The Photography Thread

[Midnyte_Sun]

Howdy guys!

Did my first wedding, and to be honest I don't know if I'll ever do one again. It was to stressful, but it might be due that I was shooting at White Sands National Monument...

I couldn't see my histogram due it being so freaking bright out (High Noon, worst time to shoot), while trying not to blow out her dress, keep the sand some what white and her husband wearing black. I don't have a ND Filter yet for this glass, nor a CPL. In hindsight I should have used a reflector. I have a human size one, but I think the sand would have really destroyed it so I guess this was the best set up. Hated shooting so high (F22).

Anyways, here is a few shots and lemme know what ya guys think! This has no editing except a little bit of vibrancy, and light correction (Kelvin).

I agree with you on the reflector. It would also be very tricky to not blow out the dress. I've actually shot some pictures for two wedding receptions and getting the detail of the dress to show was a little tricky. Lucky for me, they knew I was trying to get the best shot, so they let me shoot a few times.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

Don't underestimate the range of a beginner DSLR. If you can control the ISO, Aperture size, and Shutter Speed, you have all the basics to shoot great pictures. I'm still learning the custom settings of my F100, but I can do fine with basic photography knowledge.

I think I've got the hang of it now. I really put it to the test when I was in Vegas:

 

[Alistair]

The White Sands environment could have the same bright conditions as a snow covered landscape. Therefore, your camera probably overcompensated in the exposure, making it appear underexposed. Well, that's how it appears to me. Yeah, high noon is the worst time to shoot on a clear day, but if you shot in raw, you can play with the images more without losing information. The composition is very good for wedding photos. Keep it up!

Red,

Yes, I was actually under exposing for if I metered correctly I would have been blown out totally. The first and foremost thing I had to make sure I wasn't doing was blowing out her dress, and keeping their faces somewhat there as well. Which I think I accomplished. In the end I used up spot metering off her dress. Your very right it was like snow.

Thank you for the composition, but now that I think about it I don't know I will do a wedding again. Maybe one more, just maybe but I'm not sure for I know it's not wise to toss one wedding to experience, and the second one might be smoother.

I agree with you on the reflector. It would also be very tricky to not blow out the dress. I've actually shot some pictures for two wedding receptions and getting the detail of the dress to show was a little tricky. Lucky for me, they knew I was trying to get the best shot, so they let me shoot a few times.

Aye. They knew it here too, and during the actual ceremony the official was really, really quick so I didn't even see them put on their rings until the last moment and kinda half crappie. I was hoping she was going to draw it out like church's do. Hahaha.

It looks like your getting the hang of it all right!

 

[Silvermoon]

Wow, there's some awesome photographer's in this thread! (the_ultimate_evil, you freakin' rock!)

I still consider myself very much an amateur photographer. A couple years ago I finally decided to get away from my P&S (though I still keep a little canon ELPH in my purse - the best camera is the one you have with you, right?) and invested in a Nikon D3000 (in my research before purchasing, that seemed like the best fit for a learning photographer like myself). I try to keep it off of "Auto" as much as possible and lately have been focusing on keeping it on pure "Manual".

Some of my fav. photos I've taken with it for the most part oldest to newest (these are also viewable on my deviantart gallery: http://silver-wolf581.deviantart.com/gallery/) Some have had some minor post-processing work done in photoshop

The Workings of the Old Piano

Shutter Speed:10/1250 second
Aperture:F/5.3
Focal Length:160 mm
ISO Speed:1600

'You Lookin' at Me?'

Shutter Speed:10/10000 second
Aperture:F/5.6
Focal Length:200 mm
ISO Speed:200

Black+White on Red

Shutter Speed:10/600 second
Aperture:F/5.6
Focal Length:55 mm
ISO Speed:200

On the Hunt

Shutter Speed:1/640 second
Aperture:F/5.6
Focal Length:200 mm
ISO Speed:200

Blooming Fresh

Shutter Speed:1/320 second
Aperture:F/5.6
Focal Length:42 mm
ISO Speed:1600

Colt with No Name

Shutter Speed:1/160 second
Aperture:F/5.6
Focal Length:200 mm
ISO Speed:800

Mountain Bloom

Shutter Speed:10/6400 second
Aperture:F/6.3
Focal Length:24 mm
ISO Speed:800


...will continue more in the next post....

 

[Silvermoon]

Feeding Frenzy - III

Shutter Speed:10/8000 second
Aperture:F/4.0
Focal Length:55 mm
ISO Speed:200

Loss of a Landmark - V

Shutter Speed:1/10 second
Aperture:F/3.5
Focal Length:18 mm
ISO Speed:100

Sunset Silhouette

Shutter Speed:1/10 second
Aperture:F/4.0
Focal Length:55 mm
ISO Speed:200
Date Taken:Jan 17, 2011, 6:46:29 PM

Stadium of Fire: Fireworks-21

Shutter Speed:5/1 second
Aperture:F/11.0
Focal Length:18 mm
ISO Speed:100

..and then last year, after hearing my cousin's husband go on and on about his 50mm fixed focus lens, I invested in a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF-S DX fixed focus lens (as well as a couple lens filters). It's now my favorite lens and I keep it on almost all the time.

