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OtherGround Forum >> Ask me anything about cameras or photography...
| 12/20/11 2:08 PM | |
InnerTubeCaptain
97 
Member Since: 11/23/11 Posts: 544 |
FullContactHigh - Good tips InnerTubes. Learn the basic functionality of your equipment and the rest is history. My two cents...everything with exposure is a trade off or a compromise. Adjust shutter speed, aperture, iso(last resort), and/or flash for light. It's a big balancing act according to your environment and limitations.Good points. You need to learn the relationship between Aperture, Shutterspeed and ISO and how they relate to each other. However, you also need to learn how to use each one as a creative tool. Depth of field, montion blur, etc are all ways of creating interesting photos. As for HDR... Why do you think it's a "cop-out"? Actually, I try not to refer to it as HDR. I prefer to call it by what it is, tone-mapping, exposure blending, etc. these are all different methods of rendering a scene that has a High Dynamic Range (HDR). I see these as just another tool I have in my digital darkroom to capture scenes that we can't with the current technology that we have. It's not cheating IMO. You still have to understand how to capture a scene, in camera, with proper composition, etc and exposure blending is done with film as well. Now... I have a strong distaste for a lot of the "HDR" images that our tossed around the interwebs. Most are way too punchy and quite abnoxious. Almost like the black-light, velvet paintings of Jesus. The ironic thing is that most of the images that you see that claim to be "HDR" are just the opposite. They're flat. If you look at the histogram you'll see that there is no tonal range to the photo and they often consist of nothing but midtones. I don't tone-map often. When I do, I use Photomatix Pro and I usually take the output and blend it with the original exposure. I go for a realistic looking photo. Most people run a photo through Photomatix Pro or another tone-mapping app and thats it. IMO, the product of these apps is only half way done. They require a lot more editing in Photoshop to really get a good result. Nowadays, I use GND filters to try to capture scenes with HDR in one exposure. Even then though, I need to bracket but I will usually just manually blend the exposure in PS. As for bracketing, I sometimes use the autobracket feature, other times I do it manually by adjusting shutter speed between exposures. It depends on the scene and the number of stops between the bright and darkest areas. I try to capture the range in 3 exposures but sometimes I need to take upwards of 5. |
| 12/20/11 2:30 PM | |
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socal
2
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 7254 |
subbed, just inherented some photographic gear this year. Lots of Nikon Lenses, filters and other things. Updated to a Nikon D7000 which is a really nice camera. Need to really updated my technique, like someone once said, the person behind the camera is more important than the type of camera! |
| 12/20/11 3:51 PM | |
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FullContactHigh
3
Member Since: 11/26/08 Posts: 556 |
Well now that you put it like that …I don’t feel like it’s such a cop-out ha! You clearly have more knowledge on this topic, so thank you for the tips. I haven’t tried Photomatix yet, only PS/Bridge, but I’ll have to give it a shot. But you’re right about some of the bad “HDR” images out there. If you start with bad composition you’ll undoubtedly end up with a bad photo, no matter how many edits you make. I’m not very familiar with reading histogram but I’ll read up on tone-mapping and compare and contrast some of my HDR shots. I to manually merge/blend the exposures in PS, although my camera does have a feature to automatically do this (up to three frames). I’ve even taken one RAW file and saved 3 copies, each separated by one stop (progressively). I also have to use this technique if I need more than 3 exposures as my camera only allows 3 shots with bracketing. I’m always afraid of camera shake/ghosts if I so adjust settings between shots. Although most software has “remove ghosts” feature. Speaking of shake and/or ghosts, how do you handle “HDR” with human subjects? Do you take one shot with the human/moving subject and the additional shots with the still subject matter? I’ve never done it but I’d like to. |
| 12/20/11 3:59 PM | |
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thenino
48
Member Since: 1/1/07 Posts: 3081 |
ttt |
| 12/20/11 4:39 PM | |
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Jeff W
19
Member Since: 10/29/08 Posts: 1664 |
