EOI - Car lightpainting mini meet - 19 August

[surenj]

As inspired by Auxr8220's recent excellent car images, there was some vague interest in a mini meet of the sorts.

Is anyone interested in shooting and having their car shot at?

Please indicate your interest in this thread. Thanks!


****FURTHER EDIT****

List of attendees at 14/8/9 [confirmed]
Cameron (aim54x)
Biggerry
Jeff
Gstark
surenj



Maybe [or haven't confirmed]
Dviv 80%


Time: 7pm
Location: http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=Tunks+Park&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&sll=-33.817743,151.218725&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&latlng=10257230367192292985&ei=y8l4SrrdL4rmiAPGqIzhBQ&cd=1&usq=Tunks+Park

Things to bring:
Torch with lots of batteries [or any continuos light source] with any light modifiers you may want to use - softboxes, snootsetc
Camera with wide to normal lens
flash with remote triggers + flash stands etc

[aim54x]

That sounds good to me mate! Tee it up!

[whitey]

Yes please.

[biggerry]

yeah count me in! I have grand plans to do this to a aircraft (A36 Dragonfly), however some practice on cars and help from others would be awesome!

I can do week nites as well...

[Jeff]

I would be interested in attending and learning.

Jeff

[surenj]

Great, I was thinking to aim towards warmer weather so we don't have to freeze to death... October?

[dviv]

I'd be interested too depending on night etc

[sheepie]

Is anyone interested in shooting and having their car shot at?

I'd hate for someone to take this out of context!

[surenj]

Is anyone interested in shooting and having their car shot at?

I'd hate for someone to take this out of context!

I want to encourage that sort of behaviour....


It is going to be a weekend as weekdays would be too rushed and tricky [not to mention traffic]... Weekend in October?

[biggerry]

freeze to death... October?

you need some more meat on your bones surenj I am keen for something in the next 2-4 weeks! I might even do my crusty car down at the TAFE carpark soon....hmm...better give it a wash.

[aim54x]

Is anyone interested in shooting and having their car shot at?

I'd hate for someone to take this out of context!

I want to encourage that sort of behaviour....


It is going to be a weekend as weekdays would be too rushed and tricky [not to mention traffic]... Weekend in October?

Keep me posted.... BTW what sorta hardware do you have for shooting up the car? I think Glen mentioned that he could get his hands on a .50...now that would be fun!

[surenj]

Alright lets compromise and say 4 weeks... Weekend...

Cameron, Hardware? Well if anyone has any 'hardware' they should bring it along...we could do some interesting portraits...

[Matt. K]

Sounds interesting. I will try and attend if possible.

[whitey]

 BTW what sorta hardware do you have for shooting up the car? I think Glen mentioned that he could get his hands on a .50...now that would be fun!

I was hoping to bring a couple of these

[surenj]

I was hoping to bring a couple of these

Once could light paint with any light source.....

[aim54x]

 BTW what sorta hardware do you have for shooting up the car? I think Glen mentioned that he could get his hands on a .50...now that would be fun!

I was hoping to bring a couple of these

I had a look at that last night and then wasted a few hours looking at all sorts of guns and missiles in action....the A-10's Avenger canon sounds really strange

[surenj]

Cameron, I did the same! It's amazing how many videos are there in these youtube like sites!!

[biggerry]

lads, I could not wait on the way home tonight tried a bit of this new fangled light painting business, couple of important points I have realised that need to be addressed for teh minimeet:

1) Probably most important, we need a decent car, my 10yro falcon au just does not cut it...something like a classic mustang would do the trick methinks.

2) Location - this needs to be somewhere dark, (on a side note, have you noticed how well lit inner west sydney is? ) somewhere safe where you can pop out a camera and teh required gear without being hassled by security guards or locals looking for a quick boost.

anyways, a couple from tonight, I am lookign forward to meeting up for this session!

[whitey]

 BTW what sorta hardware do you have for shooting up the car? I think Glen mentioned that he could get his hands on a .50...now that would be fun!

I was hoping to bring a couple of these

I had a look at that last night and then wasted a few hours looking at all sorts of guns and missiles in action....the A-10's Avenger canon sounds really strange

Thats what happened to me, that A-10 is amazing. I ended up spending a whole night reading up on it. Basically a flying gatling gun.

[auxr8220]

biggerry- not bad for a first go, white is the easiest colour to lightup i am told, i am yet to do a white car yet so i cant really add comment. your photos looks good though.

nothing wrong with 10 year old falcons either

my xr8


a mates supercharged au2 futura

im suppose to be shooting a FD RX7 monday night, bloke spent $15k on doing a colour change to a black with gold pearl and adding a veilside bodykit. i think my side shot will still look good on this car, but i am dreading doing front and rear shots as dark cars are really hard to light up the top surfaces.

and i agree an oldskool muscle car with chrome rims bumpers and wndow surrounds would look stunning in this sort of lighting.

if anyone is interesting in having a meet in adelaide, pm me and we can get the ball rolling.

