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SS HalfaNut

Hand-picked to celebrate my VB photo #1000. ;)

Hand-picked to celebrate my VB photo #1000. ;)
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SONY DSC-R1

settings

Aperture f/4.8 ISO 160 Shutter 10/2000 Focal Length 715/10

upload_date

Jul, 2015

Views

236

Likes

+30

Awards

People's Choice in Life in Miniature Photo Challenge

Outstanding Creativity

Peer Award

Superb Composition

Top Choice

Emotions

Impressed

Behind The Lens

Location

The landscape was photographed first, from my home balcony (it is a Lake Ohrid Moonrise, somewhat manipulated). The "walnut ship" was made with pieces of reedstalk, paper, and some glue. It was then photographed against the black (night) background, cut out and pasted onto the landscape photo.

Time

Date/Time of the original (i.e. the background) is 29-Dec-06 @ 17:15:42, and the miniature was shot some days later and pasted onto the image. It took me some time to form the idea of the walnut boat and to build it! Anyway, the Exif data belongs to the background waterscape shot.

Lighting

Here's what the camera used for the background (the superimposed miniature was pasted from another photo): Shutter Speed 1/200 sec, f/4.8, ISO 160, 0.00 eV, Metering Mode: Pattern, Flash Off, and Focal Length: 71.5 mm

Equipment

Photographed with SONY DSC-R1, IMHO one of the best SONY's cameras ever made. It is old by today's standards, but it would nevertheless be my choice if I had a chance to buy it again. But then, I already have more cameras than I'd need... However, if you are looking for an excellently made and very able camera, look it up!

Inspiration

There were some walnuts on the table, and the idea came as a streak of thought that the boats on the mighty seas are often likened to flimsy structures like walnut shells, denoting how puny our structures are when exposed to the natural forces. And then I tried to make a boat miniature to use it in the "real" water... but when it was made, it wouldn't behave the way I wanted. So I decided to paste it to the water scene, actually much easier than manipulating the model on the lake, all things considered. I had to think about the shooting angle too, but wading into the wavy ice-cold lake in December is quite a different thing from shooting a model boat on top of a makeshift stand! Call me lazy... :)

Editing

Yes, and quite a lot of it. The background image suffered some changes to the water surface, also to hide a sunken part of the "boat", imitate some reflection in scale with the overall dimensions, and to create the "movement" of the sailrig. The moon was re-created for shape and size by punching a hole in its place and blurring the edge... Frankly, I plain forgot what else was done there to arrive at the final appearance! But I can safely say it was a load of fun.

In my camera bag

For decades already I find it easier to carry a photo vest than any photo bag. It is more than enough to take along whatever I want or need for my photo session, walk or trip. My photo bags usually stay home or in the car, to keep the equipment I'm not using at the moment. The tripod has its permanent place in the car. My vest pockets usually contain two cameras. One of those is always some waterproof model, if the weather plays up or when I find something interesting in the shallows. Sometimes I'll add a small action camera, mainly for its wide field of view and resistance to water and weather. Other vest pockets keep the spare batteries, ND and CPL filters, and one small camera clamp which can be fixed to almost anything. In many cases this can replace a tripod. The vest has deep pockets for longer lenses, and these usually hold a small water bottle, a sandwich, or a bar of chocolate - if I plan on being out for the whole day. I always pack about three meters length of paracord or similar strong, thin rope, one hefty pocket knife, and a lighter. Much can be improvised with these if need be. Recently I made it even easier, and take the essentials along in a waist pouch; one variable-volume McKinley. In the Outdoors, simplicity and comfort are my most important requirements!

Feedback

Imagination is everything. I am sure everybody has some such shots that can be used for creating something else, and all you need is an idea - feel free to re-create this idea if you will! During the rainy afternoons one can play with various photo-editing tools and have a double pleasure; of using otherwise less interesting photos, and also practice finding new editing possibilities. Enjoy!

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SS HalfaNut

Hand-picked to celebrate my VB photo #1000. ;)

Behind The Lens

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