Starting a general Photography hints thread
Login
User Name
Password   


Registration is FREE. Click to become a member of OrchidBoard community
(You're NOT logged in)

menu menu

Sponsor
Donate Now
and become
Forum Supporter.

Starting a general Photography hints thread
Many perks!
<...more...>


Sponsor
 

Google


Fauna Top Sites
Register Starting a general Photography hints thread Members Starting a general Photography hints thread Starting a general Photography hints thread Today's PostsStarting a general Photography hints thread Starting a general Photography hints thread Starting a general Photography hints thread
LOG IN/REGISTER TO CLOSE THIS ADVERTISEMENT
Go Back   Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web ! > >
Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-07-2007, 07:14 PM
Ross Ross is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Sep 2006
Zone: 5a
Posts: 9,277
Default Starting a general Photography hints thread

In another thread, a thought came up to create a new forum area for photography and I expressed the thought there probably isn't enough interest. In light of finding out if this is the case I am starting this thread. The purpose of my post is to give some pointers from the more experienced. I hope to see Nico join in here on this thread.

Pointer #1 - Black is getting boring. Just my opinion, but black backgrounds have become cliche, lately. And the lighting is usually underexposed. I suggest trying more natural backgrounds or colors complimentary to the subject color. (I'm betting you're going to ask for examples, and I have them, just not this second.)

Pointer #2 - Don't zoom in close unless you KNOW your camera can focus that close. I really like to see detail in images and some close-ups lately have been soft. Perhaps bracing the camera on something (like a tripod?) would help? Use the flash if it helps with hand shake.

Pointer #3 - On the subject of blur. Blur is mostly caused by movement (unless covered by pointer #2). So movement can come from subject movement, or camera movement. Subject movement can be covered quite quickly, get the air movement stopped! Camera movement movement is usually due to slow shutter speed, palsy (sorry) or shaking hands. Get a tripod.

Pointer #4 - Exposure. I see a lot of underexposed images lately. I think this may be due to the old days of slides where we tended to underexpose a 1/3 stop to saturate colors. Modern digital cameras don't need (or want) this tendency. Trust your meter and view the image on a good, color controlled monitor. This may also be due to the desire to use black backgrounds all the time. Black backgrounds tend to saturate the colors more, but understate the exposure. If the subject really wants or deserves black, then overexpose a bit (I'd opt for 1/2 to 2/3 EV)

Hope this has been some help. The reaction from this thread may determine if we need or want a seperate forum for photography. (I suspect not.)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-07-2007, 09:09 PM
Djarum Black Djarum Black is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Feb 2007
Zone: 9b
Location: California
Posts: 806
Default

Hiya Ross,

I got a question for ya

I got a Nikon D200 recently and am struggling to find a decent lens that will let me get REALLY close. Any suggestions please please

Just one factor..I can't spend more then say...500 dollars. LOL
Will that be totally impossible?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-07-2007, 09:21 PM
dennis dennis is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Feb 2007
Zone: 5a
Location: northeast ohio
Age: 63
Posts: 473
Default

i just point and shoot. i will try to leave my shirt on next time so i am not over exposed.. seriously i have no idea what you mean by any of it well most of it
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-07-2007, 09:42 PM
Ross Ross is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Sep 2006
Zone: 5a
Posts: 9,277
Default

My abosolutely best recommend for D200 is Nikon 60mm f/2.8D Macro Autofocus Lens

I use this combo a lot. I have a D200 and 2 d1Xs and never fail to use this lens sometime during day! If your images aren't sharp, it's not the lens or camera combination! You will have a great combo there dude! Lens will go 1:1 easily (given proper support of camera).
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-07-2007, 09:49 PM
cb977's Avatar
cb977 cb977 is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Apr 2006
Zone: 9a
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Posts: 17,222
Default

I do the 'Point & Shoot' thing too but I'm always willing to learn more. I am never happy with my pictures when I use the black badkground...I'm doing something wrong

HELP!!!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-07-2007, 09:50 PM
Ross Ross is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Sep 2006
Zone: 5a
Posts: 9,277
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dennis View Post
i just point and shoot. i will try to leave my shirt on next time so i am not over exposed.. seriously i have no idea what you mean by any of it well most of it
Don't "put down" point and shoots. I use a couple, on occasion, myself. It depends on your knowing their capabilities. Some get obscenely close in focus. But remember, the slightest movement on your part (see my label by my name,) means blur in the image. Set the camera on something steady, (not a partner, but something inanimate!) Most blur I see, nowadays, is NOT due to quality of camera, but capability of photographer! Sorry! But technology is such today that it doesn't take a lot of money to get really high quality images given sticking with certain principles. Hopefully we'll expound on those principles in this thread?!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-07-2007, 09:57 PM
Ross Ross is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Sep 2006
Zone: 5a
Posts: 9,277
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by cb977 View Post
I do the 'Point & Shoot' thing too but I'm always willing to learn more. I am never happy with my pictures when I use the black badkground...I'm doing something wrong

HELP!!!
Nope! You probably are trying to copy an image you saw before. Black backgrounds are easy to copy, but not easy to do correctly (I really need to get a few images together - maybe tomorrow?! ) Most pros actually use a different technique we could really over-use here if given a chance --- take a picture of some "nothing" greenish background, but WAY out of focus. Then print the picture in large size - large enough to cover the background of the orchid you want to photograph. Then turn on the proper lights (you have lights, don't you ) then shoot away. You MUST be sure to NOT cast a shadow of the orchid on the background print. Background guaranteed to be out of focus, because it is out of focus!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-07-2007, 10:02 PM
dennis dennis is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Feb 2007
Zone: 5a
Location: northeast ohio
Age: 63
Posts: 473
Default

i have a canon eos rebel
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-07-2007, 10:02 PM
Ross Ross is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Sep 2006
Zone: 5a
Posts: 9,277
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dennis View Post
i just point and shoot. i will try to leave my shirt on next time so i am not over exposed.. seriously i have no idea what you mean by any of it well most of it
I can barely imagine
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-07-2007, 11:17 PM
Djarum Black Djarum Black is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Feb 2007
Zone: 9b
Location: California
Posts: 806
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rsfrid View Post
My abosolutely best recommend for D200 is Nikon 60mm f/2.8D Macro Autofocus Lens

I use this combo a lot. I have a D200 and 2 d1Xs and never fail to use this lens sometime during day! If your images aren't sharp, it's not the lens or camera combination! You will have a great combo there dude! Lens will go 1:1 easily (given proper support of camera).
Thanks Dude!
I'm going to look for it online right now!

Your the best! Btw, I think my California is rubbing off on you lol. Let's go to the beach...like totally!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
black, movement, pointer, subject, thread, hints, photography, starting


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:01 AM.

© 2007 OrchidBoard.com
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.37 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.

Clubs vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.