Is there such a thing as a good, user friendly and FREE post processing software? Or must I be scumbag and go out and illegally DL something with a pricetag? Just picked up Understanding Exposure, got rebel with the kit lens and want to start fiddling around a bit. |
| 12/20/11 4:51 PM | |
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FullContactHigh
3
Member Since: 11/26/08 Posts: 557 |
Smith- What do you mean by shoot for hours in "registration"? Do you mean the section of the building? I'll try that trick with several light sources. What kinda mask would I use? Like a layer mask and completely blackout the rest of the room? Thanks! InnerTube- Just saw some of your shots on past thread you did. Awesome work! I've stood damn near in the exact spot in Sausalito ...what a great view. I have some shots I'll have to share soon. |
| 12/20/11 6:16 PM | |
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InnerTubeCaptain
97
Member Since: 11/23/11 Posts: 545 |
I think you guys are talking about "light painting". You can do them in one exposure or in multiple. LED lights work best. You can get pretty creative with this shit... like using different color LED lights to paint the scene in different colors. I have a buddy that does this stuff. Have yet to really try it. Kind of like this:  |
| 12/20/11 6:40 PM | |
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FullContactHigh
3
Member Since: 11/26/08 Posts: 559 |
Cool pic^^ I've seen some effects like this before. Still not sure about the explanation above tho. |
| 12/20/11 7:15 PM | |
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InnerTubeCaptain
97
Member Since: 11/23/11 Posts: 546 |
Yeah... I don't know what he means by "registration". |
| 12/20/11 11:43 PM | |
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FullContactHigh
3
Member Since: 11/26/08 Posts: 560 |
Thanks for all the info InnerTube. I'm a bit more motivated to go shoot some new things while on my upcoming vacation. If you're ever in the Nor Cal area and wanna go shoot let me know, I'm always up for it. I'm out in the Davis area. I think I'm going to head to treasure island this weekend. I'll share whatever I capture. |
| 12/21/11 10:48 AM | |
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Maconhockey
Member Since: 4/5/10 Posts: 42 |
Digital pinhole camera. Ever seen or made one. Not very useful but may be intresting. Also pics of best pinhole camers. |
| 12/21/11 11:26 AM | |
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Jeff W
19
Member Since: 10/29/08 Posts: 1665 |
Jeff W - Is there such a thing as a good, user friendly and FREE post processing software? Or must I be scumbag and go out and illegally DL something with a pricetag? .... anyone? |
| 12/21/11 11:53 AM | |
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FullContactHigh
3
Member Since: 11/26/08 Posts: 562 |
Jeff W -Jeff W - Is there such a thing as a good, user friendly and FREE post processing software? Or must I be scumbag and go out and illegally DL something with a pricetag? I can't help you with the free part, but do whatcha gotta do. I suggest Lightroom for photo edits only. If you wanna get more into the designing and creating side I'd get Photoshop. I've only been in LR a few times but I always hear good things about it. It's rather affordable too, I believe under $100. LR has a cool playback feature where you can connect your camera to your laptop while shooting and your photos will playback on your laptop screen as they would on your camera's LCD. This can be helpful with shooting products or portraits in a studio setting. |
| 12/21/11 2:52 PM | |
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tubuku01
Member Since: 1/7/03 Posts: 1428 |
looking for a used beginner camera on craigs and came across a nikon d40 with lens for 320 and a nikon d70 with lens for 350. which is the better of the two and is there much difference? |
| 12/21/11 3:31 PM | |
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FullContactHigh
3
Member Since: 11/26/08 Posts: 563 |
^^^Sorry InnerTubes I don't mean to hijack this thread... From what I can remember D40 and D70 are very similar. Both are 6.1 megapixels and neither have a built-in auto focus motor (camera body). This could be very important or non-issue depending on what lens you'll be using. For the most part the majority of newer lens have AF motors, but if for some reason you're using a lens without AF built in you'll be forced to manually focus. Besides that the D70 has a few more advanced creativity features. D40 is more likely to be used as a "point and shoot". I would be patient and keep looking for a D80 or D90, like InnerTube said earlier. Depending on what city you're in you can find a D80 for between $300-400. With the speed of new technology the D70 is falling pretty far behind. The D80 is 10.1 MPs so you can blow up a pic to 16"x20" without losing quality. The D90 will cost more (replaced D80) but is 12.1 MPs and shoots 720p vids. Good advise from InnerTube, you can always pick up the prime 50mm 1.8 lens for $120. For the price everyone should have this lens in their bag, I do. So don’t let the lens they’re throwing in be a deal breaker. This game can get expensive so plan on building up slowly. |
