The Official S-T.N Photography (methods) Thread

[torags v2]

Thanks

BTW... I want to see that soft box...  

[doodah man]

Finally getting around to editing my photos from my sister's wedding in June.  Two photos, both at 200 mm, show me why I like this lens so much (Canon 70-200 mm f/2.8L IS).  I sat at the back of the venue during the ceremony and the minister remarked how she didn't even notice me (previous wedding I guess the photographer knocked over the maid of honor during the ceremony).

[doodah man]

Generally when a constructive comment is phrased in such a way that it essentially says something like "You're wrong and I'm right" there will be a little resistance. You could have tried the "Have you tried this?" kind of approach and it would have been far more welcome and constructive. This kind of thing even works offline as well.

Just some constructive criticism, is all.

To Torags- I'm not yet set up to do fine moon shots like yours. Great work.

Very good advice Thunder7, I still regret how I stormed in here a couple of months ago.

[Thunder7]

Very good advice Thunder7, I still regret how I stormed in here a couple of months ago.

Well, stop regretting and keep posting! Its all behind us. You're a great addition to this crowd and I think you did great with those wedding shots. candids from a distance can be very cool!

[torags v2]

Ditto. I'm working on taking people shots (I don't usually do) with the addition of my grandsons.

Doodahs bride is a good example of more than a people image. There is an expression of happiness or personal glow captured, which is more than the technical aspect of the image.

I've got to learn that.

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

It was a nice capture during the wedding doodah.    

[Jeff]

I think doodah's two wedding photos work really well because they're not "Smile for the camera!" type photos. They're more spontaneous, where the subjects (at least the bride in this case) doesn't even realize a photo is being taken.

Jeff

[doodah man]

Ditto. I'm working on taking people shots (I don't usually do) with the addition of my grandsons.

Doodahs bride is a good example of more than a people image. There is an expression of happiness or personal glow captured, which is more than the technical aspect of the image.

I've got to learn that.

All I can say is, take lots of pictures and always be ready to shoot.  I was on continuous shooting mode and fired over 400 shots that day.  My sister (the bride) either blinks a lot and/or is a slow blinker because despite all those shots, there weren't a lot where her eyes were fully open.  And yeah, sitting back 40' or 50' with a 70-200 mm lens and a 1.6 crop factor camera lets you get all kinds of candid shots because people aren't aware that you are shooting them.  Here are some other candids from a pre-wedding dinner the night before, although here it was more difficult because of the close quarters, in most instances people were aware I was shooting them.  All these photos (except the first one) were also taken with flash.  Why no flash shadow or deer in the headlights look, you ask?  Half-snoot attached to my flash and exclusively bounced over my left shoulder, as per Neil van Niekirk's advice.  The last shot was taken late in the evening when it was completely dark outside and the restaurant lighting was quite dim, and the bounced flash (Canon EX550) had more than enough power to light the scene at ISO 800 in quite a large room.  Higher ISO is also the key to making the bounce flash work when the ambient lighting is dim.  And the half-snoot means you don't annoy the other patrons in the room when the flash fires.

http://planetneil.com/tangents/2007/12/13/my-choice-of-flash-modifiers/

[Jeff]

Really nice work.  

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

I 2nd    I hope to hangout with a friend that shoots weddings I think it would be fun.

[torags v2]

I'm working on cropping technique (includes subject crop), to add some punch to shots.

Here are three ... the most aggressive to less aggressive. Bikers opinions would be appreciated (good or bad). Thanks
1.

2.

3.

[Jeff]

I don't know where the original edges are, but my only nitpick on Rossi/Stoner is to back out just enough to get Rossi's tire completely in the shot. Same with #2 as well. Otherwise they look great.

[doodah man]

In general I'm a fan of judicious cropping, although if not too much is required I often can't be bothered to do it.  I think cropping benefitted all your photos by displaying the subject (i.e., bike and rider) prominently and getting rid of extraneous crap.  I usually crop to:

1. Fit a certain print size, e.g., SLRs have a 3:2 aspect ratio which is good for 4x6 or 8x12 but needs to be cropped to fit 8x10 (5:4 aspect ratio).
2. Eliminate extraneous material that detracts from or simply doesn't add to the photo.
3. To improve composition, by displaying the subject prominently, by emphasizing design elements or geometric shapes, fit rule of thirds, or simply "look better", etc.

[torags v2]

I went to the drags today at Infineon. I haven't been in a long time.

My 70/200 was great at 150mm +/_



Changed positions and got long with a 200/500. I was soft at 500mm shutter 500



Went to shutter 1250mm - a little better. But I got to admit, it difficult to follow 250 - 325mph laterally. I was all over the place especially with a 19" lens and 35mph wind.



They were running out of my frame....

[Mr. Whippy]

Back from Peru.

Notes:
No need for polarizer at 18,000+ feet--the air is so rarified, the sky is dark blue to black anyway:

Quitaraju


A little alpenglow on Artesanraju (the Paramount pictures mountain)


Mostly shot on full auto.  I didn't see much difference in the manual mode or "Snow" special mode.

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Nice Mr. Whippy  

[torags v2]

Ditto Mr Whippy. Welcome back

[Jeff]

Back from Peru.

Notes:
No need for polarizer at 18,000+ feet--the air is so rarified, the sky is dark blue to black anyway:

Quitaraju


A little alpenglow on Artesanraju (the Paramount pictures mountain)


Mostly shot on full auto.  I didn't see much difference in the manual mode or "Snow" special mode.

WOW.

[kurtw]

Quitaraju

Absolutely stunning and perfectly captured. Great job!!!
Post a gallery link. I want to lots see more!

Welcome back!

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

How do these conversions look to you guys? Using a new plugin from CS3. A little too dark?