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RE: Photo of Epcot - 5/1/2009 10:49:29 AM
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Holdcard
Posts: 269
Joined: 1/14/2009
From: Phoenix, Arizona
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TMeeks
I spent last week at Disney World and Kennedy Space Center with the grandchildren. Here is a link to one of the photos I was able to capture at Epcot.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27657433@N08/3463079953/sizes/l/in/set-72157617052053835/
Nice shot. Care to share equipment/settings with us? How much post processing did you do?
I may have to take a course or something, I know I'm seriously lacking when it comes to photoshop. I only have elements 6 (so far). I want to learn what I'm doing before I decide to spend the money on the full blown program.
Holdcard
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RE: Photo of Epcot - 5/4/2009 7:20:58 PM
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Holdcard
Posts: 269
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
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I'm of the same opinion as far as post processing. I'd rather do it right the first time than spend time fixing it later.
Lately I've gone back to shooting .jpg just so I don't have to convert them. You mentioned Cannon's conversion program being good. Now I"m wondering if I should load up Nikons? I've never actually used it, I've always had some form of Photoshop to do the conversions. You know of anyone using it? Is there a difference?
Maybe I'll just go back to shooting everything in raw format, it's just lazyness on my part. I've got enough memory.
When I upgraded my lens I did notice a night and day kind of difference. I don't have many lenses, but I'm working on buying quality vs quantity.
Seemingly one of my biggest challenges at this point is remembering to change all the settings when I change shots. I was doing some landscapes in Show Low and some birds came in to feed. I changed lenses and most of the other settings but forgot to change the focus mode (I really like the 51 point focus). So, I didn't get the shots I was hoping for. Instead I got some wonderful shots of the shoreline with a blurry bird in it. Oh well, hopefully next time I'll remember.
Holdcard
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RE: Photo of Epcot - 5/5/2009 12:10:56 AM
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TMeeks
Posts: 1532
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Holdcard
I'm of the same opinion as far as post processing. I'd rather do it right the first time than spend time fixing it later.
Amen! 
quote:
Lately I've gone back to shooting .jpg just so I don't have to convert them. You mentioned Cannon's conversion program being good. Now I"m wondering if I should load up Nikons? I've never actually used it, I've always had some form of Photoshop to do the conversions. You know of anyone using it? Is there a difference?
I don't know anything about the NIKON RAW conversion package. Try going to www.dpreview.com and check through the Nikon forums.
quote:
Maybe I'll just go back to shooting everything in raw format, it's just lazyness on my part. I've got enough memory.
If you can shoot with a combination RAW+JPG then you have the best of both worlds. JPGs, no matter how good they seem right out of the camera, build up a LOT more artifacting and noise during processing since you end up compressing the already compressed information. That may be the source of the noise that puzzles me in your outdoor images. That camera should have very little noise in that kind of light level. But, if you are correcting a JPG then it may be introducing artifacting that appears to be noise.
quote:
When I upgraded my lens I did notice a night and day kind of difference. I don't have many lenses, but I'm working on buying quality vs quantity.
That is exactly the right strategy to pursue. It turns a purchase into true investment. 
quote:
Seemingly one of my biggest challenges at this point is remembering to change all the settings when I change shots. I was doing some landscapes in Show Low and some birds came in to feed. I changed lenses and most of the other settings but forgot to change the focus mode (I really like the 51 point focus). So, I didn't get the shots I was hoping for. Instead I got some wonderful shots of the shoreline with a blurry bird in it. Oh well, hopefully next time I'll remember.
Holdcard
Join the crowd. I haven't talked with anyone with an SLR that hasn't done the very same thing. It comes with the territory. But, sometimes, that mistake can end up creating some very nice results. In the following link, I had the ISO cranked up from a previous shoot and forgot to reset it before shooting a portrait. Here is the result. It's a bit soft and even a bit noisy. But, it prints with a very special quality that is missing in the 'good' shot.
"Mistake"
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3227856364_ca7156d8d9_b.jpg
"Techically better focus & noise"
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3237966074_c3a6e900ab_b.jpg
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RE: Photo of Epcot - 5/7/2009 1:18:46 PM
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BeckeyZ
Posts: 5249
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From: the sunny side of the street
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quick question.....
any tips for traveling (on airlines) with your camera?
I am flying to Vegas on Monday and I don't want to lug my entire equipment bag, so I was figuring on just wearing the camera (this will be a pain, but much less a pain than checking it and worrying about it, plus - I don't want to miss any shots).