Nom Nom

Shutter Speed:1/160 second
Aperture:F/1.8
Focal Length:35 mm
ISO Speed:200

Summer Rose

Shutter Speed:1/80 second
Aperture:F/1.8
Focal Length:35 mm
ISO Speed:100

Following the Leader

Shutter Speed:1/80 second
Aperture:F/1.8
Focal Length:35 mm
ISO Speed:400

Mr. Sly (side note: the little punk was actively pushing against the chair I was sitting in when I snapped this... I love my nephew)

Shutter Speed:1/60 second
Aperture:F/1.8
Focal Length:35 mm
ISO Speed:400

Goodnight My Angel (Shasta: October 1997-February 2012, one of the last photos I got to take of her a couple days before we let her go )

Shutter Speed:1/20 second
Aperture:F/1.8
Focal Length:35 mm
ISO Speed:100

 

[Red Mask]

Red,

Yes, I was actually under exposing for if I metered correctly I would have been blown out totally. The first and foremost thing I had to make sure I wasn't doing was blowing out her dress, and keeping their faces somewhat there as well. Which I think I accomplished. In the end I used up spot metering off her dress. Your very right it was like snow.

Thank you for the composition, but now that I think about it I don't know I will do a wedding again. Maybe one more, just maybe but I'm not sure for I know it's not wise to toss one wedding to experience, and the second one might be smoother.

You were working in some very tough conditions. I believe a wedding shoot should be a two person job. Either one of them is a second camera for different angles, or a support for lighting. But if you think you can do better next time, don't pass up on the opportunity.

If you still feel stuck on the editing, try working with some Photoshop tricks with masking and levels. It's very hard to accomodate the white dress detail and the groom's dark suit in those conditions, but you might achieve something new. Be delicate at first.

 

[Alistair]

You were working in some very tough conditions. I believe a wedding shoot should be a two person job. Either one of them is a second camera for different angles, or a support for lighting. But if you think you can do better next time, don't pass up on the opportunity.

If you still feel stuck on the editing, try working with some Photoshop tricks with masking and levels. It's very hard to accomodate the white dress detail and the groom's dark suit in those conditions, but you might achieve something new. Be delicate at first.

Red,

Yes. I agree with you about it being a two person job if your in a normal type of wedding. Running around left to right, and such. You'll need to recruit a family member, bring your own assistant or both. Just not enough time unless it's planned out. I'll most likely try it one more time to see if I like it or not. Thank you for the comments other wise, next time I'll try to have a AB1600 to over power the sun. Hahaha.

Aye. I've been messing with it, and I sent off to a local printer and it didn't turn out to bad. I'm still not happy, but long as they are that's what matters. I'm finally getting the hang of layers, and how it works in the real world. Books help. Hahaha.

SilverMoon,

Nice shot! I'm still amateur by a mile too, but we all have to start somewhere right?

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

I don't mean this to be offensive to iPhone owners, but I couldn't resist:

 

[Alistair]

Hahaha. My Boss is like that with his IPhone; I agree.

 

[Alistair]

All right, here is something a little new for me...I ended up using three lights for all of these, and just quick edits. This was actually pretty fun, more than I thought it would be since I tend to do people.

1)

2)

 

[CashforStash]

Just got a new Canon Rebel XS, and I'm new to Photography. I know the basics and stuff, so i went out and took some pics, then came home to change some colors and stuff in PS.

Thoughts?

 

[Alistair]

Cash,

Looks overexposed to me, IMO. Not bad for the first time, and I recommend getting out of Auto Modes if you can (This could had higher shutter speed to flush some of that ambient). The Rebel XS is a helluva a good beginner camera, and that's what I got when I got back into photography. Almost all the shots except last two pages used the XS.

G'Luck!

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

All right, here is something a little new for me...I ended up using three lights for all of these, and just quick edits. This was actually pretty fun, more than I thought it would be since I tend to do people.

Spoiler

1)

2)

Man if I could have found you when I was 17, I'd have some nice shots of my first car.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

Just got a new Canon Rebel XS, and I'm new to Photography. I know the basics and stuff, so i went out and took some pics, then came home to change some colors and stuff in PS.

Thoughts?

Spoiler

As a fellow amateur to another, I have to say I like the natural light and I like the way you filled your shot on the 2nd photo. We gotta see more though

 

[Asteroid-Man]

Sweet! I'll be sure to post some stuff when I get on my desktop.

 

[Asteroid-Man]

Here's one I took in the forest a couple weeks ago:

And the same photo touched up.

 

[Alistair]

Man if I could have found you when I was 17, I'd have some nice shots of my first car.

Midnyte,

Hahaha. I was just glad I found someone that was willing to give me time to shoot in this case, and like I said it was fun. I fixed them up more like taking away the blue hue and such. Maybe tomorrow I'll put them up and see if ya spot the difference.

Here's one I took in the forest a couple weeks ago:

And the same photo touched up.

Doesn't do much for me, but I do like the glare of dust or whatever it is on the edited one. Gives it a nice effect; despite not my cup of tea. Good shot neither less.

Meeting with a lady tomorrow to see if I'll be shooting a Quincy. I'm just hoping I got into the store in time before they did the schedule.

 

[Asteroid-Man]

Couple more:

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

Couple more:

Spoiler

I like how you take advantage of the natural lighting, keep it up man.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

Finally got the tulips in season at a local garden here.

1/320th, ISO 125, f8, EF 100mm Macro Lens

 

[ComicChick]

great colors on those tulips

 

[Lunar_Wolf]

First attempted at water shots.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

Wow, nice colors in the reflection!

 

[SaF]

Hi everyone **waves**, being as photography is my second huge interest besides movies, thought I'd come check out this thread. There is some amazing stuff in here, and such a huge variety of types from portraits to landscapes... all sorts! Will probably be good for me to read through it all as I've kinda got stuck in a wildlife/animal rut with my photos.

I'm a amatuer but I get to take lots of photos for my job studying animals in the wild to ID them. At the moment I work with marine mammals... so two shots to show what I'm about and then I'll go back to the beginning of the thread to try and read it all **laughs**

from dec. 2011 field season

last month at the zoo to keep practising

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

great colors on those tulips

Dankeschön!