Photography?

[deliciousjones]

Is anyone from the old photography thread still around?

[solongtogo]

I didn't post often but lurked.

[justHB]

I'm hanging around.

[Kellie]

I lurked too and rarely posted.

[deliciousjones]

Well, maybe we should start our own little thread although I'm sure we'll miss the always helpful advice found in the WC thread. :p

How about a QOTD?

How does Photography play into your life? Hobby, passion, profession, interest, etc?

[justHB]

Well, maybe we should start our own little thread although I'm sure we'll miss the always helpful advice found in the WC thread. :p

How about a QOTD?
How does Photography play into your life? Hobby, passion, profession, interest, etc?
You know how I feel about the advice.

;)

As for how photography plays into my life, I've always enjoyed taking photos, but never really knew if I was good at it or not. I just kind of enjoyed it for myself. Lately I've been getting a lot of really positive feedback and am exploring options for turning it into a paying hobby.

[Trillian]

As for how photography plays into my life, I've always enjoyed taking photos, but never really knew if I was good at it or not. I just kind of enjoyed it for myself. Lately I've been getting a lot of really positive feedback and am exploring options for turning it into a paying hobby.

This pretty much describes my situation. I would love to make it more than a hobby, but I hesitate to charge for my services without more training.

[Trillian]

Yay! The UPS man showed up with my Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 today! :D

I am particularly excited b/c we have a wedding and a baby shower to attend this weekend, plus a cookout on the 4th, so I will have opportunities to try it out in several environments.

[Brandles]

I've always enjoyed taking pictures. Even when I was in elementary school, I'd use my mom's old 126 camera and take pictures of friends and pose Barbies.

I've taken pictures for 2 weddings (very informal affairs) and for several informal birthday parties.

I enjoy taking pictures and I've been told that I should've gone into photography. I really didn't know that I wouldn't end up just taking wedding pictures or pictures of crying children at Wal-Mart. Sometimes I think I should've and I could've been a photo-journalist and traveled the world.

[justHB]

I'd love to see some of y'alls recent pictures.

[solongtogo]

How does Photography play into your life? Hobby, passion, profession, interest, etc?


Always have enjoyed photography as well..DH and I run a small studio out of our home, and photograph weddings on weekends. Just got finished with our 7th wedding since May 1st, and can't wait for a break!

[angio]

How does Photography play into your life? Hobby, passion, profession, interest, etc?

All of the above, but for the last year I've been developing myself as a professional. I've started a small business and DH and I are buying a house soon where I can build a studio.

So I guess it started out as an interest, grew into a hobby, became a passion, and now I'm doing it professionally...

[KeliAnn]

As for how photography plays into my life, I've always enjoyed taking photos, but never really knew if I was good at it or not. I just kind of enjoyed it for myself. Lately I've been getting a lot of really positive feedback and am exploring options for turning it into a paying hobby.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

I wasn't a "member" of the photography thread on WC, but I would like to join this one, if that's okay.

[Jazz]

I'd like to join. I'm strictly amateur/hobby (haven't made the leap from point and shoot -- though my current digital allows toggling with the various parameters).

I just enjoy documenting our travels and daily life (so darn easy w/ digital!), and love seeing artsy pics & trying to create my own.

~Stacy

[Trillian]

So far, I am moderately happy with the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8. I was hoping it would be sharper, but it's still an improvement over the other "walk around" lens I have.

Here is a shot with the Canon (I think 28-90mm f/4.0-5.6) at 1/20 of a second and f/5.0 (as wide as it would go at this focal length):
http://images.snapfish.com/343%3C%3B%3B3923232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2329%3D375%3D3 96%3DXROQDF%3E2323937%3C4%3B897ot1lsi

and then here is the same shot with the Sigma:
http://images.snapfish.com/343%3C%3B%3B3923232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E2329%3D375%3D396 %3DXROQDF%3E2323937%3C4%3B882ot1lsi

So it's still not great for very dim light, but it's definitely better than the other one.

I sold my Canon 85mm f/1.8 because the fixed focal length wasn't fitting my needs. I guess I just miss the speed and sharpness of that lens.

[deliciousjones]

Becky, have you been able to pick up a 50mm yet?

[Jazz]

Wow, Trillian, that's a huge difference! Cool!

Okay, I want to see everyone else's recent pics, so I'll get us started by posting a few of my favorite detail shots from a recent trip to France:

In Arles:
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a284/jazzier/Travel/france05_2.jpg

Gargoyles at Notre Dame:
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a284/jazzier/Travel/france05_3.jpg

Trees in Jardin du Luxembourg:
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a284/jazzier/Travel/france05_1.jpg

[BethS0103]

How about a QOTD?
How does Photography play into your life? Hobby, passion, profession, interest, etc?Photography is something I became interested in when my wedding photos came out completely uninspiring and did not capture the day - just the standard obligatory shots . All my photographer did was take "posed", set-up pictures and had no photographic vision whatsoever. So after that, I vowed to learn the art of photography so that I could learn to better document my life. Which worked out perfectly since I was moving to Europe after my wedding and getting to do a whole lotta traveling.

I'm nowhere near good enough or knowledgable enough to make money on my hobby (I'd have to get a better camera for that too) but I love the idea of capturing images that freezes a moment in time and takes you back to that very moment with vivid detail.

[justHB]

Becky, have you been able to pick up a 50mm yet?No, I'm lame. I have about 1001 things to do and yet the only thing I actually do is read celebrity gossip sites. It's sick.

[Zelda Von Yitz]

I'd love to see some of y'alls recent pictures.

Here are some I have at a local artist's show...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d809b3127cce9226197eefa100000016108AcNGTVk0cNL
This one was taken at Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas in Key west...

This one's a reflection in a partially frozen puddle...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d809b3127cce922618c2af8500000016108AcNGTVk0cNL

I took this one in Canton,Ohio:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d809b3127cce92261952ef8d00000016108AcNGTVk0cNL

And I like this one because there's a lot going on in the pic...:D
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d809b3127cce9226195eef8100000016108AcNGTVk0cNL

I've mounted these onto plaques and the plaques have a black background...same technique as in the pic below:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d809b3127cce9221920acfdd00000016108AcNGTVk0cNL

[calliope_muses]

I wasn't a part of the WC thread, but I'm subscribing to this one...

As for how photography fits into my life - mainly a hobby for me. I'm planning to go back to school in the fall and I make take a few photography courses to see if I really have the knack. I may decide to pursue it further, depending on how the classes go.

My favorite things to photograph are animals and unaware people. I'm not a big fan of posed photography - I prefer to see people and animals being themselves.

As for recent photos - you can check out my website (http://www.idlewildphoto.com/) if you'd like...


ETA - my website is by no means a professional or business related site. It's just a place for me to store what I consider to be my 'better' photos...

[Ummm]

i'm here :)

How does Photography play into your life? Hobby, passion, profession, interest, etc?

it started off as a hobby, but after some considerations (and encouragement from some pro photographers) i've started my own business a couple of months ago -- registering my biz name, opening a biz bank account, having an accountant etc etc...

it's a lot of information / things to think thru before starting my biz. it is WAY WAY more than just photography (that's the easy part!) - have to think about how to start up the biz, how to get clients and satisfy them etc etc etc...

right now i have another job. so we'll see how this goes.

can we post our own biz websites here? :)

[Trillian]

can we post our own biz websites here? :)

I wish you would -- I can't find your old link anywhere. :)

[greenbunny]

I lurked in the old thread. I never felt very comfortable because I'm not technical.

I wouldn't call photography my hobby right now. It's something I love to do but I rarely do it unless I'm what I would call "standing outside my life". Usually it's only on vacations, at weddings, etc., that I do much. I'd like to spend more time on it.

I got started because I had some ideas when I was at weddings that weren't being done. I've become known for taking a lot of shots at friends' weddings, and sometimes I've even had the professional photographer start following me around and copying my shots, which I found kind of annoying.

I know nothing about the terminology or equipment of photography. I know nothing about apertures, filters, or anything. My abilities boil down to "that picture would look cooler if it were X and Y, why isn't anyone doing that?" then I go do it.

I have no desire to do "ordered" photography. I might consider someday selling some photos if anyone were interested, but I don't want to do weddings or anything where I'm required to take certain pictures.

I do digital only. Our camera was top of the line about five years ago. Now I'd like one that I can use with lenses and effects.

Here's one of my favorites pictures I've taken. This was in the sequoia forest in CA.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4cc11b3127cce9d8e4143a03f00000016108AcOWLJuzctN

Here's sunset in Oregon:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4cc11b3127cce9d8e452ba05500000015108AcOWLJuzctN

[sarahh]

Hey everybody! I was a lurker in the WC photo thread and even posted a couple of times.

I consider photography a hobby for now. I was working as an assistant to a wedding photographer on weekends from March 2003 to March 2005, but found that it caused too much of a work load when combined with my 9-5 job during the week and our new home. I would love to do maternity, child and family portraits full-time some day, but for the time being I need to stick with my boring old corporate job for the time being. Gotta pay the bills!

Here are some recent examples of my work...

Wedding photos

http://images.snapfish.com/3443292%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2327%3D524%3D397%3DX ROQDF%3E23237587%3A3%3B%3B%3Aot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3443292%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E2327%3D524%3D397%3DX ROQDF%3E232375879%3B%3A99ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3443292%3B23232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2327%3D524%3D397%3DX ROQDF%3E23236%3A5%3B%3A53%3C%3Aot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3443292%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2323%3D737%3D575%3D3 232737484%3C6%3Cnu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/3443292%3B23232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2323%3D527%3D4%3A8 %3D32325273%3B766%3Cnu0mrj

[Sunshine]

I would LOVE to subscribe to this thread as well!
I have a Minolta QTsi SLR camera with a Minolta AF 28-80 lense and a Sigma AF 70-210 lense. I have over the past couple of years been trying to take my once hobby more seriously and will be starting a photography class here in town to learn more.....
One day I would Love to own my own business, but for now, I need more experience!

[KeliAnn]

Here are some recent wedding pictures - shot with a Nikon D70.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d828b3127cce924cfb6fa7d100000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d828b3127cce924cf56aa7d300000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d828b3127cce924cf365a7df00000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d828b3127cce924c0fe3a72700000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d828b3127cce924c0479661000000026108CZuHLFm5aA

ETA: I was a bridesmaid in the wedding, so I was not taking professional shots by any means. No external flash. Plain old lens, etc.

[KeliAnn]

And random shots taken with my new Olympus Evolt E-300

http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/livejournal/maceyfloor.jpg

http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/livejournal/yellowdaffodils1.jpg

http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/livejournal/jessejump1.jpg

http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/062605/bwfence.jpg

http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/062605/dryreedfence.jpg

http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/062605/somerbobbywatching.jpg

I haven't had much time to play around with this one, but I love it, so far. I still need to get another flash and a couple of lenses, but all in due time.

[delightfulmania]

There are some great pictures here already! Glad this thread was reincarnated over here.

I too read the WC thread, but never posted. I would consider myself a historian of sorts, and that's how I view photography - as a documentation. I studied art history in college, so maybe my view is more of an artistic document of life, people, things, places.

I find the more photos I take, the more I view "everything" as a photograph. I can't really go anywhere without framing a photo in my mind. So I've taken to carrying my camera everywhere I go.

I could sum up photography, for me, with one statement:

"pretty much by accident, but all for fun"

I do it because I enjoy it, but I'm hoping that I can learn some more of the technical pieces from this thread.

[justHB]

Like others have mentioned, I don't have much technical knowledge. I find that when I try to learn about apeture and f-stops and whatnot that when I'm taking photos, I think more about that than what it is I'm shooting. I seem to have gotten lucky with a combination of a decent eye and a decent camera.

I recently did two photo shoots - one for a friend with twins, and one of my nephew.

http://www.mpix.com/GetImage.aspx?a=5786826&b=wprkwjxjdrm60lgtfl4r&c=b&d=0

http://www.mpix.com/GetImage.aspx?a=5793272&b=obu19g91q44ympufdtap&c=b&d=0

http://www.mpix.com/GetImage.aspx?a=5796057&b=e1gzu49drw63cyrevz9i&c=b&d=0

http://www.mpix.com/GetImage.aspx?a=5822050&b=56wpo6wyk6p15k9qz2qs&c=b&d=0

http://www.mpix.com/GetImage.aspx?a=5822130&b=n0oi0p5zalbebfc7k47z&c=b&d=0

If I ever get my ass in gear, I'm working on getting myself a new lens as well.

