Cedar Creek by Night

On a whim I went down to the creek this evening to try out the new two million candle power torch and see how it'd go with some light painting.

I'm not there yet, but this isn't too bad for a first session. This particular image was the fourth and last one I took before heading home.

#57 on Explore for the 10th of Nov. 2007. Odd, this one made it there, but the Whirlpool shot didn't (well according to Scout anyway).

View all photos taken: Saturday, 10th November 2007, This photo: 10:38pm

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Comments

  • Xenedis said:
    Nice job.
  • -Bennie- said:
    not bad for a first session at all Dave! Nice one! :-)
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks, still more learning to do though. There's a couple of slightly too hot spots, and the light coverage in places is a bit spotty. It's definitely not as easy as just shining a torch about, that's for sure ;-)

    Thanks Bennie. I'm sure there'll be more attempts to come.
  • Nicole Pearce Photography said:
    Wow great result, you've got a perfect leading line with the water. Love this Dave.
  • Warwick (wazzam) said:
    Really cool effect David. You've inspired me to try this too. What brand of torch is it?
  • seychelles88 said:
    Good work. Looks like a movie set. Love the colors of the night!
  • ronnietan said:
    wow thats awesome. gotta try this one day. might have to take my cousin's maglite :P
  • James Ottaway said:
    We're a very inspirable bunch around here. I'm going to have to jump on the boat and say I'll try this once my exams are over.
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks Nicole :-) I take the kidlets down here for a paddle on hot days, but it's completely different at night.

    An Eagle Eye torch from BCF, although I'm told you can get a 1/2 million candle power torch from Supercheap for even less ($22), which would work just as well, you'd just have to go with a longer exposure.

    Thanks!

    A Maglite should be quite good too as you have the advantage of a focusable beam/spread.

    hehehe Yep, but you'd have to admit it keeps everyone going. The whirlpool thread has been very active of late.
  • MichelleLegg.com said:
    What an excellent picture! I love the 'up' light on the trees. Very inspiring.
  • David de Groot said:
    The up-lighting is thanks to the reflectivity of pooled water :)
  • lowemasterpro said:
    Nicely done :)
  • anthias2001 said:
    Te invito a agregar esta foto a : Flickeros / Flickers.
  • stephentrepreneur said:
    Impressive. Now I know what torch I am getting for future night photography!

    --
    Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks :)

    Gracias.

    I was a little worried when I tested the torch at home that it'd be too bright, but it seems to do the job quite well, and allows for reasonable length exposures (2 to 6 mins as opposed to much longer with a less powerful torch).
  • johnwards said:
    Was your torch on for the full exposure?

    I only flicked mine on when I was trying this out. Where was the beam focused?
  • flash of light said:
    Pretty good. I love the idea of two million candles. Sure would take a long time to light them all.
  • macmir said:
    Great long exposure shot! Well done!
  • David de Groot said:
    Pretty much yes, I turned it off momentarily to move from camera right to camera left about halfway through.
    Being a hand-held spotlight, the beam was a long spot configuration (not adjustable) and I moved it around the scene as required.

    ha ha ha ;-) You think lighting them is difficult, try stuffing them all in a hand-held torch!

    Thanks!

    Thanks Gary, the thought is much appreciated, but I don't do groups with group comment code icons.
  • samthate said:
    Very cool, and peaceful, i love the woods and creeks. Great job!
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks :) The foreground light where your note is was accentuated with a dolphin torch over about a minute.
  • looby88 said:
    fairytale , wonderland effect, a bit like when they light up some pretty famous gardens not too far from where I live for the tourists in summer. How different from how the place looks in daylight. I think I prefer it like this, but I wouldnt venture into the dark areas. There might just be hairy men lurking in there.......
  • David de Groot said:
    Neat eh ? It was really peaceful down there, albeit dark when I didn't have the torches on. I also learnt that little bracelet glow stick thingies are too dull to photograph well, but do provide excellent ways to find your torch or camera remote :)
  • Michael SA said:
    Fantastic job, wow. Well done.
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks :) I'm somewhat surprised by the reaction on what is essentially a test shot / learning exercise.
  • Michael SA said:
    ...and now there'll be all this expectation...
    Is that one of the big yellow torches from the Cheap as .... place? I nearly bought one the other day. (looks like I should go back & get one)
  • David de Groot said:
    Argh! The pressure ;-)

    As for the torch, it's a big charcoal and black one from BCF (Boats, Camping and Fishing - a big chain up here). I'm told there's a 500k candle power one at SuperCheap for about half the price of this one. What was really scary was that at BCF they had 10 million candle power torches but they were sold out!
  • Lee251073 said:
    Nice shot, David.
    I'm hoping to do some stuff like this myself soon.
    I just got a 5 million candlepower torch today, You can buy 15 million candle power too, but they are that powerful that you can only use them for a short while at a time before they melt or burst into flames aparrently. :-/ , I think 5 million is plenty.

    keep em comin!
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks :)
    15million candle power ? Cripes! The 2 million cp one I have is bright enough really, and only lasts a 1/2 hour of use anyway before the battery goes. Mind you that's enough for a few decent 30sec to 1.5 min exposures.
  • Samphibian said:
    wow, that's incredibly effective, nice work!
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks :)
  • Sassy_Pixie said:
    I got myself a wind-up torch thingy... though you have to wind for rather a long time.
    This picture is superb!
  • David de Groot said:
    Hmmm, a wind up torch might not be bright enough for a short-ish exposure. I first attempted these types of shots with a standard Everyready Dolphin torch. The shots took in excess of 7 minutes and were still underexposed, whereas with the handheld spotlight, I'm down to 30 secs to 1.5 mins for most exposures - much more manageable.