Friday, January 2, 2009

Another Snow Day

These two photos were taken less than a minute apart but at different camera settings. The first one (top) was taken at a lower ISO and shutter speed, thereby giving the snow a stringy-like effect. The second photo (bottom) was taken at a much higher ISO and shutter speed and that is why you can see the individual snow flakes.

So which photo do you prefer? The low speed effect or the high speed look?

35 comments:

Wayne said...

If you can put the fellow with the trench coat and goatee in the second shot you've really got something.

I liked the top one until I saw the bottom one and then I liked it better.

JuxtaExposed.com said...

my money is on top photo. the longer exposure produced an image that I think is more akin to actually being out in a snow storm. both shots are lovely though.

Rachel said...

Definitely the bottom one!

Lovely photos

Anonymous said...

two great shots it's hard to make a choice ...may be the first but i really love the both !

PeterParis said...

Thanks for the "lesson"! I use only automatic. Must learn!

(Maybe a preference for the second one.)

I have the feeling that we have similar weather conditions!

Missy,Mrs and Mum said...

The second one is brilliant. Well done ming, happy new year!!

Jun said...

hi ming! may u hav a wonderful yr ahead, free of snowstorms, metaphorically speaking ;p

oh, and it's definitely the high speed one for me. good shot!

Anonymous said...

I love both, the snow you have captured is fantastic. Great winter street scenes.

Gary.

Paul Godin said...

I like the top one better, I think it has more clarity. We've been having a lot of snow lately and I never thought of slowing things down as you did to get a different perspective. Thanks for sharing!!

Changes in the wind said...

Like the second one best:) BRRRRRR it looks so cold.............

Saretta said...

I much prefer the second one...I like seeing the flakes! Sent you an email about your trip to Rome.

vakeraj said...

The second- the first looks like rain.

valeria said...

I love the second one!!!

Bernice and Dan said...

My choice is high speed. I'm always so rushed that I just point and shoot, then get effects with photoshop. Happy New Year!

Virginia said...

WEll Ming you got me on this one. Like Wayne Iiked that guy in the top but then I really like all that snow in the bottom. Two excellent ones my friend. Glad to see you trying those settings! I still fumble around with them constantly. Many times I think Peter is the smart one keeping it on automatic. Will I ever learn it all?

• Eliane • said...

I like the second one a lot! It is more dramatic and more "real", more natural to me.
The first one is very nice but it looks almost fake to me: as if someone took a pencil and added the snow. Maybe it's the top edge of the frame that tweaks my perception - looks a bit like those tacky frames where there is a dissolving effect on the edges.If I cut the top edge just 0.5cm, I like it much better.
I feel bad to criticize - both pictures are fantastic compared to what I am able to do. But hey, you asked. ;) And thanks for the mini lesson. Hope you'll do more of these in 2009: my father gave me his old Leika (film!) and I need to learn a bit more than "click here" before I can take it for a spin. :)

Anonymous said...

i like the second one! i like to see the blobs of snow coming down.

bitingmidge said...

The second one gets my vote too!

Have a fantastic 2009 Ming!

Sunshine Coast Daily - Australia

teahouse said...

Wow, that's pretty awesome.

I think the second photo conveys more of the chaos of the snow, but the first is also very artistic in the lines.

Anonymous said...

I prefer the second one. It's more impressive. I love the pink touch(glove)right in the middle.
It's my pleasure to look at and to read your blog every day. Many thanks for N.Y daily life.
May I wish you Ming a very Happy New Year?

kuanyin333 said...

Lower one because it conveys more action! Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Ming the M.!

I definitely prefer the second - there's more feeling and vogue to it! I love your blog. Hope the new year will give you a good doze of peps!

thwany said...

i like the second one --- the first one looks like snow.

Ken Mac said...

university place! They used to have great cigars, then some schmuck took over...

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Ming from Dee Dee in Florida

Keeping up with your exceptional photography...my blog is new and closed to comments...bad experience...Good blessings for 2009

Ming the Merciless said...

Good to hear from you, DeeDee. Sorry to hear about your bad experience.

Happy New Year.

Anonymous said...

I like them both...but I do think I like the one on the bottom best.

Anonymous said...

Both are exceptional and make me wish for snow and cold for at least a day! Sunny California has been kind of cold and foggy for two days.

The second photo is my favorite. I like seeing the individual snow flakes.

Happy 2009 Ming.

Doris

Kitty said...

neat contrast of photos.
We've gotten so much snow lately it's an odd feeling, compared to last year when we had very little.

glad you're making use of the new camera!

sonia a. mascaro said...

Great photos, but the second one gets my vote!

Happy New Year!

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

i don't know, but i think i prefer the first one with the lower ISO. the top photo gives me a sense of ambiguity. is it snowing or raining? i think the first photo is more directional with the lines, and the second is just kind of snow that is randomly floating around...

Jilly said...

Definitely the second one, Ming and thanks for the lesson. In the second one, it looks like snow, the first one, it could be rain? Not sure.

NormanTheDoxie said...

I like the bottom one....very interesting!

Gecko said...

I prefer the second one, but they're both great!!! =D

Just Roaming The Cities said...

Wow, Ming, its been awhile since I stopped by, its been crazy-busy for me lately. You have some fabulous photos as usual on your blog. I like both these shots, and what I thought before I read your commentary was that the top and bottom were one with rain, one with snow. I like them both. But for dramatic effect, the snow one looks wilder and more arctic! BRRR!! Looks like Minnesota there.