[gstark]

we need a decent car, my 10yro falcon au just does not cut it...something like a classic mustang would do the trick methinks.

Maybe Glen's Caddie needs to come out for a photo shoot? It's a shame Russell no longer posts here; the Lotus would work too.

Location - this needs to be somewhere dark,

I need to check this out a little, but I'm thinking that the boat ramp at Tunks Park may be suitable. It's long and wide, and with the actual ramp used as the background, the worst that you'll get in the background of the images will be some boat masts. It's also very close to the city, being just down the hill from Cammeray, where we had our lunch with Fozzie last weekend. Maybe one Km from there.

My thoughts are that after dark, it should be suitably dark and sufficiently uncrowded. What other boat ramps are there? Is there anything around, say, Carrs Park or Brighton?

What about the old ferry wharves under Taren Point or Gladesville Bridges?

nothing wrong with 10 year old falcons either

No comment.

[biggerry]

biggerry- not bad for a first go white is the easiest colour to lightup i am told

yeah I figured that, especially after seeing some of the images of blue cars and they really suck the light away! I really wanted just to see how my light source would go and how the amibent light affected the scene. Those argon style lights are a real pain, cast a nasty colour and bleed into image like nothign else, plus they are bloody well everywhere!

thanks for the comments auxr8220.

Maybe Glen's Caddie needs to come out for a photo shoot?

that would be nice - i am lining up an alfa shortly but i really want some practice to make sure i get it at least half right!

My thoughts are that after dark, it should be suitably dark and sufficiently uncrowded. What other boat ramps are there? Is there anything around, say, Carrs Park or Brighton?
What about the old ferry wharves under Taren Point or Gladesville Bridges?

hmm thats a good point, I have no experience with these areas, and the more I think about it, i have very little experience looking for nice dark areas where I am not gonna get into trouble at

anyone from the inner west (or anywhere with a decent radius for that matter) got any ideas on good spots?

[biggerry]

boat ramp at Tunks Park may be suitable

looking at google streetview, that looks very promising, there are streetlights but...

[aim54x]

Custom preset white balance??? That may help roll out the argon effect.

Wow Glen has a Caddie...now we should def shoot that one!

[surenj]

It's a shame Russell no longer posts here; the Lotus would work too.

He would have brought his Phase one as well? [We would not have been very safe with that sort of equipment]

Biggerry, Were those the Argon style lights that we had bleeding in to the group portrait during Vivid sydney?

[aim54x]

It's a shame Russell no longer posts here; the Lotus would work too.

He would have brought his Phase one as well? [We would not have been very safe with that sort of equipment]

Who is this Russell? Lotus + Phase One.....mmmmmm

[biggerry]

Biggerry, Were those the Argon style lights that we had bleeding in to the group portrait during Vivid sydney

I remember standing there for that group shot, but can't find it, the argon lights are those festy orange lights you see on the highways, at least i think they are argon lights, anyway those orange lights.

Custom preset white balance???

quite possibly, I have never really got stuck into the preset white balances, could be a good time as any!

[surenj]

It's a shame Russell no longer posts here; the Lotus would work too.

He would have brought his Phase one as well? [We would not have been very safe with that sort of equipment]

Who is this Russell? Lotus + Phase One.....mmmmmm

He is but a distant myth... I think he was mentioned in passing during one of the meets..Actually I am not even sure whether he has a phase one... I am sure Gary could confirm. But then, it's possible; The phase one would be about 20% of the price of the Lotus? But then are we getting ?

The moral of the story; If anyone has a Lotus, please bring it.

[gstark]

Russell's not been here for several years. No Phase back, to my knowledge.

I should be having a look at the boatramp at Tunks tomorrow evening.

[auxr8220]

as for locations try finding a alley way or something like that, street lights dont matter too much but i try to keep surrounding lights down to a minimum. lights behind the subject i find to be ok, but you dont want lights behind you.
im a bit cautious when shooting by myself, but havnt had any trouble yet. i do carry a big mag lite torch with me the type cops have haha that is my protection and my focusing tool.

as for white balance- shoot raw and adjust it later on the computer.

here is a picture i took tonight of my mates commodore, sorry about the neck breaking angle haha was just a muck a round shot. but it shows you the difference from my camera to final edited picture.

this is straight from the camera


edited in lightroom and resized in photoshop

[gstark]

Sorry to be a naysayer, but ....

as for locations try finding a alley way or something like that,

I would not be looking for an alley way, because it would inhibit the potential for what I'm trying to do. It would likely introduce background artifacts that I do not want in the image like fences, walls, etc. Fine if I need a grunge background, but that might not be the look I'm after.

And in being an "alley", it's likely to be narrow. This will cause me artificial restrictions in terms of my lens choices: I may be forced to use a lens that is wider than the glass I might prefer to use.

street lights dont matter too much but i try to keep surrounding lights down to a minimum. lights behind the subject i find to be ok, but you dont want lights behind you.

