[Ang C L] Night Photography - Jazz up your shots with staggered zoom

[Ang C L]

This is a fun technique that will jazz up your night shots.
Find a well lighted signboard as your main subject. Set up your camera on a firm tripod. Zoom in all the way (longest focal length) and place the signboard on lower right corner of the viewfinder. Focus on the signboard and lock focus. Set ISO to 200, your smallest aperture (f/22) and shutter speed of 8-10 sec. Now zoom out (widest zoom). The fun part begins.

a) Click the shutter and count to 4.
b) Zoom in smoothly by 10mm and stop (don't shake the cam).
c) Count to 4 again.
d) Zoom in again and stop. Keep repeating till you can't zoom anymore or the shutter closes.

Here's the result:

From Digital Photography School

Camera: D700
ISO: 200
Aperture: f/22
Shutter: 8 sec

Don't be afraid to experiment. Seeing the result after every shot is the thrilling part. Each shot is somehow different from the other. You can also add a variation and rotate the camera horizontally on the tripod axis after every zoom. Have fun and pl feel free to give me your comments or share your shots here

[Chip]

Very nice effect and tutorial.

Your photos looks like a scene out of the Bladerunner movie.

[Ang C L]

Originally Posted by Chip

Very nice effect and tutorial.

Your photos looks like a scene out of the Bladerunner movie.

Thks Chip

Great photos you have there in your flickr.

[Bigmagic]

I'm a newbie here awaiting my new GH1 to be delivered today. I love this shot very creative, one of my favorite techniques from this Forum. Thanks for sharing.

[josealb]

Interesting, I had never thought of it. I find it difficult though to find places where this effect could look good like in your example

[Ang C L]

Originally Posted by Bigmagic

I'm a newbie here awaiting my new GH1 to be delivered today. I love this shot very creative, one of my favorite techniques from this Forum. Thanks for sharing.

Thks for reading. Glad you enjoy it. Do share your shots when you have the chance to try it out

[Ang C L]

Originally Posted by josealb

Interesting, I had never thought of it. I find it difficult though to find places where this effect could look good like in your example

If you can't find a suitable signboard, how abt something simpler like a lamp-post? Not as effective, but it will give you the chance to have a feel of the technique so that when you find the "real" thing, you're all ready Have fun!

[Ang C L]

Here's a variation of the technique that I mentioned in my original thread - rotating the camera horizontally on the tripod axis. Not as dramatic, but still interesting.

From Digital Photography School

[Mad Ged]

That's a great effect, I really like it. Will try it when I can, luckily I just bought a good tripod tonight!

[Ang C L]

Originally Posted by Mad Ged

That's a great effect, I really like it. Will try it when I can, luckily I just bought a good tripod tonight!

Thks! Do share your shots