LED Hula Hoop Photos

[emphoto04]

My friend has this neat rainbow colored LED hula hoop and with a slow shutter speed I've been able to get some neat photos of her doing tricks with it. We're just having an issue finding a place that is dark enough as I think the street lights behind her sort of ruin the photo but I thought I'd see what you guys think. I've recently come up with the idea to try hanging the black sheet I use as a backdrop on a tree or something which we'll try next time, I'm just not sure it'll be big enough.There's two competitions I'm looking for photos to enter and I think that if I can get this right, one of these might be a good one to enter. Here are what I think are two of the best we got that first night (we've tried two more times in two other locations since but these are still the best):

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Thanks in advance for you opinions.

[traveldoug]

Outdoors you always risk uncontrollable lights. Street lights, moonlight, et.......
Even stars can brighten an outdoor shot too much.

Have you considered trying it in a large dark room like a basketball court or a major auditorium.
Or maybe a warehouse. For extra protection, cover those walls/windows with black backdrop.

Does this contest allow editing? You could fix some of these light issues, but I am afraid not all of them.

[emphoto04]

Yes editing is allowed......both of these already have some editing done to them to make them darker but I don't have any good programs yet, just Windows Live Photo Gallery and Picasa. I know a couple dark places away from the streets but the ground is gravel, dirt or pavement and the hoop is fragile and expensive so grass is preferable for the just in case she drops it or something but mention of a basketball court has made me realize that maybe we could find a gym or something with mats. And covering the windows is another good idea. Thanks

[snturner]

Both are pretty neat. I like the second one best. The white light that looks kind of like lightning tops it off for me. It would be nice however if the background were black or at least darker. Probably what traveldog is referring to about uncontrollable lights.

[Fujicaman]

I like both of them.

Where do you get these LED hula-hoops ? You've kinda inspired me.

[Skipper]

Very cool. Nice job.

[drh681]

use a smaller aperture, that will reduce the ambient light exposure. Use just enough ISO.

oh yeah, dont forget about using layers!