think because I had the shutter open too long. I would focus with the lights on (manually) then turn them off to get the shot. I will try again when I get home this time I will use a shorter lens and auto focus and lock it there. Thanks for the help. I will share my updated pic when I'm finish.

[clockdoc]

You may want to try having someone hold a black card in front of the lens when you are changing lighting sources instrad of just letting the lens stay open on the scene. Also this needs to be done in a totally dark room as the digital sensor will record stray light . Could the camera or table have been bumped during your exposures as well? I look forward to seeing the next shots.

[praesentire]

Originally Posted by epeyton@tampabay.rr.com

I was using my lonest lens, a tripod, and I had my camera set to blub.

Are you using a remote shutter release? The blur looks like a motion blur to me.

[epeyton@tampabay.rr.com]

I took all the advice I was given. I moved my camera back, I used the remote, I took camera off blub and use landscape setting. I use auto focus then turned the lights off. It is much clearer. Now I would like to know what you think of the picture it self. This was the first picture that I planned out in advanced.

[clockdoc]

The photo is much clearer that your original shot and I know you probably learned quite a bit in the process of reshooting. While it is an interesting effect and has a place in your portfolio, I am not sure what your original plan was for the end use. The image still lacks some shadow detail and is primarily made up of specular highlights reflected off the shiney parts of the model. Because you used a 'painting-with-light' technique, the reflection has become more of a distraction than a supporting reflection. Thanks for reshooting and posting the results for us to see. We can all learn from your efforts.

[epeyton@tampabay.rr.com]

I see your point I was so busy trying to make it clear that I didn't pay enough attention to the reflection. Do you think I should crop it out or is there something else I could do to lessen the effect?

[clockdoc]

Try a different material for the base that doesn't have a mirror-like finish. You can also try a larger light to pick up the shadow detail a bit in addition to your candle and blue lights.