[Jazz]

Wow, great photos everybody & website calliope-muses! I'm inspired all over again. Umm, I'd love to see your website!

[solongtogo]

Recently had a shoot with 2 mo old twins and a 2 yr old. Exhausting!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/solongtogo/a5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/solongtogo/a4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/solongtogo/a3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/solongtogo/a2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/solongtogo/a1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/solongtogo/a.jpg

[GoldEyes]

I love photography and do it as a hobby. I mostly shoot local bands (one in particular) and love every minute of it. I still really don't know much about the technical side of it all, and I really want to learn more.

Here are some of my recent pictures of a few bands...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/GoldEyes/P1000779.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/GoldEyes/P1000868.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/GoldEyes/P1000894.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/GoldEyes/P1010777.jpg

[GoldEyes]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/GoldEyes/P1010778.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/GoldEyes/P1010917.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/GoldEyes/newer.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/GoldEyes/IMG_0247.jpg

[ManteoChik]

Hey ladies....I wasn't part of the photography thread on the WC but I will sure be part of this one....

-When I was in High School I took photography classes and I was the yearbook and newspaper photographer. When I went off to college I was an elementary Education major, but quickly decided that I didn't want to be a teacher. I shot a wedding for some family friends who knew I did photography and they really are the ones that told me I should be a photographer. After that, I changed my major to photography and I hope to graduate in May '06 and my degree will be in Photographic Technology.

Here are some of my photos, please keep in mind these are all traditional black and whites, printed by myself in a darkroom and scanned from the print so the quality is not as it would be if they were scanned straight from the negative:

This is a self portrait of myself:
http://images.snapfish.com/34432%3B8323232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E233%3C%3D%3A88%3D%3C 97%3DXROQDF%3E232387253%3C6%3B9ot1lsi

These are a couple of churches I've done:
http://images.snapfish.com/34432%3B8323232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E233%3C%3D%3A88%3D%3C 97%3DXROQDF%3E232387255863%3Aot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/34432%3B8323232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E233%3C%3D%3A88%3D%3C 97%3DXROQDF%3E23238725587%3C9ot1lsi

A couple of light house pictures:
http://images.snapfish.com/34432%3B8323232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E233%3C%3D%3A88%3D%3C 97%3DXROQDF%3E23238725592%3C7ot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/34432%3B8323232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E233%3C%3D%3A88%3D%3C 97%3DXROQDF%3E232387255728%3Aot1lsi

[delightfulmania]

more great photos everyone!

speaking of great photos - does anyone frequent, or submit photos to, PhotoFriday (http://www.photofriday.com)? It's a great place to see a lot of excellent work.

... another reason to look forward to Friday ...

[ManteoChik]

Here are just a couple more..

These last three are from Key West:
http://images.snapfish.com/34432%3B8323232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E233%3C%3D%3A88%3D%3C 97%3DXROQDF%3E2323872558546ot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/34432%3B8323232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E233%3C%3D%3A88%3D%3C 97%3DXROQDF%3E2323872558743ot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/34432%3B8323232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E233%3C%3D%3A88%3D%3C 97%3DXROQDF%3E23238725573%3A5ot1lsi

[Ummm]

okay here's my website :)

www.christabutler.com

i haven't shot much lately, but will have some model shoots in July and will be assisting some weddings this summer :)

[BethS0103]

Christa, I forgot how amazing your photography is! You haven't journaled in quite a while and I know you used to share your photographs in your journal all the time but since I haven't seen them in a while, I totally forgot how spellbinding they are.

You need to start sharing more of your work because it is just SO inspiring! :D

[Little Angel '77]

*puff puff hufff puff* ... finally! I got in to CC! Its taken me FOREVER!

I *was Lil` Angel76 over at the *other* place....

I am so glad to see a happy active forum! :) Yaaa!!!

[cocoa_femme]

I rarely posted, just mainly lurked. But I loved all the advice and technical talk.

[Lindsan]

Right now photography is a hobby of mine as I have little technical knowledge but I really want to learn more and extend it further. I share the hobby with my husband so we share our two cameras, one Olympus E-10 and one Sony DSC-W1.

Here are some pictures I have taken
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Lindsan/81063c.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Lindsan/P1220107.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Lindsan/P5150382.jpg

I only lurked in the other thread because I had a huge inferior complex due to all the professional photographers, but I think I will try to overcome that now. :)

[solongtogo]

If you guys wish, one of the photography message boards I frequent is www.ilovephotography.com. The people there are extremely helpful and nice. Plus it's a great place to learn more about photoshop skills, and things that always frustruated me, like lighting :D

[Trillian]

No one should be intimidated by this thread -- Anyone who posts in here either has questions or is willing to share their knowledge. :)

[KeliAnn]

If you guys wish, one of the photography message boards I frequent is www.ilovephotography.com. The people there are extremely helpful and nice. Plus it's a great place to learn more about photoshop skills, and things that always frustruated me, like lighting :D
Ah thanks!! :) The only forums I have found are quite snooty to amateurs like myself, so I either get no help or they only talk in technical terms to purposefully confuse me, I think. :rolleyes: I'm sure this one will be more helpful.

[Ummm]

beth :o thank you. there are so many different styles of photography though but i'm glad you enjoy mine :) i'll post some more when i have new stuff :)

[luckiestgirl]

...

[ez2luv]

Subscibing....

Just an amateur here.

I know what you mean about some professionals that don't like getting asked simple Q's - I recently went on another website, and tried.
OMG, the answers I got - really rude!! I could not believe it!
I love that these boards are so welcoming to people that are just learning (like me)

So, I just got my first digital (wasted too much money on film and developing, since I like to 'play' so much!!!!)

I got a Canon S2 - still learning the features and trying to get it clicked in!

I've always been, like some of you, just a 'capture the picture by hunch' person.
Recently I've grown a curiosity for the actual technicalities of all the lightings, and sppeds and how they all work together...
and I have got to tell you...
I AM SO CONFUSED!!!! Yikes!

Honestly, I feel almost stupid because this stuff will not stick.
It makes sense when I read it - but try to think of it later,
or put it to use (to test for myself)....it's not coming easily.
Any suggestions?

[amygrrl]

ok... i'm a dork... i mostly do portraits and wedding for friends... since i never get to show any of it off... here are a bunch of my pics...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d811b3127cce92c8a8d5a3eb00000016108Abt27Nszas4

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d811b3127cce92c8a90be3ad00000015108Abt27Nszas4

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d811b3127cce92c8aee4a3d900000016108Abt27Nszas4

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d811b3127cce92c8aed0a3ed00000015108Abt27Nszas4

[amygrrl]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d811b3127cce92c8aec4a3f900000015108Abt27Nszas4

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d811b3127cce92c8aecb22c600000015108Abt27Nszas4

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d811b3127cce92c8aeb8a38500000015108Abt27Nszas4

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d811b3127cce92c8ae99229400000016108Abt27Nszas4

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d811b3127cce92c8af0f629a00000015108Abt27Nszas4

[amygrrl]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d811b3127cce92c8afcb625e00000015108Abt27Nszas4

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d832b3127cce9efb8128eecf00000016108Abt27Nszas4

[justHB]

Your photos are gorgeous Amy!

[serendipity1332]

-----

[serendipity1332]

-----

[amygrrl]

thanks, HB. i shoot with a nikon system... i was thinking of investing in a digital slr when i was preggo with avery, but now that she's gone that will probably wait until christmas. i prefer b&w, but do some color as well occasionally... but really just portraits. when we go on trips, dh is in charge of all photography usually because i'm not too inspired by buildings or scenery.

i have been paid for my work, but i don't advertise and b/c of that generally end up just working with people i know... i like it that way b/c they know what i like to do and on the very rare occassion that i've worked with strangers, i was always completely freaked out that they wouldn't like any of their pictures. once my current day job contract ends in 3 or 4 weeks, however, i plan to take a few months off and i might pick up some more jobs... of course there's the whole money issue too... i'm always uncomfortable pricing out what my 'sittings' might be worth, kwim?

ummm.. as far as being technical goes... i got my first slr when i was 15 so i've been shooting for 20 years now (dang i'm old)... i took one class in college and one class after i graduated. i'm not super technical... but i think my strongest area is in the darkroom. i love developing (probably why i didn't move to digital before). currently, however i don't have access to a darkroom, so i work with a really great professional developer here who does excellent work, including super high quality scanning of negatives.

[Little Angel '77]

Ang, you are very talented, and the first thing I will teach you is.. you will be the most critical person of your work!!! I look at some pictures and think.. Oh god....

Just keep your histogram all the way across (this is for digital folks).

You look like you have it ALL under control!!! those are aweseom shots!!!

[deliciousjones]

amygrrl: your photos are very beautiful. please keep sharing them with us!

~

i'm so glad that everyone is coming out of the woodwork. i know that the old thread was a little intimidating but hopefully we can all help eachother.

here are some shots of my daughter. i'm realizing that i rarely take photos for fun anymore and i need to fix that!

all natural light. first one is on our bed, second is outside, last two are on her changing table before bed.

http://www.plamann.net/rachel/rsmall-1.jpg

http://www.plamann.net/rachel/rsmall-2.jpg

http://www.plamann.net/rachel/rsmall-3.jpg

http://www.plamann.net/rachel/rsmall-4.jpg

[justHB]

Those last two are so great! I love babies' fascination with their feet (and am quite jealous of the fact that they can reach them).

:p

[justHB]

Here are some other recent pics of mine from my ILs 40th anniversary party. Sorry they're so big.

http://pics.livejournal.com/dakotapie/pic/00074q87

http://pics.livejournal.com/dakotapie/pic/00077w74

http://pics.livejournal.com/dakotapie/pic/0007hddx

http://pics.livejournal.com/dakotapie/pic/0007k8ge/s640x480

http://pics.livejournal.com/dakotapie/pic/0007p5ty/s640x480

http://pics.livejournal.com/dakotapie/pic/0007q9bw/s640x480

[deliciousjones]

those are beautiful becky! i think the second to last one would be great in black and white!

[ez2luv]

solongtogo and deliciousjones - I just love the baby pictures.
Since having my DD, she's all I take pictures of now - and am trying to get the best pictures with such a noncompliant little one!!! LOL!

Q: I've been trying desperately to get a good pic of toes, and I love both your shots.
I'm using Digital - can you recommend settings to focus on tiny, movable objects like toes??
Don't know if you used digital - what ISO, AP, Fstop????
Like I said in my last post, I'm having a hard time working with manual, and trying to learn the settings - I think I'm doing it all wrong....

[delightfulmania]

Subscibing....

Honestly, I feel almost stupid because this stuff will not stick.
It makes sense when I read it - but try to think of it later,
or put it to use (to test for myself)....it's not coming easily.
Any suggestions?

I feel exactly the same way! Hopefully participating here will help some of it sink in.

I love all the "portraits" everyone is posting. Most of my subjects are static. I admire those of you who can turn out some great pictures of (such cute) babies.

My favorite subject lately is the sky. And, my favorite "tools" are the parking garages in town that give you that birds eye view. Far from high tech ...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d808b3127cce92c2c63336a600000036108AasXDFy1YuH

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d808b3127cce92c2c640b7e500000046108AasXDFy1YuH

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d808b3127cce92c2c64cb7e900000026108AasXDFy1YuH

[amygrrl]

edited

[amygrrl]

edit

[amygrrl]

HB - nice stuff... you have great color. what kind of equipment are you using?
ang32 - love the color photo of the big tree trunk against the sky... where did you take that?
delicious - thanks much... i've never put them out for general consumption/ critique (except for the friends i have worked for and they have to be nice because they are my friends, right? :rolleyes: ) love your shots of your baby.
delightful - if you like sky shots are you doing anything in b/w with filters? i love using different filters on clouds and seeing how it changes the image.

[delightfulmania]

amygrrl - love the "sugar coma"! And the smiley guy in your last batch - love how you caught that huge smile.

