Well, kind of...... I have been thinking of how the technique I use to create long exposures of moving people might be expanded upon.
This requires both subject and camera moving at a similar speed as the shutter is opened, limiting the boundaries of the technique.
After a number of failures, I came up an idea of attaching my iPhone to my bike, taking pictures whilst traveling behind a subject.
As you might imagine, this is highly variable, made slightly less precarious by firing the shutter using a remote trigger.
Here are some early results. Posting more to present the technique I would however be interested to know what others think about the results (ALL opinions respected and appreciated).
Hm... The perspective, especially in the closer shots of the byciclists, is highly questionable for me: highly unestetical from my poi t of view. Very unpleasing.
Interesting, thanks for sharing your viewpoint.
This type of work is usually divisive so it’s great to hear the perspective of others.
It’s a work/experiment in progress so we’ll see if anything becomes of it.
Is your phone attached to the handlebar? This could be quite a challenge in making composition decisions - i.e. distance creating closeups or full body, scene elements included or excluded - all while riding a bike. I'm guessing the composition part of it is probably getting instinctive for you now after all your practice while walking. I can see the advantages doing it this way for sure. Right off you're more undercover. As for the images ... I really like #s 2, 4, & 7. The composition and balance in #2 is great. #4 has a satisfying sense of balance - everything seemed to line up just right for you. In #7 (as well as in #2), I appreciate the scene elements in relation to the subject. So did you have to experiment with different positions for the phone - i.e. attached to your chest or a hat, etc? Wondering the comparison and challenges/benefits with each position. Great job, Alan. I really enjoy reading of your ventures and seeing the results.
Thanks Jenny. Yes, the phone (holder is attached to the handlebars. I wanted something to get the phone out of my pocket whilst riding anyway, so this does double-duty.
It's not perfect (extremely hard to compose as you suggest) but using the remote trigger helps. With so many attempts/failures I do have a much better idea of what works (and of equal importance what doesn't...) which goes some way to helping.
On of the key elements is the ability to get/keep the subject in frame (which I failed with many times), so the chest/hat suggestion would not work in this respect.
I have ideas for future attempts, like shotting on a downhill stretch where the subject (and myself) are coasting. This would lessen relative movements and should produce a cleaner result.
As an FYI, here is the mount I purchased. I may do a blog entry if I can build up a body of reasonable work.
https://a.co/d/brL73bg
Focus Tracking ICM.
I like the unique composition that each represents...well, except for 1, 4,5, and 6, which all have the same: landscape, hardscape, landscape, water with sky.
2, 4, 5, and 7 have an interesting unrecognizable recognized aspect in each: Coca-Cola machine, Carrying a jacket, Multiple riders, fence and 'bridge'?
I cannot imagine how many photos didn't make the cut. As usual you are the Master-Extraordinaire with this genre of photography.
Thanks for your kind input and opinion Dean. These were taken on 2 separate/initial attempts so the sample size/location is small at this point.
As you suggest there were a large number of failures, one of the big issues is predicting the actions of the rider ahead and being able to follow their path.
I just wanted to post these as initial results of experimentation. As I like to get out on my bike I will hopefully get more opportunities to practice further and produce a larger body of acceptable work.