2nd Curtain Flash

[Geoff Chandler]

Ok - This is not a mega quality photo - this is just one of a series of holiday snaps. The purpose of which is to give a helpful (hopefully) visual eg of one use of 2nd Curtain Flash.
1st Curtain is where the flash goes off a the start of the photo & the rest of the exposure is with available light - normally creating a warmer more intimate effect with indoor pics. 2nd Curtain is similar but the flash occurs at the end of the exposure.
How did I do this pic?
While taking pics of the kids jumping into the water I thought let's see if the 2nd curtain will help give a motion effect whilst allowing the flash to freeze them at the end of the exposure. It was dusk and knowing the shutter lag and slower focus I got Jack to stand first near my point of focus so I could pre-focus. I selected 2nd Curtain flash. Then when they ran and jumped I just pressed the shutter at the right moment. Shutter speed was initially set at 1/8th sec (I was in apperture priority actually so that's why I said 'initially' - would probably be more reliable in shutter priority) I was shooting at 2mpx only and it was 200 ASA if I remember correctly. The result - as you can see from the experiment - is a blur of movement leading into the 2 figures in mid air. One day I'll try a serious one - this was just a bit of fun. Hopefully some one out there hasn't tried it and will benefit from my experimental example.
Geoff.

[erichlund]

Neat effect. As you say, you were just fooling around, but here are three things I think would have made this photo much better:
1. Tripod. Non-moving stuff would have been much sharper.
2. Put daughter in front. She's smaller and largely hidden by her brother.
3. Select location and angle for the camera so that they are jumping into the frame rather than out of it. However, I like the view up to the end of the ??lake?? with the house lights.

Cheers,
Eric

[Geoff Chandler]

Absolutely!
But as I said - I was just casual snapping at the request of the kids - so while I was doing it I thought I'd experiment. Now, should I get another oportunity - I know what to do.
Thanks for the comments
Geoff

[Geoff Chandler]

Neat effect. As you say, you were just fooling around, but here are three things I think would have made this photo much better:
1. Tripod. Non-moving stuff would have been much sharper.
2. Put daughter in front. She's smaller and largely hidden by her brother.
3. Select location and angle for the camera so that they are jumping into the frame rather than out of it. However, I like the view up to the end of the ??lake?? with the house lights.

Cheers,
Eric

Ok - here's one looking the other way from the cottage we were staying in. It's in Devon in the West of England in a little place called Noss Mayo. The river leads out to the sea and is a mix of salt and fresh water. If you can see in the scaled down pic - on the right is the jetty the kids liked jumping off.
Geoff