I'm still pretty much just at the point and shoot stage ... any wisdom you could share on filters, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[serendipity1332]

Little Angel '77...just sent you an email! :)

[justHB]

HB - nice stuff... you have great color. what kind of equipment are you using? Thanks so much! All of the photos posted here were taken with a Nikon D70.

[justHB]

those are beautiful becky! i think the second to last one would be great in black and white! You're right - I should play around with it.

[cynder]

Subscribing....

I am a total amateur but love to learn more. I would have loved to get a Nikon D70 but did not have enough $$ so I got a Canon G6 which is close to an digital SLR but it's not. I love to take pictures in natural light (I hate the harsh look of flash) and now that I have a baby I would love to learn some tips that I can do quickly to capture the moment.

I have very little photo tips but I am a web designer so I do know Photoshop pretty well though it's such an immense program, you can always learn more.

[justHB]

... I would have loved to get a Nikon D70 but did not have enough $$ so I got a Canon G6 which is close to an digital SLR but it's not. Hey there Cynder; welcome! The only way I got the D70 was by constantly asking for it and essentially throwing a temper tantrum (my husband spent $300 on his brother for Xmas while I had not one single gift under the tree) - childish and immature, yes, but it worked.

;)

[berry]

I've been an avid photographer for about 10 years now. I just purchased an Olympus 8080.

Link to review of camera (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=oly_c8080wz&show=all)

It is my first digital camera and I'm trying to figure out the settings and such. I've played around with it a tiny bit this week.

My sister and her fiance are coming to visit tomorrow and I want to take some pictures. My question is, should I take them in the RAW mode or the TIFF mode?

I'm not sure if any of these will be decent enough to do anything with. I could just shoot a bunch of more compressed images, or fewer of the larger images.

I'd appreciate any advice you have. Thanks!

[Little Angel '77]

Amy... I didn't get an email- can you send it to afedele@yahoo.com

As for learning the "stuff" of photography, can I tell you guys, that some of the Basics... took me forever... Now I have an entire business with album designs and stuff. Its amaazing. Karen Simmons use to say "once you get it... you'll get it" and she was right. A lot of it just has to do with doing it. Once you get it, you get better and then you will out grow your equipment. Believe me!!! I just went from a !0D to a 20D and my photography went up TEN FULL! I can't even tell you. I have booked 25 weddings, bought a new lense today (the 70-200) and own a laptop now. I really cna't be more of a cheerleader for anyone that wants to get into it!!! If anyone has any questions and your to shy to ask here, please email me.

Also, as for getting good toe shots, it has to do with what modes and settings you are using. I personally would use a fixed focal length lense (one that has no zoom to it.) I might pick the 50 MM with an aperture of 1.8 (the 1.8 means the background is going to blur and my toes are going to be in super focus.)

Detail shots at a wedding I normal shoot with a zoom zoomed in allllll the way, or a 50mm. If I had the 24 I might use that.

Berry I NEVER EVER EVER EVER shoot in Tiff, I do shoot in Raw. Tiff is just way to complicated. Raw keeps all the data you will ever need. For those not shooting in RAW yet, once you own a camera that has the ability.... use RAW> There have been times when I wish I had used RAW but didn't and kicked myself later. I couldn't fully recover an image in JPEG mode.

Berry if you are shooting just a few images shoot RAW, if you are crunched for space - shoot JPEG. People debate over whats the point of shooting in one verse the other, but there are advatages (image recover) and disadvatages (to large a file if you have small CF cards.. you end up with lownumber of images being able to be saved. For weddings, I don't have enougb memory cards to be able to shot Raw the engtire day. :(

HTH.

[berry]

Thanks so much Little Angel '77 for your speedy reply. I bought a 1gig card and it looks like I'll be getting some more soon!

I'll take your suggestion and shoot in RAW! Thanks again :D

[Little Angel '77]

i got the answer, DON"T SHOOT TIFF...Its larger than RAW and way harder to deal with, there is no difference to shooting tiff vs. RAW

[ez2luv]

Little Angel '77 - When you say to shoot 'fixed focal length lense' - when using a zoom digital - do you mean use no zoom at all??

Like I said before....I'm so new to the technicalities, bear with me!! :p

(I'll try some toes shots tonight with a setting of 1.8 and see how that compares to the (aweful) ones I got before.....)

[Ummm]

berry - do you have software that you can use to convert from RAW to jpg? i'm not familiar with the olympics system so don't knwo what they provide.

i got a 20D and a great lens recently. haven't done much portraits lately but will post so later this month.

http://images.snapfish.com/3443494723232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2328%3D549%3D46%3C%3DX ROQDF%3E2323943765%3B35ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3443494723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E2328%3D549%3D46%3C%3DX ROQDF%3E2323943765%3B36ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3443494723232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2328%3D549%3D46%3C%3DX ROQDF%3E2323943765%3B37ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3443494723232%7Ffp3%3Enu%3D3237%3E458%3E37%3B%3EWS NRCG%3D3232%3A34674%3C2%3Anu0mrj

[Little Angel '77]

Does anyone have the link to her board? She has an amazing chat board, and i use to have the link, but I lost it. I wonder if she knows we moved over here

[deliciousjones]

Berry I NEVER EVER EVER EVER shoot in Tiff, I do shoot in Raw. Tiff is just way to complicated. Raw keeps all the data you will ever need. For those not shooting in RAW yet, once you own a camera that has the ability.... use RAW> There have been times when I wish I had used RAW but didn't and kicked myself later. I couldn't fully recover an image in JPEG mode.

I shot in RAW mode for awhile until I was confident enough in my abilities to get the exposure dead on. Now I shoot in highest resolution JPEG and it works well for me.

If you shoot in RAW, make sure you have RAW converstion software.

When you say to shoot 'fixed focal length lense' - when using a zoom digital - do you mean use no zoom at all??

A fixed focal length lens is means that it doesn't zoom. If you're using a digital point and shoot, then this would not apply to you.

Does your point and shoot have a manual mode? If so, then set your aperature (fstop) as wide as it will go (the smallest number) and let the camera choose your shutter speed. Turn off the flash and focus on the toes. It might help if the baby's sleeping.

[justHB]

I NEVER EVER EVER EVER shoot in Tiff, I do shoot in Raw. Tiff is just way to complicated. Raw keeps all the data you will ever need. For those not shooting in RAW yet, once you own a camera that has the ability.... use RAW> There have been times when I wish I had used RAW but didn't and kicked myself later. I couldn't fully recover an image in JPEG mode.FWIW, I never shoot in RAW or TIFF mode.

[ez2luv]

Thanks Deliciousjones, I'll try that....I tried to get some this evening, but she was way too active!! LOL. I'll have to get her while sleeping!

(since I've gotten my new camera - I've been experimenting all day)

Q: When I try to get a close-up pic (flower), it always is blurry.
It doesn't even seem to focus on the flower. I've tried (what seems to me) everything, even macro and supermacro....any advice??

Again..I'm shooting digital (Canon S2)

[justHB]

Q: When I try to get a close-up pic (flower), it always is blurry.
It doesn't even seem to focus on the flower. I've tried (what seems to me) everything, even macro and supermacro....any advice??

Again..I'm shooting digital (Canon S2) A lot of times when shooting in macro mode with a P&S, you're going to get that blur if you're not using a tripod. I don't know anyone who hasn't experienced the blur at one point or another. It sucks, I know. I've had more ruined photos than I care to.

[Trillian]

Has anyone else here received the B&H 35mm SLR Photo Sourcebook? It came in the mail the other day, and it's really cool. I thought it was going to be just another B&H catalog (and I do enjoy their catalogs), but this is like a combo catalog and educational resource. It lists all of the systems they support and each of the lenses available for each system. It goes into detail about each lens and what makes it different from the others. There's also a ton of info on flash systems, filters, tripods, etc.

You can request a copy here (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=CGJt6Zprfv!-546016350?O=RootPage.jsp&A=getpage&Q=FreeCatalog.jsp).

[deliciousjones]

Q: When I try to get a close-up pic (flower), it always is blurry.

That might be camera shake which can be remedied with a tripod like justHB suggested.

Since it's a point and shoot, the macro setting is just a setting and not a specific lens like it's meant to be. Try stepping back several feet and using the zoom feature to zoom in close.

[mrsdrummer]

Hi! I participated a small amount on the other board, but would like to get more into this one. I have a Minolta Maxxum5 and love it but would love a nice digital one as well. I do it mainly as hobby but have done several family shoots, as well as a wedding and possibly doing another wedding. Little kids are the funnest. My 2 year old nephew puts on the smile just as soon as I get the camera out. Here are some pictures I took of him a couple weeks ago.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d803b3127cce92061bd11bce00000025118Das27lm1E
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d803b3127cce92061f0d1b1000000075138Das27lm1E
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d803b3127cce920612f75b7400000036108Das27lm1E

[mrsdrummer]

I also did a photo shoot for my husbands band. Here are a couple from that.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5dc35b3127cce906ea623807900000056108Das27lm1E

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5dc35b3127cce906ebe79802f00000035108Das27lm1E

These are of my BIL and his family

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce04b3127cce9b0e2757aa2f00000066108Das27lm1E

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce04b3127cce9b0e27542b1c00000076108Das27lm1E

Oh and for the record, I would much rather shoot portraits outside than inside any day. Free backdrops, free lighting, what more could you want. :D

[mrsdrummer]

Oh I do have a question. How do i go about getting a little logo to put on my pictures? I think that's just neat.

[cynder]

by constantly asking for it and essentially throwing a temper tantrum

HB, I thought of doing that but with a new house, I knew it wouldn't work. :p

getting a little logo to put on my pictures

Use graphics software like Photoshop. Create a layer and place it above the layer with the photo.

[deliciousjones]

(hi cynder!!!)

How do i go about getting a little logo to put on my pictures?

I created a brushstroke at 70% transparency and 'paint' my images with the copyright symbol. it looks like this:

http://www.christineplamann.com/clientproofs/djv/images/vega-22.jpg

sorry the image is so huge.

[cynder]

Hi Christine!
I checked out your photography and your work is beautiful. I had no idea you were in this line of work. When I come to WI in the fall can I hire you to take photos of Sam? Do you only do B&W?

[deliciousjones]

you can definitely hire me :) i do mostly b&w but lately, i've been throwing in some color here and there. i recently did a session for wendy and baby greta and if you email me, ill send you a link to her session. email is on my website.

[Little Angel '77]

just bumping this up. I have a wedding this week at Fenway park... I can't wait!

[sarahh]

I posted wedding photos I took as a photog. assistant last year on page one of this thread, but thought I would post some of my non-wedding work as well. These were all taken with my simple P&S digital Sony.

http://images.snapfish.com/3443886%3B23232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E2323%3D62%3A%3D67%3B %3D323262%3A58%3A%3C%3A5nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/3443886%3B23232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E2323%3D62%3A%3D67%3B %3D323262%3A58%3A%3C%3B3nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/3443886%3B23232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2327%3D524%3D397%3 Dxroqdf%3E23233%3B%3A789773ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3443886%3B23232%7Ffp6%3B%3Dot%3E2323%3D459%3D434%3 D32324593437%3A5nu0mrj

[kdotp]

Newcomer here. I attempted to venture into the other thread a few times but always got overwhelmed.

My dad taught me the basic fundamentals of photography on a SLR Pentax that had both a wide-angle and telephoto lens (most of which I have completely forgotten, especially since I managed to lose the camera--parts were eventually found in a pawn shop--while taking a photography class in college).

I use a Canon G5 right now. It works okay; I haven't really messed with any of the manual settings. Someday I'd like to get a digital SLR, but that's a ways off. Most of my subjects are static--nature, scenery, landscapes, etc...

A few photos:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/kdotp/treesnow.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/kdotp/NY27.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/kdotp/daisy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/kdotp/coneflower1.jpg

I know quite a bit about Photoshop, since my job is color correcting and fixing photos for print, but am always wanting to learn more about photography in general.

[KeliAnn]

Here are a few doggie pics I took this weekend ...

http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/070205/jessieoutside.jpg

http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/070205/maceysmileoutside.jpg

Jumping for a tennis ball:
http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/070205/jessiefly.jpg

[KeliAnn]

And a few people pics ...