When you fly, does the camera go through the x-ray machine? Will that mess it up? As you can tell, I don't fly often. Actually, this will be my third time flying - and I'll be in Vegas for a week, so I'm hoping to get some fun nighttime shots during my "free time" (I'm going for a work conference).
Anyhow - any ideas? I'm clueless.
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RE: Photo of Epcot - 5/7/2009 7:34:08 PM
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Holdcard
Posts: 269
Joined: 1/14/2009
From: Phoenix, Arizona
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I haven't flown since I got into photography on a serious level. From what photographers I've talked to they have their most expensive gear in their carry on so it doesn't get stolen or knocked around. You can get semi rigid bags that are carry on size and airline approved but they are not cheap. Of course you get what you pay for. I just dropped $300.00+ on mine but it's a really nice roller bag.
Unless there is an emergency I don't plan on flying anymore. (personal decision).
Hope that helps some.
Holdcard
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RE: Photography - 5/7/2009 8:17:36 PM
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Adrenalinejunkie
Posts: 552
Joined: 11/29/2008
From: Tennessee -- America at it's best
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I enjoy photography. I enter pictures in my county fair (which is NOT your average fair). I've won 2nd place both times I've entered. I am determined to get 1st place this year!
My favorite subjects are sunsets and my cats.
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RE: Photo of Epcot - 5/7/2009 9:02:34 PM
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TMeeks
Posts: 1532
Joined: 1/27/2007
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When I last traveled I sent the photo equipment by car rather than risk the air companies. But, in the past I simply packed the most precious items in a sling type camera backpack and carried it on. All they asked me to do was to turn on the camera to show that it worked. No harm was done to either camera or memory chips.
Like Holdcard, I also have the Pelican type of hard case for my video cameras. They allow me to lock them on two corners. So, they'd have to steal the entire case to get the camera.
I did find a terrific rolling bag for my computer equipment for this last trip. It was a bit over a $100 at MicroCenter and seems to be about the same quality as carry one luggage in the $300 range. Perhaps it was on sale.
quote:
ORIGINAL: BeckeyZ
quick question.....
any tips for traveling (on airlines) with your camera?
I am flying to Vegas on Monday and I don't want to lug my entire equipment bag, so I was figuring on just wearing the camera (this will be a pain, but much less a pain than checking it and worrying about it, plus - I don't want to miss any shots).
When you fly, does the camera go through the x-ray machine? Will that mess it up? As you can tell, I don't fly often. Actually, this will be my third time flying - and I'll be in Vegas for a week, so I'm hoping to get some fun nighttime shots during my "free time" (I'm going for a work conference).
Anyhow - any ideas? I'm clueless.
_____________________________
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Is "Left" vs. "Right" really accurate?- Check out the Liberty Dial!
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RE: Photography - 5/8/2009 11:39:29 AM
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Adrenalinejunkie
Posts: 552
Joined: 11/29/2008
From: Tennessee -- America at it's best
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Thank you! :D
My cats are just naturally photogenic! And it helps to have a camera ready at all times...
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RE: Photography - 5/8/2009 7:43:24 PM
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Holdcard
Posts: 269
Joined: 1/14/2009
From: Phoenix, Arizona
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I've got one for you. Have you ever photographed a gun going off? I've tried with limited results. Timing is the hard part.
I'm looking to get the gun while it's actually firing, not an easy task let me tell you. I wound up with lots of before and after, but only one decent one where the slide was open and you could see the cartridge going into the chamber. I was set up a little too close so it didn't crop well. Next time we go out I may try again. Depends on how much help I get lugging equipment :-)
Another thing I'd like to do is capture a gun going off in the dark. I have no idea where to start with the settings on that one.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks
Holdcard
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RE: Photography - 5/9/2009 8:26:35 PM
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BeckeyZ
Posts: 5249
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: the sunny side of the street
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Holdcard
I've got one for you. Have you ever photographed a gun going off? I've tried with limited results. Timing is the hard part.
I'm looking to get the gun while it's actually firing, not an easy task let me tell you. I wound up with lots of before and after, but only one decent one where the slide was open and you could see the cartridge going into the chamber. I was set up a little too close so it didn't crop well. Next time we go out I may try again. Depends on how much help I get lugging equipment :-)
Another thing I'd like to do is capture a gun going off in the dark. I have no idea where to start with the settings on that one.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks
Holdcard
Couldn't find any tips....but here is a real interesting article.
