Decembers "Post your latest picture" thread

[blitz]

Went over to a friends house to take some pictures of their 10 month old with the 24mm 1.4 I rented:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5222419957_7e86ed5571_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryankarr/5222419957/)
DSC_1713-Edit (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryankarr/5222419957/) by ryankarr (http://www.flickr.com/people/ryankarr/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5222419911_a3a57aa854_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryankarr/5222419911/)
DSC_1586-Edit (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryankarr/5222419911/) by ryankarr (http://www.flickr.com/people/ryankarr/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5223016260_6800368675_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryankarr/5223016260/)
DSC_1569-Edit (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryankarr/5223016260/) by ryankarr (http://www.flickr.com/people/ryankarr/), on Flickr

[Go4Long]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5228327470_8d474dff1f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/go4long/5228327470/)
Bellagio (http://www.flickr.com/photos/go4long/5228327470/) by Steven Szabo (http://www.flickr.com/people/go4long/), on Flickr

[KKY]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5229723122_9d938e762e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennethkwan/5229723122/)

[AutodreamFrank]

Yummy Food :)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5232152087_cc1f10c051_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5232148473_9e9d92f8d6_b.jpg

any advice to better these photos would be great... still super noob.

[Pollywog]

I shot an awards ceremony at the Palliser last night and got to try out the 135 f/2 L USM that I picked up earlier this week.

This thing is unbelievably sharp shot wide-open:
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/a65a87be.jpg


http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/2f4ef807.jpg


http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/1b3a8549.jpg









Originally posted by ninjasound
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5232148473_9e9d92f8d6_b.jpg

any advice to better these photos would be great... still super noob.

My only critique is that I think the last photo looks better in a vertical orientation - and cut back on the faux vignette. That food sure looks tasty...

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/266c0c4b.jpg

[AutodreamFrank]

That does look better vertical... I uber fail and don't have any editing software and can't lower the exposure on the crap around the food.... iphoto = fail! I want lightroom3 for my mac but i'm soo poor :(

thanks for the tips pollywog :)

[Pollywog]

Originally posted by ninjasound
I uber fail and don't have any editing software and can't lower the exposure on the crap around the food.... iphoto = fail! I want lightroom3 for my mac but i'm soo poor :(

thanks for the tips pollywog :)

First off, don't worry too much about lack of equipment and/or software. I found that having less things to use forces you to creatively push your current kit to its fullest. It is one of the best ways to learn and improve your technique, while at the same time revealing that expensive gear and software doesn't create a good photo - you do.

Secondly, when I couldn't afford decent editing software I was using GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/). It is completely free, and allows you to do almost anything you could with a $700 copy of PS.

;)

[Melinda]

I do a charity christmas shoot every year and this past friday was the 2010 version. Just a few favorites from the 25 kids I shot all in one morning (busy freakin day!)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Syryda/BB%20Charity%202010/2010Charity47small.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Syryda/BB%20Charity%202010/2010Charity13small.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Syryda/BB%20Charity%202010/2010Charity7small.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Syryda/BB%20Charity%202010/2010Charity3small.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Syryda/BB%20Charity%202010/2010Charity25small.jpg

[oasis]

Took this pic of a buddy of mine at Sunshine the other day.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5238713470_bebb7d1627_b.jpg

[89coupe]

My baby to be.

http://www.bradstaylor.com/baby/055.jpg

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by oasis
Took this pic of a buddy of mine at Sunshine the other day.


Just one quick suggestion, try dialing in +1.0 or so EV when shooting people against a background of snow. It seems counter intuitive, but all that snow tricks the camera meter into thinking it's brighter than it is. I think you will be happier with the results.

Nice picture though.

[oasis]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


Just one quick suggestion, try dialing in +1.0 or so EV when shooting people against a background of snow. It seems counter intuitive, but all that snow tricks the camera meter into thinking it's brighter than it is. I think you will be happier with the results.

Nice picture though.