My niece:
http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/070405/sydneipooltable.jpg

http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/070405/sydneilookingoverrailing.jpg

My soon-to-be nephew and a friend:
http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/070305/bobbymattpool.jpg

http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/070305/bobbyhandsgrin.jpg

http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/070305/bobbywater.jpg

http://www.kenandkeli.com/images/070305/bobbysparkler2.jpg

[solongtogo]

Here are a few doggie pics I took this weekend ...


he's so cute!!

[KeliAnn]

solongtogo - Thanks! The first one is a staghound mix (mutt), and she's the one jumping in the 3rd picture. The second one is a boxer/black lab mix, and she's the one who sits on her butt and eats all day. ;)

[Little Angel '77]

Kdotp Can I ask- do you make a lot of money doing that? Where do you work? I am looking to change jobs, and would love something relavent to PS, or photography, without working in a photo store like wolfe or ritz... Suggestions?

[justHB]

These were taken this weekend on our trip to Santa Barbara. I wasn't too thrilled with most of my pictures this time around. *sigh*

http://www.mpix.com/GetImage.aspx?a=6487880&b=9iooifcn1bwdlg5t6mw3&c=b&d=0

http://www.mpix.com/GetImage.aspx?a=6488383&b=gxi09y7ll1dauqyb1ax5&c=b&d=0

http://www.mpix.com/GetImage.aspx?a=6488481&b=bqebfdb3gvt67x5fo07n&c=b&d=0

http://www.mpix.com/GetImage.aspx?a=6488768&b=9mczh3vvdajmdi8zzvdw&c=b&d=0

http://www.mpix.com/GetImage.aspx?a=6492345&b=pafcec0ryx2ckqys2anv&c=b&d=0

[kdotp]

Kdotp Can I ask- do you make a lot of money doing that? Where do you work? I am looking to change jobs, and would love something relavent to PS, or photography, without working in a photo store like wolfe or ritz... Suggestions?
I work for a small publishing company. I also do other things, mostly pre-press and post-press work (maintain mail lists, get magazines ready for press, made PDFs, some graphic design, etc...)

Unfortunately, I don't make very good money. :) Unless you can find work with a printer in the pre-press department or with a publishing company, there aren't really many job options for doing what I do.

[mrsdrummer]

question: I have a minolta maxxum5. will just about any lense work on any camera or do you have to stick to your brand or what? How do I go about getting a different lense? Any suggestion on which one to get as far as distance and stuff goes?

[KeliAnn]

These were taken this weekend on our trip to Santa Barbara.

Great shots, Becky! I love the blues and greens in that last picture.

[ag-girl]

Wow. You ladies are so talented!!

Another lurker here from the other thread.....
Photography has been a hobby of mine for awhile now. I soon hope to be the proud owner of a D70! I've been shooting with a plain Olympus digital camera.

Here are a few photos I've taken recently. CC welcome

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d927b3127cce92e3b6f984c100000016108AbtXLZozbti

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d927b3127cce92e3b08684bd00000016108AbtXLZozbti

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d927b3127cce92e3b164c4c700000016108AbtXLZozbti

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d927b3127cce92e3b1d5454600000016108AbtXLZozbti

[ag-girl]

a few more.....

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d927b3127cce92e3b1c3455000000016108AbtXLZozbti

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d927b3127cce92e3b1d1454200000016108AbtXLZozbti

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d927b3127cce92e3b1c7455400000016108AbtXLZozbti

[KeliAnn]

Wow, ag-girl, those are amazing!! I love the vibrant colors, and you have a great eye for framing shots. I can't wait until you get your D70 and see what you can do, then! ;)

[Little Angel '77]

ag gril... wow. You are talented!!1 Nice work!

[mrsdrummer]

For those of you like myself, who still use film, what kind do you use?

[ag-girl]

Thanks KeliAnn and Little Angel! I appreciate your feedback. It always helps when there is such beautiful scenery to shoot :)

[Ummm]

mrsdrummer - i just went digital recently. when i was still using film, for all around stuff i like using fuji superia 400 (and go to a lab with a good fuji machine for printing using fuji paper (crystal something i forgot). for b&w it depends - i like using the fake b&w films like kodak t400cn or ilford super x2 (i think that's the name, i'm losing my memory as i haven't bought any films for a while!), plus i also like using ISO3200 films for the grainy look.

[Ummm]

did a senior shot last night... first one...

http://www.christabutler.com/blog/christabutler-web_MG_0836a-desaturated.jpg

http://www.christabutler.com/blog/christabutler-web_MG_0876a-cp.jpg

http://www.christabutler.com/blog/christabutler-web_MG_0966a-bw.jpg

[deliciousjones]

i love the senior shots, christa. the blowouts really look edgy.

how did you get into seniors? as much as i love working with babies every day, it would be really nice to work with some adults who WANT their photos done.

[ag-girl]

very cool senior shots! not cheesy at all like so many you see out there.

[mrsdrummer]

Ummmm did you just buy your film anywhere or did you order it from somewhere? I'd like to think I'd get a better deal if I ordered it from somewhere. I'm kind of itching for a digital SLR though if truth be told. So I'm looking for a great deal on one of those. I'd like to do more than just pictures of my husband and our dog ya know.

[luckiestgirl]

...

[luckiestgirl]

...

[swcolleen]

Hi. I am new to this thread-going to subscribe (although I haven't finished readign the first 12 pages yet! I had just joined the photography thread on wC but never posted then the big change happened so I am happy to try again here...

I love taking photos and I always have, as long as I can remember. I have had some people suggest I do it for a fee but I don't feel that confident just yet. I have shot a few weddings for friends as favor or gift or just to help out when they had wedding photographer issues and I absolutely was disappointed with the photographer I choose to use-shoudl have trusted my gut on that one but that is for another day another thread....

anyway...i just wanted to post and say hello....i will be around!

[curlygurl]

I've lurked in this thread, as well as the original WC one, forever. I'm finally going to to share some of my favorite photos. I'm mostly a point & shoot girl, but everyone once in the while, I particularly like a photo of mine. I hope to continue and improve and learn from everyone who shares here.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b0ce36b3127cce9fde8c6b9b9b00000026108AcMWbNk3Zsn
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5dc32b3127cce90622e1ecb0f00000035108AcMWbNk3Zsn
http://photos5.flickr.com/8743116_1f2478a381.jpg
http://photos5.flickr.com/8743161_ce443f3cfd.jpg

[ez2luv]

One I recently took of my DD....


http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d926b3127cce92f7cf4edc6300000016108EYs2jFsyaY

[solongtogo]

ag-girl: love the pictures...makes me want a vacation!
Ummm..love the second one!!


Everyone else..awesome job. I love everyones pictures.

Here's a few of my own, with appearances by Holly and Petey Cat.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d931b3127cce92e1fb22df9700000016109AZsXDFw2bE
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d931b3127cce92e1f8459f6900000016109AZsXDFw2bE
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d931b3127cce92e1f82a1e3600000015109AZsXDFw2bE
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d931b3127cce92e1f8d41ec800000015109AZsXDFw2bE
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d931b3127cce92e1fc119f3f00000016109AZsXDFw2bE
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d931b3127cce92e1fc081e1600000016109AZsXDFw2bE

[luckiestgirl]

Love the pictures everyone!!!! :D

[sravenne]

Hey Girls! What fabulous shots! My name is Kim and I enjoy taking pictures of babies, children, weddings, and still life. I'm glad to see more pictures posted here than on WC. Seems like this thread is already getting busy so I'm excited!

Here's a picture that I just hung up in our guest bathroom this evening. Thought it was appropriate. ;)

http://www.sravenne.com/mt-static/archives/OldTownAlexandria_06.26.05%20053ebw.jpg

And here's a photo I took of my little neighbor at the pool yesterday:

http://www.sravenne.com/mt-static/archives/aidanpool.jpg

I just started my CC journal so I'm hoping someone will come visit me. =) See you around the thread!

[twainny]

I have a question... I have a Canon Rebel ti (35 mm) and we just bought the Canon Rebel XT (digital). I have a 28-90 lens and a 70-300 lens. I want a wide angle lens, we are thinking of a 17-40 lens. Should I buy that (it is about 300+) or should we get the converter things for the 28-90 lens? I forget what they are called, but can make a regular lens into a fisheye or zoom lens. I've seen them in kits taht come with three converters. Any thoughts?

[solongtogo]

More from me..

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d930b3127cce92eabc2de74100000016109AZsXDFw2bE
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d930b3127cce92eabc07e76b00000016109AZsXDFw2bE http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d930b3127cce92eabd1c26d800000016109AZsXDFw2bE http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d930b3127cce92eabd0626c200000016109AZsXDFw2bE http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d930b3127cce92eabde0262400000016109AZsXDFw2bE http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d930b3127cce92eabddc261800000016109AZsXDFw2bE

[nektarine]

WOW! there are so many talented women over here!

i never followed the thread on WC, but wanted to say hi over here. i will most likely lurk and drool over your pics, because i really don't have many to share!

i am just a leisurely photographer. i have absolutely NO idea what i am doing when it comes to the manual options, although i futz around with a few things every now and then. figuring out the all of the technical features of my camera (nikon n75) is on the to-do list for this year! i don't have any digital cameras, but would like to pick up a little one at some point, because mine is a lot to lug around.

thanks for sharing all your wonderful pics!

[Allegra]

Just got back on CC and in reviewing the new posts, found this one! It's too long for me to catch up reading in the busy season but I'll just jump in with both feet. I'm a photographer (wedding/portraits - babies and brides as I like to say) I use Canon equipment. Ummm.. started when I was in high school. strong hobbiest for many years. decided to start my own business. 'weekend' warrior for a number of years. Decided to go full time. Here I am. :eek: Talk amongst yourselves... :D

Allegra

[sravenne]

Hi Allegra,

You're right. This thread is bumping! =) I'm so glad there are so many photographers here.

I'd love to hear more about how you got started. Your story sounds like mine...although I'm still a "weekend warrior". How did you know when it was right to go over to the other side full-time?

Kim

[solongtogo]

Just got back on CC and in reviewing the new posts, found this one! It's too long for me to catch up reading in the busy season but I'll just jump in with both feet. I'm a photographer (wedding/portraits - babies and brides as I like to say) I use Canon equipment. Ummm.. started when I was in high school. strong hobbiest for many years. decided to start my own business. 'weekend' warrior for a number of years. Decided to go full time. Here I am. :eek: Talk amongst yourselves... :D

Allegra

Hi Allegra,

I remember you from ILP...how's your little baby??

[Ummm]

I have a question... I have a Canon Rebel ti (35 mm) and we just bought the Canon Rebel XT (digital). I have a 28-90 lens and a 70-300 lens. I want a wide angle lens, we are thinking of a 17-40 lens. Should I buy that (it is about 300+) or should we get the converter things for the 28-90 lens? I forget what they are called, but can make a regular lens into a fisheye or zoom lens. I've seen them in kits taht come with three converters. Any thoughts?

if you have the funds, definitely get the 17-40mm. i haven't used it, but i've read lots of good reviews about this lens. i am sure once you've used this lens, you can see a big difference between that and the kit lenses (which i also have - prob the same as yours as i have the rebel 2000) - i recently bought a L lens (a canon professional lens, which i think the 17-40mm is too), and wow what a difference. those add on wide angle fisheye/wide angle thingy is more of a novelty. i guess it depends on what you want to get out of it - is this just a hobby or do you really want to buy something worthwhile?

a lens is definitely more important than the camera body itself. the 17-40mm is going to be very wide on the film camera, but it'd be about 27-42mm on the digital so it's not that wide.

[KeliAnn]

Amazing pictures, everyone! Keep posting. :)

[sravenne]

I have a 17-40/4.0L. I'm not sure if it's the same one you're talking about because this lens runs about 700.00. It's an "L" lens and I don't think there's another model that zoom...I love it! I probably wouldn't consider it my "walkaround" lens because it is rather wide like Ummm said, but it's a fantastic lens for taking pictures in smaller spaces or if you want a more artistic angle on things. It's wonderful and I don't regret buying it. Good luck!

[ag-girl]

solongtogo - very neat detail shots and I love the kitties!!

I'm so glad to see more people posting here and sharing their work.

