Pumpkin Creativity

This article shares over two dozen images of pumpkin creativity that were on display in our local town on the evening of November 1st. The event, Grimsby Glows Pumpkin Parade, was presented by the Rotary Club of Grimsby.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 80 mm, efov 160 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-4000, cropped to 3432 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.9 metres

This was the second annual event, and we’re certainly hoping that it continues in the future.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 57 mm, efov 114 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3072 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.8 metres

Since my wife and I did not attend last year’s event we didn’t know what to expect.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 80 mm, efov 160 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-5000, cropped to 3348 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.9 metres

I fitted my E-M1X with the M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS, and brought my stool along.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 86 mm, efov 172 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-5000, cropped to 3900 pixels on the width, subject distance 2.2 metres

My initial thought was that I could use my stool for additional support to shoot handheld at quite slow shutter speeds as the light disappeared.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 54 mm, efov 108 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-5000, cropped to 3216 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.9 metres

This proved to be an unrealistic plan given the huge crowd and the number of pumpkins on display.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 70 mm, efov 140 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-5000, cropped to 3492 pixels on the width, subject distance 2.3 metres

My wife and I arrived just before 6 PM and left 30 minutes later. During that timeframe I captured 137 handheld images…. or about 1 photograph every 13 seconds on average.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 66 mm, efov 132 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3084 pixels on the width, subject distance 2 metres

All I had time to do was bend from the waist… drop my arms down to about my knees… then compose my images from the rear articulating screen of my camera.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 54 mm, efov 108 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3384 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.8 metres

Even though I was working extremely quickly I doubt that I photographed more than 20-25% of the pumpkins that were on display.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 57 mm, efov 114 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 2916 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.9 metres

As I made my way up, and then back down, the paved pathway in the park, I photographed whichever pumpkins caught my eye.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 61 mm, efov 122 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3648 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.6 metres

The pumpkins were placed on either side of the pathway leading from the main street in town down to the public swimming pool… a distance of perhaps a couple of hundred metres.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 47 mm, efov 94 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3528 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.6 metres

There were a number of occasions when I needed to leave the paved path so I could get close enough to a subject pumpkin that was on the park’s grassed areas.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 54 mm, efov 108 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3635 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.8 metres

In retrospect bringing the M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS was not the best choice of lens. The PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 will be my choice for future events of this type.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 75 mm, efov 150 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3816 pixels on the width, subject distance 2.3 metres

Having an extra stop of light, as well as an additional 50 mm in focal length range (efov 100 mm), would have given me more flexibility.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 44 mm, efov 88 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3684 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.5 metres

Many of the details on the pumpkins really needed to be photographed in decent light, rather than waiting for the pumpkins to be illuminated from the inside.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 66 mm, efov 132 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3408 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.8 metres

Next year, my wife and I will plan to arrive at the park as soon as the event opens to the public at 5:30 PM.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 57 mm, efov 114 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3996 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.7 metres

Hopefully the crowd would be smaller, allowing for more room to roam.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 54 mm, efov 108 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3024 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.7 metres

This may allow me to capture some additional images before the light totally fades.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 66 mm, efov 132 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3228 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.9 metres

I had my E-M1X set for Auto-ISO up to ISO-6400, as I have no problem shooting at this ISO level.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 47 mm, efov 94 mm, f/4, 1/160, ISO-6400, cropped to 3420 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.5 metres

As the light continued to fade, many of my images ended up being woefully underexposed at ISO-6400.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 54 mm, efov 108 mm, f/4.5 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 4044 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.4 metres

Fortunately the auto-focus on my E-M1X worked flawlessly and helped me acquire focus even in very dark conditions.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 54 mm, efov 108 mm, f/4, 1/320, ISO-6400, cropped to 3912 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.2 metres

Since all I had time to do was capture one image attempt per pumpkin, having accurate and reliable auto-focus was critical.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 100 mm, efov 200 mm, f/4, 1/250, ISO-6400, full frame capture, out-of-camera jpeg with no adjustments, subject distance 1.5 metres

Above is an out-of-camera jpeg that I captured towards the end of our 1/2 hour visit.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 100 mm, efov 200 mm, f/4, 1/250, ISO-6400, cropped to 4320 pixels on the width, out-of-camera jpeg, subject distance 1.5 metres

