The Weekend Challenge for 2021/05-15th and 16th

[JimFox]

We will be doing another Weekend Challenge next week, the 15th and 16th.

Like most of the current Weekend Challenges, this one will have it's root in film photography. If shot in film, this might bring back some nostalgia, if you never shot in film this could be a bit of a history lesson.

This months challenge will be to use Vaseline on your UV filter on your camera.

Please do not put the Vaseline on your lens directly as it could ruin it, but put it on a UV filter.

Back in the old days of film, we would smear the Vaseline on the fitler in different patterns and different reasons. I used it for 2 main reasons.

1. With people portraits. You would smear the Vaseline around the outside of the filter and it would create a natural vignetting of blurring so that only the couple or their faces were still sharp.

2. With Cityscapes. You would smear it over the whole filter and then the lights shining through it could get star shaped, etc...

Of course, today all of this could now be done in Photoshop. But then that wouldn't be nostalgic at all, would it?

So be prepared to transport yourself back in time 30 or 40 years to a simpler time.

Jim

PS. If you don't have a UV filter or Vaseline, this gives you 10 days to get it.

 

[Graeme F]

Just to add you can use washing up liquid/dish washing liquid instead of vaseline on the filter. According to the Google it is much easier to clean off after you have finished

 

[Amy Earl]

Interesting...I will try to participate. I wonder what it would do to a shot like this.

 

[Amy Earl]

Just to add you can use washing up liquid/dish washing liquid instead of vaseline on the filter. According to the Google it is much easier to clean off after you have finished

I was just wondering about the cleanup. Dish liquid sounds like a good idea, but wouldn't it just run down? I'll have to experiment.

 

[JimFox]

Just to add you can use washing up liquid/dish washing liquid instead of vaseline on the filter. According to the Google it is much easier to clean off after you have finished

How interesting, about the liquid dish soap. I hadn’t heard that. If you or Amy try it before hand please report back on how well it works.

Also the dish soap comes in different colors, so that could color the effect too?

I am glad to hear you and Amy are excited for this challenge, I hope we get more excited too!

 

[AlanLichty]

Here are a few from my back yard. I was looking for an old filter to smear up and found a mistake I bought many years ago - a Blue & Gold Singh Ray polarizer. Can't recall what image I saw that left me thinking this was a Good Idea(TM) but it wasn't. A great candidate just in case I can't get the vaseline off

Strawberries:

An oddball variety of Trillium. For the record I posted an IR image of this same plant in the IR forum this morning.

Azalea:

 

[AlanLichty]

For the record the Vaseline does come off with dish soap after a few passes.

 

[JimFox]

Very cool examples Alan!

Yeah, vaseline is a grease/oil but I don't recall it being too difficult to get off. Maybe 5 mins of wiping and washing.

 

[JimFox]

I think I better start practicing too! Good job on getting a head start Alan.

 

[JimFox]

I was just wondering about the cleanup. Dish liquid sounds like a good idea, but wouldn't it just run down? I'll have to experiment.

Have you tried dishwashing soap? It's too liquidy, Vaseline is the way to go. For a darker vignette feel you can try chapstick too.

The biggest thing I found while playing around is you don't want to use f13 (my normal aperture). f5.6 to f8 is better. The increased sharpness and DOF at f13 can make the Vaseline areas darker and less see through.

 

[Alisa]

Here are a few from my back yard. I was looking for an old filter to smear up and found a mistake I bought many years ago - a Blue & Gold Singh Ray polarizer. Can't recall what image I saw that left me thinking this was a Good Idea(TM) but it wasn't. A great candidate just in case I can't get the vaseline off

Strawberries:

View attachment 39209

An oddball variety of Trillium. For the record I posted an IR image of this same plant in the IR forum this morning.

View attachment 39210

Azalea:

View attachment 39211

You have some great plants and flowers in your backyard!