Tuesday, August 04, 2009

frankenstein's camera

Preliminary tests are in on my Franken-camera. (Thanks to Lime, for the nickname.) It is intimidating to me, especially when I add a white envelope high atop the stack for soft fill-in. I can only imagine what the subjects think when I point this enigmatic contraption at them. Naturally, I have lots to learn here. The very first picture I took with this external flash & slave trigger was a skunk at 10:30 PM. It was dark outside, but the photo lights up like the middle of the day.

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On the left, we have a sample of what happens when we leave the flash off. I could have spot-metered it, but what fun would that be? This was more dramatic.

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Compare that to this one below, bounced off the ceiling with strong backlight.

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(By the way, those are my beloved paternal units. Mom sets up a story with a poker face, while Dad's anticipation of the outcome telegraphs the ending... a subtlety we catch with Franken-flash.)

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All of this leaves me awestruck with wonder at the complicated workings of the human eye. I worship God for creating our eyes to automatically and freely process raw visual information without having to strap on a bazillion gadgets and gizmos.

11 comments:

lime said...

wow, that franken-camera of yours REALLY gets some amazing results. i am truly impressed. the meditation as to the marvels of God's wisdom in creating the human eye are also a wonderful set of thoughts.

EG CameraGirl said...

I agree that our eyes are amazing! So far, no camera can process what our eyes can. ;-)

imac said...

Wonders to be explored and what can be achieved.Great work my friend.

donsands said...

Nice skunk. And yet, they can be not so nice. Is there a more terrible odor?

Our eyes are evidence that there is a Creator I think. And imagine how it felt for the blind man to see after Jesus healed his sight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpIXzF-kKhs&feature=related

Every Square Inch said...

Sight - God has given us a marvelous gift indeed - not only to see but to interpret/understand what we see

Craver Vii said...

I am humbly grateful for the caliber of people who have chosen to respond here. I have to just say that I look up to each of you in one way or another.

So right, EG! And the thing is that I am frequently impressed with the things that cameras can do. That just makes human sight all the more amazing to me.

Imac, I expect your desire to explore was rewarded in Norway, yes?

Yup. I like skunks, Sandman. They seem to me to be gentle, family creatures.

Moving video. Oh, how I long to see Christ face to face!!

ESI, the power to interpret/understand presupposes an initial observation. A relatively recent discovery in my life has been to suppress the urge to rush into interpretation, taking my sweet time for a more thorough observation. I find then, that the interpretations are richer and more reliable. (This I say for the benefit of others who might read these words, because it is a principle which you are likely already acquainted.)

Craver Vii said...

Lime, How did I miss responding to you?! You are surely intended to be counted among the others in that first response!

Oh, and thanks for the idea for a nickname. :-)

Anonymous said...

very enjoyable post

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Craver: Isn't wonderful when your Rube Goldberg flash works. Why was the skunk in your yard?

Craver Vii said...

Gracias, nAncY.

There's another configuration I just tried (for backlighting a portrait); it sure is fun to play with this stuff, Fishing Guy. The skunk was actually outside our church. We had just finished some volunteer work at the food pantry and we found Pepe LePew hanging outside the front doors.

lime said...

hehehe, i'm tickled you dubbed it frankencamera.