[justHB]

Here are a couple from a wedding we went to this weekend. I didn't take as many shots as I nornally do. I just wasn't in the mood.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d931b3127cce92fa0ca1ff2500000016108AaMWrRy5cOB

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d931b3127cce92fa0d743e5800000016108AaMWrRy5cOB

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d931b3127cce92fa03fb3ed000000016108AaMWrRy5cOB

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d931b3127cce92fa0e337e8600000016108AaMWrRy5cOB

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d931b3127cce92fa0e2effab00000016108AaMWrRy5cOB

[justHB]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d931b3127cce92fa0e9f7e2a00000016108AaMWrRy5cOB

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d931b3127cce92fa0e88ff0d00000016108AaMWrRy5cOB

[solongtogo]

HB, those are fantastic! That cake looks so good :D

[twainny]

Thanks for the tips on the lens. I will tell my DH that we should get the lens, not the adapter things. We are going to Alaska in a week and I really wanted it for our trip, but where we want to order it from is on backorder :( Maybe I will keep looking around on the internet for it.

HB- I love the pictures!!!!

[Little Angel '77]

Can I make a suggestion? When you guys post pictures put the specs (shutter, aperture, and ISO or Film Speed) so people lurking and people following know how you got the shot.

Great work you guys.

As for "my story" of how I got into photography, my cousin is a photographer in Tampa Florida, and she did my engagement pictures as my wedding present.

She convinced me that I could really be good at photography after reviewing some of my work. She then got her dad to buy me my first Digital SLR Canon 10D. I used that to do engagement sessions for girls, and those girls booked me for weddings. I had to figure out my processes quick, and jumped in head first. I now have 2 Digital bodies, and sold one of my used Canon 10D.

I now have a bunch of lens and a website, and 24-30 weddings booked along with a handful of engagement and portrait work.

I love what I do, and the plan is in 9-10 months to go full time photography. My dh said I can even turn the commuter car in and get the truck I want!!! Yipppeee!

It will be nice going full time because I am SWAMPED all the time with photography stuff. I actually have about 4 weddings on my plate that need to be processed and an album that needs to be submitted for print. :eek: :eek: :eek:

[luckiestgirl]

I love the pictures everyone!!! :D :D

[justHB]

Can I make a suggestion? When you guys post pictures put the specs (shutter, aperture, and ISO or Film Speed) so people lurking and people following know how you got the shot.One thing you'll notice is that some people here have already said they know nothing about these things and simply take pictures of things they like and hope for the best. In fact, a number of posters here have said that's what intimidated them about the thread on WC and why they chose not to participate.

The wedding photos I posted above are a combination of auto mode and manual mode, but I can't tell you which ones and what the specs were for each.

[deliciousjones]

When you guys post pictures put the specs (shutter, aperture, and ISO or Film Speed) so people lurking and people following know how you got the shot.

Little Angel Do you even bother to read what everyone writes? Person after person has commented that the last thread was too intimidating because of all of the technical talk.

Yes, it's nice to know that sort of information if a shot is particularly interesting, but let's not scare the photography buffs away. Many of us enjoy photography for the beauty of it, not for the technical aspect of it.

[KeliAnn]

These were shot with a Fuji Finepix p&s in auto mode. That's all I know.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d828b3127cce924ce150a7e300000036108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d828b3127cce924ce15aa7e900000025108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d828b3127cce924ce485669c00000025108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d828b3127cce924c0ae6668800000025108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d828b3127cce924c023fe76500000025108CZuHLFm5aA

I'm going the beach next week for vacation, so I'll think of you guys and take lots of pictures. ;)

[solongtogo]

Keli,

Love them and the colors. The second one caught my eye...that would look cool in b/w.

Agree with HB and others, most of the time I post pictures way after they were taken. I don't have the foggiest what settings they were taken at...

[sourgrapes]

Great photos ladies. I'm impressed!

ummm, you probably don't remember me but I used to post in your journals over at WC. I'm aka 'wen'. Your photos are beautiful!

[jellybeany]

I'm not very good yet but I love to take pictures. Here are some that I've gotten with my digital camera.

[removed pics]

http://images.snapfish.com/34443%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp4%3Enu%3D324%3A%3E699%3E2%3C %3B%3EWSNRCG%3D32329694%3B6%3A37nu0mrj

[jellybeany]

a few more...

http://images.snapfish.com/34443%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E233%3B%3D78%3A%3D3 %3B%3C%3DXROQDF%3E23238785%3A39%3B8ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/34443%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E233%3B%3D78%3A%3D3 %3B%3C%3DXROQDF%3E23238785%3A8239ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/34443%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E233%3B%3D78%3A%3D3 %3B%3C%3DXROQDF%3E23238785%3A7453ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/34443%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E233%3B%3D78%3A%3D3 %3B%3C%3DXROQDF%3E23238785%3A5%3A%3B%3Bot1lsi

[mobox]

I'm the furthest thing from a photographer but I love this picture that I took in May...

http://images.snapfish.com/34443%3C6%3B23232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2333%3D574%3D779%3 DXROQDF%3E232385%3B885867ot1lsi

HB~~AMAZING photos!!! Can I steal the bottom flower pic. I still like to collect hydranga photos...

[Trillian]

I am glad that more people are posting their photos now, and the last thing any of us want to do is make anyone feel unwelcome in this thread. However, I don't see any problem with people posting the technical specs when they do know them or have the type of camera where you can look back at the specs later. If you don't know the specs or shot on auto, that's fine, too. No one is going to laugh at anyone else for their choice of camera settings.

Personally, I would find it helpful in my learning process to get the details on how other people are shooting.

[justHB]

HB~~AMAZING photos!!! Can I steal the bottom flower pic. I still like to collect hydranga photos...[/FONT]Thanks! And of course.

:)

[justHB]

I am glad that more people are posting their photos now, and the last thing any of us want to do is make anyone feel unwelcome in this thread. However, I don't see any problem with people posting the technical specs when they do know them or have the type of camera where you can look back at the specs later. If you don't know the specs or shot on auto, that's fine, too. No one is going to laugh at anyone else for their choice of camera settings.

Personally, I would find it helpful in my learning process to get the details on how other people are shooting.I'm absolutely fine with people posting the photo specs, but I don't want others who have come out of the woodwork to retreat again because they don't have that level of technical knowledge, you know? As solongtogo also mentioned, sometimes you just don't *want* to look back for whatever reason.

[greenbunny]

Here's one of DH and me. I really wanted to try it myself, but actually he ended up taking the picture because he's taller and it got better that way.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5db33b3127cce91cc094ee67300000016108AcOWLJuzctN


Here's one I took at Mount Rushmore from inside the tour building where they have the mold they used to design the carvings. I thought it would be cool to show the mold with the real thing behind it.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4cc29b3127cce9dc067d03da000000016108AcOWLJuzctN

For reference, here's the whole sculpture. Originally they were going to carve them all down to the waist but the rock was too hard and it cost too much/took too long. [/end geekery]
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4cc29b3127cce9dc067d5bc9500000016108AcOWLJuzctN

[greenbunny]

Here are a few from my roommate's wedding. I was MOH so I didn't have a lot of time for pictures.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d903b3127cce9be25179012a00000015108AcOWLJuzctN

I love the rosettes here,
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d903b3127cce9be25178801b00000025108AcOWLJuzctN

but the veil is better here:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d903b3127cce9be2517b012800000025108AcOWLJuzctN

Obligatory cute child shot:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d933b3127cce92919e6b2f3000000015108AcOWLJuzctN

[games]

Hi, I'm Alex.

I posted a few times in the photography thread over at WC.

Photography is a hobby for me that in the past couple of years I started to take more serious. I use film but will eventually make the switch over to digital. I own a Canon Rebel, a kit lens, and a 50 mm lens (which I LOVE). HB, I read that you're thinking about getting one. If you haven't already, you will love it. Some of your pictures are so sharp that they look like you might have taken them with a 50 mm but that might just be one of the pros of going digital.

Because I'm strictly film, I don't have many pictures to share. I get lazy when it comes to scanning pictures (another plus of going digital). I'll look around to see what pictures I have scanned and will post.

BTW, some of the pictures that have been posted here are GREAT.

Alex

[cynder]

Does your point and shoot have a manual mode? If so, then set your aperature (fstop) as wide as it will go (the smallest number) and let the camera choose your shutter speed. Turn off the flash and focus on the toes.

Thank you for this advice for a dummy like me! I think I am getting the hang of 1/10th of the 5 million settings on my camera.

HB - Beautiful detail. I love photos like that but I usually manipulate them in PS to get that effect of focused detail and blurry background. So jealous of your camera and eye for photos

[Little Angel '77]

Little Angel Do you even bother to read what everyone writes? Person after person has commented that the last thread was too intimidating because of all of the technical talk.

Yes, it's nice to know that sort of information if a shot is particularly interesting, but let's not scare the photography buffs away. Many of us enjoy photography for the beauty of it, not for the technical aspect of it. Um, that was a little rude....

Yes I do... but this thread moves to fast. It was page 2 a few days ago, and then I never got any emails, sorry.

I am a little sad that this thread is more of a look at the picture I took then... an educational thread like it was... For those of you who were NOT WC folk, thats not direct at you.

Have fun guys. For those of you that Private message me with questions, if you'd like to learn something, I'd love to start an educational thread again.

[justHB]

Um, that was a little rude....

Yes I do... but this thread moves to fast. It was page 2 a few days ago, and then I never got any emails, sorry.

I am a little sad that this thread is more of a look at the picture I took then... an educational thread like it was... For those of you who were NOT WC folk, thats not direct at you.

Have fun guys. For those of you that Private message me with questions, if you'd like to learn something, I'd love to start an educational thread again.There's no need to YAGE. I think you're being overdramatic. Like I said before, there's no reason why we can't post that information, but I don't think this thread should be entirely about that. Are you really begrudging people the opportunity to post photos for feedback? I don't see how that's not educational. People here have already learned about new lenses, talked about which cameras to purchase, how to take photos in different types of lighting conditions. I think that's MUCH more informative and educational than listing apeture and f-stops. Besides, as has been pointed out, not everyone here as SLRs and that information might not be useful to them anyhow. Or is it that you want to show off how much "knowledge" you have and that's not necessarily what's required here?

:confused:

[sravenne]

I normally don't post my opinions, but I thought I'd take a different road today. :D I don't think there's anything to really disagree about here. I think that it should be up to the photographer if she wants to to post technical information...and if the photographer doesn't want to, then soley looking at their work is still just as wonderful. I personally benefit from seeing what settings were used (i.e. long exposures, various depths of field). I think it's great if the photographer wants to share this information, especially for novices like myself.

These boards shouldn't be a place for anyone to feel intimidated to share their art. I think we're all a part of this thread to share our photos and knowledge and we should be supportive of each other and also be sensitive to those who may just be learning.

I hope to see many more of your beautiful pictures and also be able to learn from so many of you talented ladies. :)

Kim

[snowzilla]

I have to agree that the other Photography threads, while really interesting and informative to lurk in, did become pretty intimidating for those of us not well-versed in apertures and f-stops.

What I've seen in this thread so far is the definite presence of raw natural ability in some of the posters who have shared their pictures with us - shooting specs or none, you can't replicate a good eye. (HB, I've been seriously impressed with your photos since seeing some that you posted on the other site's thread.)

I don't have a problem with seeing the specs IF a poster wants to take the time to share them, but I don't think it should be a guideline for showing-and-telling.

Games I just picked up the 50mm 1.8 for my Canon Rebel (digital) a few weeks ago. (I was too cheap to spring for the 1.4 with a baby on the way, and lots of diapers to buy. ;) ) So far I'm totally impressed! I can't wait to spend some more time with it, but we just got back from a trip to the mountains, and I found myself using the kit lens (18-55) because it gave me more flexibility to do what I wanted to do. I'm still trying to decide what my next lens purchase will be - it's like a bad addiction, I bought one, and was immediately already thinking about what I would save up for next. ;)

[cynder]

shooting specs or none, you can't replicate a good eye.
Bingo. This is why I am not too interested in seeing shooting specs. I am just loving see everyone's artistic take on the subject like the picture of the water faucets that someone hung in their bathroom. Hope to see more photos.

[luckiestgirl]

...

[J&T2005]

moving onnnnn...

Wow! Talented ladies! I love photography and am constantly frustrated by the money needed to fund this hobby, and some day, after lightening strikes and I win the lottery, I too may be posting work... for now -

Post more work, please!

