click image
Hi Gang,
I’m posting two images today to illustrate a technique I’ve worked on this summer. Starting Friday, I’ll be posting a series of images, the KS series, that are based on this technique.
Description: Both images are examples of slap zoom, a technique that’s been used over the years. The slap zoom technique involves a slow shutter speed, and a zoom movement of the lens during the exposure. In addition to the slap zoom I’ve added a few other twists (so to speak). In the first case I also rotated the camera during the slap zoom, changing the point of rotation in the image. In both cases, I also used a shoe-mounted flash set to fire at the end of the exposure, to create some additional detail in the subject.
Image 1 Full details: Slap zoom technique, using a black card over the lens, during movements, to create an in-camera multiple-exposure quality (necessary if you’re a user of Canon cameras) 
Shoe mounted flash at the end of the rotation. Canon 1Ds Mark II 24-70mm lens, Singh Ray Vari ND filter, f/22, 10 second shutter, rear-curtain flash sync set to manual mode, Fong Dome flash diffuser, cheap black foam core board, tripod.
Image 2 Full Details: Slap zoom technique, NO camera rotation, shoe mounted flash, rear curtain sync manual mode, Fong Dome flash diffuser, Canon 1Ds Mark II, 24-70 mm, f/22, Singh Ray Vari ND filer, 8 second exposure.
Related posts:
9 Comments
Alec, I really appreciate your imagination and creativity. You are working photography from all angles and boadening my horizons as you expand yours.
I’d be curious to see what these images looked like prior to the slap-zoom. It would help me to see what you see when you determine a good candidate for the technique. It would also show me how the image changed as a result of your technique. But you might not have the original scenes, or it might not be practical to show them. But it’s just a thought.
Nice job of getting the multiple exposure look for the canon, Alec. To me, the rotation worked very well but the slap zoom effect isn’t as obvious as I would expect. Love the combination of colors in this image.
I really like the slap zoom effect in the second image. The rear curtain sync technique sure did give focus to the tree trunk at the last seconds. Looks like the trunk wasn’t zoomed but the top of the trees with the leaves did zoom. Very nice effect.
Wes
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for all. I don’t think I have just a straight image of this one, though I appreciate the nudge to think that way in the future. I’ll definitely try to do that going forward. These images are actually the “straight shots” for what I’ll begin showing on Friday.
Hi Wes,
Good to hear from you and thanks for the comments. I liked the second because I was able to minimize the effect on the tree trunk. This shot only worked because the sun was setting behind me and the sky I was shooting into was relatively dark. I continued to shoot into sunset but the total effect dropped off quickly.
Cheers,
alec
I love that second one with the slap zoom. Really cool!
Alec,
I like the tree one. I would like it much better if the tree was on a layer in front of the “ray” effect, so it looked more natural. Does that make sense? So the tree is in the foreground unaffected and then the background has the sun rays behind it.
Hey Eric,
Good to see ya here and THANK YOU for the comment. yes, I understand your comment. That would be an interesting take on the image, not one I was necessarily going for, but I wish I did have a frame with the tree clean to play with, then I might see more clearly your vision for it. Mostly, I appreciate your articulation for a different take on the image. THANK YOU, and keep on rockin’ bortherman.
Alec,
Are you doing much compositing work with your fine art? I know that’s not for everyone…
One of the things I think about with these slap zooms is allowing everything to go very symmetrical… especially since that is the direction this technique provides visually from the center out.
With the 2nd image of the tree, some compositing work could balance the image left and right which could usher in a strong subliminal symbol… immediately I thought of the “peace symbol”… upside down of course.
With or without that symbolic connection, I was definitely drawn to this image and stayed with it for quite a few moments. Great job. I’m really looking forward to seeing the series you’ve done with this technique.
Best,
Matt
MATT!!! Good to hear from you brotherman!
Thanks for the post. Well, you know my training so it might surprise you to hear that I’m NOT into too much. Try to keep it limited. With that being said I dig your suggestion and will play around with it.
Hope all is well out east. Again, GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!
Cheers,
alec