Lego SpaceMen

[BabetteKD]

Well, for Christmas I got my very first DSLR camera and I've been struggling with learning some of the functions. Aperture, Shutter, Priority and Manual modes still confuse me at times, but I average 30-50 shots a day for my 365.

Some background on this shot: I had the aperture as tiny as I could possibly get it, because about a foot and a half behind this ship there was the window that looks out to my building's parking lot. Because the photo took so long to take, the building across the way (which is a dull orange) was completely blown out to white. The figures came out really dark actually, but I edited it in Photoshop and cranked up the saturation. Some detail of the subjects were lost (white suits on a white ship on a white background, who knew, lol), but I thought I did a decent amount of recovery.



Camera: Nikon D5000
Exposure: 2
Aperture: f/29.0
Focal Length: 135 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash

I would absolutely love some honest critiques. Was this an interesting shot? Was everything centered correctly? Does the white hurt your eyes? Should I have zoomed in/out? I'll be fine with your critiques, I promise! I've had professors who wouldn't stop insulting our work till we left the room in tears.

[Marija]

I can't say is this an interesting shot, but for kids probably it is.
It seems to me that "the boy on top" is centered but the whole toy is slightly moved to the right. On the toy there are shadows which are distracting.
And also...I would try this with a dark background (black probably)...
Hope this will be helpful

[sybren]

The background wasn't blown out because of the long exposure. It was blown out because you exposed for the LEGO, and there was more light outside. You can take a year-long exposure and still not have an over-exposed photo, as long as your aperture is small enough.

The LEGO was probably too dark because it's white, and your camera doesn't know that. Your camera tries to make the average colour a medium gray. So if you expose for something white be sure to dial in +1 or +2 stops above medium.

Update: here's a photo with a six month exposure time: http://www.pinholephotography.org/

[BabetteKD]

Marija: You're right. I think I was focused on centering the middle Man that I didn't notice the ship itself wasn't centered. It needs to be re-cropped. Also, you find the shadows distracting? I could play around with the image once I get back home. Do you want me to report the new image or just take your comments as a lesson and move on with my work? At the time I didn't have any other background (my boyfriend has posters all over the walls) but this week I AM buying white and black sheets as backgrounds so I don't have to do resort to the bright window any more. Thank you for your tips!

Sybren: "The background wasn't blown out because of the long exposure. It was blown out because you exposed for the LEGO, and there was more light outside. You can take a year-long exposure and still not have an over-exposed photo, as long as your aperture is small enough."
Ok, I'm embarrassed of what I said, because I was saying the wrong thing. Oh well, moving on.

"The LEGO was probably too dark because it's white, and your camera doesn't know that. Your camera tries to make the average colour a medium gray. So if you expose for something white be sure to dial in +1 or +2 stops above medium.
"
I'll have to read the manual on how to do that, because I don't know how to expose for white :x

Also, your link? That is absolutely fabulous. I've seen long exposures done a single month at a time, but not more than a single month. I'll have to show one of my professors, he loves photography despite not being a photography teacher.

Also also, thank you for your suggestions Sybren.

[sybren]

Originally Posted by BabetteKD

I'll have to read the manual on how to do that, because I don't know how to expose for white

How you should do that depends on the mode you're shooting in. In P, aperture priority or shutter priority you'll have to dial in an exposure compensation. In manual, just increase your shutter speed or open up your aperture a bit.

[BabetteKD]

I just found that option. Thank you Sybren!

Also, Marija, "I can't say is this an interesting shot, but for kids probably it is."

I didn't find this offensive or hurtful, it made me laugh. I guess it's interesting to me because I'm a kid at heart (well, I'm 23 so I'm not an adult yet really). I realize as a beginner a lot of the shots I love and enjoy aren't remotely interesting to other people.

[Marija]

Sorry if I was too harsh...I didn't mean to. That was just me...There are many people who would like it.
Honestly, I think you can't do much with this photo in PP. It should be your lesson. Good one, because you got some good explanations from Sybren
After all is said, don't give up from the toy, just try something different with it.

[BabetteKD]

Harsh? I didn't think you were harsh at all, just pleasantly honest, which is what I asked for.
You are correct, there is proably little I can do with this in PP without retaking this in similar, yet more favorable, sitation. And I'm not giving up on the toys. They give me practice with various functions on my camera and don't complain when I take too long taking a picture.