If I were you, I would be tempted to enter that in a photo contest. Just sayin'.

If I were you, I would be tempted to enter that in a photo contest. Just sayin'.

thanks MaxPower! I was thinking the same thing and searched a bit last night for some contests.

I have some other photos from that session so I'm trying to decide which is the best one.
I might post more later. :)

here's another shot of the buck walking towards me.

I cropped it b/c a doe stepped in at the left right before I snapped so I have her head in the original. even the uncropped is nice

hey folks, I'll keep you posted, but I might be headed back there tomorrow on my way home - apparently, that buck has lost one of his antlers which would make for a very interesting photo :)

I agree with ScanMan re the shadow on the first, but I like the second better. Nice job.

Hi Smart Friends!

I need advice on lighting.

I want to shoot some indoor portraits, posed. (people, and animals)

I've collected a few lights over the years, umbrellas, scoops, but even when all are fired up together, it's not enough light.

I've seen some nice softboxes and portrait light kits, but I don't know what to get.

I'm drawn toward the CFL kits, keeping things cool and shooting what I see.
( Plus, I don't know anything about flash photography and would have to learn that whole gig.)

I have a Canon 5D MK II.

I'm also considering signing up for Henry's portrait photography workshop.
The price is reasonable, and unless someone can give me a compelling reason not to, I'll go ahead and attend that.

I have several books, and lists of more "must read" books on portrait lighting, but it's the actual lighting gear that I don't know about.

As usual, price is a consideration. :o

Thanks!

Why isn't there enough light? Are you trying to shoot full length portraits w/ the pet at the side? Are these being taken at night or in rooms without natural light?

If you need full length in a studio type setting at some distance, then you'll probably need something like 600-800watt monolights with very large softboxes for your key and fill, plus a background light, hair lights, etc.

Vistek.ca has some specials on Elinchrom kits if you want to spend the $$.

Why not save yourself the money and use natural light with reflectors and fill using small strobes?

Lots of good (affordable) choices for CFL based softboxes out there these days, but sadly not from Vistek ;) Lots on ebay, even a few decent canadian sellers. Saw a decent setup with 2 softboxes (all CFL based, 5300k), 4 sockets per box. 800w equivalents. Both softboxes with stands and even carrying bag were < $300 cdn shipped.

Now that said ... a softbox is not the only thing you need if you want to do really good portraiture work. Read up on 3 point lighting -- it can make a HUGE difference in the final quality. That said a lot of people prefer flash/strobes + umbrellas for portraiture. I'm more of an available light kinda shooter personally -- but I don't do much portrait type stuff.

Lots of good (affordable) choices for CFL based softboxes out there these days, but sadly not from Vistek ;) Yup. Just had a confusing look at Vistek's offerings, and couldn't even figure out the lingo. I think almost everything I looked at was flash-based, but I'm not even sure of that. :o

Lots on ebay, even a few decent canadian sellers. Saw a decent setup with 2 softboxes (all CFL based, 5300k), 4 sockets per box. 800w equivalents. Both softboxes with stands and even carrying bag were < $300 cdn shipped.
That sounds great! I will look for that, or something equivalent. :clap:

Is there anything special I should look for, terms used, items not to get?

... Helloooo, eBay! .....

Lots of good (affordable) choices for CFL based softboxes out there these days, but sadly not from Vistek ;) Lots on ebay, even a few decent canadian sellers. .

Maybe Home Depot will have a sale on those halogen work lights with stands.;)

I used giant fresnels in Ryerson many years ago and they'd melt lead from 6' away.:D

Strobes rule!

Never used fluorescent, but I don't think they have enough power. For video, maybe.

Maybe Home Depot will have a sale on those halogen work lights with stands.;)

I used giant fresnels in Ryerson many years ago and they'd melt lead from 6' away.:D

Strobes rule!

Never used fluorescent, but I don't think they have enough power. For video, maybe.

The new CFL stuff provides a surprising amount of light. The ones I checked out were 4 bulbs per box and were equivalent to about 800 watts of light per softbox ... that's lots of light. Those work halogens are harsh light, especially for photography (a little more forgiving for video, but not that much, you still want to diffuse them).

What to watch out for ... get the ones that have the multiple switches on the back of them (they are built better than the ones that have no switches on them). Also lots of the softboxes selling on ebay are e27 sockets .. you don't want those ones. e27 sockets are the standard sockets for europe .. you want the e26 socket ones (those are for north america). Also the full kits are a good option as they come with the proper bulbs already (non-flicker and 5300k color temperature).

These are the specific ones I was looking at: 800W PHOTO/VIDEO 2 SOFTBOX LIGHT KIT And 8 CFL BULBS - eBay (item 360221008475 end time Jan-05-10 14:03:37 PST) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360221008475#ht_1763wt_1121)

I've emailed back and forth with the seller a bit, seems pretty knowledgeable and most of the stuff they sell on their ebay store is at least decent quality. Lots of shoddy stuff on ebay too so be careful! Not to say these are super high-end or anything .. but they at least seem workable!

Also worth noting if you're going to start adding light into your shooting, make sure not to mix and match colour temperatures! Again something worth reading up on there. Most times if you're going to be adding light make sure you have full control over the lighting in the environment. These lights would NOT be good to add along with standard tungsten lights (colour temperature of around 3200k).

Maybe Home Depot will have a sale on those halogen work lights with stands.;)

I used giant fresnels in Ryerson many years ago and they'd melt lead from 6' away.:D...Haha! Yeah, I've used the hardware store "Yellow Heads" on many a video shoot. Clothes pins and gels hanging off the lights' little safety grids. Memories!

When I was at Rye High (RTA), The lights were hot, the beer was cold, and the camera sensors were routinely scarred by first-year students. :o

Thanks for the info, mguertin! I never would have known about the e26/e27, and the other details.
I'll check the store you recommend.

Thanks, Folks! :clap:

I was kidding about the work lights, but I have seen DIY photo articles using them.

My biggest worry with the ebay stuff is quality and safety. Those light stands look flimsy and probably tip over easily without being weighed down and hopefully the lights themselves wont burn your house down.

Plus this: Free UPS ground shipping=huge brokerage fee. LOL

... Those light stands look flimsy and probably tip over easily without being weighed down and hopefully the lights themselves wont burn your house down....Good point. Wouldn't hurt to invest in a few sand bags.
Remember the old days, when you'd just pop in to William F. White?:rolleyes:

White is still around, they go under Cinequip I think and they're no longer in that hole on Munster, but took over part of what used to be GE or Sunbeam at Islington & Noreseman.

I was kidding about the work lights, but I have seen DIY photo articles using them.

My biggest worry with the ebay stuff is quality and safety. Those light stands look flimsy and probably tip over easily without being weighed down and hopefully the lights themselves wont burn your house down.

Plus this: Free UPS ground shipping=huge brokerage fee. LOL

That particular seller is in Canada (kitchener) so no brokerage on that one ;)

Those stands do look a bit flimsy, but sandbags are cheap (good light stands are not!) :D

I have a few of those work lights, they do work for certain things ... I have a video "set" in my garage that I use those to light (mostly via white bounce boards) and they work fine for that and much cheaper than real lighting solutions :)

That particular seller is in Canada (kitchener) so no brokerage on that one ;)

Those stands do look a bit flimsy, but sandbags are cheap (good light stands are not!) :D

I have a few of those work lights, they do work for certain things ... I have a video "set" in my garage that I use those to light (mostly via white bounce boards) and they work fine for that and much cheaper than real lighting solutions :)

Kitchener..must have missed it due to the currency on the asking price. Price is good, wonder if they're imports.

Prefer bags of lead bird shot...they also double as muzzle support at the range.:D

That's one way to heat the garage...;)

White is still around, they go under Cinequip... Hey, thanks kps! Looked them up and they're still here in Ottawa, too!

During pre-production, I used to love going with the Focus Puller to collect and test the DoP's list of lenses.

WFW's warehouse-sized space let us test long lenses, at something like 20 or 30 feet.
And, yes, it felt like an abandoned auto-service depot from the 50's, but wow, those guys were/are insanely meticulous professionals.

And WFW must have had amazing dust control!

Man, this is dredging up some sepia-toned recollections ... :)

Man, this is dredging up some sepia-toned recollections ... :)

Good one! Keep the sepia-toned memories, 'cause it ain't what it was:

COMWEB GROUP (http://www.comwebgroup.com/about.htm)

Kitchener..must have missed it due to the currency on the asking price. Price is good, wonder if they're imports.

