Sunday, November 28, 2021

Halloween 2021: SAMHAIN (Or A Tale Of Two Cameras)

Old camera on the left...


Been using a very old Sony digital camera since 2011 to photograph my Haunt.  This year I took two sets of photos using two different cameras, and I went with the photos from the new one due to the detail and colors I was seeing.

My old camera tends to be a bit on the dark side, and the new one a tad on the bright side (despite making setting adjustments or photo edits).  Reality lies somewhere in the middle.

But I wanted to share the photos from my old camera below.  I think they came out pretty neat and definitely captured some of how it really felt to be there on Halloween night.  



























16 comments:

Undeadpumpkinbread said...

I LOVE these! I thought the new camera photos were amazing, but I just can’t help preferring the rich, dark tones, and shadows, of the old one. This feels more like what the naked eye would see. It lets the carved faces stand out more, and the green of the cauldron, pop.

Undeadpumpkinbread said...

Forgot to say, that is absolutely my favorite photo of the ghost!

Rot said...

Thanks. It wasn't an easy choice, and I debated mixing the two photo sets together in the same Halloween post, but I think the flow would have been hosed up.

But I think these darker ones definitely capture a mood that the sharp ones have lost.

Revenant Manor said...


There's no question that it's great to see the additional details (the side-by-side at the top of the post really illustrates what's "missing"), but there is no question that there is a certain moodiness that the lack of clarity and distinction allows.

Definitely a tough choice for the photographer, but ending up with both is not such a bad deal for the rest of us.



Rot said...

haha Thanks, RM.

Undeadpumpkinbread said...

I agree. I liked getting to see both, for the detail, but they are for sure their own style, and elicit different reactions. Do you think you’ll do the two different cameras again? As long as the older one lasts.

Rot said...

Oh, I have a feeling I'll be using both cameras again (I have two old digitals so they should both be just fine come next Halloween).

I'm too uptight when it comes to taking photos...and always take a ton...

More is less in my book. haha
Which explains why past years had 70+ photos.

Undeadpumpkinbread said...

Excellent!

Haha, I’m the same way. Why take one photo, when 10 of the same shot will do? Then you have to find the slightest variation, that makes one shot better than the rest. Probably perfectionist qualities.

Rot said...

the curls of fog in one photo compared to the curls of fog in another photo...

Mike C(JASONV123) said...

I love them both!!!

Rot said...

Thanks, Mike!

Nebulosus said...

Both sets are certainly amazing -- but I too love the saturation and richness of the older camera. However, some of the clarity and sharpness of shots taken by the new camera are fantastic, too. You've always been great at capturing your subjects regardless of what equipment you're using, I'm looking forward to what you can do with the new rig!

Rot said...

Thanks, Nebulosus!

The Gill-Man said...

I'll agree with my fellows above here that the old camera definitely has more atmosphere and gives off a much more natural, spooky vibe. The new camera is great for showing detail in the props though, which is something that has merit as well (especially for all of us who love to see every last nook and cranny of a prop!).

I almost view the old camera shots as the "movie" and the new camera pics as "behind the scenes", if that makes sense.

Rot said...

That makes a TON of sense, actually.
I Feel the same way. I feel like my heart is in the old camera's photos.
And the new one is just the "fun" photos.

Ragged Grin said...

Man I have to agree. The new shots with the “old” shooter, they just have a murky kind of richness to them. Coincidentally almost every shot I took of this years haunt was edited “in post” to tone down the brightness. I think it’s good to leave a little mystery to what’s before you up in the fog and the dark, makes it that much more foreboding.