The Photography Thread

[Gareth C]

Thanks Pete.Yet again throughout this holiday I got better results with my new point and shoot than with my other kit worth over ?1600...LOL.

[MartyG]

That's a great composure on that shot Gareth, works nicely in B&W.

I know what you mean about the quality of point and shoots, the Exilim Z-850 I recently bought is giving me some great results - the pic I entered into the BBC competition was taken with that.

I don't know why so many "real" photographers have problems with them - I reckon they're great. Their lack of bulk and being able to take them anywhere is a real plus.

[Gareth C]

The problem with them (for me) is that they provide no real pleasure to use.

I am currently in a dilemma in this regard...I have never seen the appeal of modern DSLR's and so plumped for a rangefinder camera (only one digital version to choose from) and it does give me the enjoyment that I used to gain from using my Canon AE-1 but it means being limited to prime lenses only, never zooms and no macro.

I'm going to take it with me to Edinburgh and decide when I get back whether to keep it or sell it on before it starts depreciating.

The new panasonic looks like it might be up my street...old fashioned look and feel and with zoom, focus and aperture all on the lens and shutter speed by thumb control. But, it has a small set of lenses available and is a 4:3rds system camera (not a big fan of this and assume it will die sooner or later).

Alternatively I will wait for a price drop and go for the Canon 5D...

[Gareth C]

This is an interesting article about Magnum photographer Alex Majoli. He has been using P&S cameras for some time and the results are incredible. He shoots in jpg too rather than Raw. I had a discussion with an old friend recently whos photos always seem incredible (if technically average) and he uses a cheap old set of gear.

I think the article goes along way to showing that its what is in front of you that feeds good pictures. The camera is just the tool to help capture what you have seen.

[Ginger Tosser]

Alternatively I will wait for a price drop and go for the Canon 5D...

You could be waiting some time. Saying that over the last 6 months it has fallen slightly. I bought mine in Feb at the Focus on Imaging show at the NEC. Plus with the ?200 cashback it worked out to be ?1550.

Gareth, you right about it being a tool. Marty has shown what can be done with a Point and Shoot camera. They're only going to get better as well.

[Alastair]

Both of these two guys shoot exclusively with P&S's. Makes me feel the money was a little wasted on a DSLR sometimes but like Gareth says they are much more pleasurable to use.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahmedzahid/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/muha/

[MartyG]

Absolutely, my ?12 Camera Project is still in full swing, been waiting for some clearer weather so I can go shoot sunsets at Rutland Water with it ( it's a mile up the road from me ).

My Exilim has great detail - though it's a bit useless for macro stuff: http://www.flickr.com/photos/martypg...7594241665165/

I think I'd struggle to get the same clarity on my macro stuff without the dedicated lens, and they're all taken with the D50, even so, some P&S cameras have decent macro modes.

And I'll be out and about with that 30 odd year old Praktica this w/e with some film, to see what it can do.

Ahmedzahid is one of my favourite photographers on flickr - his stuff is always amazing.

Edit - that was a great link Gareth, very interesting reading.

I really don't like shooting in raw mode - I know that it can give me a lot more flexibilty for photoshopping and getting colours and contrast right, but I can get them looking how I like in JPG with the settings on my D50 anyway, so I don't feel like I'm losing anything by doing so, plus they take up so much more room on the memory cards. I don't really want to spend ages adjusting all my shots either, when the camera can do it there and then.

Finally, Gareth, you remember that hairy bug you didn't like that I shot a while back? Same thing, different lens: http://picasaweb.google.com/martypg/...58524941697042

[Alastair]

Seems water is the popular choice at the moment, what else is there with all the rain anyway!



and

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=218301223&context=photostream&size=l

I've actually just started shooting RAW exclusively (haven't needed burst mode yet when I will def need to go back to jpeg). Have found that the images come out of the camera much more as I was expecting them to and also the ability to change the white balance has proved very helpful. Although I now need to use two applications to end up with the finished shot I find I'm actually doing less processing than I was using jpegs and just PS.

Strangely the ISO noise seems less too in RAW.

[MartyG]

Argh - it's the black oil from X-files. It's real ... run away.

[Gareth C]

Marty, that bug still isn't up there with many of your other macros (for me). I think that all the hair is too distracting for me and the subject just seems too 'ugly' if you know what I mean.

Let me know how the Praktica goes. I would guess that you will really enjoy it, something about the handling of older cameras that despite all the updated extras is still lost with new SLR's (and Digitals).

Old also doesn't mean out of date. My Digital rangefinder currently has a 55 year old lens attached and is capable of stunning results.

Also, the two P&S guys from Flickr are a good example. I know that they have produced some excellent stuff but also they are living (I assume) in settings that constantly present wonderful opportunities.

Living in London means that my subject tends more towards 'street' photography and urban thems in general. Less traditionally beautiful I guess but perhaps of more actual interest to me.

[Gareth C]

Over at the rangefinder forum they have a pass the camera thing going on where each forum member uses a camera for a few days and then posts it on to the next user. Eventually the aim is to produce a photo book with the results (very cheap nowadays).

Also, themed shoots (such as the prime numbers one up at flickr). All these things are great because they force you to take pictures when you wouldn't normally bother and take you out of the comfort of your normal shooting patterns and subjects.

Setting up a blog is something else I have thought about as a way of being more frequent with my shooting...watch this space!

[MartyG]

Yeah I know what you mean, which is why it's on Picassa not flickr. I've tried lots of different angles and perspectives for that catepillar, and it's just a really awkward shape, especially the way they curve around the place. Makes composition tricky.

[bangaio]

ahmedzahid's stuff is amazing and you're right it shows what a p+s can do but the proviso is look where he lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I defy anyone to get something good from there!

The raw thing is interesting - I have shot RAW now for as long as I can remember as it lets me get close to what I remember my scene being, not just colour balance but so much more control - like I would get if I was processing film and printing myself. If you haven't tried it and your camera is supported get hold of RSE from pixmantec.com s it's still free and is a really great little programme.

[MartyG]

Ahmed's stuff goes beyond the location, I agree that the scenary there will make great shots, enabling people the opportunity, but there's still a difference between good and amazing. Why it's worth buying that slightly cheaper lens and using the difference to go on holiday.

[PeteJ]

I couldn't agree more about the satisfaction of using an SLA over P&S, an SLA feels more like a skill, a hobby. P&S has always felt too happy-snapper to me. That said, I'm very tempted to buy a decent one, they are good enough now to get great results as shown above.

The war photographer linked up a bit was featured in Digital Camera Magazine a few months ago, his work is inspiring. Due to his situation he cannot walk around looking like a photographer, hence the small p&s. He has such good candid photos.

I was hoping to get out and about today with my camera, but its pissing it down

Should have my 430EX flash soon, look forward to that. Also bought the Kenco extension tubes which will increase my macro ratio to 2:1. They were only ?60 over at one-stop digital so thought they were worth a pop, they've received good reviews anyway (seeing as the Canon ones are several times more expensive, and are actually pretty much exactly the same as Kenco make these too!).