pictures of a lone traveller

[ghorian]

Edit 8-18-2008: Just a few days ago, I stumbled upon CHDK, which makes taking snaps of yourself a lot more flexible and easy. See my post further down this thread: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...905#post202779


I was asked a couple of times how I make photos of myself in motion.



It needs a suitable camera. Recent models of the Canon Powershot series (in my case, a Powershot S3 IS) have a nifty feature: A 30 second timer, combined with a burst of 10 shots.

Here's how:

Use a tripod. Use a stopwatch. Start the camera timer and the stopwatch at the same time. Jump on the bike, go 100 meters, turn around, and go back towards the camera. Make sure you get into the camera's view after exactly 30 seconds. The camera then goes click, click, click, for 10 shots.

It needs some practice, and it's really only advisable in very low traffic situations. But it's feasible.

[Martynbiker]

Now that is pretty Nifty!..... now can you explain how you get the picture to move like that one you posted?

Cheers

Martyn

[ghorian]

Originally Posted by Martynbiker

Now that is pretty Nifty!..... now can you explain how you get the picture to move like that one you posted?

That one is a so-called "animated GIF". It is a way to combine multiple pictures into one image file, where each frame is to be shown for a specified period.

Any photo edit Program like Photoshop, Paint shop, Corel Photo Edit and a thousand free ones can do that. Just search for free animated gif editor.

However, I suggest you refrain from putting one of those on your web site. People used to do this 15 years ago. Today, it is considered bad style, or downright childish.

Greg

[ghorian]

Originally Posted by ghorian

I was asked a couple of times how I make photos of myself in motion.

Just a few days ago, I stumbled upon CHDK, which makes taking snaps of yourself a lot more flexible and easy.

CHDK (Canon Hacker Development Kit) is a nifty function extension of the firmware of DIGIC-II & III equipped Canon cameras - basically all recent Powershot and IXUS models. CHDK is installed by the user on the camera's memory card and may be activated by the user on demand. CHDK can be downloaded freely, see CHDK - CHDK Wiki

Write Your Own Scripts

You may run your own scripts under CHDK, which allow time-controlled automation of practically all of the camera's buttons and knobs, for example:


Timed Single Shots, Continuous Shot Bursts, and Videos

A suitable script may, after you press the shutter (after the script starts) wait for a specified interval - say, three minutes. Then, it may shoot a specified number of single shots, or a continuous burst, or a video of specified length.

Motion Detector

A script may monitor movements within the viewfinder. When motion is detected, the script may trigger pictures or videos as specified. The motion detecor's sensitivity and area is adjustable.

I have played with CHDK for a few days. I find that self-portraits on a moving Motorcycle have never been easier.



http://www.tdm-forum.net/photos/0000...icAfyD53Ek.jpg

[38thfoot]

Can you tell me where you are trying this next so I can nick your camera??

[ghorian]

Originally Posted by 38thfoot

Can you tell me where you are trying this next so I can nick your camera??

Nowhere near Amesbury, I can tell you that. )

[Alexlebrit]

I wonder if it's available for any other makes, does anyone know, or perhaps can give me ideas for what to Google for.

[ghorian]

Originally Posted by Alexlebrit

I wonder if it's available for any other makes...

No, this is a Canon thing only. Furthermore, it's only for Canon cameras with a DIGIC-II or DIGIC-III processor, which means, Powershot and IXUS models of 2004 and later vintage.

[Neil]

Not to be rude or anything regarding your technique ghorian, but would it not be easier to just film yourself in motion using your digital camera at high-res... then in an appropriate software package, strip the frames into individual images, and then drop some and generate the .GIF that way?

It would save you racing back and forth to the bike wasting your expensive petrol.

(I am referring to PAL opposed to NTSC before we get too technical)

[ghorian]

Neil says:

> Not to be rude or anything regarding your technique ghorian,
> but would it not be easier to just film yourself in motion using your digital camera

That's what this is about, photographs and videos using your digital camera. I'm talking about how to automate camera operation in case you're not accompanied by a camera man.

> film ... at high-res... then in an appropriate software package, strip the
> frames into individual images, and then drop some and generate the .GIF that way?

While you may certainly extract stills from a video, what you get is, resolution- and overall quality-wise, nowhere near a decent digital photo.

> It would save you racing back and forth to the bike wasting your expensive petrol.
> I am referring to PAL opposed to NTSC before we get too technical

Looks like I have not clearly enough described what this is about.

[monsieur]

Some good and useful information here - thanks!

[Neil]

ghorian, I apologise I missed the post about CHDK.

Personally, when using motion shots, if they're to be kept in motion the quality/size is never a "big" issue, so filming (for me) is just fine. However, the CHDK sounds like a cool thing. I can't believed I missed that post.

However, on the defence of the film idea, HD cameras are quite affordable now. I believe there is a digital HD camcorder for under £100, it's quite impressive! Take a look yourself at the DXG-569V, i'd be tempted if I didn't already have and HD camcorder.