Surgeon's Hands Contest - handheld @ 3 sec.

[Nobie]

I thought of a game that could be quite fun. I've simplified it from my original idea so that it'd be easier to follow. Basically, let's see how good or bad we are at long, handheld shots. I figured if we shot our own feet, we'd have a general focal length. You can shoot wide and/or zoom, your choice.

The Rules:

1. Take a picture of your feet/toes (socks and shoes are optional).
2. It must be a full 3 second exposure.
3. It must be handheld.
4. No VR or IS permitted.
5. No post-production aimed at sharpening the image.
6. No bracing body/arms/camera against anything, this is 100 free standing...no lying down either!
7. Include EXIF.
8. No flash.

[Nobie]

Ok, I shot three. I did a 16mm, 24mm, and 120mm. Keep in mind it's a DX format sensor so we have the ol' 1.5x to think about as far as that is concerned. If I posted the 24mm, it isn't much better than the 120mm.



EXIF:
Nikon D70
16mm
f/2.8
3 sec.
ISO 200
Focus: Manual
Flash: Not fired



EXIF:
Nikon D70
120mm
f/5.6
3 sec.
ISO 200
Focus: Auto
Flash: Not fired

[wulf]

I have cropped the image down and done some work on the colours but left my normal sharpening tricks alone... I don't think they would do much for this shot anyway. Other details:

# Exposure: 3 sec
# Aperture: f/8
# Focal Length: 50mm (50mm f/1.8 E Series)
# ISO Speed: 200

BTW, remember to take your shot somewhere quite dim - 3s is a long exposure in daylight!

Wulf

ps. good challenge idea.

[amywilliams]

So sorry.... I'm pretty new to photography but thought this might be fun to try. I have a couple questions, can you help??
1. How do I get a 3 second exposure? (I have a nikon d40 if that means anything....)
2. What is VR and IS??
I guess understanding 6 rules out of 8 isn't so bad, right!! Thanks for the help!

Originally Posted by Nobie

I thought of a game that could be quite fun. I've simplified it from my original idea so that it'd be easier to follow. Basically, let's see how good or bad we are at long, handheld shots. I figured if we shot our own feet, we'd have a general focal length. You can shoot wide and/or zoom, your choice.

The Rules:

1. Take a picture of your feet/toes (socks and shoes are optional).
2. It must be a full 3 second exposure.
3. It must be handheld.
4. No VR or IS permitted.
5. No post-production aimed at sharpening the image.
6. No bracing body/arms/camera against anything, this is 100 free standing...no lying down either!
7. Include EXIF.
8. No flash.

[wulf]

Amy,

1. On your D40 either go into Shutter Priority mode or Manual mode using the dial on the top of the camera. Now, after half-pressing the shutter (or pressing the info button), you can change the shutter speed by rotating the command dial that is on the back of the camera, near the top right of the LCD screen. You can set the shutter speed to 3" (3 seconds) although, in manual mode, you will also need to check ISO and aperture settings (see the manual).

2. VR / IS are systems built into lenses to make them more stable. Nikon cameras use VR (vibration reduction). If you just have the basic kit lens you don't have the feature in the first place.

Wulf

[Firemaine]

Just be glad I was a Firefighter/Paramedic and not a Surgeon.



Camera: Nikon D40
Exposure: 3 sec (3)
Aperture: f/9
Focal Length: 85 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0/6 EV
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Program: Manual
Flash: No Flash

[madhatas]

This is a good idea. Here is my go.



EXIF:
Exposure: 3.2 sec (16/5)
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 45 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0/10 EV

Cheers

Tim

[Peach]

Exposure: 3 sec (3)
Aperture: f/20
Focal Length: 50 mm

Those are about 4-inch heels. Standing in the middle of my living room.

Oh, and it was taken with my new 50mm f/1.8 so the lens has no image stabilizing on it OR autofocus lol

[Canadian Mum]

wow Peach... you are a ROCK!! you have great detail in the flooring...
I took the picture... hard to resist bracing the camera and your arms against your body. I had to try several times to keep the camera out in front of me... I will post the pic once Flickr has taken its time to upload it!

[Nicole]

I don't think I'm even gonna show how bad my shots were Someone would need to cut out the caffeine before my shots would look as good as some of these shots