The Photography Thread

[PeteJ]

I tweaked a few settings on my camera and tried the waterdrop thing again - the colours worked better but the shot on the whole isn't as good. I would have ditched it if it wasn't for two things:
1)I was crouched down for fifteen minutes trying to get it, and my knees wanted it posted
2)The waterdrop looks like a snowman.

Curse droplets and their lack of predicatability.

[MartyG]

You're really getting into these droplet shots

I'll have to get around to trying some myself at some point. In the meantime I tried this shot for the mundo uno group.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/martypg13/210340662/

[MartyG]

Those are well impressive - better than most of the stuff I've seen taken with the kit lense (the close up shots in particular)

We've said it lots in this thread: People take photos, not cameras - expensive equipment won't make you a better photographer

The caveat I'll add is that certain types of lenses make certain types of photography easier, but I doubt I'd get better macro shots with the twice as expensive Nikon 105mm macro.

[Ginger Tosser]

I really don't understand some of the comments on there - how is that a good composition? The stem of the flower at the front of plane cuts right through the middle of the main point of focus with the ugly blades of grass in sharper focus at the back.

Your right, crap composition. The stem at the front is a complete distraction.

Nice water pete, i'm working on another water project at the moment (actually repairing the tank the milk in water shot was used for!). So hopefuly when time allows i'll post some pics.

[Ish]

Have to ask, did anyone buy the camera kit because you wanted to take pictures of insects and flowers?

Its a great way to use it on a day to day basis - there are interesting looking bugs everywhere. So even if you're stuck at work you can take some shots of something interesting in a spare 5 minutes.

[PeteJ]

Its a great way to use it on a day to day basis - there are interesting looking bugs everywhere. So even if you're stuck at work you can take some shots of something interesting in a spare 5 minutes.

Indeed! All of my macro shots are done in my back garden

Because of the depth of field being so limited it also acts as a great lens for portrait shots.

Nice water pete, i'm working on another water project at the moment (actually repairing the tank the milk in water shot was used for!). So hopefuly when time allows i'll post some pics.

Speaking of which - I tried to blatently copy your milk shot soon after you took it. I realise now how bloomin' difficult it must have been to get it like that! I found I couldn't use flash because it kills the shot, and the focus is really tricky too as you can't predict where the water will move.

Regarding Macro lenses - do any of yours really struggle on Auto Focus? Mine is pretty awful at it when up at the closest distance - constantly moving from 31cm to infinity and back. It's very frustrating seeing a good shot and sitting there fighting the focus for several seconds. I'm now starting to use manual focus more due to this.

(incidently - the two waterdrop shots were hand held using manual focus...I never thought to use a tripod!)

edit - just realised I've misread what Marty said about the flower shot on Flickr - I like the shot, can see why you think it is 'wrong' technically but it still works for me.

[MartyG]

It's wrong artistically too in my eyes

I always use manual focus on my macro lenses - I tried autofocus the first couple of shots and soon realised it was nowhere near as accurate or quick as doing it manually.

Pete - sounds like you need to get yourself some studio lights now

[Alastair]

Those are well impressive - better than most of the stuff I've seen taken with the kit lense (the close up shots in particular)

8)

Had another shot at painting with light last night, the first attempt I did was useless a few months ago so never even made it to flickr let alone here!

This one worked out much better:


Might be worth clicking through to the large version if you can to get a better view of it.

It's really bloody hard to do well though isn't it!

[PeteJ]

8)

Had another shot at painting with light last night, the first attempt I did was useless a few months ago so never even made it to flickr let alone here!

This one worked out much better:


Might be worth clicking through to the large version if you can to get a better view of it.

It's really bloody hard to do well though isn't it!

Hey that's cool I know what you mean about it being hard - you've really got to visualise what you're 'drawing'.

Tonight's homework is the same picture but with something happening on the screen also

We should start a Flickr group for this sort of thing!

[MartyG]

We should start a Flickr group for this sort of thing!

Why not?

Nikon have officially announced the new Nikon D80 now: http://nikonimaging.com/global/news/2006/0809_01.htm (although I think the site must be being swamped by photo journalists atm

[Ginger Tosser]

I tried to blatently copy your milk shot soon after you took it. I realise now how bloomin' difficult it must have been to get it like that! I found I couldn't use flash because it kills the shot.

I used an off camera flash cable (now unsuitable for use with Eos Digital ). But i've recently bought a off-camera shoe cord 2 which although short (about a metre when stretched), would probably do what i need too.

Regarding Macro lenses - do any of yours really struggle on Auto Focus? Mine is pretty awful at it when up at the closest distance

Auto Focus on Macros is pretty cack as the DOF changes so much. Most people stick them on manual.

[andrewfee]

Looks like the D80 is a fine camera. Disappointing that it's using SD, but if the price is right over here (?500-ish for the body) I might get one over the D200 I was looking at. (while I have the money, I'm not sure it'd be worth it for all I'd be using it, seeing as I'm pretty much house-bound atm)

New AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED lens too, but no idea on what the optics will be like.

[Ginger Tosser]

?699 body only http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ews_91565.html

[andrewfee]

?699 body only http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ews_91565.html

Hmm, seems a bit more than I was expecting, but stuff never costs the RRP on the internet anyway. I forgot the D70 was around that price retail too. (the D50 for about ?300,?350 or so is ridiculously cheap)

[Ginger Tosser]

Guess at least ?100 could be knocked off the price. RRP is crap, the Eos 30D has a RRP of ?1099.99, but you can get it for ?779.

Superb price for the D50 at the moment.

Another stunning comment from flickr

Picture is unique, but I don't care for B&W.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scphoto/206792530/