Thanks man, i was playing with a dark ND8 filter in that shot aswell because it was such a bright and sunny day. All this is so new to me so i really appreciate any tips :thumbsup:

[Pollywog]

Originally posted by oasis


Thanks man, i was playing with a dark ND8 filter in that shot aswell because it was such a bright and sunny day. All this is so new to me so i really appreciate any tips :thumbsup:

Spot metering is also an alternative to the +1 EV tip.

[HiSpec]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


Just one quick suggestion, try dialing in +1.0 or so EV when shooting people against a background of snow. It seems counter intuitive, but all that snow tricks the camera meter into thinking it's brighter than it is. I think you will be happier with the results.

Nice picture though.

So adding +1.0 EV it'll make the photo brighter right?

[Pollywog]

Originally posted by HiSpec


So adding +1.0 EV it'll make the photo brighter right?

Yes, it'll expose the shot one-stop more than your camera's light meter measures.

[Freeskier]

And does spot metering mean taking a meter of a bright area like the snow or sky before taking the picture? Or do you mean something else?

[Go4Long]

Spot metering just means it'll meter to wherever your focus point is. So in this case it would properly expose the boarder as opposed to trying to meter the snow.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by HiSpec


So adding +1.0 EV it'll make the photo brighter right?

That is correct, the camera will expose the image one full stop above what the meter will want to do. That much bright snow in a picture will almost always fool a camera meter into thinking the scene is brighter than it is, so it will underexpose. On the flip side, if you take a picture of something almost entirely black, you will likely need to dial in negative exposure compensation as the camera meter will think the image is darker than it is, and overexpose.




Originally posted by Freeskier
And does spot metering mean taking a meter of a bright area like the snow or sky before taking the picture? Or do you mean something else?

You would spot meter the boarder (or subject) so that the camera exposes for the subject and ignores everything else in the frame. There are two issues with this method though. First, if the subject is moving, you need to keep it under a single focus point the entire time because metering will change the instant it moves off the subject. Second, some older cameras cannot spot meter, and not every camera can spot meter at every single focus point. Some will only spot meter under the middle focus point, so you would need to be mindful of that while shooting.

IMO the easiest solution, especially with a moving subject, is to just dial in some positive exposure compensation and not have to worry about much else.

Another easy option, if the light is relatively constant, like it probably would be on a sunny day at the ski hill, is just figure out your exposure before hand and set the camera to that manually. Then you don't need to worry as much about metering picking up the snow, EV compensation, etc. Spot metering can be very useful for quickly obtaining a good starting point for a fully manual setting. If light stays the same, proper full manual settings ensure a good exposure every time.

[Freeskier]

Oh ok. Sorry to derail the thread a little bit. I used to shoot with my mums old ricoh film slr and remember on bright days, I used to take a meter reading off the sky, water or snow or w/e and then use that reading to set up the lens. Though you might mean the same thing.

So in exchange, here are a couple from my x canada road trip in september. Didn't get around to posting them in here i dont think. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. These were all taken with a Canon g10.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs493.ash2/76643_620873862866_122504750_36378352_2265257_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs924.snc4/73747_620873827936_122504750_36378350_5886877_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs472.ash2/74500_620875459666_122504750_36378436_2100675_n.jpg

[Pollywog]

This cold weather is keeping me in the house.

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/febabd9e.jpg

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Freeskier
Oh ok. Sorry to derail the thread a little bit. I used to shoot with my mums old ricoh film slr and remember on bright days, I used to take a meter reading off the sky, water or snow or w/e and then use that reading to set up the lens. Though you might mean the same thing.

So in exchange, here are a couple from my x canada road trip in september. Didn't get around to posting them in here i dont think. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. These were all taken with a Canon g10.


First one looks good, I'd maybe just straighten the horizon.

Second one I like quite a bit.

Third one, I'm not a fan of the really harsh shadows. It would probably look better at a different time of day, or maybe even as a HDR if you like that sort of look.

Just my opinion of course.

[Go4Long]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5258206733_e9e81704c4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/go4long/5258206733/)
Bellagio Sunset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/go4long/5258206733/) by Steven Szabo (http://www.flickr.com/people/go4long/), on Flickr

[Mitsu3000gt]

^^^ I think I like that one better than the typical night fountain shot, maybe just because I've seen so many versions of the night shot.

