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Last Hurrah
2nd PlaceLast Hurrah
giantmike


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Light Bulbs (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Lens: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
Date: Jan 26, 2014
Aperture: 5.6
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/200
Date Uploaded: Jan 26, 2014

 24 lights bulbs, one power strip, one lamp, one hammer, one plastic Ziploc bag, and one fire extinguisher. Those were the supplies I had for this challenge.

A bit more background. I read this, and watched the video: //craigcolvinphotography.com/light-bulb-smoke-photography-tutorial. Then I bought two 12 packs of clear 60W bulbs, went home, and started smashing. Out of the first 6 bulbs, I had a single usable broken bulb. Then I got a little better with the next 6, getting 2 more. Then I discovered the secret. My large pack of bulbs came with some cardboard spacers. Using these spacers I was able to get 10 good bulbs out of the next 12! Sweet!

With the broken bulbs, I setup with my camera, fire extinguisher, and lamp. Carefully screw in a bulb, start the camera firing, and turn on the switch. 2 seconds later, you will have some shots.

The other secret that is important is to use a low power flash with a snoot. This lights up the smoke in a way the filament cannot do. I have some later shots were I stopped using the flash, and it turned out this was a bad idea. The smoke would only be lit if very close to the bulb, instead of all the way up.

I got about 8 good shots out of this setup. This is definitely one of my favorites with how the smoke is moving.

---
I must admit, I'm a little disappointed with second place. I thought for sure I was finally going to get that elusive blue ribbon. But then the last 36 hours came, and I dropped approximately 0.4 points. I couldn't believe how seemingly each vote was bringing me down.

But then, as I look to this again, I am indeed happy. My third ever highest scoring image. My 13th ribbon! My 4th score above a 7.

I am happy :)

Statistics
Place: 2 out of 50
Avg (all users): 7.1845
Avg (commenters): 9.0000
Avg (participants): 7.1515
Avg (non-participants): 7.2000
Views since voting: 4187
Views during voting: 260
Votes: 103
Comments: 13
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 02/04/2014 04:51:20 PM
Great photo, congratulations on the ribbon. Thank you so much for the tutorial, it's really interesting. I'd like to try to make this some other day ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D80
Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D
 02/03/2014 07:44:48 PM
Thanks for explaining your setup.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon Canon 1d x Mark II
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 FG HSM Art
 02/03/2014 02:47:38 AM
Gave you an 8, and still the blue, OH the blue!

No blue still, yeah I know I'm rubbing it on sorry :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Apple iPhone Xr
 02/03/2014 02:26:49 AM
Cool idea. Thanks for the notes. A well deserved Red, especially for the effort you put into it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a55
Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM
 02/03/2014 01:32:17 AM
Read your notes with interest. Glad you didn't have to use the fire extinguisher. It was worth it, this is very nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 02/02/2014 06:50:02 PM
Wonderful! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 02/02/2014 01:19:53 PM
Always fascinating these burn-the-broken-light-bulb shots - well executed and captured!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
 02/01/2014 01:21:22 PM
Nice thinking! Like how you catched the smoke!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z7II
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED
 01/29/2014 11:53:34 AM
wonderful!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D80
Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D
 01/28/2014 07:07:23 PM
WOW Great shot. Must have used a multiple burst and had the glass already broken. A winner in my book.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/27/2014 01:38:15 PM
Very very cool.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 01/27/2014 08:51:20 AM
Well done!


(commenting only)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 01/27/2014 12:36:40 AM
That smoke is something else.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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