Sunday, October 30, 2005

processed in time, a set


about to get wet
Originally uploaded by clickykbd.


Uploaded by clickykbd (28 images total)

View the photo set

So until now I had never been tempted to post process any of my images using this technique. There was something pure about the results of the chance experiments coming directly from the camera. But with this set I was really trying to get at the texture, and the dull yellow color that was natural to the subject seemed to distract. If you enjoy black and white abstracts, especially negatives, this set is for you.

Friday, October 28, 2005

SF Exploratorium Tosses, Corgi_T


cameratoss 1
Originally uploaded by Corgi_T.

These appeared in the camera toss pool today, too good to wait until the next issue of my pool picks.


Photos credit to Corgi_T

Attention all San Francisco tossers, you apparently have a wonderful subject for tossing at the Exploratorium exhibit with the moving neon tubes. And where could be better to explore the effects of randomized light on your film/sensor! Perhaps one day we'll have cameras on bungees suspended from the exploratorium roof and a projection screen for viewing the results! (Well we can dream anyway.)

Here is what corgi_t said about the exhibit:
There are red and blue tubes, many of each. You turn dials on the panel to adjust the sequence in which they light, speed, and how many are lit at one time. I got the best results with the fewest tubes lit, so that I could use a longer exposure. Fun!

reviewed: Olympus Stylus 410 Digital

Camera tossing specific product review.
camera reviews listing

Olympus Stylus 410 Digital by TaGurit(SS/NB) ><>
Links
specs on dpreview
examples on pbase.com
I use the Olympus Stylus 410.

Review on dpreview.com

Not the most up-to-date Olympus Stylus model - that one is the 800 I believe... but anyways here's my review. :)

General Impression

A great little digital point-n-shoot, with lots of features, a compact size, durability, 4mp with 3x optical (4x dig.) zoom and 10 different shooting modes (along with other options for different conditions.)

For Camera-Tossing it works because:

1) Very compact. Small size and lightweight, so it can fit in anyone's hand and is easy to toss as high as you want. Plus, you can get a great spin going on it, too. Really easy to catch due to it's size, shape, and weight. Plus, it fits in your pocket or purse, so it's extremely portable - you can take it and toss it anywhere! ;)

2) Durable construction. I've dropped it a couple times and it's still going strong. Although there are a couple cons with the body, which I'll address.

3) Lens is towards the left side... so when it spins, you get great blurs.

4) Night exposure setting. Using this (along with turning the flash off) really enhances the chance you'll come up with a great toss result. Depending on the available light, the shutter stays open up to 4 seconds. That can result in having to toss it up a few times during one exposure - but it does look pretty cool when you're done. Just be sure you don't have alot of ambient light when you're tossing it in this mode or you'll end up with just whiteness (in that scenario, you can just use one of the other settings, and keep the flash off - although it still may take a few tosses to get the right shot.)

5) Inexpensive as far as digital cams go (esp. now that it's somewhat "obsolete.") I got mine for $200 US (at Costco) but you should be able to find it cheaper now.

6) 1.5 inch LCD monitor. So you can see your results instantly on a nice size screen, and make adjustments as you deem necessary.

7) Weather-proof construction. Since it's "splash-proof" you can take it out in inclement weather, and still get some good shots - which works great for me, living in the Pacific Northwest ... where we have plenty of precipitation. ;)

It could use improvements in the following areas:

1) Battery door. It's on the bottom of the cam, and slides open really easily. The battery is spring-loaded, so I've had it pop open and the battery pop out a couple times inadvertently, when I've caught the camera on it's way down.

2) Sliding lens-cover. Usually I like this feature - but it kinda sucks for camera-tossing. If you move the cover over a little, the lens retracts - gets really annoying when it happens over and over when you're catching the camera. And if you somehow push it over too hard, you could damage the camera.

Summary:

I really love my camera. On the whole, it's a great fun portable little camera, easy to toss, spin, and catch, and I've been really pleased with my results. Plus, it's great for all kinds of other photos too. :)

camera reviews listing

Thursday, October 27, 2005

clickykbd's picks - issue 3

Some fancy tossing going on since issue 2. Click any thumbnail for a larger version.

Note that most, but not every one of these is confirmed a genuine airborne camera (ala camera toss), but in the spirit of the abstract experimentation... these are all worthy.







Photo credits (left to right, top to bottom):
Ray Byrne, Vinnn, mabend
Violator3, flickrwegian, curvaparabolica
copilot, leef_smith, cwith
arthurcoddington, flickrwegian, fiveinchpixie
morigan, flickrwegian, flickrwegian

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

submitting your photos...

We'd love to see your camera tossing efforts! I'm sure there are worthy examples being created that are not making it to the flickr community. I'm creating a posting for this since the previous method of having an email listed is generating a fair bit of spam.

Method: Through flickr...
Create a flickr account. Then "join" the community called Camera Toss and submit your photos to the photo pool.

Method: Comment on this posting...
If you are hosting your photos elsewhere, leave a comment on this posting and provide a link to your best camera tosses. I'll take a look and possibly mention them in the blog too!

Monday, October 24, 2005

sheets & strikes, a study


IMAG0236
Originally uploaded by clickykbd.

A 52 image abstract study of a relatively ordinary object. Shot these the same night as my last two sets, all in an effort to learn the quirks and capabilities of the new camera I have for this technique.

View the entire set or slideshow


Uploaded by clickykbd (52 images total)

Just a study, but this has to be one of my favorite series taken with this technique to date. I couldn't help notice how overwhelmingly "organic" some of the results feel. Many even resemble smoke photography, something I would have previously considered nearly impossible to fake.

The subject for this set also proved to be extremely worthy of the technique. An electric device, but powered with direct current, so it lacks the telltale 60htz flashing effect seen in so many camera toss photos. It also has a very intriciate and lovely texture when photographed in motion. When I was lucky enough to have part of the toss in sharp focus, this texture really stand out (worth viewing at original size).

It's ability to overlap itself without blowing out the detail of the layer below really enhanced the effects of this technique.

Besides making lovely desktop backgrounds, which many of these do, I really hope to spend some time with this subject and a film camera, for enlarging!

not dangerous enough you say?


PICT1020
Originally uploaded by pace.

Then perhaps consider adding "fire" to the equation as these folks have. First is a campfire, second is a stove burner, third is sparklers, fourth is candles. The campfire is something I've been wanting to try, already an organic subject, with a layer of organic camera movement applied to render it.

Note: the campfire shots were not true tosses, but spins/unwinds while dangling from the wrist strap, still a lovely effect.

-- from pace
-- from goinonbro
-- from _Nod
-- from mabend

Friday, October 21, 2005