[Go4Long]

lol...I have about 50 different night shots :P
I looked out the window and there was nice clouds, so I grabbed the camera and ran down to try to catch a show...by the time it started the clouds were a little lower than I wanted though :( they were kinda following the setting sun.

[Mitsu3000gt]

These are the first portraits I've ever shot (except just screwing around with lighting) so I'd appreciate any & all feedback from those in the know on how I can improve. These pictures were taken for a friend for her makeup business, so that was the sole purpose of the shots, and the reason they are fairly close-up. They would have otherwise been taken with a P&S camera so I thought it would be a good opportunity to both help her out and learn something myself. I was very limited for space, so I wasn't able to get much distance between the subject and the background unfortunately. Anyways I hope the models don't mind me posting their pictures here:

http://mschlosser.smugmug.com/Other/Manny-Makeup-Dec-2010-Complete/NIK9459pp/1114995163_f9RxX-L-1.jpg

http://mschlosser.smugmug.com/Other/Manny-Makeup-Dec-2010-Complete/NIK9461ppcrop/1114997776_4qqsk-L-1.jpg

http://mschlosser.smugmug.com/Other/Manny-Makeup-Dec-2010-Complete/NIK9453ppcrop/1114990709_uC4Bm-L.jpg

http://mschlosser.smugmug.com/Other/Manny-Makeup-Dec-2010-Complete/NIK9464ppcrop/1115000618_5JRpy-L-1.jpg

http://mschlosser.smugmug.com/Other/Manny-Makeup-Dec-2010-Complete/NIK9460ppeyes/1114995105_qHfAH-XL-1.jpg

http://mschlosser.smugmug.com/Other/Manny-Makeup-Dec-2010-Complete/NIK9437exppp/1115498811_X8qjW-XL.jpg

http://mschlosser.smugmug.com/Other/Manny-Makeup-Dec-2010-Complete/NIK9439pp/1130007678_3p2DR-L.jpg

[mb3k]

GoPro style
http://www.mb3kPhoto.com/hosted/forums2/collab.jpg

[Go4Long]

so I looked at my usercp and saw that you'd posted and thought to myself "gee, I wonder what adam's been up to lately"

needless to say this wasn't exactly what I had in mind :poosie:

[Pollywog]

The cold weather is causing my cam to collect dust, so as per usual for most photographers I have resorted to taking pictures of my dog.

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/dd196324.jpg

_______________


Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
These are the first portraits I've ever shot (except just screwing around with lighting) so I'd appreciate any & all feedback from those in the know on how I can improve. These pictures were taken for a friend for her makeup business, so that was the sole purpose of the shots, and the reason they are fairly close-up. They would have otherwise been taken with a P&S camera so I thought it would be a good opportunity to both help her out and learn something myself. I was very limited for space, so I wasn't able to get much distance between the subject and the background unfortunately. Anyways I hope the models don't mind me posting their pictures here:

Picture 1
http://mschlosser.smugmug.com/Other/Manny-Makeup-Dec-2010-Complete/NIK9461ppcrop/1114997776_4qqsk-L.jpg

Picture 2
http://mschlosser.smugmug.com/Other/Manny-Makeup-Dec-2010-Complete/NIK9464ppcrop/1115000618_5JRpy-L.jpg

Picture 3
http://mschlosser.smugmug.com/Other/Manny-Makeup-Dec-2010-Complete/NIK9437exppp/1115498811_X8qjW-XL.jpg


I am personally entering the realm of portrait photography as well, so while I am not an expert I would love to provide some tips that I have learned from other photographers I chat with.

First off, I love the even lighting that you achieved with your light setup. It compliments the model's skin very nicely, especially the up-close eyelash shot and Picture 1 as I labeled above. However in Picture 2 and Picture 3 the two light sources visible in the eyes is somewhat distracting. This can be somewhat altered with photoshop, but perfect results are next to impossible to achieve in post-processing.