Imports for sure, but at least they are made for north america unlike most of the other imports you see on ebay with softboxes ;)

Imports for sure, but at least they are made for north america unlike most of the other imports you see on ebay with softboxes ;)Bought it yesterday. Waiting for shipping. I'll let you know what I think.

Also took lots of advice under consideration about moving ahead with macro photography.
- Tomorrow, I am picking up a used, Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Lens (for Canon).

Okay, must stop spending now. :eek:

Bought it yesterday. Waiting for shipping. I'll let you know what I think.

Also took lots of advice under consideration about moving ahead with macro photography.
- Tomorrow, I am picking up a used, Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Lens (for Canon).

Okay, must stop spending now. :eek:

Awesome. I know that feeling myself ... I've been building up the video gear lately and just yesterday ordered a cheap matte box setup from India :)

Let us know how that kit works out (and the lens of course!)

Way to go Soy!

I'd love to see the results once you start using the lights and the macro.

While we're waiting for Soy, this page needs a pic. ;)

How'd you like to have that for a back yard? lol

http://www.ikarl.com/pics/ehmac/kps_4278.jpg

While we're waiting for Soy, this page needs a pic. ;)

How'd you like to have that for a back yard? lol...
Beautiful. Reminds me of the homestead in Legends of the Fall.

Thanks, but perhaps a bit over saturated. I always boost the saturation a bit when saving for the web, but this time I might have over done it.

Found this great little trick for making a flash diffuser for those of us who are on a budget. A neat little trick and it works quite well. I'm going to experiment with different materials to find a result that works.

Party Bouncer (http://www.diyphotography.net/the-party-bouncer-is-back-in-business)

I thought you used a Nikon. Nikons don't have those metal hinges.

Personally, if I could....I'd rip that built in flash do-hickey right off.:D

I thought you used a Nikon. Nikons don't have those metal hinges.

Personally, if I could....I'd rip that built in flash do-hickey right off.:D
I do use Nikon. I just took the idea and modified it. A little scotch tape works wonders. I'd rip those excuses for flashes off as well, but I don't particularly feel like ruining my camera. ;) Until I get a speedlight, "any port in the storm".

Note: I substituted a 4X6 glossy photo paper and I find the results better than just the business card.

I own 3 speedlights, an ancient SB80DX, a SB600 and a SB800. The only good thing about the built-in flash is that I can use it in "commander" mode to set the other units off remotely without the pop-up thingy itself firing.

Watch part one, then part 2.

QRFNbZ8P3LY

I own 3 speedlights, an ancient SB80DX, a SB600 and a SB800. The only good thing about the built-in flash is that I can use it in "commander" mode to set the other units off remotely without the pop-up thingy itself firing.

Watch part one, then part 2.

QRFNbZ8P3LY
Good videos. I'll have to try that once I get a speedlight.

Canon S90 RAW no post NR. 1/50sec / f2.0 / ISO 100 / 6mm.

Nice comp...that the new OGA? Haven't made it down there yet.

Nice comp...that the new OGA? Haven't made it down there yet.

Yeah, everyone in the family is a member, 'cept me. I'm the perpetual "guest". The gallery is uptight about picture taking. Some are like that, while others are wide open...shoot what you like. At the AGO, you're restricted to the common, open areas. Frankly the stuff I like hangs in some pretty dark rooms anyway, so no big loss.

My new, portrait light kit is in transit, but that didn't stop me from playing with my new, (used) macro lens!

On Auto Focus as it hunts, it's noisy as a freight train, but I'm pretty happy with it.
This lens is easy to use, manual can compensate for any auto deficiencies, and it's straightforward as heck.

Here are some photos from me getting used to the lens:
(The last picture is of my high-end, Macro staging area! ... )

Those clothespins must provide an incredible amount of flexibility!:D

And like, those are the cutest M&Ms EVER!

Looks like you're going to have fun with that lens. The whole macro universe – it's such an interesting area. Hope you post more as you dive into it.

OOOOh EYE Candy!
Good shots Soy Mac!

SoyMac: these few shots make me want to get into macro photography!

Good shots ... and now I'm hungry!

My new, portrait light kit is in transit, but that didn't stop me from playing with my new, (used) macro lens!

On Auto Focus as it hunts, it's noisy as a freight train, but I'm pretty happy with it.
This lens is easy to use, manual can compensate for any auto deficiencies, and it's straightforward as heck.

Here are some photos from me getting used to the lens:
(The last picture is of my high-end, Macro staging area! ... )

SWEEEET!!! ;)

Hey SM, what lens did you end up getting? I remember posting back and forth about your options.

Canon S90 RAW no post NR. 1/50sec / f2.0 / ISO 100 / 6mm.

Nice ScanMan... Did you get the S90 for Christmas? Ken Rockwell (http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/s90.htm) loves it... better than the G11. He calls it the worlds best compact camera. How are you liking it so far?

"OOOOh EYE Candy! " - KC4

"... and now I'm hungry!" - mguertin

"SWEEEET!!!" - screature

:lmao: Hahahaha! You guys slay me!

And yes, these props don't survive very long at all.

screature, I read lots and found really good reviews of the Sigma 105 Macro.
After watching for used lenses, I saw this Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon, on Kijiji.
She agreed to $50 less than her asking and a drive across the bridge into Quebec got me this intro-to-Macro lens.
I'm really liking it so far.

I know F2.8 isn't super fast anymore (I have an f/1.4 50mm Prime, and an f/1.2 85mm Prime), but I get razor-thin DoF with this Sigma, and can't ever imagine using a faster Macro lens. I think it would be unusable.

The seller was upgrading to the Canon 100mm Macro lens.
I could see one day going that route, but for now, this is a very fun lens to get my feet wet in Macro.

This Sigma even comes with a a ten year warranty. :clap:

Of course, now that I've had a taste, I want to get even closer! Extension Tubes?

And, hey, my portrait lighting kit arrived a few hours ago! It's Christmas in January!! :)

Here are couple I took this afternoon with my new Nikon AF-S 18 - 200mm when I was going to pick my son up from school. I've wanted to do these shots for sometime now. What I really want is a partly cloudy day. That would make them a whole lot better.

...screature, I read lots and found really good reviews of the Sigma 105 Macro.
After watching for used lenses, I saw this Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon, on Kijiji.
She agreed to $50 less than her asking and a drive across the bridge into Quebec got me this intro-to-Macro lens.
I'm really liking it so far.

I know F2.8 isn't super fast anymore (I have an f/1.4 50mm Prime, and an f/1.2 85mm Prime), but I get razor-thin DoF with this Sigma, and can't ever imagine using a faster Macro lens. I think it would be unusable...


Hey 2.8 in the Macro range isn't bad at all... especially on a budget. Sigma makes some really good 3rd party lenses... My 17-70mm 2.8-4.5 Sigma is my "go to" lens... extremely versatile. Good on ya... Have fun!!

Here are couple I took this afternoon with my new Nikon AF-S 18 - 200mm when I was going to pick my son up from school. I've wanted to do these shots for sometime now. What I really want is a partly cloudy day. That would make them a whole lot better.

Stark... I like 'em! :)

Stark... I like 'em! :)
Thanks. I had my other son with me when I took them. The first was out the car window, the second I actually had to get out and snap a few.

The only Post Processing is converting to B&W and Cropping.

Nice ScanMan... Did you get the S90 for Christmas? How are you liking it so far?

Got the S90 in Nov. and sold my G10 to finance it. I was still getting hits for the G10 till just a couple of days ago, folks were lining up for the thing! I ended up exasperated with it...tons of resolution, zero dynamic range. But judging by the response to my ad, many really like the high pixel count.

The S90 by and large is wonderful. Camera RAW now supports it well – though with this little shooter, I can never decide between Adobe Standard, Camera Standard, Camera Faithful...perhaps its time for a few minutes with the DNG editor, to generate a starting point I'm OK with.

The S90's f 2.0 is sweet for indoors (aperture priority, and you're in business), and its body size makes it discreet, for use in churches, museums, theatres, clubs, galleries - any number of interiors where you don't want to be annoyingly snapping away. It's all nice and black too, which makes it disappear in your hands.

