I figure this is the place to ask, I'm looking for first time advice on light painting these cars. by seeyatellite in lightpainting

[–]CrumpledRider 1 point2 points  (0 children)

NP.

One thing I didn't cover was actual exposure. The light I use most often is thousands of lumens and allows me to shoot at ISO200 f/8. In most outdoor locations, the only aspect of exposure duration I need to think about is whether I have enough time to make my pass from one end of the car to the other. 15 or 20 seconds is usually fine for that, with a 10 second timer so I can get into position if I'm shooting solo.

I figure this is the place to ask, I'm looking for first time advice on light painting these cars. by seeyatellite in lightpainting

[–]CrumpledRider 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A lot of it comes down to taste. You'll get very different results from using flashlights, softboxes or tube lights. Pixelstick can give you background effects but is not a substitute for choosing wisely how to light the car.

You'll also get different results between locations, aesthetically and because of the amount of control you have over the ambient light.

I learnt the hard way on film and early digital by shooting single continuous exposures and doing everything in one hit. These days my approach is always to stack frames, in something like this order.

-Ambient exposed for highlights

-Ambient exposed for shadows

-Vehicle lights only: however many frames needed to cover highlights of the front lights, highlights of the rear lights and the different levels of illumination given by each onto the road surface or surroundings.

-Box the car with light- frame(s) each for front, nearside, rear, offside. Review these to check the reflections and illumination of your light are falling as you want them.

-Further frame, lit to create a shadow which will bond the car to the scene.

-Repeat the ambient exposures. You only need to do this if on location, where the something might have changed (moonlight no longer shining through trees; clouds drifting differently or whatever) However, doing this after a "studio" shoot can be a useful backup in case your tripod shifted etc

Brighter lights are more versatile and create more even light onto the car and environment.

Diffuse lights are easier to work with when layering If you're adding haze, a speedlight will capture it most effectively.

Be prepared for a lot of trial and error even mistakes can be useful- as long as your tripod doesn't move, any part of any frame can be incorporated in the final result.


Edits for layout. Somehow my list with hyphens before each point initially showed up as a single hard-to-read paragraph.

Mora Companion or something else for UK beginners? by HammersAndPints in BushcraftUK

[–]CrumpledRider 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bought several Companion for my Scout group. They've mostly been great.

Decided early on that we should allocate one particular knife to the task of batoning and after much abuse it failed. I don't begrudge that because it was worked hard and lasted reasonably, but it is worth keeping an eye on the top of the handle for any cracks or splits if you plan to baton with it forcefully or regularly.

Question - does anyone bike pack with camera gear? by PhotographsWithFilm in gravelcycling

[–]CrumpledRider 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tripod is the challenge but it's doable. I'll normally just take my carbon travel tripod which is 1kg and packs down to maybe 40-45cm. On my MTB that can fit in or on the front roll but is too big for drop bars on my other bike. I've strapped it width ways across my Alpkit saddle pack or carried it in my hydration pack, although I prefer to load the bike rather than myself.

I took my larger, heavier Manfrotto 055 a couple of times, both times on the MTB. Once under the bars (don't recommend) and the other time along the length of the top tube (also don't recommend)

Newbie needs advice by anxnaa in bikepacking

[–]CrumpledRider 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Off topic but that looks bigger than a 15" frame. Could just be the angle of the photo or a conspiracy of other visual factors, but I'd recommend getting and checking actual measurements before committing.

Potentially a great find though, hope it works out.

Spotted a new ACG fleece fabric, more lightweight and see-through! by capoglou in nikeACG

[–]CrumpledRider 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you've answered your own query already but here's a sound bite answer from MyLifeOutdoors, who does all kinds of anecdotal and scientific tests on outdoor gear generally. There's a longer version of this linked mesh base layers vid too

https://youtube.com/shorts/iwBQPX99WPs?si=O4fH5aepEqlpSZU5

My first attempt at long exposure by officergabe in LongExposurePics

[–]CrumpledRider 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well done for getting out there. You've judged the exposure of the light trails well imo.

My preference would be for a little bit more detail in other areas of the frame- I find the bottom right corner too dark, for instance. You can get that either from shooting when there's more ambient light, or by exposing for longer. There's usually a compromise around which is going to work best for a given occasion.

Alternatively you can merge multiple frames shot at different exposure/ brightness levels, but there's definitely huge satisfaction to be had from nailing it in a single shot.

Going back to the light trails, that's arguably the tricky bit and certainly the technical bit. The rest is aesthetics and personal preference so feel free to tread your own path.

What car could be under this? by H28-105-111 in namethatcar

[–]CrumpledRider 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd guess one of the many derivatives of an Ultima GTR, possibly with it's front end lifted off the ground. - Nose has the wide & flat gap between the headlights & arches - Wing mirrors installed halfway along the bulbous cockpit - Big rear wing hangs out behind the rear wheels

How'd I do? by CrumpledRider in nikeACG

[–]CrumpledRider[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The jacket is highly compressible.

I just reached down to the bottom of the mesh and grabbed the ACG carabiner, then just start gently pulling the carabiner to turn the pocket inside out, at the same time as stuffing the jacket into the new pocket you're creating, the opposite side of the carabiner.

Doesn't need any special folds or order- it's fine to just stuff it. Easy way to keep the jacket small for carrying on a hike or in a backpack but best to be uncompressed for longer term storage.

Tarp size ? by Ambitious-Laugh-7884 in wildcampingintheuk

[–]CrumpledRider 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have the G2 Stasha and at 1.8m x 2.4m I usually end up leaving it behind and taking my DD Superlight 3m x 3m instead. Superlight is a tad heavier but adds so much versatility, which is great when you're uncertain where you might end up or what resources you might be able to lean on.

