the-f-stop.com http://www.the-f-stop.com “My portraits are more about me than they
are about the people I photograph”
Richard Avedon Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:31:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Hello Dolly http://www.the-f-stop.com/2012/01/hello-dolly/ http://www.the-f-stop.com/2012/01/hello-dolly/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:27:45 +0000 Jon http://www.the-f-stop.com/?p=1258 Chris and I built a camera dolly! This was it’s first test.

Actually the construction and mechanical design was all Chris. My assistance was providing a controller for the stepper motor and shutter. It basically takes a shot, moves a small distance (1mm in this case), waits a period of time (2 seconds in this case) and starts again. We realise this video is quite dull and the clouds were terrible but it was just a test close to homebase. Look for future instalments featuring far more interesting subjects.

Early video of the dolly below.

]]> http://www.the-f-stop.com/2012/01/hello-dolly/feed/ 2 Woodchester http://www.the-f-stop.com/2012/01/woodchester/ http://www.the-f-stop.com/2012/01/woodchester/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2012 04:32:07 +0000 Jon http://www.the-f-stop.com/?p=1252 Just a stones throw from where I formerly lived in the UK is the 19th century gothic mansion Woodchester. It took a colleague to bring it to my attention, and point out that unlike the many other publicly accessible mansions in the UK, this one was abandoned mid-construction allowing a unique view of the building techniques of the period.

You can see below some unfinished stonework in the vaulting capping. Brickwork and other rough stone, such as in the vaulting, would also have been plastered over in all areas of the house.

The other stand-out feature is that the mansion is on a huge estate and is only accessible via a one mile walk. The estate itelf is dotted with interesting features including the boathouse below and several cascading lakes with Victorian era dams. The lakes once fed a mill house at the lowest point of the estate.

Not the usual affair but very interesting.

More information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodchester_Mansion
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-woodchesterpark.htm

]]> http://www.the-f-stop.com/2012/01/woodchester/feed/ 0 Cu in the Tunnel http://www.the-f-stop.com/2011/10/cu-in-the-tunnel/ http://www.the-f-stop.com/2011/10/cu-in-the-tunnel/#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:51:30 +0000 Jon http://www.the-f-stop.com/?p=1242 The post drought has been broken with a visit to a set disused power tunnels. My usual associates were along and are very knowledge about such things and their whereabouts.

Exposure: 10s  Aperture: f/8.0  ISO: 400  Focal Length: 26 mm

It was an interesting place which, I am guessing, once carried power from the nearby (re-purposed) power plant. Now long disused the drainage grates in the floor no longer remove water in a timely fashion, having long succumb to the thick mud and debris that cakes the floor.

While much of the copper cabling has been removed/pilfered (it is after all quite valuable these days) much still remained. Cut away in many areas, the gauge of the cable was impressive. Photographically this bend in the tunnel was the only thing that jumped out to me immediately but I’m sure the place has other opportunities. Though I always struggle to light long straight passages in an interesting way.

]]> http://www.the-f-stop.com/2011/10/cu-in-the-tunnel/feed/ 3 Exit Wound http://www.the-f-stop.com/2011/07/exit-wound/ http://www.the-f-stop.com/2011/07/exit-wound/#comments Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:03:38 +0000 Jon http://www.the-f-stop.com/?p=1233 How many large ball bearings fired at a water balloon does it take to capture a high speed shot like the one below?

Exposure: 2s  Aperture: f/5.6  ISO: 400  Focal Length: 50 mm

Quite a few. Sometimes they bounce right off, other times they go in one side and not out the other leaving a rather sad looking leaking balloon spinning in a circle. Dusted of the high speed gear for a play recently.

]]> http://www.the-f-stop.com/2011/07/exit-wound/feed/ 2 Survivor http://www.the-f-stop.com/2011/07/survivor/ http://www.the-f-stop.com/2011/07/survivor/#comments Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:20:06 +0000 Jon http://www.the-f-stop.com/?p=1207 In the past we have attempted elaborate scenes in an effort and break up our usual exploits. This time we combined Sven and Chris’s love of manholes with our recent smoke machine acquisition to produce some shots of a survivor being plucked from beneath.

Exposure: 1/125s  Aperture: f/4.0  ISO: 200  Focal Length: 50 mm

Shot was lit with two shoot through umbrellas roughly either side and a snooted flash in front. All agreed the lighting came out quite well.

Exposure: 1/125s  Aperture: f/5.0  ISO: 200  Focal Length: 27 mm

Props were minimal this time thankfully. Some tweed clothing and face makeup for our survivor and some post apocalyptic looking gear for the rescuer. On a side note the suitcase is actually a foot locker that belonged to my Grandfather, a WWII spitfire pilot.

Exposure: 1/125s  Aperture: f/5.0  ISO: 200  Focal Length: 31 mm
]]> http://www.the-f-stop.com/2011/07/survivor/feed/ 3 (What’s the Story) Evening Glory? http://www.the-f-stop.com/2011/06/whats-the-story-evening-glory/ http://www.the-f-stop.com/2011/06/whats-the-story-evening-glory/#comments Sun, 05 Jun 2011 22:56:33 +0000 Jon http://www.the-f-stop.com/?p=1193 Many have gone before – both clandestinely and (more recently) as tourists. We however were invited guests (shocking!) and on a chilly evening headed up this Brisbane icon.

Exposure:30s  Aperture: f/8.0  ISO: 200  Focal Length:

The walk up was surprisingly short and while we were not required to use the static line provided for the tourists, every piece of gear we had needed to be tethered to our person. As a result Sven and I shared cameras, giving me the chance to use his fish-eye. Having never spent much time with one it was a nice change. Come on Canon – your new fish-eye was announced nearly a year ago, people are waiting!

Exposure:15s  Aperture: f/8.0  ISO: 200  Focal Length: 10 mm

We roamed freely around the spacious gangway on the top of the south end, marvelling at the many CCTV cameras which now adorn the bridge. Also prominent was a loop of static line the tourists are forced to shuffle around like cattle. While it was a great experience I don’t think (for me anyway) the $160 tourist “adventure” would really be satisfying – especially since you are allowed no cameras!

Exposure:13s  Aperture: f/5.6  ISO: 200  Focal Length: 10 mm

Incidentally the red light was in celebration of Italian Week. The council workers escorting us described the laborious job of having to hang out over the bridge and cover the large lights in red gels.

Exposure:10s  Aperture: f/5.6  ISO: 200  Focal Length:

Once the freezing wind had completely penetrated us all we descended the stairway, pausing briefly to snap a few more shots from a lower vantage. Great fun and bravo ChrisG for arranging the trip.

]]> http://www.the-f-stop.com/2011/06/whats-the-story-evening-glory/feed/ 2