The number one thing with up-close face portraits with emphasis on the eyes is your light source/s. Understandably as you aren't doing portraits all of the time you most likely haven't invested in a ring flash - which in my opinion gives the best results with eye illumination. Some people dislike the shadow canceling characteristics of this type of flash, but you can make it work in your favour.

Examples:
http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs18/f/2007/199/1/9/Ringflash_01_by_shanghai_STOCK.jpg

http://www.jerkwithacamera.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/sophie-rooney-925-edit.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2072/1768136059_2fcc7854a9_o.jpg

This type of flash however doesn't suit every type of portrait, but even with one large light source and two side fill lights (or whatever setup suits your fancy), you can still have a ton of glare in the eyes without it being too distracting.

Example:
http://www.portwallpaper.com/imgwal/beautiful-face-portrait.jpg

http://img.wallpaperstock.net:81/megan-fox-portrait-wallpapers_11507_1024x768.jpg

The reality of it all is that there are so many different styles and techniques when it comes to photography - especially portraits - that in the end it all comes down to personal preference. There are a TON of portrait flash photography sites that provide a bunch of insight, but like everything you must take it with a grain of salt and decide what YOU like.


Edit: I would also check to see if your monitor is calibrated properly, as your photos look slightly underexposed.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Thanks for the feedback.

Yeah I'm not sure if I would invest in anything else specifically for portraits, I'm pretty happy with umbrellas and as this was my first ever attempt - I don't do it often. I read a TON but don't get to practice very often in the portrait department.

I tried removing the lights from the eyes and IMO it looked weird. I preferred them with the lights, even if it is more noticeable. Thats just my opinion though, I don't know what is considered best by the professionals. The sole purpose of the shots is to show off the makeup artist's work, so I didn't think too much about the eye reflections.

As for the exposure...they all look OK to me on my monitor and in print. I calibrated my monitor before the PP/touch ups. I know the makeup artist used a ton of bronzer, so that maybe is making the photos look a little dark to some...not sure. I will try lighten them a bit and see how they look.

Anyways I appreciate the input.

[Pollywog]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
As for the exposure...they all look OK to me on my monitor and in print. I calibrated my monitor before the PP/touch ups. I know the makeup artist used a ton of bronzer, so that maybe is making the photos look a little dark to some...not sure. I will try lighten them a bit and see how they look.

I would recalibrate.

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/db2b03ff.png

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/e205bbd6.jpg

I always check my levels first as my 1d's light meter seems to be worse than my Rebel's was.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Hmm...I checked and the originals and they more closely much match your exposure "edit". The jpegs I posted here from smugmug don't look as good as the originals. Not sure what happened after I uploaded them but they all look a touch darker than the originals. I think I like them more a little brighter like you have them though. I'll re-upload them and see if it makes a difference.

[Pollywog]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
Hmm...I checked and the originals and they more closely much match your exposure "edit". The jpegs I posted here from smugmug don't look as good as the originals. Not sure what happened after I uploaded them but they all look a touch darker than the originals. I think I like them more a little brighter like you have them though. I'll re-upload them and see if it makes a difference.

It may be where you are uploading them. I know for a while I was having a hell of a time keeping the same contrast and colours I had in my originals when I was uploading to flickr. Now when I post photos on here I tend to use photobucket as they tend to get less mangled.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Pollywog


It may be where you are uploading them. I know for a while I was having a hell of a time keeping the same contrast and colours I had in my originals when I was uploading to flickr. Now when I post photos on here I tend to use photobucket as they tend to get less mangled.

I ever so slightly increased levels and reloaded them, they look more like they should now IMO. They definitely look a touch different on smugmug than they do in photoshop or Capture NX2.

