Midway Zoom/Flash Blur

[Arthur Morris]

Here is used a combination of blurring techniques combined with flash to create a single sharp image with a blurred image from the ambient. Created with the Canon 70-200mm f/4 L IS lens with the 1.4X II TC (handheld at 215mm) with the EOS-1D MIV. ISO 200. Evaluative metering +2 stops: 1/4 sec. at f/20. On-camera flash at -1/3 stop. Zoomed out a bit as I made the exposure. Pretty much brutal experimentation that paid off, pretty much like winning at least something with a lottery ticket.

Don't be shy; all comments welcome. :)

[Cheryl Slechta]

Artie, I like the different dimensions (kind of like Alice in Wonderland:)) and I love the bird striding out. There are so many interesting things to look at.

[denise ippolito]

Artie, Super!! This is Outstanding. Thank you for the instruction. I can't wait to try this.:)

[Indranil Sircar]

Outstanding composition, Artie. Love the striding pose and the zoom blur effect. A winner all the way. Thanks for sharing the approach.

[Paul Lagasi]

Even the explanation is tough to take in, had to read it a few times...but the result speaks for itself....very cool looking image...TFS

[Arthur Morris]

Even the explanation is tough to take in, had to read it a few times...but the result speaks for itself....very cool looking image...TFS

Thanks Paul. It's actually pretty simple: a sharp flash exposure on the same frame along with a slow shutter speed blur (as a result of the correct ambient EXP and the slow shutter speed). The effective "shutter speed" of the flash is in the neighborhood of 1/1500 sec at the setting that I used.

Flash blurs are one of the many topics that will be covered in the Guide to Pleasing Blurs that Denise and I are working on. The topic is also covered in ABP II :)

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Artie, very nice - looks like he's heading for 'The Light'...or is it away from? :D
I love the flowers that are just visible too.
Best,
Nicki

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Nicki. The only "light" that morning was from the flash. It was dark and windy. He was headed down the path for the Pacific :)

[Paul Lagasi]

Thanks Artie .. that is something I'm really going to have to try...

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Artie .. that is something I'm really going to have to try...

You are welcome. I think that Denise is out now trying to do some flower flash blurs! Good luck to you both.

[Christopher Miller]

Very nice, Artie! Love the zoom blur and the albatross stepping out.

[Mark Fuge]

Nice image and application, Artie.

The effect worked well. Just enough of the subject clarity with the fade in zoom.

You might want to remove the black horizontal line on the wing. But it works otherwise.