Monthly Tracer's 2013-ETC; January

[Tracer]

A challenge with a difference - I really like it! However I have really struggled with this first month and the results are pretty much rubbish. It didn't help that I forgot about it until after the Christmas lights came down. Still, at least I have tried and it has been a very useful learning curve.

JANUARY

Physiograms
I have never tried these before as although I have seen some beautiful images I am not really interested in doing them myself -- and it shows! It certainly makes me appreciate the wonderful achievements elsewhere.

Star trails
I really wanted to do some star trails but the weather has been hopeless. This was just a test shot from the back garden but turned out to be the only one I managed. I intend to pursue this, though, if the skies ever clear. I have already learned that I need to do a custom white balance...

City lights
As a female I am bit reluctant to go out alone with a tripod in the city, though there are lots of good night scenes to be had. However for this shot I could balance the camera on a beanbag on the wall overlooking the road. It was bitterly cold and I couldn't see what I was doing, so by the time I had set things up the traffic had thinned out a lot. Not very interesting but at least I can now tick off light trails.

When I got home my hands were so cold I could hardly get the key in the lock - it took a large mug of hot chocolate before I thawed out again.



Night lights
The last two are from a a family visit to Stirling Castle. They are just hand-held snaps with VR, and a bit of noise reduction added later. The floodlights have different colours. I rather like the last one which reminds me of a knight in armour, watching over the sleeping city below.

I hope I can do a bit better next month . I'll comment on the other entries in the next few days.

 

[rpn]

Well done for completing the first month with half an hour spare

You done well for first attempts at some of them. At least you can tick off those boxes. I like the last one most, the contrast between the 21st century lightings and the medieval building, the colour of the greenish stones and the blueish sky.

 

[beckyboy1]

Some good attempts here on what I think was a difficult 1st theme.
I see what you mean about the Knight looking over the city very nice shot.

You got some nice long startrails (well longer than mine) although I might have either had more of the chimney pots in shot or removed them completly.

 

[Im Bald Ok]

Those physiograms look like they've had too much to drink! Well done on attempting them, I wasn't really interested in them either.

You've got some good length in the star trails. I actually like the inclusion of the chimney, I think it would look better if it was straighter tho. Like you say, custom white balance would take the green tint away.

I think your last night shot has lovely colours and composition too, I think that's my favourite of your first 6. On to February

 

[Tracer]

Thanks guys! I'm hoping February's themes will come up soon so that I can plan things a bit better.

 

[Southdowns]

Some good shots there

I think maybe your physiograms could have done to be a little more symmetrical, but I like the colour and the fine lines.

Your star trails are good, but I'd have liked more foreground interest; what is that that's just edging into the shot? There's too little of it to help I think; instead it's distracting.

Your light trails are good for a first go; as you say a bit more traffic would have been good, but it's nice and sharp.

Of the two night light shots I prefer the second, which I think is actually the best of the lot. Lovely colours, pin sharp, interesting subject, and a nice composition