What’s Your Preference?

JerInTheBox · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 09:42 AM

If you know what commercials I'm talking about, listen to this while you read.

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 6
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 11 mm
Exposure: 0.00
ISO Speed: 100

The Gorillapod is just about the best $50 you can spend on camera gear. It's light enough to leave on your camera as you walk around, and it opens up all sorts of long exposure possibilities. For example, if you're reeeeeeally careful and not just a little bit stupid you can mount your camera pretty sturdy to your mirror.

Then, if you've got a sweet tunnel, drive through it. Set yourself a nice long exposure, this one was 6 seconds. Your f-stop should be pretty high, around 11 or so to give you a good range of focus and a sharp image.

Then flash 'em if you got 'em so you're not a big blur. Here the flash is in my lap but you could try bouncing it off the ceiling of the car to soften it a bit. You'll need some sort of remote flash trigger, I used the Cactus V2 which is cheap and seems to work pretty well. Alternatively you might be able to get enough light on yourself with the dome light in the car if you don't have off-camera flash.

I triggered it with the little Canon IR remote. If you don't have one just set a 10 second self timer, roll down the window, press the shutter, and then roll the window back up to get those nice reflections off it.

Try to make a better face than this (I was trying not to crash). Next time maybe sunglasses would be in order, that'd look cool right? The important thing is to keep your head as still as possible, otherwise you'll get a ghost effect. Maybe you'll like that, but I tried a few and didn't.

Repeat as necessary if you're like me and forgot to turn the camera on the first time through the tunnel.

anthonyjstewart · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 01:49 PM

Great shot. I am not sure I would have the nerve to mount my 5D2 on the outside of a car, jeez the repair bill would be enormous. Very cool shot though.

shep · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 04:17 PM

awesome shot. i would love to try this, but no way guy! you are crazy.....but look who has the coolest shot of the day. great job.

JerInTheBox · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthonyjstewart

Great shot. I am not sure I would have the nerve to mount my 5D2 on the outside of a car, jeez the repair bill would be enormous. Very cool shot though.

There may have been a small part of me hoping it would fall off so I could justify upgrading to the 5D.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shep

awesome shot. i would love to try this, but no way guy! you are crazy.....but look who has the coolest shot of the day. great job.

Thanks very much Shep! Nothing ventured nothing gained I guess.

Believe me, I wouldn't have taken this idea from concept to reality if it wasn't on there really tight. I spent 10 minutes adjusting the Gorillapod and making sure that everything was on their securely, and you can tell it is because the car itself is very crisp in the shot. I'm not sure it would hold up if I took it on the freeway going 80, but I wasn't going very fast here. You don't have to be to get the effect, you've just got to be someplace with lots of pretty lights.

graceonthego · #5 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 09:15 AM

That makes me want to buy one of those Gorilla pods! That shot is so awesome! AND the one over on the assignment thread. Thanks for the tips and inspiration! As a photographer, if it did fall off, at least you can write off the new camera as an expense

...

constructivecriticism · #6 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerInTheBox

(I was trying not to crash).

Funny, I try to do that every time I drive.

Great shot, but do you really trust your XSi to the GorillaPod? Is it really that stiff once you set it up?

Thanks in advance.

stitchbug · #7 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthonyjstewart

Great shot. I am not sure I would have the nerve to mount my 5D2 on the outside of a car, jeez the repair bill would be enormous. Very cool shot though.

um, yeah. lol i wouldnt mount my 50d and drive. heck, i wouldnt mount my xti and drive!! eeek!!!

but definitely great shots!

Mourner · #8 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 09:55 PM

That's a really brave shot

xxpinballxx · #9 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 10:30 PM

I like it and have a gorilla pod collecting dust!
I think if it were me I'd have to tie the camera to the mirror too incase it came off it would just be swinging in the breeze instead of rolling down the road.