The display is fantastic, and anyone familiar with Canon's menus will be pleased. There's an insane amount of white balance tweaking available, and I'll just say that it's fully featured for a camera of this class. And yeah, it's got that funky adjustment ring around the lens. Ken loves it, I don't use it.

On the downside, you MUST pay attention to the blue fringing when shooting RAW. It's controllable in post, but limits this camera in outdoor use, particularly on overcast days where the light is evenly distributed, and every edge becomes a highlight edge.

Second, and I'm not really being that fussy about this one, is the contour of the body. It's like a bar of soap, with absolutely no little gripper edge on the front for your fingers. There's the tiniest bump on the back to nudge your thumb against, but if your hands are at all damp, this baby can squirt right out of them. I've read where users have applied peel-off non slip material to the front. I'm considering it as well. I've got a little form-fitting bag for it, and it's a pain digging the thing out of there with little to grab on to.

Other than that, it's a brilliant little unit which I could recommend to anyone. Actually I have, and my brother-in-law bought it. If you're looking for a shirt-pocket shooter, this is it. At least for the moment.

Scanman: Awesome gallery shots, good job on the processing, too.

Soymac: Love that DIY setup. Enjoy the macro.

MaxPower: Love those shots, good conversions.

I'm such a sucker for ships at sunset. (Say it fast three times).

I'm such a sucker for ships at sunset. (Say it fast three times).

I can see why - grat lighting; typically calmer water for better reflections...

I'm with you on that one :)

Hi Friends
The Christmas holidays were here ( and Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Bodhi, Al Hijra and Ashura, and Solstice! ) and you'd been snapping like crazy;
Kids, dogs, relatives, travel, scenery, all kinds of photos!

Care to post your faves?

Oh, alright. I'll start with one of mine ...

Rideau Ferry Christmas
http://i45.tinypic.com/34jaao1.jpg

There's nothing like gathering 'round the ol' fire log!:lmao:

...and in case any of you have already forgotten that turkey dinner you had two servings of...

Crappy cellphone shot, but I couldn't resist. Spotted a Bricklin parked near the train station on the way home this evening. Oooh. Been at least twenty years since I've seen one of these... things.

Crappy cellphone shot, but I couldn't resist. Spotted a Bricklin parked near the train station on the way home this evening. Oooh. Been at least twenty years since I've seen one of these... things.

Wow, didn't know there were any left. lol

Rather weird that the owner would have it out in the winter.

Guess he/she just succumbed to the 'lets just drive it' thing eh
I like winter driving generally - drifting on corners n stuff is fun
digging out is not fun but hey..;)
jj

...and in case any of you have already forgotten that turkey dinner you had two servings of...
pass the cranberries please and the hot sauce
mmmmmm:)

snapped this old farmer's shed when it was really nippily this morning. I had stopped earlier to take photo some turkeys and my camera was getting cold. So cold in fact that I couldn't adjust my polarizer (and I really wasn't out that long). It moves now, but at the time, It was a bit frustrating :)

pentax k100D
55-300 lens
f 6.7
iso 200
1/250

the sun was to the left. I wanted to get into the farmer's field to put the sun at my back, but the ditches are about 6-8 ft deep and with all the snow, completely flat with the road so I wasn't about to venture a jump across in case I sunk in :)

btw, no pp done. as is.

any recommendations on things to try for fun?

btw, no pp done. as is.

any recommendations on things to try for fun?

What are you using for software? If you have Lightroom or PS, the possibilities are endless.;)

Fist thing is, I'd straighten the horizon, then....have at 'er!:D

What are you using for software? If you have Lightroom or PS, the possibilities are endless.;)

Fist thing is, I'd straighten the horizon, then....have at 'er!:D

thanks kps! Those look interesting! I don't play around near enough. I have PS and Aperture. I do the basics - wb, contrast, sensor dust removal (not on this one surprisingly - i really need a newer camera with that dust removal feature :)

Another snap of that buck again. I'm really liking this one the most although I truly wish I could have framed it with a tad more space above the antlers, but I had wanted some of the snow in the pic. I should have zoomed out a touch. Next time :)

btw, in terms of pp 'etiquette', would it be improper of me to edit out the birch tree behind the most left tine on his antlers? I find the tine blends in a bit too much for my liking. it would make that tine stand out nicer.

BUT is that 'cheating'? I've been researching photo contests and I know that they all differ regarding the amount of pp allowed. I would leave the original untouched of course.

Hi Friends
I set up my eBay softboxes, and I'm pretty happy with them.
I'll post a full review soon (with photos :lmao:)

The first thing I noticed, though, is that I will want to pump up the light volume.
I'm looking for 85 Watt CFLs (300 W equivalent).

I Googled and searched for a Canadian supplier, and came up with pretty much nothing.

Could you suggest a place with reasonably-priced, high-wattage CFL bulbs, in Ottawa, or elsewhere in Canada?

Thanks!

Another snap of that buck again.

Another gorgeous deer shot. Think it's my fave, so far...

Another gorgeous deer shot. Think it's my fave, so far...

I think it's my fave too SM. While the others all have great features to them, this pic is the best (except for that one tine which has the tree behind it).

He's standing still, his mouth isn't open, the lighting is perfect in creating the right amount of shadow. I'm going to print this one up - just deciding on size. May go for a big 11x14 with a dark brown frame. :)

Keebler, it's your image, your vision. If you find the background too distracting to your liking take the time to make it the way you envisioned it. It's not cheating as far as I'm concerned.

After a few minutes with the clone tool:

Keebler, it's your image, your vision. If you find the background too distracting to your liking take the time to make it the way you envisioned it. It's not cheating as far as I'm concerned.

After a few minutes with the clone tool:

thanks kps. I'm going to try and remove at least that one. I like your touchups. nicely done!

I'm really proud of this pic and will be printing it :)

Howdee, this is my first post, and new to the forum... and new to the mac world... Now I understand the mac community. I saw loads of great photos in this thread.


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_CSTMAqeWpUY/SsjjnkTdiKI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/Cik_7wsjsCA/s400/wtrdrp.jpg

Hi Friends
I set up my eBay softboxes, and I'm pretty happy with them.
I'll post a full review soon (with photos :lmao:)

The first thing I noticed, though, is that I will want to pump up the light volume.
I'm looking for 85 Watt CFLs (300 W equivalent).

I Googled and searched for a Canadian supplier, and came up with pretty much nothing.

Could you suggest a place with reasonably-priced, high-wattage CFL bulbs, in Ottawa, or elsewhere in Canada?

Thanks!

Not sure of any offhand but I'll keep my ear to the ground. The bulbs that came with it are not enough light?

Not sure of any offhand but I'll keep my ear to the ground. The bulbs that came with it are not enough light?They're pretty good (400 watts full on), but I'd like to get at least 50% more light from each softbox.

I'll likely get 4 x 85 watt CFLs, and put 2 in each light = 2 x 85 + 2 x 27 in each light.

Full softbox would then = about 800 watts.
One switch off (1/2 strength softbox) would = about 400 watts, in each softbox.

Because of the two-switch set-up in each light, I should have lots of flexibility.

I've looked at some other softbox CFL kits online, and they all appear to be quite good.
But I have to say, for the price I paid for this one, and being new to a portrait set-up, I'm very happy with this kit so far. :)

(full review still pending!)

Thanks!

Hi Friends
I've been playing around some more with this macro lens.

Here are some shots that are not perfect, but they've opened my eyes a bit to my surroundings:
(These are not the 1:1 photos. I've cropped them enormously)
(It's an icicle. - Canadian, eh?! :rolleyes:)

Howdee, this is my first post, and new to the forum... and new to the mac world... Now I understand the mac community. I saw loads of great photos in this thread.


Welcome aboard and welcome to Mac.

Nice shot, BTW.

Howdee, this is my first post, and new to the forum... .Welcome to ehMac! :)
Wow, great shot! :clap:

Hey Soy,

Those softboxes suck up a lot of light. Check out this blog post by Zack Arias where he compares brollys and softboxes. Also check out some of his lighting tutorials.

Zack Arias – Atlanta based editorial music photographer Shoot Through Umbrella vs. Softbox (http://www.zarias.com/?p=27)

... Check out this blog post by Zack Arias where he compares brollys and softboxes. Also check out some of his lighting tutorials.

