A Game For You: What's My New Tool?

A Game For You: What's My New Tool? · 06:40 PM

I've just added something to my kit that has extended my photographic ability. The following two images demonstrate this. Can you guess what it is?

Unless someone guesses, I will add more shots (once I have them processed). The more you see, maybe the easier it will become. There are no further clues on my Flickr page, though you are welcome to click through and leave comments if you wish.

corner of a one-way street

thermal displacement devices

Buddha Jones · 06-17-2009, 07:25 PM

Tilt-shift lens?

**rparmar** · 06-18-2009, 07:45 AM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

Tilt-shift lens?

Nope. The plane of focus is still parallel to the sensor. Thanks for playing!

Here's two more from the first batch.

toilets open for business

scrape car paint here

P.S. Would love a tilt/shift some day.

Venturi · 06-18-2009, 02:47 PM

Polarizing filter? I see no signs of glare on any specular highlights...

**rparmar** · 06-18-2009, 05:35 PM

Good guess! But not a polarising filter.

I guess everyone is ignoring the obvious similarity in all these images. OK, here's one more.

ample parking

**ismaelg** · 06-18-2009, 06:04 PM

Does it has to do with Infrared?

Venturi · 06-18-2009, 07:41 PM

One more stab in the dark (so to speak).

I'm making an assumption here that these were all made with a DSLR, that only minor post processing has been done - and that ismaelg is wrong...

So, they all have apparent grain/noise which has been "tamed" by converting to monochrome. With that in mind the only plausible explanation of the first 4 shots is that they were shot at very high ISO. And to accomplish this, dear Mister Watson, the photographer would have had to employ a...

NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTER!

or once again I have proven my ignorance

deadwolfbones · 06-18-2009, 09:39 PM

Is there such a thing as a black & white filter? :P

roentarre · 06-18-2009, 10:05 PM

A very set of good urban decay images. A lot of thought in the post processing and your signature style is evident here

**rparmar** · 06-19-2009, 04:17 AM

Thanks for all the guesses! It is fun to see the thought processes at work.

Originally posted by ismaelg

Does it has to do with Infrared?

No, but someday I'd like an IR converted camera.

Originally posted by Venturi

So, they all have apparent grain/noise which has been "tamed" by converting to monochrome. With that in mind the only plausible explanation of the first 4 shots is that they were shot at very high ISO. And to accomplish this, dear Mister Watson, the photographer would have had to employ a...

NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTER!

Wow. Very good deductive process but... not correct I am afraid.

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

Is there such a thing as a black & white filter? :P

I don't think there is.

Originally posted by roentarre

A very set of good urban decay images. A lot of thought in the post processing and your signature style is evident here

Wow, thanks. I did not know I had a signature style! If I do, that is great! (Though certainly this set is quite consistent.)

To be sure all those guesses deserve two more images.

upcoming attractions

gantry

Zav · 06-19-2009, 05:04 AM

Are those film photography?

shadeless · 06-19-2009, 05:07 AM

Originally posted by Zav

Are those film photography?

that would be my guess, too. the grain/noise in the last shot looks very filmlike. but does a film camera extend ones photographic ability ?

**rparmar** · 06-19-2009, 05:26 AM

Originally posted by shadeless

but does a film camera extend ones photographic ability ?

A film camera would be full-frame, so yes it would offer up new possibilities. Plus the use of different films would at least make certain looks easier to achieve. I am glad there have finally been a couple of guesses along those lines, since all of these photos are mono tints and grainy. I have argued elsewhere against those who claim film is inherently superior to digital. I had fun creating a film look here, which involved changing the tonality, hue and adding grain. So I am happy if these shots do indeed look film-like!

So, no, it's not a film camera.

The tinting is a red herring, as the next shot reveals. (All these shots were taken in the same session with exactly the same kit.)

air intake

artobest · 06-19-2009, 06:40 AM

My guess it's a wide angle lens of some kind. Maybe a 24mm or 20mm equivalent?

jem · 06-19-2009, 06:44 AM

This: Tiffen dfx or this: DxO Filmpack?

