Well Nab, I think you have cracked it here.
There is a lot to like about this image......
There is a good amount of detail in the shot that keeps my interest in the photo. The immediate thing is the train and its movement through the image. Then there are the subtle ghosts to the left that have just the right amount of "ghostliness" (made up word :bonk
. Then there are the people stood still on the other side of the train that can be seen through the train's movement. Last, but not least, is the trains destination plate showing clearly.
Brilliant stuff!
Thanks, nigpd!
As I'm discovering, getting just the right amount of ghostliness (it
is a word, I'm sure
), is actually very difficult and requires bit of luck. If people mill about for long enough (as they do when they're waiting for trains), then you can catch a fair amount of "mass". When they keep walking, you see nothing other than a slight loss of contrast in the areas where they've been.
Luckily, the train itself sat still for over a minute and so there was enough detail captured and of course the lights and the sign show up best.
I must admit, I felt very self-concious taking this shot
. I had to set up the tripod on the platform and spent ages mucking about with test shots and exposure calcualtions, then putting on the filters and the remote shutter release etc., whilst people were looking at me as if I was unpacking a rocket launcher and pointing it at them
! Still, I found that as long as I just concentrated on what I was doing and looked only at the equipment, never making eye contact with anyone, I was left in peace to get on with the job.
I'm really pleased that I didn't let my natural shyness put me off now, as it seems that I've captured one of my best shots so far.
It's a good idea and a great image. I'd be tempted to adjust the white balance a touch as it's too warm for me.
+
Nice effect, and well shot.
I'd like to see it with a slightly cooler colour balance though. You'll get a bit more detail in the platform and crowd then as the orange is starting to wash out a bit as it is.
EDIT: Garry beat me to the punch.
Good point chaps! It hadn't occured to me until you (both) said so, but the WB is a little off. The flourescent tubes down there are a little yellowish and so the general tone of the shot feels familiar to me, but for anyone who's used to the UK underground (for instance), it probably looks all wrong. I
will have a go at toning it down later though, a the saturation did get a bit harsh as I pushed at the contrast to combat some of the greyness resulting from the movement blur.
Good tip, thanks
!
I really like it, you've pulled off a wonderful effect there.
Well, I'm sure I'm not the first (and certainly won't be the last), but it was one of a handful of shots that I had in mind for the 10 stop filter when I bought it. I'm really glad that it came out so well, first time around.
Thanks for your comment, jgs
!
Thats really good Naboo, love the ghosting effect and definately with Christine on this, the more you look, the less you can see the train, crazy
Hi Yv!
Yes, that was the effect that I was trying to achieve - a "ghost" train that resembled a double exposure, but with the added bonus of "ghost passengers" too
. In my minds eye, it was in black and white, but the colour version actually works better.
You're right, the more you look, the less you see - until you look away and back again. What fun these DSLRs are!
this is amazing
Glad you liked it, folks. Thanks very much for taking the time to comment - it's really made my day!
It feels like it sometimes, yes. I have to say, it really is a chore to lug around everwhere, as it's a big and heavy Giottos number. But, without it I can't attempt stuff like this and these images should outlast my backache, so it's worth it, I reckon.