Zack Arias – Atlanta based editorial music photographer Shoot Through Umbrella vs. Softbox (http://www.zarias.com/?p=27)Wow, excellent, concise article! Thanks, kps!

I already have lots o' reflector 'brellas, and they don't pump out enough light for portraits.
But I have no shoot-through umbrellas, so this article suits me well.


My favourite comment to the article:

"I find myself in Gap & Gap Kids stores standing about 2 feet away from the wall staring at the gallery wrap images. The conversation usually goes like this:

Store help: ‘Can I help you?’

Me: ‘Not really. I’m just trying to see how this person was lit.’"

:lmao: We can probably all relate!

Hi Friends
I've been playing around some more with this macro lens.

Here are some shots that are not perfect, but they've opened my eyes a bit to my surroundings:
(These are not the 1:1 photos. I've cropped them enormously)
(It's an icicle. - Canadian, eh?! :rolleyes:)

well done SM. I really like the last one b/c it looks like flowing water with bubbles in it, rather than frozen water :)

...The S90 by and large is wonderful....

Thanks for the fulsome response ScanMan much appreciated as I am looking for a take everywhere with me alternative to my SLR when I just want to have a camera with me "in case" but not going out with the intention of shooting.

Wow, excellent, concise article! Thanks, kps!

I already have lots o' reflector 'brellas, and they don't pump out enough light for portraits.
But I have no shoot-through umbrellas, so this article suits me well.


My favourite comment to the article:

"I find myself in Gap & Gap Kids stores standing about 2 feet away from the wall staring at the gallery wrap images. The conversation usually goes like this:

Store help: ‘Can I help you?’

Me: ‘Not really. I’m just trying to see how this person was lit.’"

:lmao: We can probably all relate!

I was going to suggest bouncing instead of brighter softboxes as well. If you're pumping that much light through a softbox I find that it's no longer "soft" ... try just losing the front diffuser and bouncing instead?

...If you're pumping that much light through a softbox I find that it's no longer "soft" ... try just losing the front diffuser and bouncing instead?Yeah, you might be right. There might be enough light already.
I think I heard or read about 800 Watt softboxes, and got that stuck in my head as the desired amount.

My problem right now is that the room where this will be set up properly, won't be available for another two weeks. So I'm testing things under less than optimum conditions, and going more by what I'm hearing and reading, than what I'm seeing.

And I could always get some 40 Watt CFLs (instead of 85 Watt) for a very reasonable cost, and try that if I'm not happy with the light once I test properly.

That's probably my biggest problem - having way too much time to think about the details before I can get at this in the proper space! :o

These wattages might just be for marketing purposes, but here is a softbox seller touting its higher than 400 watt properties:
1515 Alzo Digital 600-EX Cool Lite, Single Photo Fluorescent Light Kit with Bulbs, Softbox & Stand (http://www.adorama.com/AZV600EXSFLK.html)

Anyway, I'm sure the two-switch system on each of my softboxes will help to keep my current set-up quite adequate, no matter what wattages I end up with. :)

Okay, I'm going to try really hard not to post anything more about softboxes, until I have some practical results.

Thanks, Friends!

Thanks for the fulsome response ScanMan much appreciated as I am looking for a take everywhere with me alternative to my SLR when I just want to have a camera with me "in case" but not going out with the intention of shooting.

That's the beauty of this little beast. Like all small P&Ss, you get the great portability. But unlike the pack that cost maybe a hundred less, you get a larger sensor and RAW ability. Worth the extra, IMO.

Micro 4/3 was also an option, but by the time you stick a lens on it, you're just dragging around another camera. Cute as a button, but it is a couple of inches thick. Pocketable? Hardly.

Keebler, it's your image, your vision. If you find the background too distracting to your liking take the time to make it the way you envisioned it. It's not cheating as far as I'm concerned.

After a few minutes with the clone tool:

thanks again KPS for showing me what you did. I ended up taking out that one tree and printed 2 8x10s for a few buddies and a 1 big 12x18 for me :)

thanks again KPS for showing me what you did. I ended up taking out that one tree and printed 2 8x10s for a few buddies and a 1 big 12x18 for me :)

Just one tree? ;)

Kidding. Glad you're happy with the result.

This page needs more pics!
*
http://www.ikarl.com/pics/ehmac/kps_4309.jpg

This page needs more pics!Excellent shot, kps! It's got great composition, and your saturation gives it the classic '50s postcard look.

Thanks,Soy. Hey, how's the new lighting gear working out?

... how's the new lighting gear working out?Well, so far this lighting set-up makes for a more than adequate product light kit! ;)
(some real portraits hopefully soon!)

http://i48.tinypic.com/10pbklg.jpg

Yup very nice shot KPS.
Sorry about my ignorance, but where was it taken?

Well, so far this lighting set-up makes for a more than adequate product light kit! ;)
(some real portraits hopefully soon!)



If that's SOOC, that it looks good as far as white balance and colour temp. I hope those closeup lenses also fit your new macro.;)

Yup very nice shot KPS.
Sorry about my ignorance, but where was it taken?

Thnx. Image taken in Glacier National Park, Montana.

... SOOC...:confused: Me not smrt.

Sorry, Straight-Out-Of-Camera.:)

A couple of shots taken at sunset in Selkirk, Manitoba a few years back.

http://www.studiogerk.com/pics/posted/selkirk1.jpg

http://www.studiogerk.com/pics/posted/selkirk2.jpg

A couple of shots taken at sunset in Selkirk, Manitoba a few years back....Very interesting. Both photos of basically the same subject.
The first Photo gives me a warm, nostalgic feeling.
The second photo has tension, some unease.
Nice work, mguertin, to manifest two very different emotions out of the same general set-up, by changing the focal plane.

Very interesting. Both photos of basically the same subject.
The first Photo gives me a warm, nostalgic feeling.
The second photo has tension, some unease.
Nice work, mguertin, to manifest two very different emotions out of the same general set-up, by changing the focal plane.

Thanks. That's exactly the type of feel I was going for in each of them.

Hi folks

is it against the rules to post links? Asking b/c I dloaded the mobileme app for my iphoneand I output a 'my best shots' gallery from aperture.

MobileMe Gallery (http://gallery.me.com/memories2dvd/100089/2007-10-17_22)

cheers
keebler

... I dloaded the mobileme app for my iphoneand I output a 'my best shots' gallery from aperture. ...keeblerSome beautiful shots, keebler27 :clap:

(Just FYI, on your on-line album, you have it set so that visitors can download your photos. Don't know if you intended that or not.)

Some beautiful shots, keebler27 :clap:

(Just FYI, on your on-line album, you have it set so that visitors can download your photos. Don't know if you intended that or not.)

Thanks soymac. I need to add more as well. I hadn't realized that - thanks

I shot this last full moon through the bare branches of a maple tree.

http://gallery.me.com/plmnice/100073/DSCN4213/web.jpg?ver=12627001530001

I shot this last full moon through the bare branches of a maple tree.

http://gallery.me.com/plmnice/100073/DSCN4213/web.jpg?ver=12627001530001
Interesting composition SINC.

Have been on this forum in awhile and seen this thread I thought I woudl submit mine. I am a novice, just starting to learn.

Joker Eh, you have a good eye and like geometric shots. Good work.

Joker Eh, you have a good eye and like geometric shots. Good work.

+1

You have some very nice images there.

Not bad for a novice... great eye... keep on shooting:clap:

Thanks guys.

Here are some recent Macro shots, continuing ssk's "token" theme, and my "Close Candy" Series. :)

SoyMac, as per my pm. After all your hard work, just a tweak with the curves in LR or PS is what your shots deserve.

SoyMac, as per my pm. After all your hard work, just a tweak with the curves in LR or PS is what your shots deserve.Oh, YEAH!!

In a couple of weeks, I'll have the space to set things up better. I'm thinking that a yellow gel (incandescent, candle-flame-like) with a more dominant key and weaker fill would help make the candy shots more intimate, and less flat.

Thanks, ScanMan! :clap:

Oh, YEAH!!

In a couple of weeks, I'll have the space to set things up better. I'm thinking that a yellow gel (incandescent, candle-flame-like) with a more dominant key and weaker fill would help make the candy shots more intimate, and less flat.

Thanks, ScanMan! :clap:

If you shoot RAW, you can change the white balance in post and save on the warming gels.

