EXCITING WORKSHOP PHOTOGRAPHY using SLOW SHUTTER SPEEDS

ddd

ddd

Joined
Apr 6, 2003
Messages
2,498
Relatively low lighting inside workshops allows using
SLOW SHUTTER SPEEDS to document exciting action and
movement in various stages of the knifemaking process.

A TRIPOD and shutter speeds of 1/2 second or slower
will capture the flowing motion whole everything else
is rendered nice and sharp.

Here are two examples from the book I did on Van Barnett and Dellana.

First a 1/2 second exposure documenting Van Barnett reaching
the final blade thickness while moving the magnetic table top surface
back and forth under the rotating precision stone wheel.
The wheel is lowered slowly until the bar reaches an exact final thickness.

This was the best of about 40 pictures shot during this process and
was chosen because it was the only one where the rotating movement
of the hand is recognizable as such (see the fingers).
A great amount of sparks registers in an exposure of 1/2 a second,
adding drama to the scene.

Van-2191.jpg


The second picture was taken while Dellana was forging the billet
that would eventually become the blade. We called this picture “Magic Happens”
as it is an amazing photo showing the flux being applied to a partially heated billet,
flowing down from its container and also flowing upwards with the hot air rising
from the red hot steel....

Dellana-2635.jpg


PLEASE TRY THIS AT HOME!! The results will often be surprisingly pleasing!!

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
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Those are great images! It really is amazing what a creative photograher with a good camera can do.
 
Thanks for sharing. Most conventional wisdom would have one shooting at high-speed at high-speed motion. Not here. Great effect.

Good post. :)

Coop
 
I saw the pics earlier but didn't have time to post - very cool effect with the slow shutter speeds.

For some reason now though, I'm getting a "the specific photo does not exist" Fototime blank instead of the pics.

Roger
 
Way coooooool pix! I especially enjoy the flowing flying flux one. It gives a whole new meaning to the saying, "In flux!"
 
Great work! I'm not sure I have any slow shutter stuff lying around. You've given me something to think about!
 
Thanks Guys! I do hope you experiment!!

BrianThie said:
cool shots, thanks for sharing -- and experimenting

Brian
Click to expand...

Actually, Brian, these shots were not experiments but part of the WIP
photographed for my third book in the series "Custom Knifemakers of the WORLD"
displaying in detail the whole process of making of two ART FOLDERS
A linerlock by Van Barnett and lock back by Dellana.

In this series, previously featuring Edmund Davidson (2008) and Tim Hancock (2009),
I display their working process making a knife typical of their art.
A Full Integral (in Edmund's case) and a Damascus Dogbone Dagger
(in Tim's case), all in full color, as well as showing many of the knives
they made over the years.

The books are full of similar quality professional photography
and are surely educational and enjoyable even for experienced knifemakers...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
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Here is another example of using SLOW SHUTTER SPEED
photography. In this case it was used to capture movement in
the process of creating the Twist Damascus for the spacers
in Tim Hancock's Dogbone Dagger.

First, using a tripod, I take a test shot to check the
composition as well as the position of the camera relative
to what is going to happen.

041a_DDD_0867.jpg



When satisfied that I will be able to capture the process correctly,
I begin to shoot while Tim is "Twisting". Now I am using a relatively
slow shutter speed (adjusting the aperture as needed - beforehand).

All this has to be done quickly as I prefer to photograph the WIP
as it is happening - sometimes not really knowing what exactly to expect.
I have to trust my instincts of over 40 years as a professional photographer
and always like the challenge of properly documenting the unexpected
while it unfolds in front of my eyes... :)

041_DDD_0854.jpg


All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
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Here is one more picture photographed using the SLOW SHUTTER SPEED
for my book "The Art Knives of Van Barnett & Dellana" (2011).

Although the picture speaks for itself, here is its description from the book:

"Cutting the Pearl Scales".
Dellana is using a jeweler's saw with a fine blade (note the size of the blade
in relation to her fingernails), to cut out a rough profile of the gorgeous
Mother-of-Pearl slab chosen for the scales of the handle. This is done carefully or
the pearl will chip or break, not a desirable thing.
Also, notice the speed of the sawing being done. The pearl is held down by her
left hand and the jeweler's saw is used with her right hand.
Many years of using this hand tool have made Dellana adept at not breaking
these tiny blades.

The picture was photographed by my son, Nir.

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

Page_108.jpg
 
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When photographing a WIP it is worth displaying a process
as it is happening, in motion, and then showing also the resulting
outcome - SHOOTING both pictures FROM THE SAME ANGLE OF VIEW.

Here is one example of such a documenting approach, displaying
the first cut Edmund Davidson makes in a bar of steel on the long way
to create a Full Integral knife.

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

From my book "Edmund Davidson, the Art of the Integral Knife" (2008)
Stage-4-1.jpg


Stage-4-2.jpg
 
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As I am always searching for exciting visual effects, I took the "First Cut"
stage (see above, post #16) one step farther.

I could not resist shooting the picture shown below and ended using it for a
full-page illustration in Edmund Davidson's book, just for its aesthetic appeal...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

The-first-cut.jpg
 
Thanks Roger and Mike!

From your posts I know that both of you consider photography
a powerful tool and therefore use it often on the Forums.

I think that paying a little attention and experimenting with
several basic photographic techniques can elevate the results
displayed - not only for documentation purposes but as much
so to educate others to follow suit and strive to improve...

Actually, nowadays, nobody needs 45 years of experience as a
professional photographer to achieve amazing results. Just
a basic digital camera, a tripod, a little patience and some basic
Photoshop experience.

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

p.s. 45 years of experience does help, especially in shortening
the time between seeing a photographic opportunity as it
is happening and actually documenting it properly. It also allows
for a higher rate of success in doing it properly first time... :)
 
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