Street lighting will probably not add too much light to your image, but you can just shoot a 30 sec baseline image (no painting) and chimp to see just how much light bleed there is. Low ISO coupled with f/8 or f/11 should take care of most local unwanted light.

Lights behind the subject ... are we talking bright spots, or light poles? The former is probably ok, the latter ... look at your posing and positioning of the subject, along with your taking position, to try to eliminate this before you make the image.

As an adjunct to this, the concept of looking through your viewfinder - casting your eye around the frame to see what you're capturing - is always vitally important. Look at the bottom lh corner of the images you've posted here. Is that a cow turd, or a pile of leaves? More importantly, does it really belong in this image? Three seconds with a broom would have removed this ....


Your security is always paramount.

as for white balance- shoot raw and adjust it later on the computer.

No, no, no, no, no! That is what you do when you've stuffed up!

Here's a clue: you're using the same light for these images, every time that you go out, right? The fact is then that your light source is constant, and as such, so should be your white balance settings. Calibrate your light source to obtain the correct value, and then use that value when you're shooting. Every time!

You've just saved yourself maybe an hour (maybe more, if you're doing this individually for every image made) in post processing time.

[gstark]

Ok, the launching ramp at Tunks Park seems perfect to me.

No real street lighting, the background will be boats, masts, and some house lights on the southern side of Long Bay.

Now we need a date. I'm thinking sooner rather than later for this, given that we have early sunsets at this time of year.

[biggerry]

Now we need a date. I'm thinking sooner rather than later for this, given that we have early sunsets at this time of year.

bang it on in! maybe a mid week night?!

[surenj]

I was keen on a weekend as usual, but then majority will decide I am sure. [unlike the US elections? ]

[aim54x]

I am pretty good with either...so keep me posted

[Jeff]

Count me in whatever suits.
Jeff

[surenj]

Alright, to get things moving, Here is the list of attendees.

Cameron (aim54x)
Biggerry
Whitey
Jeff
Dviv
Mattk
Gstark
surenj

Does anyone want to volunteer their car? [I assume it would be great if it's washed recently. Dust will come up especially in close ups]

I tentatively propose Saturday 23rd of August 1600 at the tunks park as suggested by Gary. If this date doesn't suit, then we could do 24th, 30th or 31st.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=Tunks+Park&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&sll=-33.817743,151.218725&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&latlng=10257230367192292985&ei=y8l4SrrdL4rmiAPGqIzhBQ&cd=1&usq=Tunks+Park

I know you wanted a weekday Gerry, but I might not be able to make it before 1830. If the majority want to do on a weekday, I am pretty happy to sit this out for now [There will be MORE of these, I am sure ]

[aim54x]

I am at work in Macarthur on Saturdays (atm the moment still) so I will struggle to get there on time. I would prefer a weeknight (not tues or fri though - out at Macarthur).

Cheers
Cameron PS I dont have a car, so I cant volunteer one....poke----->Gary

[surenj]

With more people wanting a weeknight, we need to decide on the timing. If it's any earlier than 1830, I will have to get someone else to organise this, as I will be late to attend. [maybe too late to attend!]

[gstark]

If it's any earlier than 1830,

It probably won't be dark enough.

Actually, something like 1900 probably would be a good time, given that there may still be the dregs of daytime activity around the park itself and/or the ramp.

[biggerry]

I know you wanted a weekday Gerry, but I might not be able to make it before 1830

I am easy, (on many fronts) so weekday or weekend is fine, I agree with Gary, 1900 would be a minimum for me on a week night - wednesday nights are the best for me, however I can work around that - the more i think about it, next wednesday would slot in nicely for me - however might be a bit soon?

[surenj]

Gary and Gerry,

1900 would be much more managable for a weeknight...

Gerry, we will need to give the others more notice than one week

How about 19th of August @1900 ?

[aim54x]

Next Wednesday should be good for me although getting there and back may be interesting for me.

[gstark]

How about 19th of August @1900 ?

Sounds good to me. Consider it added to the calendar.

[aim54x]

How about 19th of August @1900 ?

Sounds good to me. Consider it added to the calendar.

putting it into sunbird now....fingers crossed I dont have work that day

[biggerry]

Sounds good to me. Consider it added to the calendar.

excellent, i am in.

although getting there and back may be interesting for me.

i will be driving, just let me know if you need a ride...

[aim54x]

Sounds good to me. Consider it added to the calendar.

excellent, i am in.

although getting there and back may be interesting for me.

i will be driving, just let me know if you need a ride...

SHOTGUN!!!

[surenj]

Excellente... I 'may' be able to provide a honda accord EURO (gray)....

Will see all you boys there.

If anyone else is interested, it's never too late to say 'yay'....

*BUMP*

[Jeff]

I'm in

Jeff

[whitey]

Guys I have to bow out. Just found out we have friends coming for dinner that night. I may get down there late, will see how we go. Sorry.