[Pollywog]

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/dd2cc8af.jpg

[89coupe]

My baby boy. Did a photoshoot tonight, one from the shoot.


http://bradstaylor.com/baby/029.jpg

[89coupe]

one more

http://bradstaylor.com/baby/008.jpg

[Pollywog]

Cute kid, Brad.


http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/5fa5b504.jpg



http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/d39079b2.jpg

[89coupe]

Thanks :)

Last one I promise...hehe.

http://bradstaylor.com/baby/025.jpg

[chkolny541]

^^ He looks like hes having the time of his life, haha

[Go4Long]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5276479054_f97132a4df_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/go4long/5276479054/)
Flower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/go4long/5276479054/) by Steven Szabo (http://www.flickr.com/people/go4long/), on Flickr

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by 89coupe
[B]Thanks :)

Last one I promise...hehe.



I'd be sleeping too if I was lying on that blanket haha. It looks really comfortable.

[blitz]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5276626126_c97b3ab406_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryankarr/5276626126/)
Cars (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryankarr/5276626126/) by ryankarr (http://www.flickr.com/people/ryankarr/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5276626038_a048b2dfa6_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryankarr/5276626038/)
Angel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryankarr/5276626038/) by ryankarr (http://www.flickr.com/people/ryankarr/), on Flickr

[chkolny541]

i really like that car one^^

[jomaium]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5246/5284542407_9dcbe7d182_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51439550@N06/5284542407/)
323Ci (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51439550@N06/5284542407/) by Jomaium (http://www.flickr.com/people/51439550@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5269960765_5a4aa096cd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51439550@N06/5269960765/)
modzilla (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51439550@N06/5269960765/) by Jomaium (http://www.flickr.com/people/51439550@N06/), on Flickr


Advice is appreciated, still new and learning :D

[Kavy]

Took some snaps of my buddy's Christmas present.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g200/kavyt/IMG_4798edit-1.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g200/kavyt/IMG_4901edit-1.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g200/kavyt/IMG_4790editemail.jpg

[oasis]

two more i took, would love some feed back.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5257190852_65680fb817_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5288455773_24c26ea4d4_b.jpg

[.norco.]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5290542379_e362f4ba78_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/874runner/5290542379/)
DSC_0005 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/874runner/5290542379/) by 874runner (http://www.flickr.com/people/874runner/), on Flickr


first photo off my d3100!

yaya:clap:

[Pollywog]

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by .norco.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5290542379_e362f4ba78_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/874runner/5290542379/)
DSC_0005 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/874runner/5290542379/) by 874runner (http://www.flickr.com/people/874runner/), on Flickr


first photo off my d3100!

yaya:clap:

First? It says DSC_0005 ;)

Anyways that is a cool bird! The picture looks underexposed by about a stop though, almost surely due to the bright windows in the frame tricking your camera meter. Try using spot or center weighted metering next time, or manual mode.

Congrats on the new camera as well!

[.norco.]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


First? It says DSC_0005 ;)

Anyways that is a cool bird! The picture looks underexposed by about a stop though, almost surely due to the bright windows in the frame tricking your camera meter. Try using spot or center weighted metering next time, or manual mode.

Congrats on the new camera as well!

aha lemme reword that.. first decent photo.. :nut:

oh yea?? right on thanks.. ill deffs give it a try tomorrow. So much fun playing with this thing. Any help is awesome!

[Pollywog]

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/7e1f6f2e.jpg




http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/0632bd57.jpg

[oasis]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5301954891_f3dd35de46_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5302548060_ec6aa4d3fa_b.jpg

[Kavy]

^^^^^

Man does that look like fun

[Go4Long]

Originally posted by oasis
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5301954891_f3dd35de46_b.jpg


Like this one a lot...I keep meaning to get out there and shoot some ice racing, but I'm always workin when they're racin.

[Pollywog]

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/a7b35be5.jpg

[Pollywog]

Leaving for LA/Mexico tomorrow morning, so I should have some interesting shots next month.

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/6871280013178/1507ca40.jpg

[Kirbs17]

Originally posted by Melinda
[B]I do a charity christmas shoot every year and this past friday was the 2010 version. Just a few favorites from the 25 kids I shot all in one morning (busy freakin day!)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Syryda/BB%20Charity%202010/2010Charity3small.jpg



Wow too weird. That's my cousins kid!:eek: