The “Jarvie Window” Experience

Written on February 14, 2010 Posted in ! Favorite Posts, Events, individual portraits


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Fates align New fun emerges

The fates aligned and the photo angels have blessed us with the coolest thing ever.

At the Photowalking Utah event today. See their website. (Organized in part by Rich Legg)
There were a bunch of lighting setups (at least 10)
I wandered around with one extra. My ring light on my sb-900 flash.

I set it to manual and figured out good manual settings and let everyone use it even the canon shooters were shooting with the nikon flash on manual.

Enter 8mm

At the end of the event a friend (Jeremy B.)
Lent me his 8mm fisheye… I’m thinking what in the world would I do with this lens… I wanna play with my flash.
Oh well… maybe I’ll just keep it on. (Read later for more of what I was thinking)

Well getting to the point… This is what happens.
A couple of inches away from their face. Short enough lens that it actually sees the ring flash.

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“Jarvie Window”

Consider it shamelessly branded. haha

Really. I’m not opposed to calling it something else, but I do want it to be called something. And that something should be cool and memorable.

Before I posted the pictures (full gallery)
I asked what we should call it, so I could title the post and what not.

Only a few people spoke up but they came up with “Jarvie Window”
I figured it would be fun and catchy.

I assume others will continue to do this because it really is quite simple and very fun.

Now this being said… I like my last name and I’m not shy.
But it’s not like it’s a typical thing. And the literal “Through the Ring Flash fisheye” isn’t too catchy ;)

Yes you will see me doing this again… often

Yes it’s very gimmicky and doesn’t replace being able to take good pictures otherwise.
But you better believe that I’m going to be doing this a lot.

A whole series of faces in square format, doing crazy stuff.
Up in the face… no personal space allowed.

I can totally see this as the hit of a party or wedding reception.
There’s something me and Bryan Jones just couldn’t put a finger on… something about it that makes it so endearing.
It has to do with shooting through the circle.
Yes the lighting is cool.
Yes it’s often more of a caricature Than a picture

I’m just someone somewhere has stumbled across it in a similar fashion… but they sure didn’t share it much, because it didn’t catch on.

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More technical?

Put the flash on the lowest setting… i was doing 1/128th
Use a super wide that is short enough that it won’t actually go through the ring flash.
Use a ring flash like this Ray Flash – (Also available at OPGear)

Put the aperture up at around f/8

Be careful to focus on the eyes really well.
And then just get CLOSE.
And be creative.

Camera+Flash+RayFlash+8mm lens+Characters

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This is the man! (Above)
He said “Hey Scott try out this lens”

And I thought I could be sensible and take off the ring flash.
Or I could be half lazy and half non-sensible and one more half inquisitive.

Apparently the 8mm is available for $900 from B&H – Nikon version here

And the Ray Flash is available through places like pictureline – here – (Also available at OPGear)

my guess is they’ll be selling out fast with sites like Strobist and Photofocus featuring it soon.

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FULL GALLERY – On SmugMug

  • 27 Comments

Mike Roberts: I think this is loads of fun. I first saw the one of Emily, then the one of David Terry and her. Thanks for the description of the evolution of the Jarvey Window.

The Jarvie Window – and so it goes...: [...] friend Scott has done a very in depth review and post over on his blog about this new phenomenon (bum ba mun na num). The Jarvie Window – it is like a crazy, almost [...]

Jeremy: And I am promptly going to trim my nose hair before I go to church today... sheesh, I look like a dang party favor. Always a pleasure Scott.

Aria: Wow, very very cool!! Perfect for parties and receptions! I want to try this out sometime....and I'll be sure to use the proper name of the invention. :)

Nathan Marx: Can't help but sit and chuckle. Great series! Fun seeing you at the meetup!

sloanie: Oh man, these are so great. I totally want a "Jarvie Window"! (how do you like that Ray Flash Ring? I'm loving how the light looks in these photos.)

Jeff: lol, awesome!

justin: So fun and creative. Any chance we can see a photo of what the setup looks like?

Corey Luke: Thanks Scott, These are fantastic!

scott: Justin: I didn't get any pictures of me shooting. But I think a few other people did. I'll ask around.

ScottJarvie: A picture of me shooting the "Jarvie Window" by @jrbechthold shows how close you are... many people got even closer http://bit.ly/aheaZ7

justin: Thanks for linking to the setup shot.

Joanna Taylor: This is fantastic. Love.

Chris: How much would the effect be changed if a 14mm fisheye were used instead of an 8mm?

scott: Well I'm not sure... the important thing is how short is the lens... it needs to be able to see the ring flash. My 14-24 is way too long it goes past the ring flash. I'd also like to try the 10.5 nikon... but I have a feeling not many lenses will work. But it's worth a shot to see.

Studio Photowalk 2010 « Ziggy P Photography Blog: [...] This year we had aroudn 200 photographers show up to shoot several models in 9 different planned lighting setups, and on impromptu setup (The Jarvie Window). [...]

Photowalking Utah 3rd Annual Studio Event Video Wrap Up » What’s Gotta Stay: [...] The “Jarvie Window” Experience Utah by Scott Jarvie [...]

Having fun with the Jarvie Window, Fisheye Flash and Fun! — Scott Wyden Imagery: [...] from Utah, came up with a cool idea using a fisheye lens and a Rayflash.  He called it the Jarvie Window.  Not only is it a brilliant idea and a really awesome concept but the name has a great ring to [...]

The Jarvie Window « Andres Bilderblog: [...] Schaut am Besten selbst: Scott Jarvie – ‘The Jarvie Window’ [...]

Rachel Hope: That is so cool!

Kristen@TheFrugalGirl: What a cool idea! Now I just need a ring flash and wide lens. lol

Ryan Kaplan: I love it! Thanks for coming up with something new like that. I've got to try this at my next wedding... Camera Caricatures (using the Jarvie Window, of course). It's like an extension of the photobooth... sort of a mobile photobooth.

Katie: so this might be a dumb question, but you mentioned you took the ring flash off-- how are you able to hold the ring flash and the camera steady at the same time?? Did you have the subject hold it??

Rayflash Arrival!: [...] Heres a link to the originals! jarviestudios.com/blog/2010/02/the-jarvie-window-experience/ [...]

PJ: Maybe a lowbudget Samyang (or one of the many others which are Samyang based) 8mm MF fisheye will work? The Sigma is 68.6 mm/2.7" in length and the Samyang is 74,8 mm/2.94" in length. Or will the 5,8mm/0.24" be too much? I have the Samyang so i think im gonna get the ringlight soon.

ange fitzgerald: we respectfully request the honor of a photo interview. I am with the team at www.photopol.us (rhymes with metropolis) and we were wondering if you might consider being featured as a future/potential Art Star on our photo blog. we think your work is brilliant and would be thrilled to have you. if interested, please email me and I will send you the interview questions and requirements.

Fun with the “Jarvie Window” « Fallon Chan: [...] This past weekend during my annual get together with friends, I wanted to do something different with photobooth pictures. Last time we met up, I had set up a photobooth which turned out to be a great success and very fun with props. One of my friends suggested that I try something called the Jarvie Window. [...]

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