[TerraS]

A small sample of the hundreds of photographs that I still have to sort through!
The blurry-effect ones were done by focussing on the subject at 55mm and then 'zooming the lens out' very quickly while taking the shot. It produces a kind of streaming blur around the edges. As you can see, it hardly ever works properly, but it is something I wanted to try out.

[TerraS]

Comments welcome.

[Matty]

gah makes your eyes go funny! Nice idea that, will have to give it a try wehn the quesyness goes away...

[DaveG]

I think it works really well in the first shot.

Must remember to give it a try.

[dod]

Originally Posted by DaveG

I think it works really well in the first shot..

I'd agree, you can still make out what it is and the splash of colour looks really great, very nice shot

[Matt]

I like the first one Dave, I think this one has worked for you.

If you have a flash try using it on 2nd curtain, you'll get a clear shot of your subject with all of the zoom blur.

[TerraS]

Originally Posted by Matt

I like the first one Dave, I think this one has worked for you.

If you have a flash try using it on 2nd curtain, you'll get a clear shot of your subject with all of the zoom blur.

Hmm.. not sure I have 2nd curtain on the 300d. Any ideas?

[Matt]

It could be in the custom functions

[dlh]

I believe a 2nd curtain option is available in the custom functions with the Wasia firmware. I don't think it works though

[Matt]

Sorry Dave, I've just discovered the 300D doesn't have that option.

[TerraS]

Originally Posted by Matt

Sorry Dave, I've just discovered the 300D doesn't have that option.

No problems, thanks anyway. It might still work with the flash though. I have lots of ideas for this from various people now. Thanks again!

[rob]

A little bit of critique Dave, I've a tendency to be a little harsh, so, first off, sorry if I offend you :-)

To start out with, all the pictures with the zoom effect in them, for me, are the better images, there's just something rather dull, or bland about the others. Sure, they're nice photographs, they're technically good, but there's nothing there that says anything to me, it's a capturing the moment kind of thing, not really the stuff that I'm into.

The pictures with the zoom, they're nice and bright, good colours, some of them aren't as nice as the others. The first one for instance, it's just too busy for me, I like the effect that there is around the legs, but the huge blur keeps my eyes away from the central dancer. In my opinion, this kind of photography works best if you've got a a central focal point, and the "tunnel" like effect pulls the viewer's eye right into the middle. It's excellent for portraying movement - so it's the dancers are an excellent subject for this!

The third "zoom blurred" image misses the focal point I feel. There's a bloke in the background, he's captured the limelight from the dancer I feel, she's been blurred into insignificance. I'm not sure whehter this was your intention, but, sorry, I don't think it works at all.

http://www.facingmirrorimages.com/fmi/myphotos/15/3.jpg

This is the best of the lot, I really, really like it. The only thing I'd do with it is try and PS the guy in the yellow out, or make his jacket darker, he's just grabbing my attention a little. I love the image other than that though, it does what I described above. Captures the movement of the dancer in focus in the middle, and pulls the rest of the scene in towards her. Great work!

Again, all my humble opinion, take from it what you will. Well done though :-)

Rob

[TerraS]

Thanks for the critique Rob. I think you are right about the photos I've taken, but they aren't really studio shots, they are just girls on a stage who I have no control over. The security guy is annoying, but I wasn't about to ask him to get out the way!

The radial blur shots are a bit hit and miss, but it was my first attempt. I have some new ideas to improve them so stay tuned

Once again, thanks for the comments.