[jellybeany]

Here are some that I took of my mom's dog that I love
http://images.snapfish.com/3444498%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E233%3B%3D78%3A%3D3%3 B%3C%3DXROQDF%3E232396487%3A%3A%3B8ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3444498%3B23232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E233%3B%3D78%3A%3D3%3 B%3C%3DXROQDF%3E232396492%3C957ot1lsi

Here are two that I took last time DH and I went to Niagara Falls
http://images.snapfish.com/3444498%3B23232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E233%3B%3D78%3A%3D3%3 B%3C%3DXROQDF%3E2323964937559ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3444498%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E233%3B%3D78%3A%3D3%3 B%3C%3DXROQDF%3E23239649372%3A4ot1lsi

[justHB]

What a cute dog!

Does anyone else find it difficut to photograph water? I've tried a couple of times and only once was I ever really satisfied with how the photo came out.

[justHB]

moving onnnnn...

Wow! Talented ladies! I love photography and am constantly frustrated by the money needed to fund this hobby, and some day, after lightening strikes and I win the lottery, I too may be posting work... for now -

Post more work, please!I think with a great eye, you don't necessarily need to spend a lot of $$$ to take wonderful photos. Up until this past Christmas, I used a $299 Olympus p&s to great effect. One thing I did was if I saw something that I thought would make a great photo, I would take many versions of it to ensure that at least one of them came out how I hoped. Cheating, probably ... but it worked. I still use my p&s a lot when I don't feel like lugging the Nikon around.

I also wanted to thank cynder and snowzilla for your kind compliments! I didn't want you to think I hadn't appreciated them. I really do.

[sarahh]

Does anyone else find it difficut to photograph water? I've tried a couple of times and only once was I ever really satisfied with how the photo came out. I just used my consumer grade Sony digital camera and got a great water shot. You can see the movement of the water...but it's not too blurry.

http://images.snapfish.com/34444%3A2723232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2323%3D986%3D65%3A%3 D3232986569999nu0mrj

[snowzilla]

I haven't tried photographing a lot of water, but maybe I'll put that on my list of challenges.

I guess if I'm going to read along, it wouldn't hurt me to post a few of my own. These are shots I took this past weekend with the intention of framing them for our baby's room (it's a tropical/jungle theme). Some of them have been post-processed in PS to tweak the color a little, but that's the extent of the retouching.

Edited to change the URL's because those were some monster-sized pictures! Oops!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d932b3127cce9297c7b1b64300000016108Cbs2zNszaO
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d932b3127cce9297c7bc377e00000016108Cbs2zNszaO
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d932b3127cce9297c7bdb64f00000016108Cbs2zNszaO

[twainny]

snowzilla I love your quote "I had a dream that my whole house was clean." THAT CRACKS ME UP!!!! :) I love your flower pictures!

QOTD- where do you get your film developed? Do you DIY in a darkroom or just take it somewhere?

I still can't decide if I want to get the 17-40 lens. Will it take good pictures in Alaska? I want something with more of a panoramic view than my standard lens, and I assume that the 17-40 will do it, but I don't want the fisheye effect for Alaska. I need to order it if I want it... I just can't decide. Or will the kit thing (adapter) work for that?

[KeliAnn]

Does anyone else find it difficut to photograph water? I've tried a couple of times and only once was I ever really satisfied with how the photo came out.

Becky, I found this article (http://www.jrjphoto.com/articles/how-to-effectively-photograph-water.php) about effectively photographing water. Maybe that will help? I recently bought a couple of digital photography books off of half.com, and they have helped immensely! But photographing water is a trial-and-error thing for me.

ETA: apparently, we're not the only ones with this problem ... (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/sim-explorer/explore-items/-/0811724611/0/101/1/none/purchase/ref%3Dpd%5Fsxp%5Fr0/002-3267224-2584830) ;)

[KeliAnn]

I guess if I'm going to read along, it wouldn't hurt me to post a few of my own. These are shots I took this past weekend with the intention of framing them for our baby's room (it's a tropical/jungle theme). Some of them have been post-processed in PS to tweak the color a little, but that's the extent of the retouching.

GORGEOUS pictures, snowzilla! Now, did you use a white background or did you take the background out in PS?

[Trillian]

Becky,

Is your problem with photographing water due to the motion blur or the reflection? If it's the reflection, I think there is a filter you can buy for your lens to make it come out better. There is a huge section on filters in that B&H 35mm sourcebook that I mentioned a few pages back. I found it really helpful because it explained the use for each filter and showed before and after pictures.

[greenbunny]

I'd also love to hear how you did the background, snowzilla. And what is holding the flower? Is it in a vase?

[snowzilla]

Thanks for the compliments, ladies. :)

The white background was provided by a white sheet stretched over a sawhorse out in the backyard. It was a very sunny, very hot day, so I took advantage of the natural light. No PS was involved in the background of the white ones. I tried using a black sheet as well, but the sheet wasn't a "true" black (you know, after you wash it a few times, it fades) and with the sun being so bright, the background looked all wrinkled and different shades of black. So the black ones *did* have the background PS'd.

The flowers were just standing in a vase, and I used my 50mm 1.8 lens to take the shots - I'm still getting used to it, as I've never worked with a fixed focal length lens before.

[snowzilla]

If you'd like to see more of them, you can click here:More pictures (http://www.snowconspiracy.com/nurseryphotos.html)

You'll be able to tell that I PS'd the black background shots, because I did it in a hurry. If I decide to use any of the black pictures, then maybe I'll put some more effort into cleaning up the edges of the flowers.

[justHB]

My problem with photographing water is the movement. I love the look of really well done photos that show rushing streams or waterfalls, but I can never quite capture it as well as I would like. Reflections on the other hand, I love to photograph.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dc31b3127cce9ce515ec171600000016108KcuWjdo0w

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dc31b3127cce9ce515dd961700000015108KcuWjdo0w

Great pictures snowzilla! I especially like the ones of the ginger plants. I may have to try that white sheet trick soon.

[JenGirlie]

Hope you all don't mind me jumping in...I'm just beginning to get into photography as a hobby, and I've loved lurking here so far looking at all your beautiful photos.

HB, those photos are gorgeous. I recently tried my first shots of moving water, and it was difficult. It was a little waterfall and I messed around with my shutter speed trying to get different effects...none of them came out that spectacular, it really is so hard to capture the right look. But your reflection photos are so beautiful.

[Lindsan]

I have a question in regards to the "post your specs" discussion. Most of the time when I take pics, I take a whole bunch at the same time, trying out different settings, changing from manual to auto etc, as well as choosing several different motifs. When I upload them hours or days later it is impossible for me to remember what specs the third or fourth version of the same flower had. So now I'm wondering if those of you who do know this brings some type of notepad along with you to remember all these things? Or what is the trick? How do you remember?

Or maybe this question should be posted in the other thread? I don't know. :confused:

[snowzilla]

I have a question in regards to the "post your specs" discussion. Most of the time when I take pics, I take a whole bunch at the same time, trying out different settings, changing from manual to auto etc, as well as choosing several different motifs. When I upload them hours or days later it is impossible for me to remember what specs the third or fourth version of the same flower had. So now I'm wondering if those of you who do know this brings some type of notepad along with you to remember all these things? Or what is the trick? How do you remember?

Or maybe this question should be posted in the other thread? I don't know. :confused:

Are you shooting digital or film? Fortunately for me, I'm shooting digital, and each picture keeps a record of the shooting specs that I can see when viewing the pictures on the camera viewfinder, or afterwards when viewing them with my photo software.

[Lindsan]

HB, I too find it difficult to shoot water. I took this one on Sunday. It was a beautiful day and the ocean looked soo beautiful with the rays of the sun hitting it. But the pictures all came out looking like a big mass of glue. :confused:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Lindsan/DSC02574.jpg

[Lindsan]

Are you shooting digital or film? Fortunately for me, I'm shooting digital, and each picture keeps a record of the shooting specs that I can see when viewing the pictures on the camera viewfinder, or afterwards when viewing them with my photo software.
Digital, but I have completely missed that. I need to go and see if my camera does that too.

[meganth]

My problem with photographing water is the movement. I love the look of really well done photos that show rushing streams or waterfalls, but I can never quite capture it as well as I would like.

Coming out of lurkdom to try to answer Becky's question. If you want to show the motion of the rushing of the water try using a slower shutter speed. If you want to stop the motion of the rushing water use a fast shutter speed.

[justHB]

Coming out of lurkdom to try to answer Becky's question. If you want to show the motion of the rushing of the water try using a slower shutter speed. If you want to stop the motion of the rushing water use a fast shutter speed.Yeah, I've tried that. I think what it comes down to is that I just need to get a tripod.

[meganth]

Yeah, I've tried that. I think what it comes down to is that I just need to get a tripod.
I guess i should have mentioned that if you are using the slower shutter speed than yes, you would need a tripod. ;)

[meganth]

Here's an example of rushing water with a long shutter speed:

http://www.juneauphotos.com/photos/1216.jpg

The guys website says it was a 2 second exposure. Is that the type of water shot you were talking about Becky?

[games]

Snowzilla, thanks for the white sheet trick. I'm going to try it this weekend. I love my 50mm lens so much that I never take it off of my camera. I can't remember the last time I used my kit lens. I hear ya on the whole addiction thing. I'm slowly saving money and thinking about my next lens or my next camera (might make the switch to digital soon).

I took a look at your pictures. They're great!

[justHB]

Is that the type of water shot you were talking about Becky? That's *exactly* the type of shot I was referring to. The closest I have to it is the following:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dc31b3127cce9ce515fc170600000016108KcuWjdo0w

You can see I clearly need some work (and a tripod to avoid the shakes).

[BethS0103]

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I actually don't like water shots that look like this:

http://www.juneauphotos.com/photos/1216.jpg

Reason being? When you just look at a waterfall, does that water REALLY look like that? No. It looks completely different. And I guess I don't like how the photographic "ideal" for moving water is to show it all wispy like that when that's not how it looks to the naked eye. But that's just me. :p

[doradora]

Here is a picture that my husband too of a waterfall in oregon with a 2-second exposure time and a tripod:

http://www.alternex.net/imagery/albums/oregon/waterfall_runoff_md.jpg

I'm not sure I always like water shots taken like that either, but I do like the one above more than others he's taken or I've seen elsewhere due to the contrast of colors. Also the water is not overwhelming in the picture.

Anyways, I always enjoy reading this thread, though I often don't have much to contribute. My hubs is more of the photographer whereas I'm the assistant and/or bystander tapping my toes impatiently while he takes a gazillion seemingly identical shots :)

[Lindsan]

Some photos I have taken
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Lindsan/100018.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Lindsan/Bild11014.jpg
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d633b3127cce9b559e387e0e00000036108BYtXDJs0a6
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d633b3127cce9b559e307e0600000036108BYtXDJs0a6
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d633b3127cce9b559e25ff2300000036108BYtXDJs0a6

[Lindsan]

And more
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d630b3127cce9b559e3657dc00000075108BYtXDJs0a6
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4df04b3127cce9b55992f820100000046108BYtXDJs0a6
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4df04b3127cce9b55992a033400000046108BYtXDJs0a6
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4df04b3127cce9b559929820700000046108BYtXDJs0a6
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4df04b3127cce9b559912030c00000066108BYtXDJs0a6
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Lindsan/98021.jpg

[ez2luv]

I need help!!!!

I went to a David Usher concert last night and was able to get my pic with him.

But, my Aunt, who never used my camera before and was terribly nervous and shaky took the pic. It's aweful!!!!

Can anyone fix this???

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d937b3127cce9287ecb90d9600000016108EYs2jFsyaY

:(

[solongtogo]

Lindsan...LOVE the picture of the soda :D

HB, I still think your water pic looks great!

[Koala_Gurl]

Digital, but I have completely missed that. I need to go and see if my camera does that too.

Sometimes you can right click on the digital file, and select "Properties" then the Summary Tab and "advanced," it will show you the details of the picture (I am not sure if this is specific to certain cameras, operating systems, etc...I just know it works on my computer.

OK, Hi everyone! Great shots! I am just a hobby photographer (meaning my dogs and now my baby!) :) I would love to learn more about the technical stuff though. I have a Canon EOS 20D Digital SLR camera, and I can't say how much I love this camera.