If you shoot RAW, you can change the white balance in post and save on the warming gels.Yeah. I'm old skool, eh? (Or just old. :o )
kps, I like when the image is (mostly) done, "SOOC" :)

I've played with curves before in PS, and was happy with the results, but didn't know what I was doing and just experimenting and looking.

A Moderate-to-Advanced PS class might be in order.

Or Lightroom ... I absolutely LOVE what LR has done for my workflow. I almost never have to go into PS now unless I need to softproof :) Or CameraRaw if that's your preference, but I like the all-in-one approach of LR. It's changed things for me for the better without a doubt. I wasn't a big fan of having to pile up layers in photoshop over and over again :(

Yeah. I'm old skool, eh? (Or just old. :o )
kps, I like when the image is (mostly) done, "SOOC" :)


Old school, eh? Than here's what you need to do;):

--Put your "Sweet Marie" in the fridge.
--Get a butane micro torch from Canadian Tire
--heat up a thin blade (such as a box cutter blade)
--cut your candy bar with the heated blade
--use the torch to smooth out any roughness and give the chocolate a sheen
--heat the caramel to make it ooze out
--place it on sheet of lexan or a glossy tile the same colour as your background for a reflexion.
--light using a single source with a snoot
--place a weak or black reflector on the fill side
--try a black background

Have fun...:D

+1 for Lightroom.

... I wasn't a big fan of having to pile up layers in photoshop over and over again :(Yep, great point, mguertin.
I'm actually with Aperture, so I'll delve deeper into Aperture and see what I can do in there.
I see a lot of love put out for LR, so I wonder sometimes if Aperture was the right choice.
But I haven't given Aperture a chance yet, so too early to tell.

Old school, eh? Than here's what you need to do
...Excellent tips, kps!!
I was wondering how I'd soften and shine up the sweeties.
Your instructions are perfect!
Frozen-first means maintaining the structure of the candy while the heat manipulates the exterior.
Genius!

Thanks, kps!! :clap:

Don't freeze it, just cool it to harden it. Freezing will break down the oils(fats) in the chocolate and make it powdery.

Don't freeze it, just cool it to harden it. Freezing will break down the oils(fats) in the chocolate and make it powdery.Geez, you're good! :clap:

Geez, you're good!

LOL, haven't you ever accidentally frozen anything made of chocolate?

Soy, my list was a little off the cuff take on "old school" food styling just to get your creative juices flowing.

It's getting cold again, the skies are grey and I'm bored waiting for THE TABLET. Same shot flipped and fused a coupla ways.

Love it!

A photographic Rorschach test...you don't wanna know what I see.

...you don't wanna know what I see.

Ha! They had quite an effect on the lady of the house, as well. The things she saw in there...

So how did you do it? Some funky app or manually with layers?

Photo Booth with the mirror effect?

So how did you do it?

Nothing schmantzy.

Cover the right vertical half of the top photo. The left side that you're now looking at, having been rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise, is the original shot taken with a shorty 10mm on a DX D80.

So for the top composite, I took the original, stood it on its edge like it is, flipped a copy of it horizontally, and manually photomerged the two shots.

For the bottom one, I flipped the original shot horizontally before rotating it 90 degrees clockwise, copied that image, flipped the copy horizontally, and.then merged the two.

I had to stop myself from flipping and merging the new composites into even bigger "treescapes". It could go on forever...

Cool! Nice job.

ScanMan and kps, you might notice that some of your suggestions have been used in these recent shots - Thanks!!

I just received an extension tube set I bought off eBay. $7.48, with free shipping from China.
They're the tubes with no electronic connectors, so they're quite limited. But I wanted to see what tubes would do, before I spent hundreds on an electronic extension tube set.
After trying these out, I'm sure I'll get an electronic set when i get some money.

Here are some (mostly) SOOC shots of a tulip and a rose, some with extension tubes, some without.
One crop - the second image is a crop of the first.

Lots of failed experimentation, but I'm starting to get the strengths and limitations of Macro.

I can't believe I'm looking forward to insect season! :rolleyes:

#3 ftw! :)

SoyMac...those are REALLY nice!

This page needs more pics!
*
http://www.ikarl.com/pics/ehmac/kps_4309.jpg
Awesomely composed image kps- I love the way the lines make your eyes travel around the image and never quite come to rest. Perfect.
Hi folks

is it against the rules to post links? Asking b/c I dloaded the mobileme app for my iphoneand I output a 'my best shots' gallery from aperture.

MobileMe Gallery (http://gallery.me.com/memories2dvd/100089/2007-10-17_22)

cheers
keebler
Some really good shots here too - Love the candid portraits.
Have been on this forum in awhile and seen this thread I thought I woudl submit mine. I am a novice, just starting to learn.
Just a novice? No way. :clap:
#3 ftw! :)
Agreed!

This is with the color cast removed - SOOC the sand appeared to be closer to the color of the bottom shell.....this one is not as warm, but the shells pop more. I dunno...

KC4, if you don't mind me saying...it looks a bit cool to me. I just did an auto-correct for myself, and the bottom shell and sand want to be much warmer.

@SoyMac: I bought a set of tubes a couple of years ago that did the electronic passthru and they were pretty cheap. They work just fine and as I read somewhere on the interwebs: "Canon air is as good as no-name air" ... as long as they fit and are the right size you should be fine. Think I paid around $20 USD for mine delivered, from ebay.

KC4, if you don't mind me saying...it looks a bit cool to me. I just did an auto-correct for myself, and the bottom shell and sand want to be much warmer.

I don't mind at all ScanMan. That's why I posted it - for critique and opinion, because I couldn't decide for myself. Thanks for the suggestion.

How's this? Better, worse or just different?

Well, that's pretty sunny!

Still had this one laying on my desktop from last night, and honestly, it was just an auto-correct to see what might be going on with your image. It appears to split the difference between your 1st and 2nd. It brought out the tones in the shells, while keeping the sand nicely muted. Depends where you want to go with it.

If I spent more time on the one I've attached, I'd lighten the sand a bit and subdue the green cast.

Hahahahaa! From one extreme to another.....Thanks - I like the mid-ground.

KC4:

Hope you don't mind, just playin'...

FeXL,
That's Cool!
They remind me of bones and ancient artifacts or if you look at it again, a starscape.
Awesome!

@SoyMac: I bought a set of tubes a couple of years ago that did the electronic passthru and they were pretty cheap. They work just fine and as I read somewhere on the interwebs: "Canon air is as good as no-name air" ... as long as they fit and are the right size you should be fine. Think I paid around $20 USD for mine delivered, from ebay.$20 for the electronic extension tubes?!! I'll keep looking!!

KC4, that image of yours keeps me intrigued.
Sometimes it looks like a collection of pickled organs, sometimes like your camera was under the sea bed, looking up, sometimes like alien artifacts.
Congratulations on making a single image that's so multi-faceted!

Hey, Smart Friends

Here's a question that's probably very obvious to people who know anything about Hi-Def ... um, ... stuff. :o

I have HDMI-out on my Canon 5D MKII.

My dream iPad with camera viewer and controller software is not here, or maybe not even invented, yet.

In the meantime, I'd like a big screen way to see my camera images as I'm composing and shooting.

I see that I can get an HDMI enabled LCD monitor, or an HDMI enabled HDTV television, for pretty much the same price.

For best image viewing out of my camera, which would you recommend;

Monitor, or Television?

Thanks!

I would use the Canon software to do live shooting (via the USB cable) onto your computer directly and avoid the HDMI solution. For what you're doing that should work pretty well (as well as give you control over a lot of the on-camera controls).

The HDMI out from the camera is not super hi-resolution - I think it maxes at 1080i (but only on live shooting mode for video) and even that is not going to be killer quality because it changes aspect ratio to include the on-screen info that you would see on the back of the camera screen when shooting in live mode and I'm sure it down samples the image quite a lot to show it on the video output, which can introduce artifacts into what you're seeing that don't exist, etc.

I do a fair bit of video with my 7D and the HDMI is great for that, but for photos I'd use the Canon software and do your shooting tethered that way. Also saves a step as you don't have to save the photo to the CF card but can go directly to hard disk with it.

check out this link:

Shooting tethered with Canon gear | Canon Blogger (http://www.canonblogger.com/2009/05/12/shooting-tethered-with-canon-gear/)

I would use the Canon software to do live shooting (via the USB cable) onto your computer directly and avoid the HDMI solution. ... check out this link:

Shooting tethered with Canon gear | Canon Blogger (http://www.canonblogger.com/2009/05/12/shooting-tethered-with-canon-gear/) Oh, MAN, I get so wrapped up in the "problem", I don't even realise the solution is already there! :o

Thanks, mguertin, for saving me a bunch of time and money.

