Bodmin Moor : A Triptych

[Ginger Pixie]

Well, a Triptych in one.

I borrowed a Sigma 10-20mm lens, and headed to a favourite spot on Bodmin Moor. The old abandoned tin mines are left there to crumble, and I love the look of them, and the way they add to, and frame the landscape around them.

It's pretty bleak up there usually, in a beautiful sort of way, and I was almost pleased that I had a dull grey sky - HDR style oranges would seem out of place somehow. At least for the idea I had in my mind which was this, a tin mine ruin that has three different views through its window holes.

I had to use flash, as there was next to no decent light inside, and with hindsight, I should have taken both out with me, but making do with one, I set it up in the pile of rocks at the bottom, angling it upwards to try and illuminate the wall.

This is far from perfect, I know, but it is pretty close to the idea I had in my mind, so as a work in progress as a concept, I'd like to know what you think of it, and ideas for a reshoot that might improve things.

I would really appreciate your input and advice. Thanks.

Camera: Canon EOS 450D
Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/16.0
ISO Speed: 400

[Doctor Atomo]

It's pretty good.
I think that the flash is too strong, overpowering the views out the windows and causing the bottom of the photo to be underdeveloped.
Did you try to up the ISO instead of using a flash?
I would like a more even and natural cast on the stone walls, with the natural light from the windows...
Maybe turn down the power on the flash and bring both next time?
Go out there on a brighter, but still overcast day?

An interesting subject indeed!

Looking forward to see what you can do with it, either in post or by re-shooting!

[junglebear]

I'd agree that the lighting needs changing, as it is the two brightest spots on the walls that catch your attention straight away, and the outside scene is overlooked.
I reckon two flashes set lower would work, but I'm no lighting expert.

[doctorjames]

One option depending how brave you are feeling would be to shoot later in the day with much less light outside. Basically its a contrast/exposure issue:

A long enough exposure to show the detail inside will completely over-expose the outside.
A short enough exposure to show the outside will completely underexpose the inside.

I know this sounds like im teaching grandma how to suck eggs, but its really simple thinking that often works in photography.

Now... you can try and illuminate the inside with flash, and even with two its going to be difficult to get your lighting right, as there is no 'subject', just surrounding walls. Flash kit that you are going to cart all the way into the field is unlikely to give you a non-direction feel, instead you need even illumination.

Now this is where the bravery comes in (and a tripod). A slow and steady lightsource, like a torch latern (or even candles if you want to really push the boat out) as opposed to the impulse of flash, positioned centrally, but out of shot will illuminate the inside. Wait until it is dark enough outside and you have good balance between the two, choose and appriopriately long shutter speed and voila...

The cons of this are obvious.... out on the moors at dusk, needing another lightsource and if you wait to long you will end up with no light outside (well very little unless the moon is out)

The pros:... Usually a menacing look to the clouds because of the long exposure, an evenly illuminated interior (provided the light source is equidistant from the corners, and ideally not ON the floor), and often a gentle softness to the exterior detail without it being out of focus.

Just a thought, ive tried similar before, some have worked very well, others have been appalling, usually through my lack of patience.

[Ginger Pixie]

Originally Posted by Doctor Atomo

It's pretty good.
I think that the flash is too strong, overpowering the views out the windows and causing the bottom of the photo to be underdeveloped.
Did you try to up the ISO instead of using a flash?
I would like a more even and natural cast on the stone walls, with the natural light from the windows...
Maybe turn down the power on the flash and bring both next time?
Go out there on a brighter, but still overcast day?

An interesting subject indeed!

Looking forward to see what you can do with it, either in post or by re-shooting!

Thank you for your thoughts - very much appreciated. I didn't try bumping the ISO, whenever I have tried this in the past I have had a really noisy photograph. Maybe I am doing something wrong...

The natural light was pretty terrible that day, so I could certainly head up there once the weather/light has improved a bit. It's still winter, so I have plenty of time.

Originally Posted by junglebear

I'd agree that the lighting needs changing, as it is the two brightest spots on the walls that catch your attention straight away, and the outside scene is overlooked.
I reckon two flashes set lower would work, but I'm no lighting expert.

Thanks - I'm no expert either, and am grateful for any suggestions or advice I can get. I kicked myself when I realised that two flashes would have worked better, I had taken one out so I could fit all my lenses into my bag - but then only ended up using one lens. Grrrr. Typical.

Originally Posted by doctorjames

One option depending how brave you are feeling would be to shoot later in the day with much less light outside. Basically its a contrast/exposure issue:

A long enough exposure to show the detail inside will completely over-expose the outside.
A short enough exposure to show the outside will completely underexpose the inside.

I know this sounds like im teaching grandma how to suck eggs, but its really simple thinking that often works in photography.

Now... you can try and illuminate the inside with flash, and even with two its going to be difficult to get your lighting right, as there is no 'subject', just surrounding walls. Flash kit that you are going to cart all the way into the field is unlikely to give you a non-direction feel, instead you need even illumination.

Now this is where the bravery comes in (and a tripod). A slow and steady lightsource, like a torch latern (or even candles if you want to really push the boat out) as opposed to the impulse of flash, positioned centrally, but out of shot will illuminate the inside. Wait until it is dark enough outside and you have good balance between the two, choose and appriopriately long shutter speed and voila...

The cons of this are obvious.... out on the moors at dusk, needing another lightsource and if you wait to long you will end up with no light outside (well very little unless the moon is out)

The pros:... Usually a menacing look to the clouds because of the long exposure, an evenly illuminated interior (provided the light source is equidistant from the corners, and ideally not ON the floor), and often a gentle softness to the exterior detail without it being out of focus.

Just a thought, ive tried similar before, some have worked very well, others have been appalling, usually through my lack of patience.

I like the idea of candles, i think they would look great... but the challenge would be in keeping them lit, the way the wind rips across the moor!

Thank you for your suggestions, they are gratefully received, and have given me something to think about for a reshoot.