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RE: Photography - 5/10/2009 12:26:19 PM
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Holdcard
Posts: 269
Joined: 1/14/2009
From: Phoenix, Arizona
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quote:
ORIGINAL: BeckeyZ
Couldn't find any tips....but here is a real interesting article.
Ahh, you have touched yet another passion of mine. Someday I'd love to rent a good high speed outfit and shoot a bunch of stuff. Of course that's going to be down the road a bit, I need to get better at the D300 first :-)
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RE: Photography - 5/12/2009 10:42:27 AM
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Holdcard
Posts: 269
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
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Hmmm, only another thousand dollars. You'll have to let us know what you think of it once you get your hands on it.
Holdcard
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RE: Photography - 5/12/2009 10:30:10 PM
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TMeeks
Posts: 1532
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I'm guessing that some photo equipment rental places will rent them out at reasonable prices. But, the costs are going to drop like stones.
The range started out above $1000 and their latest high-speed cameras are around $350.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Holdcard
Hmmm, only another thousand dollars. You'll have to let us know what you think of it once you get your hands on it.
Holdcard
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RE: Photography - 5/13/2009 10:02:19 AM
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Holdcard
Posts: 269
Joined: 1/14/2009
From: Phoenix, Arizona
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TMeeks
I'm guessing that some photo equipment rental places will rent them out at reasonable prices. But, the costs are going to drop like stones.
The range started out above $1000 and their latest high-speed cameras are around $350.
Yep, that's the way of electronics now a days. My wife still snarls at computer memory and storage when we see sales. We paid $500.00 for our first 40 MB hard drive (I'm not sure she ever recovered:-). Of course that was in the middle 80's.
Holdcard
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If You Want To POPULATE Heaven
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RE: Photography - 5/14/2009 12:40:20 AM
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TMeeks
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One of the reasons I got out of video production in the early 1980s was the rapid drop in prices left early adopters holding the bag and new competitors with a cost advantage. A professional 3-tube plumbicon color camera cost $65,000 and just three years later the newer Saticons and early digital cameras were delivering roughly the same image for $19,000. Those who had gotten into video early had huge leases to pay well after the prices dropped.
The newcomers could bid a LOT lower than we could because their costs were a lot lower. So, I moved from production into animation and video games.
Today, my $2,700 3-chip camera is far better than any of the $65K cameras back then. And, an under-$1,000 video camera is the equal of most of that early equipment. Until they came up with the hard-drive and SD video cameras, video was a great deal in terms of quality vs. cost. The latest round of video camcorders are cheap; but, they also produce just plain bad video because it's compressed so heavily. Consumer HD also has some major problems at the moment.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Holdcard
quote:
ORIGINAL: TMeeks
I'm guessing that some photo equipment rental places will rent them out at reasonable prices. But, the costs are going to drop like stones.
The range started out above $1000 and their latest high-speed cameras are around $350.
Yep, that's the way of electronics now a days. My wife still snarls at computer memory and storage when we see sales. We paid $500.00 for our first 40 MB hard drive (I'm not sure she ever recovered:-). Of course that was in the middle 80's.
Holdcard
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RE: Photography - 5/14/2009 10:35:14 AM
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Holdcard
Posts: 269
Joined: 1/14/2009
From: Phoenix, Arizona
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We got a cheap Cannon video recorder at Costco, it records to a mini DVD. Honestly my 15 year old JVC does just as well. The Cannon has more adjustments and I haven't played with them all yet so I may be able to improve the quality some. When I got it I wasn't thinking about going through so many disks, I'll have to get some rewritables to play with.
All technology seems to be dropping in price and advancing. Kind of makes it hard to keep up. If I had the 8 grand to spend I'd get the D3x, but in another few months it will be replaced as well. For now until I start making some money I think I'll just hang on to my D300. It's definitely meeting the need and there is still more quality to be squeezed out of it. For me photography is a blend between the equipment and passion to improve. Equipment is only part of the equation.
Holdcard
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If You Want To POPULATE Heaven
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RE: Photography - 5/14/2009 7:14:22 PM
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Holdcard
Posts: 269
Joined: 1/14/2009
From: Phoenix, Arizona
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Any suggestions as to printing photos.