And thanks for this link! :clap:

Couple from today's visit to the ROM.
(edit) mouse died. Let me try that again

Batteries installed. Changed a couple of shots – bye for now.

ScanMan, excellent, excellent, excellent! :clap:

They're all striking, but #4 is my stand-out.

Thank you for charging and replacing your batteries and showing us these!

Wonderful images. 1 and 4 stand out.

Haven't been to the ROM in ages, I should go and check out the Crystal.

For the über-geek photographers out there...

Build a High-Speed Laser-Triggered Photography Rig to Capture Split Second Exposure (http://lifehacker.com/5464485/build-a-high+speed-laser+triggered-photography-rig-to-capture-split-second-exposures)

a Belgian photographer that has fused his enthusiasm for photography and electronic wizardry into one hobby. His photography rig is a technological sight to behold, the camera is flanked by flashes and two arms that have infrared lasers which act as a trigger for the shutter. Check out the picture below to see him at work in the field with the rig:

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/17/2010/02/500x_2010-02-05_185831.jpg (http://lifehacker.com/5464485/build-a-high+speed-laser+triggered-photography-rig-to-capture-split-second-exposures)

Don't miss his Flickr set: Insects (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/collections/72157616282369619/) & Water (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/sets/72157604178274003/)

His photo page and description of the technology (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoopa_hs/sets/72157611107153997/)

(LifeHacker (http://lifehacker.com/5464485/build-a-high+speed-laser+triggered-photography-rig-to-capture-split-second-exposures))

Aaaamazing CM, Thanks for the link.

My faves : The big white owl-like moth in flight and too many of the colored water ones to list.

The water figures are fascinating. They're like little sculptures.

Yes the water figures are really amazing.

Scanman: I keep looking at #2 above...very mysterious...It's my fave of the group.

I keep looking at #2 above...very mysterious...It's my fave of the group.

Let me help you with that...

Let me help you with that...

BAAAAhahahah! Thanks Scanman. Now the man of steel is no longer mysterious, just terribly tempered.

Next time: Think Sean Connery. ;) Thx.

Damned Expedia.

Classic. Like the conversion, too.

Classic. Like the conversion, too.

Thanks, kps. I know I'm not telling you anything new, by admitting that it's a challenge getting a tone that reinforces the mood.

It's easy to think that this is simpler now, of course, without filters. But that has really opened a Pandora's box of possibilities. And I often feel it's now harder to "commit", to an overall tone.

Warm it up? Cool it down? A classic cyanotype, selenium, silver gelatin...you could go on forever. Especially when opening up a colour shot to begin with. There are lots that get worked over then finally trashed, because I've totally lost my direction with them.

The most fun I have, is when restoring an old scanned print that's discoloured, but still has a blotch of decent original tone on it. I'll strip the thing down to B&W and retone it to match the sample blotch. It may not be the tone I would have picked originally for the photo, but at least there's a predetermined and definite end to the process.

Fun and games.

RAW + LightRoom changed things in that regard for me in a big way, but as you say, it's hard to commit. There's soooo much in the way of options. Duotoning in LR changed things for me in a big way especially. There's no way I would have even come close with lens filters + a darkroom .. not that I ever had the inclination to try.

RAW + LightRoom changed things in that regard for me in a big way, but as you say, it's hard to commit.

Oh... I don't mean "commit" as in "that's it...no more changes possible".

That last shot I posted, for example, is sitting there in an LR catalogue. I could go back to that silly shot every morning, and do another take on it, but jeez, somehow it's got to come to an end. With all the tools we have these days, it's too easy to "not commit" to a final vision for a photo.

It's like a chameleon or something...every time my mood changes, so does my image...

See what I mean? Maybe we're both saying the same thing.

Yes, we are both saying the same thing. This is especially true for B&W type stuff for me ... such subtle little differences can completely change the mood of a photo, and as you say, one day it's one mood, the next day it's something totally different.

It's very similar doing audio mixes of songs ... a friend on another forum has a signature that reads something like "We never complete mixes, we simply abandon them." The same holds true for me with some photos, when I have to deliberately say "no more".

I'll "third" what you two are saying. There is a time when you have to say "stop, no more", but that only lasts until the next time you revisit the image.

The problem with digital is that it makes us lazy because we can "fix it" in post. It can also lead to over-processing, and I'm very much guilty of that.

So without further adieu, one over-processed image coming up:

LOL .. yes, there's a line? Where is it? Who knows! I cross it all the time, either that or I fall miserably short of it. The nice thing is with LR is that I can store unlimited versions of the shot as snapshots :) Some have quite a lot of them in my collections :) That and virtual copies too ;)

HA!

"Picture yourself in a boat on a river,
With tangerine trees and marmalade skies..."

Excerpts from a recent road trip. These are some of the ones I took for my own interest.
Except for the railroad, they are SOOC.

Let me help you with that...

:lmao: :lmao: Love it!!! :clap: I really liked the "invisible man" nature of the original... but the mod is tooo funny!!

:lmao: :lmao: Love it!!! :clap: I really liked the "invisible man" nature of the original... but the mod is tooo funny!!

Thanks, my man. I kind of think the hair is funny. Could have cleaned it up going into the helmet, but this way it looks like a lid has been screwed down on poor old Russell's noggin. Hey...just a 60 sec. paste job...

Don't know why I picked Crowe as opposed to say, Bill Murray.

I never noticed this before, but while looking at KC4's attached images there appears to be a substantial difference in image quality when viewing them in the tread and when clicking on them to show in the viewer. They are much brighter and a touch flat when in the thread. They show better when clicked on and load in the viewer.

Some more heavy processing, but I think it works.

Some more heavy processing, but I think it works.

I think they benefit from a strong look like that. Nice ones!

Some more heavy processing, but I think it works.
What kind of gun is that?

Cool Pics.

I had the urge to shoot last night at around 10:30 pm. Unfortunately it is dark at that time so I had to resort to around the house. The only thing to shoot was our 6 month Shih Tzu puppy. What do you think?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4375000709_c58c9e1b81.jpg

What kind of gun is that?

Cool Pics.

Thanks. It's a tricked out CZ 858-2 (http://www.wolverinesupplies.com/default.asp?Pg=8&do=4&mcid=1&scid=12&mfid=98), check the 'accessories' link at the bottom of the page. Foregrip, pistol grip and the folding adjustable stock were added by me.

The only thing to shoot was our 6 month Shih Tzu puppy. What do you think?



Like the composition, the DOF and the conversion, one thing that's missing is the eyes.

Like the composition, the DOF and the conversion, one thing that's missing is the eyes.
I knew there was something wrong with him when we picked him up!!! ;)

Shih Tzu's have a very long coat His is short by comparison and the fur on his head covers his eyes. He was also half asleep at the time.

Thanks for the comments.

I'm looking for a non zoom fixed focus digital camera,
Mainly because I want it to use on my scooter attached with a RAM mount,
It has to be fixed non zoom because vibrations apparently wreck the zoom.

Anyone know of a good fairly high m.p. camera with a good battery life
and the ability to shoot movies with good quality?

Ability to use a 16 gb or 32 gb SDHC 6 card preferred.

Dave :)

I knew there was something wrong with him when we picked him up!!! ;)
.

Don't get me wrong, MaxPower, it's a very nice image. Just say'n perhaps try for another without the dog sleeping.:)

I know what you're saying. When he's awake, he tends to come to me when I get down low to take a shot. It was so much easier to get the shot when he was sleeping. I'll try for some awake shots soon.

What do you think? Your post got me thinking we should have a photo critique thread.

What do you think? Your post got me thinking we should have a photo critique thread.

Sure, as long as people are willing to give and take honest crit. Critique should help a photographer grow and improve. On another photo board I belong to, when someone wants "Comments & Critique" on an image or a series, they add something like "C&C welcome" to the post or even the title.

The photography board I belong to has sections to post and share pictures, along with a critique section where the poster has to abide by specific rules. They have to host the picture on a file sharing site such as flicker, so others can see full size images, post the EXIF data and ask what specifically they want critiqued about their photo.

