How is this photo done?

marius · 08-20-2008, 05:50 AM

Hello

I found the following abstract photo in photo gallery here:
User Photo Gallery - Abstract

It is very beautiful but I do not know how to do this. Can enyone explain me how can I get this results? How should I set the camera to obtain this effect and what should I shot?

Thanks

TaoMaas · 08-20-2008, 06:12 AM

It looks like out of focus highlights. Use a longer lens and shoot wide open, but don't focus on the subject itself...focus much closer. You might try shooting a traffic intersection or a store front...anything that has lights. Then, experiment, experiment, experiment.

*Peter Zack* · 08-20-2008, 06:19 AM

I agree with TaoMaas. Try to choose lights that are not too bright and that will overpower the frame. If you like abstract stuff you may enjoy some of the work from one of the members here. Her site is here:

Zenfolio | 2daysphotos~ Rosemary Dennis Taglialatela

And experiment always!

marius · 08-20-2008, 07:08 AM

thanks for this. I'll try to get the same effect with a DA 12-24mm lens. I hope to succeed

Thanks again

ryan s · 08-20-2008, 09:36 AM

I did something similar at Christmas time...but the pic is on my PC, which is residing in its box at the moment

ll_coffee_lP · 08-20-2008, 03:17 PM

I've done similar shots before with a string of white and/or coloured mini lights.

Bunch them up in a ball, set camera to mf and purposely shoot short with shallow DOF. That should pretty much do it.

c[_]

stevebrot · 08-20-2008, 03:32 PM

Crinkle some aluminum foil and place so that it reflects something like Christmas lights. The foil will produce more pronounced specular highlights than the lights alone. De-focus and enjoy.

Steve

*Mike Cash* · 08-21-2008, 04:04 AM

Originally Posted by TaoMaas

It looks like out of focus highlights. Use a longer lens and shoot wide open, but don't focus on the subject itself...focus much closer. You might try shooting a traffic intersection or a store front...anything that has lights. Then, experiment, experiment, experiment.

That's what I did to get this one:

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

They're traffic lights a couple hundred yards away, shot through raindrops on my windshield, wide open and focused on the raindrops. I layered in a texture from a photo taken of a stone wall for just such use.

ftpaddict · 08-21-2008, 05:42 AM

Not to be left out, I've done something similar as well:

Just focus to the closest possible point on your lens (manually) and point it at some lights.

*Peter Zack* · 08-21-2008, 07:19 AM

Interesting shot Mike. I took a weekend course this summer with a Pro that kept a digital file of "textures" for just such work. Some of the shots were of simple things like stone walls and grass. Used as a layer background to enhance the main subject. Of course most of the finished shots were a form of abstract.