I'd like to offer packages once in a while for some charities (we are involved with United Cerebral Palsy) and different churches in the area. I don't have the equipment and probably don't want to buy it. I'm not happy giving substandard photos, although some of the charities are. So to counter that I'd rather just handle the packages myself, that way I know it's done right.
I don't need to make a lot from this, what I really want to do is help the charities raise money as well as giving the people a good value, probably much less than the going rate at a studio. I'd like to get the hobby to start paying for itself or at least supplement some of the costs involved. I can do most of the research online as far as what packages to offer and the going rate. My question is where to you pros get your photos printed?
Thanks
Holdcard
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RE: Photography - 5/15/2009 12:42:25 AM
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TMeeks
Posts: 1532
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When doing events either 4x6 or 5x7 is appropriate on-site. You can use Flickr (Goop) or Shutterfly to sell larger copies of your images.
I have 3 types of small format, portable, battery powered printers... the original Epson PictureMate (3), the newer 200 series PictureMate (1) and the HP Photosmart 'A' series printers (2) (A626 and A635).
The original Epson PictureMates are now a bit of a pain for me since they cannot handle the large images of the Canon 5D nor can they handle SD cards over 1gig. But, the images are stunningly nice when I finally reduced the image size to 50%. The paper/ink packages make this the least expensive option. (Around $60 for 270 prints.)
The newer PictureMate is also crystal clear; but, it's a hog when it comes to ink and is not nearly so miserly with ink as the first generation printers. They also do not package the ink/paper in the 270 print package as is available for the original.
Of these, the most versatile are the HP Printers. They print both 4x6 and 5x7. They do a very nice job and the prints dry rapidly. The real benefit, from a cost point of view, is that it's easy to refill the larger version of their printer cartridge and the refill kit that I use matches the original ink quite nicely. Unlike the Epson printers, you can use 3rd party glossy papers, including Staples brand. This lowers the cost-per-print down near the original PictureMate.
I purchased the A636 on the HP Store site at $99. It is more capable than the A626, for which I paid $69 on clearance at Office Depot. The A636 allows you to add borders and write on the picture using a stylus on the build-in screen. This would have been nice for the party pictures. The A636 has become my favorite of the portable printers.
THe Canon portable printers are nice; but, you are really trapped by their ink/paper combination since it's a dye-sub format and they do not do 5x7 prints. Their nominal resolution is also lower. So, while the colors are wonderful and the durability is great, I've opted not to bother with the Canon option for portable printing. But, for larger printing and desktop printing Canon is clearly my favorite right now.
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RE: Photography - 5/15/2009 12:47:54 AM
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TMeeks
Posts: 1532
Joined: 1/27/2007
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I tend to discourage people from buying the mini-DVD video cameras. The compression limits the quality and it's difficult to do anything with the recorded image. But, the REAL problem is that sometimes the disks fail to finalize and everything on the DVD is lost.
I can't tell you how many people have come to me to try to recover lost video on their mini-DVD disks.
My advice is to COPY, COPY, COPY! In fact, I would copy the Mini-DVD to a full DVD BEFORE trying to finalize the disk.
The miniDV tape is still the best digital format for video.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Holdcard
We got a cheap Cannon video recorder at Costco, it records to a mini DVD. Honestly my 15 year old JVC does just as well. The Cannon has more adjustments and I haven't played with them all yet so I may be able to improve the quality some. When I got it I wasn't thinking about going through so many disks, I'll have to get some rewritables to play with.
All technology seems to be dropping in price and advancing. Kind of makes it hard to keep up. If I had the 8 grand to spend I'd get the D3x, but in another few months it will be replaced as well. For now until I start making some money I think I'll just hang on to my D300. It's definitely meeting the need and there is still more quality to be squeezed out of it. For me photography is a blend between the equipment and passion to improve. Equipment is only part of the equation.
Holdcard
_____________________________
http://focusonliberty.blogspot.com
Is "Left" vs. "Right" really accurate?- Check out the Liberty Dial!
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RE: Photography - 5/31/2009 8:08:51 AM
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PolarBear
Posts: 316
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: San Antonio
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Recently returned from a trip to Ottawa and Toronto and Niagara Falls. Got a good number of good pictures - of Niagara, the Ottawa Tulip Festival, and ducks, swans, & geese in a Toronto park; need to sort through them all and upload the best.
I have a couple other people at church excited about photography as a ministry. I think one of our first projects is going to be photographing "clients" of the local crisis pregnancy center and their babies.
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