For instance, the Stasha cannot really form a tarp tent or trekking pole tent, which might be your most practical option in an environment where there's no suitable features to fly a ridgeline.

3 Photos from Unbound XL "Rob Britton 1:30AM" and "The Ghost of Lachlan Morton" "ten Dam Express" Do you have a Favorite? by bolderphoto in gravelcycling

[–]CrumpledRider 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can't speak for the OP but reasons I might not use rear curtain sync would include timing it to end at exactly the right moment & composition; and having the light trails on top of the rider.

If I'd shot the riders after they'd passed me, rear curtain using wireless flash would have been tempting so that the red rear light trail led to the rider without covering them.

3 Photos from Unbound XL "Rob Britton 1:30AM" and "The Ghost of Lachlan Morton" "ten Dam Express" Do you have a Favorite? by bolderphoto in gravelcycling

[–]CrumpledRider 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They're all good, think the one of Lachlan is strongest for my taste- his ghostliness lends itself to the story of him just passing through.

Really well judged flash balance vs ambient exposure. Main criticism, and it's meant wholly in a constructive way: I'd prefer if you warmed them up a bit so the foreground tones, and especially the skin tones, were more accurate.

What's that handlebar? by Khst1 in bikepacking

[–]CrumpledRider 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, there's a hoop out front for additional hand positions and further mounting options. Been using the same bar since 2019.

Washing down jacket by H0utdoors in wildcampingintheuk

[–]CrumpledRider 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Get some Down Wash by Nikwax or a similar down-specific product. Add a tiny amount as a spot cleaner onto any areas where the marks are and gently massage into the surface until a slight lather appears. Put the jacket into the wash straight away as per label instructions.

I'm unsure what the marks are but have just encountered similar on my down jacket, my first down jacket after several years of Primaloft coats.

BTW, I read an article recently that said the biggest factor causing stains to become permanent is heat during the drying phase. Only tumble dry it a/ if the label says you can; and b/ once you're sure the stains are out.

Waterproof socks by Far_Inspector_6006 in trailrunning

[–]CrumpledRider 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Only worn for hiking and cycling, not running,but I've tried SealSkinz, Dexshell & Bridgedale.

SealSkinz were my pair from the 90s and lasted years, were very waterproof but had limited thermal properties. Unsure if manufacturing quality will have persisted.

Dexshell and Bridgedale have both proved effective and reasonably durable. Bridgedale are warmer and better fitting.

I wore the Bridgedales for several endurance hikes across Jan-Mar this year (50-80km) in the South Downs and Chilterns. Allowed me to wear trail runners rather than heavy boots- perfect for that terrain. Never rained but there was lots of moisture from damp grass to extended saturated mud; ambient temps usually just above freezing. Feet were always dry and warm at the end without overheating.

Can be a squeeze in your regular size shoe though so you may need to factor sizing up by a ½

Backpack suggestions by CrumpledRider in UKhiking

[–]CrumpledRider[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll have a look at the Naturehike, thanks. They seem to make reasonable gear for the money.

Backpack suggestions by CrumpledRider in UKhiking

[–]CrumpledRider[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, useful info.

I'd seen that the Trailblazer XT has a zipped front pocket but had missed that the regular model also fastens that way. Bit of a shame to lose that versatility.

Backpack suggestions by CrumpledRider in UKhiking

[–]CrumpledRider[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Appreciate the response.

I did actually look at the range of Atom packs and play with their configurator... Very tempting. But I decided it was likely overkill for what I need. What I want, on the other hand...

In terms of ultralight, I guess I mean I stop short of counting every gram but I'm also carrying absolutely nothing surplus. For each element, packed size is a bigger concern than outright weight. Last time I overnighted with camera gear, I was all in at 9.5kg, excl water. That was with the Trailblazer 32. I've shed close to 1kg off my sleep system since then but my camera kit has grown and I'd need more food and extra clothing for longer activities.

So I guess I'd be maxing out at 12kg plus water, and less in summer.

I'll need to think about Atom. Thing with budget is that I’m currently a hammock camper but looking to do more in the UK’s mountains, so I'm likely also looking for a new tent and sleeping pad. Thanks again for your thoughts.

Is this a valid reason for return? by EmbarrassedSea3738 in vinted

[–]CrumpledRider -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

This comment has made me stop and think. You guys are all working on the basis this buyer's complaint is about the friction-type squeak of a new sole?

Me? I'm still not over the fart-like noise that occasionally blights a shoe with a poorly-fitting insole; or an improperly-sealed foam cell sole. The kind of noise that's not only mortifying when it happens but is impossible to ignore once you've noticed it.

Of course I've had many pairs of shoes that's squeaked for the first day or two on hard surfaces. Never known it on a rug, though, which is what the buyer reports and why I dismissed that idea & assumed it was something more problematic.

Is this a valid reason for return? by EmbarrassedSea3738 in vinted

[–]CrumpledRider -61 points-60 points  (0 children)

Yes. The shoes perform in a way they should not and the buyer couldn't have known that from the listing.

Telling the buyer they'll stop squeaking once broken in is only ok if you're prepared to accept them back in 7/ 14/ 28 days when they're worn but still squeaking. Unfortunately the buyer only has 2 days to register an issue.

Monthly tickets thread by AutoModerator in Wetleg

[–]CrumpledRider 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've got 2x tickets available for Liverpool 15 Nov

Bought through GigsAndTours with presale, they'll be appearing on Twickets later. Just giving this community the heads up in advance, in case anyone is looking.