Lenses - Anyone shooting digital...can you recommend some basic lenses that I should start looking at? I just ordered a 50mm, and I have the one the camera came with. Thanks!

[snowzilla]

Koala Gurl, what kind of a camera do you have? I shoot Canon, and I love this website for advice on things like what kinds of lenses to buy (I also LOVE their picture posting forums for inspiration):
Canon Digital Photography Forums (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php?)

[Little Angel '77]

My recommendations for lens are the 50MMM 1.4 and the 85 MM 1.8 They are amazing lens for shooting in Low light.
The 85 is very crisp
Also you need to have the 70-200 MM 2.8 if you are serious about shooting :)

[Koala_Gurl]

Koala Gurl, what kind of a camera do you have? I shoot Canon, and I love this website for advice on things like what kinds of lenses to buy (I also LOVE their picture posting forums for inspiration):
Canon Digital Photography Forums (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php?)

I have a Canon EOS 20D.

Thanks! I'll check out that site as well! :)

[sravenne]

Hi Koala_Gurl,

I'm still fairly new to photography, but I have a 20D and I really enjoy my Canon 17-40L and 50mm.

I recently purchased a Tamron 28-75 2.8 (http://penncamera.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=4452) and it's a fantastic fast walk-around lens for the price (@350.00). I highly recommend it.

Good luck! I'd love to see what you get next and sample photos of course. =)

[greenbunny]

Lindsan, I realize this is a really broad question, but how do your pictures look so crisp? Everything is perfectly focused and "alive" looking, your shots just seem to leap off the monitor at me. Is it the camera type, a method of shooting, your settings? Any idea?

[solongtogo]

Had hubby take some maternity pics of me last night...I haven't gotten around to looking at many, but here's one...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/solongtogo/maternity1.jpg

[justHB]

Great pic, solongtogo. How do you do the color/black&white combo in Photoshop?

[solongtogo]

Thanks! There's lots of ways to do it, but the easiest way I've found is:

1. Open your picture
2. Go to Image-->Adjustments-->Desaturate
3. Choose the history brush tool from your toolbar
4. "paint" or brush over the area you want in color

Pretty darn simple

[deliciousjones]

lenses: don't worry, you do NOT need to buy tons of expensive lenses to be serious about photography. i make a very good living on photography and i use my 50mm lens 95% of the time.

i think you'll find the 50mm to be a great lens. i love mine for work and for play.

[justHB]

Here's another great example of a water pic that I think is so beautiful but would likely have a hard time emulating.

http://ic1.deviantart.com/fs7/i/2005/198/b/0/red_ripples_2_by_fi_j.jpg

I guess we're just good at what we're good at and maybe not other things and just have to accept that and admire others' work.

:)

[Lindsan]

Lindsan, I realize this is a really broad question, but how do your pictures look so crisp? Everything is perfectly focused and "alive" looking, your shots just seem to leap off the monitor at me. Is it the camera type, a method of shooting, your settings? Any idea?
First off, thank you! :) But really, I think it's the camera more than my ability, lol. On most of them I've used the auto mode on the camera so I guess it really is a great camera I have. It's an Olympus E-10, btw. Here is a review of it, if anyone is interested:link to review (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympuse10/)

[Little Angel '77]

Greenbunny Honestly, it probably has a really good lens on it. You can have a great eye, and a good idea, but making it look like that has to do with good glass.

This picture was taken with the Canon 50MM 1.8. It makes all the difference in the world. I added a smidge of contrast to make it pop.

http://images.snapfish.com/34449%3A2%3B23232%7Ffp7%3Enu%3D3235%3E993%3E47%3A% 3EWSNRCG%3D32328563%3A5%3B84nu0mrj
Also this one was taken with either my 85 MM 1.8 or my 24-70 2.8
I bumped the contrast again to help it look sharp and pop. http://images.snapfish.com/34449%3A2%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E2326%3D%3A84%3D56% 3B%3DXROQDF%3E2323835%3C3%3B978ot1lsi
:) Cheers!
Alicia

[greenbunny]

Thanks Lindsan and Alicia for the info...too bad for my bank account right now that a lot of the answers to my photography questions seems to be "good equipment". This is not a poor man's hobby! I think I need a second job to support my habit. ;)

I am really excited for a new camera but I think it's going to be a couple of years. Definitely I need to get it and practice a lot before DH and I go on the big vacation we want to take in 3 years.

[justHB]

... On the other hand, these photos were taken with a kit lens with no contrast manipulation. Really, it's not ALWAYS about "good glass."

http://pics.livejournal.com/dakotapie/pic/00074q87

http://pics.livejournal.com/dakotapie/pic/0007hddx

And this photo was taken with a 3.0 megapixel Olympus p&s - changed to black & white for effect, with slight contrast modification.

http://pics.livejournal.com/dakotapie/pic/0008q5z6

I don't mean to sound like I'm having a pissing contest, but Little Angel, your statements seem to be an either/or case, leaving no room for a talented photographer. You can have the most expensive camera in the world, and if you have no eye, you're going to take shitty photos. I've seen it with a ton of wedding photographers.

[snowzilla]

I have to agree with HB - you can have the most expensive camera in the world, with the best lenses, and still lack a good eye or simply the knowledge to use that expensive camera to the best of it's abilities. I think a balance of both aspects (natural talent AND good equipment) should be emphasized.

You can have the most expensive camera in the world, and if you have no eye, you're going to take shitty photos. I've seen it with a ton of wedding photographers. Yup, sad, but true. As a wedding vendor, I see it far more than I should - vendors who get into the business when they haven't quite honed their skills as well as they should. But that's a subject for a whole other thread. ;)

[greenbunny]

I can understand that good equipment isn't always the answer. But, and I'm making a sweeping generalization here, in my amateur opinion, the pictures I've seen posted here do seem really good. I'm taking for granted that you guys all have a good eye and natural talent. It has been said by several people that a photographer's eye can't be taught. So I'm just hoping that I do have that natural ability, and going from there, by asking you guys what other aspects of your work help to create the quality that I see.

Maybe it's arrogant to say "We all have natural ability, so what else affects our pictures?" but I do think that people are often drawn to hobbies/professions at which they are naturally skilled, and the examples I've seen here give me a gut reaction that the photographer does have that eye for a good shot. Now if someone comes in and starts posting blurry shots of feet and shoulders with the heads cut off, I'll revise my opinion. ;)

[Lindsan]

I think, like HB and snowzilla said, that to be a great photographer, you need both. But I don't doubt for a second that the photos I posted would look cometely different if I had taken them with $3 single use camera. The crispness and the colour all has to do with the camera and not my eye or talent. I think that is what Little Angel meant. Still, that doesn't mean that you can't take fantastic photos with a less expensive camera. We also have a point and shoot and we have taken really great shots with that one too. Let me see if I can find one to post.

HB, that first photo in your post is fantastic.

[Lindsan]

OK, here we go. These were all taken with our Sony Cybershot W1. No editing has been done to any of them.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Lindsan/93023.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Lindsan/2004-09-08037.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Lindsan/92093.jpg

[games]

Greenbunny,Both Snowzilla and HB have made very good points. It's important to know how to "set up" a shot. You have to look at the area immediately around your subject and decide whether it's going to help or hurt your picture. If the surrounding adds to your picture, then you should include it. If it's distracting and becomes an eyesore, leave it out -- change the angle of your camera, move to the opposite side of your subject, etc.

If you really like photography and you think it's a hobby that you might want to get into, I think it's a good idea to study pictures. Find some pictures you like and determine what you like about them. I think you can work at training your eye to see what will work in a picture. This talent comes natural to some people, but others I think have to train themselves to look for it.

Good luck.

[Little Angel '77]

Yes- Lindsan!!! Thats what I meant!!!

FWIW -Yoto get them to POP (not be a good picture) you need good glass.

Yes, you can be talented and take GREAT AWESEOME AMAZING photos with any camera - I AGREE, but to get them to pop, like mine did above, you need to have good glass.

I am not arguing that you can get great pictures with P&S cameras or an old lens. I am not arguing that you need the eye, or it takes a certain whatever... I was saying to make them pop you need go glass.

[justHB]

Yes- Lindsan!!! Thats what I meant!!!

FWIW -Yoto get them to POP (not be a good picture) you need good glass.

Yes, you can be talented and take GREAT AWESEOME AMAZING photos with any camera - I AGREE, but to get them to pop, like mine did above, you need to have good glass.

I am not arguing that you can get great pictures with P&S cameras or an old lens. I am not arguing that you need the eye, or it takes a certain whatever... I was saying to make them pop you need go glass. But didn't you say that you also changed the contrast to get them to POP?

[snowzilla]

This calls into question what is considered "good glass" for the purposes that most of us are taking pictures (which is for non-professional, personal enjoyment).

I made the choice to purchase the 50mm 1.8 instead of the 50mm 1.4 because of the major price difference. For a hobby photographer, I can't justify the extra cost of the 1.4. But I'm really tickled with the results I'm getting with the 1.8, which was a great bargain of a lens, and goes to show that you don't have to break the bank to enjoy hobby as a photography.

Would I spend the extra money on more expensive lenses if I had it? Possibly. But I'm quite satisfied with what I have currently, and I'm more interested in taking better pictures with what I have, than buying something better/more expensive to try to improve my skills. :)

[justHB]

That's a great point Snowzilla. I strive to learn how to take the best photos I possibly can with what I have before investing any additional $$$ into new equipment. I feel as if I've gotten pretty good results with my kit lens and am now looking to add the 50mm to my stash because I think it'll be the best move for me and the type of photos I want to take. My friend, on the other hand, invested $$$ in a giant telephoto lens for his 20D because it was better for the type of photos he wanted to take. I really think it's a matter of personal preference and if bank/style dictates you don't need a fancy lens, then it probably isn't worth forking over the extra money.

[greenbunny]

I do, however, want to know, realistically, what my current camera can do, and what the different price points of equipment are capable of. I might not be able to get it to do a certain thing I want because mine isn't a good enough camera. That's fine, I just want to know. I don't want to be gnashing my teeth because I can't get a shot the way I want, only to learn after days of trying that my equipment isn't capable of doing that particular thing.

[Little Angel '77]

On the picture of the wine bottle, I did not. That was right out of the camera. THe picture of the couple, i boosted the contrast to give it more pop, so it comes off the screen a little bit more. I'll try to find the "out of the camera shot" so you can see contrast boost didn't make that much of difference.

Snowzilla the 50MM 1.8 is a FANTASTIC lens for a hobbiest!!! If you are not shooting in dark halls for weddings and you don't need the extra stops... than the 1.8 is great!!!! The 1.4 would really be used for people who need to really open up the lens and let the light in! :) Just like HB said, its all what you need/can afford :) The 50MM is my favorite lens for detail shots. next to the 85 for wedding receptions!

Greenbunny I don't know if this applies to you, but you seem to have an itch. :) Its possible to out grow your current equipment, and need to get better stuff, to grow your art. Just keep working with what you have, and doing what you need to do to learn more, and then think about upgrading! I know when I had the 10D, going to the 20D helped me improve SO much in low light!

[suzubeane]

Confused and stumbling out of lurkdom to say …

Little Angel '77, did you know there is another thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=2270) that is more geared towards learning/teaching about photography?

[sarahh]

Confused and stumbling out of lurkdom to say …

Little Angel '77, did you know there is another thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=2270) that is more geared towards learning/teaching about photography?Little Angel actually started that thread. ;)

[deliciousjones]

I made the choice to purchase the 50mm 1.8 instead of the 50mm 1.4 because of the major price difference. For a hobby photographer, I can't justify the extra cost of the 1.4.

the 50MM 1.8 is a FANTASTIC lens for a hobbiest!!!

It's also important to remember that the extra stop down also narrows the depth of field considerably which is not ideal for many shots. I rarely stop all the way down to f1.4 in portraiture because of the narrow depth of field.

What I love about the 50mm is the sharpness of the image which is usually best achieved with a prime lens (one that does not zoom).

[cynder]

Well as a pure hobbiest with little cash, I am all for mastering the equipment that I have. Besides I am a whiz with photoshop so I know I can tweak when needed.

