Photographers' Union Thread

[TranceEnding]

I guess I am kind of obsessed with band photography and portraits. I tend to walk around in a haze, composing pictures in my head, without really being aware of it! One of my uncle's did some professional photography back in the day, so maybe it's in the genes

I've yet to buy a digital SLR (I'm kinda scared actually!) ... I still love to use my Pentax K1000 I have a couple of compact digital camera's, and absolutely adore the Panasonic Lumix I bought a few months ago.

If anyone can recommend a really good SLR I can start with then please share some tips. I've done a few short-term photography/darkroom courses ... looooong time ago now, no real formal training.

[Diemen]

Originally Posted by randhail Two questions for the more seasoned photographers here: I'm going to be spending 3-4 day in Yosemite this summer as well as 2 days in Santa Cruz and was wondering if it's worth my while to lug a tripod around with me on the trip - more specifically taking it with my on my hikes at Yosemite. Second, I've got a 40d and have the 17-40L lens and am wondering if I should consider getting something wider (like the sigma 10-20)?

I disagree with Justin on the tripod. For landscape photography I almost never leave my tripod behind unless I'm just looking for snapshots. The possibilities for getting a sharp shot with everything in focus are severely limited by the amount of light when shooting handheld. Using a tripod eliminates shutter speed as a concern.

There have been a few times where I've left my tripod behind because I didn't think I'd need it, then i found a scene that was in the shade and I'd either have to bump the ISO way up (and introduce a lot more noise into the image), or have too shallow an f/stop to get a decent shutter speed, and then I wouldn't get everything sharp that I wanted to be sharp. Even with image stabilization lenses and all, a tripod will always get you a sharper shot. And especially in a place like Yosemite, where there are massive canyons and huge granite cliffs that can leave you in the shade much earlier than you thought, a tripod comes in handy. For example, these shots would've been impossible without a tripod:





Because I could never hold still enough for the length of time to get the water to look like that. And in the second shot, it was just after dawn on an overcast day, so even if I didn't want to blur the water, the shutter speed would've been really low. Bring the tripod along.

The only time I'd say to leave a tripod behind is if you're going for a strenuous hike (like the Half Dome hike or something similar). If it's a hard core trail, you definitely want to save weight where you can. Though something you may want to consider is the GorillaPod.

I would also definitely look into something wider. The Sigma 10-20 is a good lens. I've got the Canon 10-22 and love it - use it all the time in Yosemite, too.

[Justin24]

Diemen may be more correct than I. I hard use Tripods, and should use it more often. I have like 3 of them, which are collecting dust.

[jets]

I use a tripod too (when I remember to take it)


I also have a Gorillapod & its fantastic when your hiking or travelling & don't have room for a big tripod.

[major_panic]

I've been trying to use a tripod, but haven't really needed to thus far. And the couple of times I tried long exposures, there was just too much light and the photo was waaay overexposed.

[Diemen]

Originally Posted by major_panic And the couple of times I tried long exposures, there was just too much light and the photo was waaay overexposed.

You should increase the depth of field (f/stop) if you're getting overexposed shots that way. Are you shooting in manual mode?

[major_panic]

Originally Posted by Diemen You should increase the depth of field (f/stop) if you're getting overexposed shots that way. Are you shooting in manual mode?

Sure am. So that means what, a smaller aperture?

[Liesje]

Can anyone recommend some good online sites or blog entries explaining aperture? That's where I have the most trouble.

Also, my new camera comes with all these features that edit the photos in the camera. Am I wrong or does this just seem pointless? Why not shoot raw and edit on the computer?

[Justin24]

Understand what is Aperture in photographic basic. here you go lies a pretty good guide to aperture. I use photoshot for post production.

[Mofo]

nice thread!!, ok here are some of my personal favorites!!

















Like Justin says it's all about practice and see how far you can push your camera, but reading some theory never hurts

[ntalwar]

Originally Posted by Liesje Also, my new camera comes with all these features that edit the photos in the camera. Am I wrong or does this just seem pointless? Why not shoot raw and edit on the computer?

Yeah, the editing and direct printing from the camera are a bit of a joke. I'm not sure who uses those features- maybe PC-incompetent users.

[Justin24]

Mofo your work is always amazing. You started out that way too? Learing on your own and then taking some classes correct?

[Mofo]

Thanks Man!! I'm trying to get myself into more complex shootings, a bit of conceptual photography among other things, and I'm really starting to enjoy weddings, since I've only done about 6 but I got like 10 more from this weekend till november

Yeah I pretty much started as a hobby with the rebel xt I think...the one with 8 MP, still took some courses i'ts good to know the theory

[Justin24]

my first dslr was the xt too. i want to take more risks with my photography too. my big project is in june when i go to ecuador for 2 weeks and live with the tigua indians.

[Mofo]

Originally Posted by Justin24 my first dslr was the xt too. i want to take more risks with my photography too. my big project is in june when i go to ecuador for 2 weeks and live with the tigua indians.

a bit of photojournalism or you've got something else in mind?? I actually want to buy a 50mm to get a better feeling of that type of picture, I think I've become a bit lazy with the 70-200mm or even the 24-70mm where instead of walking closer I'll just zoom in, so maybe the 50mm will help me improve a bit in certain areas