What do others think about such a thread?

Ahh...finally a bright, sunny day in Hogtown. Actual shadows! Was at the old Brickworks on Bayview this afternoon, where there's a lot of old...well, brick.

I'm in a different mood tonight. Nothing somber about a skate park.

As an aside...HEY, there are some fine shooters in this group who haven't posted in a while. Like the rest of you, I've seen enough of my stuff, thanks. How about sharing some of yours?

And as to critiquing each other's stuff. Sure. If someone asks for it, fair enough. Personally, I'm not likely to say anything unless it's obvious, which of course would be blindingly obvious to everyone else, so I wouldn't really have to say anything.

And I don't think anyone's going to learn a lick from me. I just throw it together like spin art. It's meaningless. And it's generally fun.

I've still got about 147 hours of Lightroom Killer Tips to watch, so any advice is welcomed, but will have to wait its turn.

I'm in a different mood tonight. Nothing somber about a skate park.

As an aside...HEY, there are some fine shooters in this group who haven't posted in a while. Like the rest of you, I've seen enough of my stuff, thanks. How about sharing some of yours?

And as to critiquing each other's stuff. Sure. If someone asks for it, fair enough. Personally, I'm not likely to say anything unless it's obvious, which of course would be blindingly obvious to everyone else, so I wouldn't really have to say anything.

And I don't think anyone's going to learn a lick from me. I just throw it together like spin art. It's meaningless. And it's generally fun.

I've still got about 147 hours of Lightroom Killer Tips to watch, so any advice is welcomed, but will have to wait its turn.

Scanman, are you - by chance, a nighthawk? I've noticed your last 2 posts have been at 4 'ish AM and I think you're in the EST zone? I'm usually up late, but not that late.

I need to get some my pics posted. Will do that soonest.

Cheers,
keebler

Scanman, are you - by chance, a nighthawk? I've noticed your last 2 posts have been at 4 'ish AM and I think you're in the EST zone? I'm usually up late, but not that late.

Yeah, it's quiet. The phones aren't going to ring. I can slip into hours of mellower music. The day's news has been repeated and absorbed. I'm usually to bed between 4am – 5am and sleep 5 hours. I've had this routine for years.

(edit) Forgot...more importantly, at night I have better control of my lighting luminance and temperature.

ok. so here's another addition.

Taken last year at the restaurant where my brother worked. He's a sous-chef and simply amazing. Just needs to write his seal test.

He made this pizza and it was even better than the photo appears :)

Yeah, it's quiet. The phones aren't going to ring. I can slip into hours of mellower music. The day's news has been repeated and absorbed. I'm usually to bed between 4am – 5am and sleep 5 hours. I've had this routine for years.

(edit) Forgot...more importantly, at night I have better control of my lighting luminance and temperature.

i know what you mean - I've always loved working the wee hours when nothing but a mouse stirs. Very quiet for me.

He made this pizza and it was even better than the photo appears :)

Now that's a tasty shot! I just finished a big lunch and suddenly I'm still hungry.

Hmm what a tease, that shot looks yummy and I can't eat anything like that at the moment :(

I'm a nighthawk too, it's so nice to be undisturbed when getting important work done. I do most of my best coding late at night.

I'm in a different mood tonight. Nothing somber about a skate park.

As an aside...HEY, there are some fine shooters in this group who haven't posted in a while. Like the rest of you, I've seen enough of my stuff, thanks. How about sharing some of yours?

And as to critiquing each other's stuff. Sure. If someone asks for it, fair enough. Personally, I'm not likely to say anything unless it's obvious, which of course would be blindingly obvious to everyone else, so I wouldn't really have to say anything.

And I don't think anyone's going to learn a lick from me. I just throw it together like spin art. It's meaningless. And it's generally fun.

I've still got about 147 hours of Lightroom Killer Tips to watch, so any advice is welcomed, but will have to wait its turn.

I think people like to receive some feedback on their images. Perhaps not a full fledged critique, but something. That may be one reason some stopped posting. There was a great number of talented togs that went through this thread.

Regarding the skate park...with all the graffiti, it reminds me more of the Berlin wall than a playground in Leaside. <wink, wink> Nicely captured, though.

Don't fret about Lightroom, every time I use it I find something new.

Keebler: Your brother can make a pizza for me anytime. It's my style --thin crust and reminds me of Vesuvios here in Toronto who's pizza I've been ordering for more than 30yrs. However now that I moved to the burbs, I was lucky enough to find another great place which makes a similar pie here in Mississauga.

Hi Friends
Some friends and I played around with my new SoftBox kit.

Helpful suggestions welcome!

Just found this one of Jimmy from last summer.

Jack Russell Terrier Versus Golden Retriever:

Soy:

Difficult to make suggestions since you didn't specify the intent of the photo shoot or your goal. If it was pure experimentation in lighting, then you have a base to work with.

Even if you wanted this particular dark, single light, high contrast look, your subjects just blend into the background far too much. That works in some cases and you came close in #3. No one says that rules can't be broken, but the resulting image should show the intent.

All 5 images are lit the same way. Move the light around.

The one light setup is ideal for "Rembrant Lighting" check out this youtube video for details.

HYEJR0lF8lk

... The one light setup is ideal for "Rembrant Lighting" check out this youtube video for details.

HYEJR0lF8lk

Wow, great video!
Thanks, kps! :clap:

Now to keep track and to share all those lighting set ups you need this FREE iPhone/Touch app. ;)

Strobox (http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/strobox/id339112815?mt=8)

Darnit - I always forget that there's a Photography forum here... until I find a story like the item below to share...

Construct an Ultra-Slow Pinhole Camera to Create Surreal Photos (http://lifehacker.com/5479996/construct-an-ultra+slow-pinhole-camera-to-create-surreal-photos)

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2010/02/500x_2010-02-25_154551.jpg (http://lifehacker.com/5479996/construct-an-ultra+slow-pinhole-camera-to-create-surreal-photos)

If you were impressed by the interesting results and novelty of a plain old pinhole camera, you'll want to check out these crazy pinhole cameras and their month long exposures.

You read that correctly. Ultra slow pinhole photographers use special paper that takes months of light streaming through the pinhole to develop.

(LifeHacker (http://lifehacker.com/5479996/construct-an-ultra+slow-pinhole-camera-to-create-surreal-photos))

An odd couple.

I just found these and was amazed too good not to share:
Vancouver 2010, part 1 of 2 - The Big Picture - Boston.com (http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/02/vancouver_2010_part_1_of_2.html)
Vancouver 2010, part 2 of 2 - The Big Picture - Boston.com (http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/03/vancouver_2010_part_2_of_2.html)

I just found these and was amazed too good not to share:

What a great collection of images. Thanks, Trevor.

Here's a couple of shots I took a couple of years back in Sintra, Portugal. I've never seen a town with so many stairs in my life!

Wow so many great shots up here I have to add a few more...

Just got back from DisneyWorld here are two shots of our hotel the 2nd night, the lake around the resort was very still so I had to grab the tripod.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/85195/ehmac/Corando1.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/85195/ehmac/Corando2.jpg

I've never seen a town with so many stairs in my life!

Makes you want to pack a Slinky. :lmao: Love those narrow spaces – great colour and a nice eye on those two.

Makes you want to pack a Slinky. :lmao: Love those narrow spaces – great colour and a nice eye on those two.

Thanks :) This year is France... a week in Paris and a week in the countryside. Should be a lot of fun. Oh and a 2 day stopover in Iceland as well. Taking a good handful of CF cards ;)

Carrying on with the Portugal and theme shots...

I snapped this one in Obidos in 2007. This town is completely surrounded by a wall and has 12 or more churches within. It's not large either - quite remarkable.

i wish the sun was behind me to light this alley up, but then again the shadows play nicely enough.

Mguertin - jealous of your trip to France. I so want to visit Normandy specifically and tour the war sites. I'm fascinated by the grip WW2 had on Europe and the world as a whole.

Actually, on the way back from Portugal to Heathrow, I was watching the GPS tracking of the plane. It had been cloudy almost the entire way until the coast of France and then it cleared - just in time for me to see the Cherbourg peninsula - i could make out the beaches, Carenten and Caen. I was blown away :)

Cheers,
keebler

Thanks :) This year is France... a week in Paris

Sorry to be a downer, but if you like sunny skies, you're absolutely gonna hate Paris.:D

BTW, Cool shots Trevor.

