Chthonic Wildlife Ramblings

Reflections of a heterodox conservationist

In the Waitakeres

Monday, July 2, 2012 11:17:43 PM

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The Waitakere Ranges are to the west of Auckland, and feature some of the best native forest in the region. I slipped off one sunny (but cold and wintery day) to get some shots of the area. Some of thes eare a good illustration of the benefits of having a solid and stable tripod to take photos. Note that solid and stable is in the case of tripods, a synonym for heavy smile





Double standards when it comes to stalkingSome scenes from the Hauraki

Comments

Mimis Mum (MM)mimi_s_mum Monday, July 2, 2012 11:28:39 PM

Masterpiece! yes My favourite is the second one. Beauty!

a solid and stable tripod

I think I will need one of those, especially in Wellington breeze. I've recently acquired a relatively dark ND filter (allows 4 stops down) and am hoping to try long exposure shots of the local stream (Upper Kaiwharawhara). Don't think I will achieve much without a good tripod.

Chthoniidchthoniid Monday, July 2, 2012 11:46:51 PM

That was a fast response!

Yeah, so often you see tripods offered for sale that are 'light' and 'stable'- which unless its carbon fibre, is a bit of a misnomer. I bought the heaviest tripod I could find (within budget). Ended up with a Giottos. I put on my Manfrotto geared head and once it's set up, it doesn't move. Even in a stream.

For long exposures ND filters are absolutely essential. For what it's worth the 1st 2 shots were taken without an ND filter. The bush was dark enough to get a 2 second exposure. The last shot had a 3-stop ND filter. I think they're a very effective tool for landscape work.

Mimis Mum (MM)mimi_s_mum Tuesday, July 3, 2012 12:48:44 AM

I happened to be on a tea break (aka procrastinating p).)

Thanks for the info about tripods. I shall do some research myself and perhaps wait for a good one to come in Trademe. smile

Originally posted by chthoniid:

The bush was dark enough to get a 2 second exposure.

And turned out brilliantly. bigsmile Did you also try longer exposure with your ND? If you did, did it make much difference?

Chthoniidchthoniid Tuesday, July 3, 2012 1:07:00 AM

Tea breaks are a very important part of the working day smile

Trademe can be a good source for tripod stuff. I got both my Manfrotto geared head and Gitzo magnesium ball-head from there. The geared head is great for landscape shots. I got my Giottos tripod (new) from photoronic in PN though. They're a pretty basic tripod but but very stable.

I tried some long exposures with the ND filter but it really didn't make any difference. Once the water is blurred it stays similarly blurred for the next few stops. The other problem with the ND filter is if you attach it after you focus the shot, you can still 'bump' the camera or lens. If you try focusing with the ND filter on, you have a much darker image so it's harder.

So crouching in a cold NZ stream, looking through a view finder at a darkened scene, does make it more challenging for composition.

der WandersmannderWandersmann Tuesday, July 3, 2012 1:17:40 AM

MM, try a little sandbag, of the sort pistol shooters use when they're shooting from a rest. It's flexible enough to even out the top surface of a rock or log, and give you a stable platform. Hold your cam down with your hands, pressing it into the bag, and it's amazing how rock-steady you can be, even for very long exposures. Unless you're afflicted with Parkinson's, or St. Vitus' Dance, of course.
I once knew a fellow who got incredibly sharp pictures from his Minox (remember them?). I asked him how, and it turned out he used a Linhof view camera tripod.

Mimis Mum (MM)mimi_s_mum Tuesday, July 3, 2012 2:41:02 AM

Originally posted by chthoniid:

So crouching in a cold NZ stream


In your shorts? jester

Thanks for your other tips. Good point about risk of bumping while attaching the filter. I shall experiment with my techniques.


@dW. Thanks for the sandbag tip. I've a microwavable wheatbag. I might try if that does the trick. smile

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