[U-Man]

I read the part about “not meant to be a black and white contest”. But can I use a B&W pic if I want to?

[U-Man]

Some bees – (if anybody has strong feelings that one of these is better than one of the three I posted I’d like to hear about it. Not saying I’ll change but…)

Lake Tahoe last week – http://photos.imageevent.com/ulle17/fark/Tahoe_6897.jpg
Tiny farm land cemetery – http://photos.imageevent.com/ulle17/fark/Cemetery_5179a.jpg
Tattered flag with Holga-on-dSLR – http://photos.imageevent.com/ulle17/fark/Tattered_9990.jpg
40 minutes – http://photos.imageevent.com/ulle17/fark/StarTrails_0346-square-aa.jpg

This is from the flag barn evening. It was the first picture after taking my camera from a cold air-conditioned van out into 90ish degree humid air.
Instant fog. I sort of like the feel though – http://photos.imageevent.com/ulle17/fark/Barn_4607.jpg
Same barn, similar to a prior post – http://photos.imageevent.com/ulle17/fark/Barn_4641.jpg

[U-Man]

I’ve always thought using three different types of pictures (or three different interpretations of the theme) is the most interesting/fun way to do these contests, if not the most vote-intensive.

I agree 100%

After agreeing 100%, I find that I have only two categories at present. Heh. Mild facepalm.

I have another idea and might pull it off tomorrow after work…

[U-Man]

Might be pushing it, but star drivers (it’s a tool) okay? They’re kind of star shaped, but not the typical 5-point star.

Yep. They’re OK. As long as you have something starry, this is a pretty open theme. Be creative!

[U-Man]

I’ve always thought using three different types of pictures (or three different interpretations of the theme) is the most interesting/fun way to do these contests, if not the most vote-intensive.

I agree 100%

[U-Man]

Those will be top 10-15. Something cute or clever could easily do well. This is s’posed to be one of those ‘think outside the box’ themes.

[U-Man]

This may be the first time I have to sit out a contest. I had given thought to trying the night time sky thing but it’s been cloud covered for days. I have a couple of mundane star pics but I’d actually be embarrassed to enter them with all of the fantastic things I see here! Damn, I really hate to miss a contest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not a single star in any of my pics was in the sky. Just be silly, even if the votes don’t flow you might have a good time doing it.

Yeah. What he said. I e-mailed you some other stuff. 🙂

[U-Man]

Mops, you’ve gotta have something with a flag. Or, take a nightime photo of a brightish light (like the fishing shed light or maybe some candles inside) using a long exposure and f/16 or 22 or something tight like that. The small aperture results in a star-burst.

Like these –

http://photos.imageevent.com/ulle17/fark/Rapids_2137.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/ulle17/fark/Tree_4254.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/ulle17/fark/Statue_9375.jpg

The stars in the last statue are parking lot lights.

[U-Man]

I took these during the Christmas holiday this year at Mopsy’s in Michigan’s U.P. I walked out and set up using ‘Bulb’, clicked the remote shutter and then went back inside. It was total guesswork. I went back to pick up my camera “a while” later. 🙂

[U-Man]

I’ve got 40 minute and 37 minute pics at 100 ISO as well. One is with a 5D Mk II and the other is from a 7D. You’ll see at least one of those this week.

[U-Man]

Oh yeah. As long as the technique is used for astrophotography, I would like to include stacked images for this theme. If anybody has strong feelings against this, speak up now or forever hold your piece.

Still don’t know about the false color thing.

/yes, it was intentional.

[U-Man]

I suppose there is quite a bit of noise in here – but without a stacked comparison next to it the noise isn’t too bothersome to my eye.

ISO 250, 25 minute exposure, Peleng Fisheye with manual aperture – I forget what I set it at. On a frozen river in Mopsy’s front yard. Appx 10 degrees F. Canon 5D Mk II.

http://www.ullepics.com/d/1920-4/Startrails_4273.jpg

more noticeable noise at 1400 x 1400 – http://www.ullepics.com/d/1925-3/Startrails_4273.jpg

I’ll use one from this series.

[U-Man]

…thermal noise… I could google that but I’ll just ask a question instead. Would a long exposure (say 30 minutes) at zero Fahrenheit have less noise that a similar exposure at 70 F?

[U-Man]

Clouddancer – yes, star-shaped things are just fine.

Others – Is there a general opinion about exposure stacking for this one? I have some long single-exposure star-trails I might use but I know others might use a stacking technique for the same sort of photo. My initial opinion is that stacking would be OK for this theme. I don’t exactly know what plamadude means by false color manipulation. If that is spot treatment to part of a photo it may not fit here.

Also, is it too late for changes? I personally don’t think so but would understand if late change bothers others.

I’ll be around my computer for the foreseeable future so hopefully I’ll be able to respond promptly.

Oh yeah, Mopsy, my irritation toward the airline has gradually worn off and the enjoyment of skiing is still there. We just had a sleep-over party for my 13-year-old teenager and I’m still OK. 🙂

[U-Man]

Thanks everybody. It was a good theme. Now that I see what got votes, I would probably choose differently for my 2nd and 3rd pics.

FWIW – I agree with Elsinore and rav about the desktop wallpaper topic. Els has it technically spot-on. It’s not legal or OK (even if it is flattering) to use without permission. However, I personally don’t care if somebody uses my pics for something non-profit. This isn’t my livelihood and I consider such use a compliment.

Now I’ll go over to ‘stars’ to check out this question.

[Author]

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