Cloudy is ok with me too .. I have ISO control and I'm not afraid to use it! :D

Cloudy can be gooood! I've a friend who won't shoot outdoors unless it's overcast.

I studied Geoffrey James's locations and light before I went last year. His "Paris" book is phenomenal. There are interviews with him around the net in which he discusses the differences between the way most "see" the city and its true underlying heart.

Did I capture anything remotely like the real Paris? Naw...I did the church, the tower, the river, that big art place.

Like a bloody tourist.

I just found these and was amazed too good not to share:
Vancouver 2010, part 1 of 2 - The Big Picture - Boston.com (http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/02/vancouver_2010_part_1_of_2.html)
Vancouver 2010, part 2 of 2 - The Big Picture - Boston.com (http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/03/vancouver_2010_part_2_of_2.html)
Wow. Thanks for that Trevor.

I think these images certainly capture the moment of competition, defeat and triumphs.

...Like a bloody tourist.Man, I would have tried so hard to frame that shot without the post and the sign, and then James uses them to add character to the shot.

So much learning and shooting to do! :o

Man, I would have tried so hard to frame that shot without the post and the sign, and then James uses them to add character to the shot.


At least he used the rule of thirds. ;)

You folks are posting some really nice images, keep it coming.

A shot I took inside Alhambra ... _stunning_ architecture ...

Ahhh...what the heck.

wow that Lobster is just amazing!

^^Thanks. Late nights and Lightroom...

^^Thanks. Late nights and Lightroom...Reminds me of my late nights and mushrooms. ;)

Reminds me of my late nights and mushrooms. ;)

:clap:

Now that's a scary though, late night, mushrooms AND LightRoom ... everything would look like the lobster!

OK. Crustaceans more subdued.

Something a bit different.

YouTube - Judge Joe Brown - Cheap wedding photographer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js7RzcdDcMs&feature=player_embedded#)

Inside his Pillow Fort:

Inside his Pillow Fort:Fantastic!
It looks like a painting. :clap:

Fantastic!
It looks like a painting. :clap:

Of course you're dying to know how he lit that! :lmao:

Nothing like a little sunshine, to take the chill off your cello. Today in Kensington. w/ Canon S90, P mode RAW.

http://web.me.com/dougcg/iWeb/Site/artis_files/1220.jpg

Man, I hate it when people just paint around something like a door knob or house numbers – how hard is it to remove a few screws. And if you're too lazy to do that, how about just wiping the paint off when you do schmear it up?! This is a very disturbing image for me...

Nice crop, and that texture is something else. Good to see you post one again.


Mcguertin, I keep forgetting to mention how much I like the tones in that Alhambra arch shot. Do you think the pattern was on a giant wheel that was rolled up and across? It appears to repeat itself, yet flawlessly.

http://web.me.com/dougcg/iWeb/Site/artis_files/payphone.jpg

http://web.me.com/dougcg/iWeb/Site/artis_files/boarded.jpg

PHONE!

Nice work on the building. I also love it when shadows go black.

Mcguertin, I keep forgetting to mention how much I like the tones in that Alhambra arch shot. Do you think the pattern was on a giant wheel that was rolled up and across? It appears to repeat itself, yet flawlessly.

No, that stuff was all hand carved. That's one of the things that's so mind blowing about it all to me, considering when it was done especially, it's all done with almost mathematical precision ... and it's not an isolated thing, the whole inside of the place was like that or better!

No, that stuff was all hand carved. That's one of the things that's so mind blowing about it all to me, considering when it was done especially, it's all done with almost mathematical precision ... and it's not an isolated thing, the whole inside of the place was like that or better!

Just Wiki'd it. Wow. Now that's something I might have to go and see. We were thinking of Spain for a post-Thanksgiving break this year, I think you've given me an idea. Hope you pulled some other nice shots out of that place.

Just Wiki'd it. Wow. Now that's something I might have to go and see. We were thinking of Spain for a post-Thanksgiving break this year, I think you've given me an idea. Hope you pulled some other nice shots out of that place.

I took many hundreds of shots there, it was truly mind boggling. If you do decide to go to spain drop me a PM, I have some suggestions for some really great places we visited while there. Ronda, Cordoba and Seville where big standouts for me. I took a little over 4000 shots on that trip (after the rejects!)

http://web.me.com/dougcg/iWeb/Site/artis_files/garbage.jpg

^^Real nice. The range of course, but the texture? Care to divulge...?

GraphicConverter "gloom" filter (which I tend to use a bit too often I suppose) plus a bit of sepia, and level adjustments. More or less rescued a really lousy original image that I was considering deleting.

Taken as a passenger as part of my "high speed photography" collection :)

GraphicConverter "gloom" filter...

Boy, I haven't played with Graphic Converter in a looong time. Just tried your filter thing and can already see where this is going. Now I'm going to have to try it on everything. Curses.

pcronin, "high speed photography"...how else would you shoot fast food?

Arrrggghhh the madness. Curse of The Gloom Filter!

pcronin, "high speed photography"...how else would you shoot fast food?

Zing!

I have a whole folder/album dedicated to pictures taken from vehicles moving no less than 70km/h. Someday soon I hope to be able to include aircraft.

Scanman, I love your b&w processing. That bike shot is processed to pure awesomeness.

^^ :o Thanks very much kps, but I've got to share credit with The Doug, seeing as how I nicked his filter treatment.

Hard not to take a decent shot of a bike like that. Processing blurred the emblems – it's a 106 cu.in. behemoth from Victory Motorcycles, in the nastiest black you can imagine. Just sitting there...showroom-shined.

Well ScanMan, The Doug already knows how great he is at his b&w's.

Naw, just lucky most of the time.

Naw, just lucky most of the time.

Luck is one of my many skills :D

http://web.me.com/dougcg/iWeb/Site/artis_files/graffiti%202.jpg

[^^^
Oh WOW!
That's very cool.

Arrrggghhh the madness. Curse of The Gloom Filter!

I can't stop feasting my eyes on the 'cycle pic - it's gorgeous. Well done, sir!

^^ Thank you. It's good to see we're having a bit of fun around here. Personally, I've backed away from other photo groups on the web because of the competitiveness. I tire of the tech and techniques p*ssing contests. This place seems like a nice spot to try some things, and just throw it out there.

And I like it that we're all bringing some interesting perspectives to the table – a visual in itself! The pillows, the train window, the deer, the Disney reflections, Texas farm posts, burned out churches, colourful foreign scenes, SINC's slices of life, robo-shots at the bird feeder, the moody monochromatics...hey, it's been a while since we've had some macro M&Ms.

And yeah, The Doug, that last thing of yours is freaky cool.

View through one of my office windows (it's a glass wall actually) - not for much longer though, as we're moving to another building in a few weeks. :(

http://web.me.com/dougcg/iWeb/Site/artis_files/square%20view.jpg

Cats... Harder to get to pose than kids.

^^ Thank you. It's good to see we're having a bit of fun around here. Personally, I've backed away from other photo groups on the web because of the competitiveness. I tire of the tech and techniques p*ssing contests.

I hear 'ya. I'm starting to get tired of how many people *need* the next generation camera and that company X are giving up business to company Y because of a silly minor feature.

Last I checked, there were great photos being taken with equipment with a fraction of the features in the latest and greatest models.

I hear 'ya. I'm starting to get tired of how many people *need* the next generation camera and that company X are giving up business to company Y because of a silly minor feature.

Last I checked, there were great photos being taken with equipment with a fraction of the features in the latest and greatest models.

I'm sure that the *real* photo taking ability is in the hands and eyes of the person, not the equipment. You could give someone's mom or gandmom a $5000 + camera and lens and a pro level photographer a kodak disposable digital cam and see who has the better pics at the end of the shoot ;)

...Last I checked, there were great photos being taken with equipment with a fraction of the features in the latest and greatest models.And I can't pass up the chance to once again refer people to this page!:
Your Camera Doesn't Matter (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/notcamera.htm)

A couple of random train pics

Nice pics - how did you get on top of the train?

Nice pics - how did you get on top of the train?

Ninja?

Nice pics - how did you get on top of the train?Hobo?

Hobo Ninja?