We haven't had any photos in a while so here are some of mine from my trip to Austraila with a P&S Sony:

http://www.cynthiavarkey.com/images/photos/water.jpg
http://www.cynthiavarkey.com/images/photos/horse.jpg
http://www.cynthiavarkey.com/images/photos/flower.jpg

I tried playing with f stop and got this today with no PS manipulation. Just thought it was odd that DH bought a wine that was "free range".
http://www.cynthiavarkey.com/images/photos/wine.jpg

[J&T2005]

Someday I really will take a class... I want to know what all the f-stopping thing is ---- and even though I've read 'bout it on the internet about 324 times, I still can't get it because I don't have a camera that can do it----

I had a long diatribe written here, in which I took a "side" on this whole, um, good glass thing, but then -

hell, just post your pictures ladies! I find them inspirational - specs, no specs, trillion $ camera's or not. Some of them I think, "um, what the..." and some of them "ooh, can I put that on my desktop wallpaper?" but usually they at least cause me to pause and think...and as someone who's spent/spends a lot of time honing the hearing sense, rather than the visual, I'm lovin' this new foray!
**dropping little rays of sunshine**

[suzubeane]

Little Angel actually started that thread. ;)Oh. Oops!

[justHB]

I love that shot of the wine bottles cynder! You've totally inspired me to play around this week.

[delightfulmania]

Cynder - great shots. Love the first one. It's certainly frame-worthy. And you have a little 'mirror project' action going on in the last one - fun!

Here's one of my recent favorites. Simply using the "macro" feature and "auto" on my camera:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d938b3127cce935c62c6f3c700000015108AasXDFy1YuH

And just for fun, as a good comparison, relating to the discussion here today ... here's my first try. I realized that the car in the background was too distracting and that I could frame the photo better so I took it again and got the above picture ... but here's my first try:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5db33b3127cce91f92cea072c00000016108AasXDFy1YuH

----------

In the interest of getting more photos in this thread ... what's your current desktop? Assuming that most of us use our own photos for our desktop background ... what's yours?

[Phen]

Hello! I'll quit lurking now and post some of mine, though they are nowhere anything close to as good as the ones y'all post. These are from my new point-and-shoot PowerShot A95.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d922b3127cce92dd5c27be9900000015108QZN2TNm4bQ
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d929b3127cce92f3a1de526800000026108QZN2TNm4bQ
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d811b3127cce922af57ba35300000026108QZN2TNm4bQ

Here's a test of one of the macro settings
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d922b3127cce92dd56a73f2c00000016108QZN2TNm4bQ

~ Phen

[mrstim]

Just a question....my aunt by marriage told me about a computer program that is much cheaper than photoshop but can still do the layers and b&w/color combo thing. Anyone know what this is called? She told me while we were on vacation and I can't remember what she said! :(!!

Thanks!
Amy

[cynder]

Thanks for the kind words, ladies. Every once in a while I feel like the camera overwhelms me but then I take a photo like the wine bottles and I feel better. I set that one up and took in a min. when the baby was down for a nap. I am trying to learn how to take photos fast and without a lot of futsing b/c a baby will not wait around for me. :D

delightfulmania Did not see the "mirror" effect until you pointed it out. I love that site.

Phen I was about to get a A95 and then decided on the G6. I love the water shot. What time of day did you take the clouds. The lighting is so cool.

[snowzilla]

Phen, I love that first shot!

In response to the "what's on your desktop" question, I'll bite. These aren't currently on my desktop, but have all spent considerable time there in the past:

One of my favourite subjects, our dog Dexter:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4dc36b3127cce9cb756764e7600000016108Cbs2zNszaO

The flowers from my best friend's wedding:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d727b3127cce9cb76ac5284200000016108Cbs2zNszaO

Sunset from the roof our houseboat last summer:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d628b3127cce9cb76afbaa8b00000015108Cbs2zNszaO

[meganth]

Just a question....my aunt by marriage told me about a computer program that is much cheaper than photoshop but can still do the layers and b&w/color combo thing. Anyone know what this is called? She told me while we were on vacation and I can't remember what she said! :(!!

Thanks!
Amy

Photoshop Elements? (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002UDM2Q/qid=1121861710/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl65/102-2458704-8320908?v=glance&s=software&n=507846)

Great photos ladies! You guys are making me want to go out and play with my camera because i want to, not because i have to!

[jellybeany]

Just a question....my aunt by marriage told me about a computer program that is much cheaper than photoshop but can still do the layers and b&w/color combo thing. Anyone know what this is called? She told me while we were on vacation and I can't remember what she said! :(!!

Thanks!
Amy


I have one that is called Photo Impressions that does this. :)

[greenbunny]

Just a question....my aunt by marriage told me about a computer program that is much cheaper than photoshop but can still do the layers and b&w/color combo thing. Anyone know what this is called? She told me while we were on vacation and I can't remember what she said! :(!!

Thanks!
Amy

Gimp is freeware, can't beat that price.

http://www.gimp.org/


Phen what are you talking about? Those shots are amazing. In the one with the clouds and ray of light I can practically hear a heavenly aahhhhhhh....

Alicia, you are totally right, I am ready to upgrade. Hopefully in a year or two. DH mentioned a new camera as a combination Xmas/anniversary gift. But we bought a house this year, I think I'd filled my quota for a while. :(

delightfulmania, that is exactly what I was trying to do this weekend, shoot some close-ups outside with the rain drops. But we have been having about 98% humidity for the past week, so I couldn't get the lens to un-fog. I took some very hazy shots of my pear tree, I have to remember to bring the camera to work so I can post those. (This is more me thinking out loud than anything, I guess.)

cynder, I posted some wine bottle shots in the other thread, asking for help about why they don't look right. Yours have the "look" I was going for. I think it's partly the variation in the bottles (all mine are the same vineyard and label), but mostly the shooting from near the bottom of the bottle. My bottles were on the floor so I was shooting down over them. I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out why I'm not happy with them. What are those bottles sitting on? Is it a table?

[cynder]

greenbunny I knew someone posted something about wine bottles around here. I set up and took this shot on the fly to show that you don't need to fancy stuff to capture a good shot and that composition has a lot to do with the shot. The wines bottles were set on my crappy kitchen table that has a cream table cloth. I shot when my kitchen is filled with natural light and against my patio door so no need for a back drop. And I got down on the angle of the table. You can see me in the reflection of the bottle. DH and I always move the camera around different angles and try d/n things out. For every good shot, I have 500 bad ones.

My other suggestions look at photos and see how they are composed. I am a web designer (w/ no formal schooling in the subject) so I am constantly looking at graphic design and trying to figure out how I would do it. I started doing the same thing with photos. Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/) is a great site where people post their photos to share. I searched wine bottles and found an examples with the same labels. I bet you could set this up even with an ordinary camera.

example (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/winebottles/)

[justHB]

Another good site to look at photos is http://www.photofriday.com. There are a lot of crappy ones, but I'd say about every 10th photo is amazing work.

[greenbunny]

cynder thanks, another site to make me not do my work! ;) I will browse that ASAP. Now I'm ready to go home and redo the wine bottles. I think DH would kill me if I dragged them out right now, he's so busy getting the house straightened up.

In the meantime, here's an example of the goofy nonsense I like to take pictures of: a delayed shot of my friend's camera taking a delayed shot of us. I tried to get the screen on her camera clear but it wasn't working, and they weren't exactly agreeable to posing a hundred times so I could take a picture of a picture. Silly people. :rolleyes:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/agreenbunny/P1010042_edit.jpg

[Phen]

Thanks for the compliments! Keep them up and a girl might just be up to posting more photos sometime. :p

cynder, I took the clouds shot around 4 or 4:30 in the afternoon. I was lying in my sons' wading pool (very hot day) and looked up to see those amazing clouds, reached for the camera, and just snapped a ton of photos. It was a little bit like I heard something in the back of my head whispering "oh, that would be a great photo..." and you just have to obey those kinds of whispers sometimes.

mrstim, google's Picasa (free) software allows a bunch of neat editing things, though it's no PhotoShop.

thanks greenbunny! I kinda hear angels singing with that photo, too. :)

~ phen

[mrstim]

Thank You ladies!! You always come through. I downloaded Gimp and it's working well!
I'm tickled to have this resource at me fingertips! :)

Thanks again!

amy

[laura]

De-lurk to ask...

Does anyone have a Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens?

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0007QKMQY.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

If so, do you recommend it as a good transition from a digi point and shoot (Sony Cybershot) to something a little more 'serious' about photography? Well that and a good photography book, of course. ;) Also - one thing a lot of the reviews say is that the lens that comes w/ it isn't that great. If you could only purchase 1 go-to lens for said camera, with price being reasonably no object, what would it be? And since I know nothing, a link to said lense would be even more helpful!

TIA! :)

[Little Angel '77]

hey Laura
The lense that comes with it is a good wide angel lens. Its a lot slower (meaning the f stop or aperture won't be helpful in dark situations)... but it will help you get better. You can get away with that lens until you outgrow it. I was shooting with my camera body lens for two years... and it got me to where I needed to be.

I think thats a good mid price camera from a P&S. Although, don't look at the megapixels... you don't need them unless you are blowing pictures up for billboards. Its the chip in the camera people should think about and the speed it can write to your memory card.

Thats my two cents FWIW. :)

[KeliAnn]

Some pictures from our recent vacation ...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce934440fc657200000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce9344409e651000000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce9344466ae4d700000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce93444784a4a100000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce9344442465a800000025108CZuHLFm5aA

[KeliAnn]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce93445e16e4a700000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce93445d60257800000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce93445dd9a4f100000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce9344526f65e800000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce934452f2e44500000025108CZuHLFm5aA

[justHB]

Where did you guys vacation? Those are really fun pics.

:)

[KeliAnn]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce934453ef25f000000025108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce934453c2a4ed00000025108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce934451fda4d300000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce934451ec25f200000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce9344565565d000000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce934454ede45900000025108CZuHLFm5aA

[KeliAnn]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce934457d4a4f900000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce934457c8a4e500000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce934457aaa48700000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce9344544865cc00000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce93445433e48700000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce9344542e65aa00000026108CZuHLFm5aA

I'm sorry -- was that picture overload?

[justHB]

I'm having trouble getting motivated to take pictures these last couple of weeks. In fact, I didn't even submit a photo for Photo Friday because I just wasn't feeling the inspiration.

I did manage to go through some photos I took a couple of weekends ago of my new nephew and send them to my SIL.

http://pics.livejournal.com/dakotapie/pic/0008zr3h

http://pics.livejournal.com/dakotapie/pic/000904pa

http://pics.livejournal.com/dakotapie/pic/00092af6

[KeliAnn]

Where did you guys vacation? Those are really fun pics.

:)

Jekyll Island, Georgia (with my entire family - so I escaped with my camera quite a bit) ;)

[KeliAnn]

Only a few more ... I promise!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce9344548e650a00000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce9344553fa41300000025108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce93446a7965e200000026108CZuHLFm5aA

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce93446a5565ce00000026108CZuHLFm5aA

[KeliAnn]

Great pics (as always), Becky! That baby boy is adorable. :)

[it's a bug]

In the interest of getting more photos in this thread ... what's your current desktop? Assuming that most of us use our own photos for our desktop background ... what's yours?

I'm definitely a hobbyist...but I love pictures and my camera. I even have a ton of my shots all over the preschool at our church. Here is what's on my desktop right now...anyway....

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d909b3127cce9d518bebe7f300000026108BYsWbhuzae

And just because I'm on shuttfly now...a few of my faves

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d906b3127cce9d518ae6a8fb00000046108BYsWbhuzae

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5da31b3127cce914d96d5bb6100000016108BYsWbhuzae

[KeliAnn]

In the interest of getting more photos in this thread ... what's your current desktop? Assuming that most of us use our own photos for our desktop background ... what's yours?
Me and FH
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce93445220e49700000025108CZuHLFm5aA

Why does Shutterfly mess up pictures? Our faces really aren't that blurry in real life. ;)

[GeekGirl]

Subscribing.

I've been lusting after getting into photography for years, but can't afford a decent camera just now...I keep telling myself, next bonus, next bonus....

Keep the gorgeous pictures coming, ladies!