| 12/21/11 3:41 PM | |
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Ranman
5
Member Since: 7/31/06 Posts: 638 |
Are the Sony NEX cameras any good, worth the cost? |
| 12/21/11 5:21 PM | |
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InnerTubeCaptain
97
Member Since: 11/23/11 Posts: 547 |
FullContactHigh -Aside from some of the editing software that comes bundled with cameras, I'm not aware of any free software that is good. I've heard from some that GIMP and Picnik is OK. As FullContact mentions though, Lightroom 3 is an awesome piece of software. It's a first rate editing tool but also is the best cataloging tool there is. The best thing about LR3 is that you don't have to know anything about editing in PS. It's all sliders. It has undoubtedly the best noise reduction and sharpening tool on the market. I believe it can be found for $99, which is basically free when you're talking photo editing software.Jeff W -Jeff W - Is there such a thing as a good, user friendly and FREE post processing software? Or must I be scumbag and go out and illegally DL something with a pricetag? |
| 12/21/11 5:21 PM | |
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InnerTubeCaptain
97
Member Since: 11/23/11 Posts: 548 |
Maconhockey - Digital pinhole camera.Never. Will have to check it out on the interwebs, maybe make one. |
| 12/21/11 5:26 PM | |
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InnerTubeCaptain
97
Member Since: 11/23/11 Posts: 549 |
FullContactHigh - ^^^Sorry InnerTubes I don't mean to hijack this thread... Great advise here. Of the two, I would go with the D70. The funny thing is that the D70 can sync flash up to 1/500 of sec. If you use flash to shoot moving things outdoors during the day, this is huge. Even my D700, which costs $2600 can only sync up to 1/250. That being said, if you can find a D80 for a reasonable price, go with it. And the D90 is even better but much more money... not found for much cheaper than you can buy it new. OH... and smart move buying used. |
| 12/21/11 5:29 PM | |
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gnomejeebus
Member Since: 12/1/09 Posts: 658 |
How do I get that magazine photo look 
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| 12/21/11 5:33 PM | |
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InnerTubeCaptain
97
Member Since: 11/23/11 Posts: 550 |
Ranman - Are the Sony NEX cameras any good, worth the cost?This is a mirrorless camera. Pretty new technology. Nikon has one too... the N1. I don't have any personal experience with them but what I've seen from the N1 is pretty impressive. The pic quality and low light/high ISO performance is damn good. You can shoot in RAW format and have full manual control so that is great too. Top that off with interchangeable lenses in such a small package... it's peaked my interest. If had the extra cash I would buy the N1 for travel. Not saying it's better than the Sony, I just don't know anything about the Sony and have not read any reviews on it. BTW, they're really not that expensive if one looks at the value that you're getting. The lenses are damn good optically but not that expensive relative to SLR glass. I would recommend this type of camera to anyone that wants to go a little more advance than a point and shoot but doesn't want the bulk of a DSLR. |
| 12/21/11 5:38 PM | |
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InnerTubeCaptain
97
Member Since: 11/23/11 Posts: 551 |
gnomejeebus - How do I get that magazine photo look When you say "magazine photo look"... what do you mean exactly? If you can describe what you mean, I'm sure I can help. |
| 12/21/11 6:09 PM | |
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Ranman
5
Member Since: 7/31/06 Posts: 639 |
Thanks man.....good info. |
| 12/21/11 6:26 PM | |
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gnomejeebus
Member Since: 12/1/09 Posts: 669 |
InnerTubeCaptain -Like not amateurs but like a photo in a magazine. Like a fashion mag. I have a nikon 15 mp cam. Nothing specialgnomejeebus - How do I get that magazine photo look
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| 12/21/11 6:37 PM | |
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palerider101
23
Member Since: 11/17/08 Posts: 2438 |
Let's see some of your work :) |
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