Pow Wow in Motion

[Darcy Grizzle]

I had researched for two days on google, Pow Wow photos, as I have been before & really got great shots. But they are all the same on google, freeze motion with the fringes frozen in mid air. I really wanted something different and wanted something a little more abstract & that really showed the motion. So for two days (I am amateur) I really thought about how to do it, as the pow wow's are in the middle of the day and how do I slow my shutter enough, but not enough to blow everything else out. So I figured my polarizer may help out. I practiced in the backyard with different lenses with the wind blowing one of my flower bushes. So I came up with f22, 1/20 second at 100 ISO with my Tameron 16-300 and my polarizer with the dark side on the bottom. I also didn't want anyone recognizable to where I had to possibly deal with releases. I found a lady in one of the stock photo sites, Diana Robinson..who had exactly what I was looking to do in her portfolio. This is one of my shots that I ended up getting. I got pretty close to what I liked about hers, and now can't wait for the next pow wow, as we ended up leaving after being there 4 hours, and the actual dancing hadn't started yet, due to multiple ceremonies for the Veterans and out going Princesses. This was taken at Grand Entry. Also the wind was like 50 MPH and after 4 hours of it, we were ready to go!

OMG I really have to remember to take my FB logo off when I upload here! Sorry!

 

[Jeffrey]

That's very interesting, Darcy. I'm not liking the direct sunlight, but small point. I do not see any FB logo here.

 

[Darcy Grizzle]

That's very interesting, Darcy. I'm not liking the direct sunlight, but small point. I do not see any FB logo here.

Oh its my logo at the bottom, I use it for Facebook and forget to take it off. Thank you for your observation with the direct sunlight. I will take that into consideration next pow wow & try the other side of the arena, the dancer will be shaded on that side. Not much choice where observers can sit, either the dancers will be purely shaded on the one side or direct sun on the other.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Nice job of research and planning. I always practice a new technique either at home, or near home so I can see the effect before getting to the venue.

I like this one. I know this is yours, but the wording makes it sound like it might be Diana Robinsons.

 

[Jeffrey]

Hi Darcy. More on what I think about direct sunlight. (my thoughts expressed)

I don't like it. I rarely shoot in it. Especially with closeups like this image or macro, architecture, wildlife, flora, and most scenes. Stark shadows usually don't work for me. Grand views of landscapes can sometimes work in it. Dunes might work in it. Sunsets/rises can sometimes benefit from direct light, but it is such a low angle soft colored light at that time. Mid-day harsh light, then I'm usually napping.

Think of this for more than just reshooting the pow-wow.

 

[JimFox]

Hey Darcy,

This is sure cool looking, you did really well.

Your FB logo is really called a Watermark. Yours is pretty small and not obtrusive, so if you don't remove it, I wouldn't be that concerned about it. Probably with photos you post in the Critique forum you for sure wouldn't want it, but otherwise I wouldn't be concerned.

Jeffrey makes some really great points about not shooting in harsh light, but sometimes, it just can't be helped like at this pow wow. So then you have to just think about how to minimize the bad aspects of harsh light, or how to use it to your advantage. The most obvious way to help when there is no choice but to shoot in harsh light is to make sure you are using your polarizer to help cut the light that will glare off many surfaces. Also as you think about this, like lets say with this dancer, was positioning yourself differently so that you actually might have been backlighting the dancers? Placing yourself so the sun is on the back side of them could have allowed the colorful clothing to glow from being backlit. Just things to consider, myself I think you did really well.

 

[Darcy Grizzle]

Nice job of research and planning. I always practice a new technique either at home, or near home so I can see the effect before getting to the venue.

I like this one. I know this is yours, but the wording makes it sound like it might be Diana Robinsons.

I fixed the wording, "I found a lady in one of the stock photo sites, Diana Robinson..who had exactly what I was looking to do in her portfolio. This is one of my shots that I ended up getting. I got pretty close to what I liked about hers"....hope that clears that up . Thanks Ben

Hi Darcy. More on what I think about direct sunlight. (my thoughts expressed)

I don't like it. I rarely shoot in it. Especially with closeups like this image or macro, architecture, wildlife, flora, and most scenes. Stark shadows usually don't work for me. Grand views of landscapes can sometimes work in it. Dunes might work in it. Sunsets/rises can sometimes benefit from direct light, but it is such a low angle soft colored light at that time. Mid-day harsh light, then I'm usually napping.

Think of this for more than just reshooting the pow-wow.

Yes I hate shooting middle of the day, believe me, but at Pow Wow's you just don't have a choice as that is when they are held . Gourd Dancing starts at usually 11am, Grand Entry at 12 or 1pm & then the dancing. They are usually over around 5 of 6. But I will try the shady side with them being backlit at the next one.

Hey Darcy,

This is sure cool looking, you did really well.

Your FB logo is really called a Watermark. Yours is pretty small and not obtrusive, so if you don't remove it, I wouldn't be that concerned about it. Probably with photos you post in the Critique forum you for sure wouldn't want it, but otherwise I wouldn't be concerned.

Jeffrey makes some really great points about not shooting in harsh light, but sometimes, it just can't be helped like at this pow wow. So then you have to just think about how to minimize the bad aspects of harsh light, or how to use it to your advantage. The most obvious way to help when there is no choice but to shoot in harsh light is to make sure you are using your polarizer to help cut the light that will glare off many surfaces. Also as you think about this, like lets say with this dancer, was positioning yourself differently so that you actually might have been backlighting the dancers? Placing yourself so the sun is on the back side of them could have allowed the colorful clothing to glow from being backlit. Just things to consider, myself I think you did really well.

Yep my watermark, I just call it my fb logo because I only use my watermark for FB. Yep I did use my polarizer, actually knew I would need it in those conditions. Thank you Jim