Illustrated above is a processed image created from the corresponding RAW file. To further illustrate the auto-focus capability of my E-M1X under dark conditions, here are two more examples.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 54 mm, efov 108 mm, f/4.5, 1/250, ISO-6400, out-of-camera jpeg with no adjustments, full frame capture, subject distance 1.4 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 54 mm, efov 108 mm, f/4.5, 1/250, ISO-6400, cropped to 3792 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.4 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 47 mm, efov 94 mm, f/4, 1/100, ISO-6400, out-of-camera jpeg with no adjustments, full frame capture, subject distance 1.3 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 47 mm, efov 94 mm, f/4, 1/100, ISO-6400, cropped to 3372 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.3 metres

Like most other photographers, it certainly is not my preference to work in post with underexposed high ISO RAW files. Having said that, this situation was a worthwhile learning  experience.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 50 mm, efov 100 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 4212 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.2 metres

During our visit to the Grimsby Glows Pumpkin Parade I decided to test out a new pair of gloves.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 47 mm, efov 94 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3396 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.6 metres

These were not ‘photographer’s gloves’, but rather a pair of thinner gauge gloves used by runners. These gloves can be used with the touch screens on cellphones.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 47 mm, efov 94 mm, f/4, 1/250, ISO-6400, cropped to 4068 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.5 metres

I learned that I needed to be careful when using these gloves as the palms and fingers are covered with small, rubberized gripping bumps.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 57 mm, efov 114 mm, f/4, 1/250, ISO-6400, cropped to 3576 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.7 metres

These bumps work well when adjusting camera settings, but if I wasn’t mindful when working very quickly with my camera, I could inadvertently change shutter speed or aperture settings.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 31 mm, efov 62 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3840 pixels on the width, subject distance 975 mm

My attempts to carve a pumpkin over the years have been rough and unimaginative when compared to the creations that were on display in town.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 29 mm, efov 58 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 4524 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.2 metres

I found a lot of inspiration in these wonderful examples of pumpkin creativity. Hopefully you found some inspiration as well.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 38 mm, efov 76 mm, f/4, 1/200, ISO-6400, cropped to 3180 pixels on the width, subject distance 1 metre

 Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Images were produced from RAW files using my standard process in post. This is the 1,328 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS @ 54 mm, efov 108 mm, f/4, 1/320, ISO-6400, cropped to 2588 pixels on the width, subject distance 1.2 metres

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2 thoughts on “Pumpkin Creativity”

  1. Please divulge how you arrive at the subject distances? Not so much here with the pumpkins, but in general – BIF etc.
    Many thanks
    Lorenz rychner

    1. Hi Lorenz,

      The subject to distance estimates are done by my E-M1X. After I process a RAW file through DxO and the other software I use, I store my files in Windows Explorer. To have subject distance revealed, I right click on a file… then left click on Properties… then left click on Details which reveals the subject distance. My wife’s E-M1 Mark III also provides these subject distance estimates. Not all cameras provide subject distance. For example, this was not available with my Nikon 1 bodies.

      A number of years ago one of our readers provided this information about using some dedicated software. I’ve never used this software so I cannot comment on it firsthand.

      “Create a folder anywhere on your system; named, say, “ExifToolGUI”
      Download .ZIP file from here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/78rffzxdoultrnr/AAAeL0FnqZEbaDJYOn2GpU5ha… and simply unZIP its contents into your new folder.
      Double-click on ExifToolGUI.exe to start the application – it will open by default to your Users folder.
      1) BEFORE you navigate to a folder containing your images, change the drop-down at the top from “Show ALL Files” to one of the other options (else it will include .dop/sidecar files and will look rather messy)
      2) Navigate to a folder containing your .ORF files… They’ll then be listed in the centre panel.
      3) Select any image/.ORF file and its EXIF data will appear on the RHS.

      Note:
      – You may occasionally see a pop-up with a message something like “List index out of bounds” – – Just click OK and ignore (The app is a bit “flakey” !!)
      – Also, it can get quite busy before it properly shuts-down .. just let it do its thing!”

      Tom

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