Me in Hammock

[vandergus]

This is a picture of me in my hammock. Two main areas I would like comments on. First, how does the subject (me) strike you. I wasn't quite sure how to pose so I just pretended I was sleeping. That's what I'm usually doing in my hammock anyway . Secondly, does the panning technique add anything to the photograph or does it just look like I was playing around with fun camera tricks.



Nikon D40
Shutter: 1/2 sec
Aperture: f22
Focal length: 18mm
ISO: 200

[geotography]

vandergus,

I will take a go at this; and thank you for priming the critique with questions and exif. My own impression of the photograph is that it is technically good and well executed. Your subject is relatively sharp against the panned motion. The angle is quite good to my taste; and I enjoy the variation of textures produced by the panned background and relatively focused subject.

Now, having said all that, it is, again to me, not believable that you would be sleeping through the speed of your hammick. In other words, the motion that you produced with your panning technique appears faster than would be taking place while you were sleeping. Now if you were frolicking with a women and it was going that fast, I would believe it.

I think you did a good job subject to my comments. You know, it's all practice any way you slice it.

And I do think you were creative in this shot.

Keep shooting.

[vandergus]

Geotography, thanks for taking the time to give me some feedback. I can see how the motion implied by the blurred background could be incongruous with the sleeping subject. The panning gives a sense of speed and action while the subject is neither of those. Then again, incongruity can help emphasize certain aspects of the image. I was kind of hoping that setting myself against the blurred background would get at the sense of detachment from the world you feel when you're lazily swinging in a hammock. You know, you just kind of stare up into the tree the hammock is hanging from and let thoughts wander in and out of you mind. I digress. If this particular technique didn't work, that's good to know. I'll try something else next time.

[geotography]

Hi vandergus,

I am more curious this a.m. than I was in the wee hours; just how did you accomplish this rather skilled shot while playing the role of a sleeping man? The only thing that comes to mind is that you created a background in PS.

geo

[vandergus]

This is pretty much straight out of the camera. It's basically the classic arms outstretched self portrait with a moving backgroung thrown. I got myself swinging in the hammock, pointed the camera at myself framing as best I could, and snapped away. The camera moved with the rest of my body, keeping me sharp, while blurring the background as the hammock swung. I took about 30 shots to get this one. Continuous shooting mode is a blessing .

The one technical detail about the picture that bugs me is that the red channel is blown out. If you look at my shirt, it is red red and doesn't have as much detail as it should. Didn't pay much attention to the histogram while I was shooting.

[geotography]

Thanks for sharing how you did it. It's the basic recipe for pan shots; however, I am quite impressed with the skill. I think you may be more coordinated than me...it would have probably taken me 60 shots to get it. I really do need to practice my pan shots...I thought bicyclists would be a good practice target.

[vandergus]

Funny you should mention that. The other day I stumbled upon a bike race in the middle of the city. Luckily, I had my camera with me so I got to practice some panning shots. Mostly blurry riders but I got one I was satisfied with.