Starting a general Photography hints thread

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Toddybear

Black cliche! I'm insulted! What colour is the background of your avatar Ross? Looks pretty black to me or perhaps its my eyes!

Now I'll have to retake all my pics with a blue background until THAT becomes cliche.

Oh silly me... right after I took that picture the background fell and broke off the flower spike

[Dorothy]

Originally Posted by rsfrid

By the way, turn your PM back on

How does one turn it on?
(or should I ask!)

Ross - get your hand out of your pants!

[Dorothy]

Ok , I put you on my buddy list ..(if that is ok with you) .. that should do it ..

[Nico]

Thanks for the thred!

I'll try to explain in my poor English what I think about photographing orchids.

Orchids are not easy to photograph... I mean is difficult to take an artistic photo. I prefer a simple composition and orchids are full of flower sometimes. I try to catch the right angle, but I don't succeed everytime.

I don't like to use the flash, generally. When I use it a big roblem is the reflection... or I have to set right the intensity, not to 'burn' the image (supra expose).

Macro with orchids... well... also difficult. I like just one macro of mine.

What I whant to express with my pictures, or in my pictures: the orchids are not just beautiful flowers, many are, but they are delicate, they seem to look back at you and they are mysterious. And I am not impressed only by flowers, but the spike that holds them is wonderful too.


Sorry for my English!

I see you are quite advanced in photography.

Maybe in the artistic part, but tehnical part...

[Dorothy]

Ross - I am uploading some photos as I type and my background was actually a dark brown wood veneer .. not black .. ( so there )

hehehe

Nico .. I agree with what you said about orchids and their mystery .. they do captivate and enthrall!
I have reflection problems also .. especially with the my white NOID Phal and the Bc Little Stars x Miakai 'Hawaii'

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Nico

Thanks for the thread!

I'll try to explain in my poor English what I think about photographing orchids.

Orchids are not easy to photograph... I mean is difficult to take an artistic photo. I prefer a simple composition and orchids are full of flower sometimes. I try to catch the right angle, but I don't succeed every time.

I don't like to use the flash, generally. When I use it a big problem is the reflection... or I have to set right the intensity, not to 'burn' the image (supra expose).

Macro with orchids... well... also difficult. I like just one macro of mine.

What I want to express with my pictures, or in my pictures: the orchids are not just beautiful flowers, many are, but they are delicate, they seem to look back at you and they are mysterious. And I am not impressed only by flowers, but the spike that holds them is wonderful too.


Sorry for my English!


Maybe in the artistic part, but technical part...

First, your english is great. Don't apologize!

Second, reflections in any flower (orchid or not) are hard to control. I NEVER use flash! I use only compact florescent bulbs designed for photographing jewelry TableTop Studio Lighting and setups in my basement where wind will never be a problem. Be sure to turn off all other lights before taking picture

Move lights to positions where reflections from flower surfaces are minimized. I used 3 sets of lights for this shot



The main light (3 of the bulbs referenced above in a big reflector plus a diffusing screen) was located above and behind the subject blossoms. A second single bulb was located to lower right angled to fill in the shadows of the rightmost blossom. A third single bulb was located to left to provide fill-in light and catch light for left-most blossom. Complicated? Yes. Did it work? You tell me

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

I have reflection problems also .. especially with the my white NOID Phal and the Bc Little Stars x Miakai 'Hawaii'

Dorothy, reflection problems abound with whites. Just be sure to not "blow out" the whites. Many cameras nowadays try to be "intelligent" and compensate for the whites. Unfortunatly that often results in pure, detailless white (blown out). Only way is to meter for the white and subtract a little bit of light. If this is way beyond you, try softening your light source. Try shining lights through gauze curtains before the light strikes the flower. (I'm thinking of things I would try.) Try moving the flower to different angles to see if light reflects different.

[Ross]

Is it time for a vote? Do we need a new forum for photos? O r can we handle the sporatic questions with a thread or two, or three? My vote is still to use Orchid Lounge for general photo questions. What say you?

[Lin]

I think you've established that there is enough interest to warrant a forum

How would you minimize the depth of focus with a point and shoot to show off the flower?

I have a Kodak DX7590, so do have some controls.

Thanks

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Lin

I think you've established that there is enough interest to warrant a forum

How would you minimize the depth of focus with a point and shoot to show off the flower?

I have a Kodak DX7590, so do have some controls.

Thanks

Not familiar with that particular camera, but a couple things. Depth of focus doesn't need to be a problem! You can use it to your advantage. First move your subject or background way apart. I don't plan to be an expert on everyone's camera but read the manual Check this page http://www.kodak.com/global/en/servi...9&pq-path=3065 where it says if you use tele end of the zoom range (based on how far you are away from your subject and the framing you desire) you can effectivly focus between 1.2 and 2.1 meters. If your background is further away than 2.1 meters it will be blurred (out of focus) - that's a good thing! So set up your subject within the 1.2-2.1 range for best focus coverage, then make sure anything behind it is WAY further than 2.1 meters! Get it