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06-17-2009, 07:25 PM	#2
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	Tilt-shift lens?

06-18-2009, 07:45 AM	#3
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,817 Original Poster	Originally posted by Buddha Jones Tilt-shift lens? Nope. The plane of focus is still parallel to the sensor. Thanks for playing! Here's two more from the first batch. toilets open for business scrape car paint here P.S. Would love a tilt/shift some day.

06-18-2009, 02:47 PM	#4
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	Polarizing filter? I see no signs of glare on any specular highlights...

06-18-2009, 05:35 PM	#5
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,817 Original Poster	Good guess! But not a polarising filter. I guess everyone is ignoring the obvious similarity in all these images. OK, here's one more. ample parking

06-18-2009, 06:04 PM	#6
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	Does it has to do with Infrared?

06-18-2009, 07:41 PM	#7
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	One more stab in the dark (so to speak). I'm making an assumption here that these were all made with a DSLR, that only minor post processing has been done - and that ismaelg is wrong... So, they all have apparent grain/noise which has been "tamed" by converting to monochrome. With that in mind the only plausible explanation of the first 4 shots is that they were shot at very high ISO. And to accomplish this, dear Mister Watson, the photographer would have had to employ a... NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTER! or once again I have proven my ignorance

06-18-2009, 09:39 PM	#8
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Is there such a thing as a black & white filter? :P

06-18-2009, 10:05 PM	#9
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	A very set of good urban decay images. A lot of thought in the post processing and your signature style is evident here

06-19-2009, 04:17 AM	#10
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,817 Original Poster	Thanks for all the guesses! It is fun to see the thought processes at work. Originally posted by ismaelg Does it has to do with Infrared? No, but someday I'd like an IR converted camera. Originally posted by Venturi So, they all have apparent grain/noise which has been "tamed" by converting to monochrome. With that in mind the only plausible explanation of the first 4 shots is that they were shot at very high ISO. And to accomplish this, dear Mister Watson, the photographer would have had to employ a... NEUTRAL DENSITY FILTER! Wow. Very good deductive process but... not correct I am afraid. Originally posted by deadwolfbones Is there such a thing as a black & white filter? :P I don't think there is. Originally posted by roentarre A very set of good urban decay images. A lot of thought in the post processing and your signature style is evident here Wow, thanks. I did not know I had a signature style! If I do, that is great! (Though certainly this set is quite consistent.) To be sure all those guesses deserve two more images. upcoming attractions gantry

06-19-2009, 05:04 AM	#11
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Are those film photography?

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06-19-2009, 05:07 AM	#12
shadeless Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Germany / BaWü Posts: 50	Originally posted by Zav Are those film photography? that would be my guess, too. the grain/noise in the last shot looks very filmlike. but does a film camera extend ones photographic ability ?

06-19-2009, 05:26 AM	#13
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,817 Original Poster	Originally posted by shadeless but does a film camera extend ones photographic ability ? A film camera would be full-frame, so yes it would offer up new possibilities. Plus the use of different films would at least make certain looks easier to achieve. I am glad there have finally been a couple of guesses along those lines, since all of these photos are mono tints and grainy. I have argued elsewhere against those who claim film is inherently superior to digital. I had fun creating a film look here, which involved changing the tonality, hue and adding grain. So I am happy if these shots do indeed look film-like! So, no, it's not a film camera. The tinting is a red herring, as the next shot reveals. (All these shots were taken in the same session with exactly the same kit.) air intake

06-19-2009, 06:40 AM	#14
artobest Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Swansea, Wales Posts: 455	My guess it's a wide angle lens of some kind. Maybe a 24mm or 20mm equivalent?

06-19-2009, 06:44 AM	#15
jem Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 217	This: Tiffen dfx or this: DxO Filmpack?