***DSLR/Photography MegaThread***

[PuckMonkey]

I agree PM... its unpredictable as to what is going to come out. Plus I'm not crazy about CS3's merge to HDR tool... for some reason I just haven't gotten the hang of it yet.

Yeah, I gave up on the CS3 merge action a long time ago and went ahead and did the plonk for Photomatix Pro. The tone mapping seems to be pretty essential.

[HeShootsNScores]

looks like its time for me to go the photomatix route.....


$$$

???

[PuckMonkey]

I think it was $99. For $119 you get a tone mapping CS3 plug-in, but it's kinda lame. Could be handy in the future though.

[PuckMonkey]

Last one. I learned more about what not to do yesterday that what to do, I think. Not necessarily a bad thing. And I'm getting a feel for the files and how to encourage them to go one way or the other. I wouldn't call these results great by any stretch, but the process is interesting enough to pursue.

But next time I think I'll shoot something other than foliage blowing in the wind with my manual-bracketing camera.

http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr6.jpg

Edit: Upon further review, this image is a disaster. It's an eye-riot. Too much, too loud, and a horrible candidate for an HDR image. But I'm leaving it up as an exercise in shame.

[ianmonsta]

for what its worth puckmonkey all the color ones feel really oversaturated to me and i think kinda of overwhelm the image, i think all of these would benefit greatly from not as much saturation, thats just my personal opinion though everyone has their own vision of what makes a image works.

[PuckMonkey]

for what its worth puckmonkey all the color ones feel really oversaturated to me and i think kinda of overwhelm the image, i think all of these would benefit greatly from not as much saturation, thats just my personal opinion though everyone has their own vision of what makes a image works.

Yeah, I've started to back off the saturation a bit as I play with the files. I'm finding that the hues tend to shift unpredictably unless I'm punching them into submission, so I'm still being a little lazy with the color control. But that's my next phase of experimentation. I'm doing a lot of reverse engineering with my testing since, for example, Step 5 has a lot to do with what you did in Step 1 even though they seem to be unrelated.

I'm digging the process though, even if the results are still kinda "meh...".

[VF]

PuckMonkey, it seems like you have a lot of haloing going on, almost like a high radius unsharp mask. I wonder if you want to increase the amount of light smoothing a bit (a lot) to reduce the haloing. Would you mind posting your RAWs?

[Unfiltered]

I think it was $99. For $119 you get a tone mapping CS3 plug-in, but it's kinda lame. Could be handy in the future though.

There is a discount from some photo website somewhere. I'll try and track it down.

[PuckMonkey]

OK, this is REALLY the last one. Didn't mean to hijack this thread.


http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr7.jpg

[HeShootsNScores]

OK, this is REALLY the last one. Didn't mean to hijack this thread.


http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr7.jpg

this is my favorite of the bunch. The color range is great, and not as over saturated as the others. Plus, I think you all but eliminated the HALO effect that Valleyfan was talking about.

I also like the sharpness....

One thing I can't seem to get a hang of in HDR photog. is when the RAW files are merged, the focus seems soft to me.... after all the processing.

That didn't happen on this shot. ^^^

I like.


The Arboretum by the santa anita mall?

[PuckMonkey]

So I took everything I learned the other day from my first attempt at HDR (btw, thanks for the feedback everybody), and went out today with my newfound knowledge and, well, I'm pretty happy with my progress...


http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr8.jpg


Still much to learn here, but I am definitely getting more comfortable with it.



http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr9.jpg



Don't want to bog down the page, so there are more

here (1) (http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr10.jpg)


here (2) (http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr11.jpg)


here (3) (http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr12.jpg)


here (4) (http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr13.jpg)


and here (5). (http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr14.jpg)

I am learning that subject matter is key for this stuff.

[FBJ]

Alright. That's the kinds of results I've been trying to get, but can't seem to home in on.

Mind posting the step-by-steps?

[PuckMonkey]

I pretty much followed the Stuck in Customs tutorial, though his quick pass over the tonemapping didn't do justice to the importance of it. That was where I found the good stuff that made the images work. Getting used to the controls is key. He is correct when he says there is no "right way" of doing the tonemapping, but I would add to that that there is also no easy way. But finally getting comfortable with the obscure control-set and the very minimal reference that came with it was a big help.

But I can not stress what I think is the most important part of HDR (he says in his all knowing "I've been doing this for two whole days" voice.)... Subject matter. I started thinking in terms of the Zone System (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_system), and when I did the results were almost always more favorable. When I saw this shot, (http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr15.jpg) I was able to identify with my eye almost every step in the Zone, even though the camera could only get 3 or 4 at a time regardless of exposure. But knowing the whole gamut was represented, I felt good about what my HRD results would be.

[FBJ]

Some from today's trip to the Arboretum. I was there from 9am until almost 2pm, and I still didn't see the whole thing! The place is awesome! Crappy drizzly weather this morning, but it was really surprisingly good for picture-taking. No people/diffused sunlight, etc.

Some macro stuff first. These were made really fun by all the water.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2331/2375007693_f44c0962e1.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2375841778_07855a88c0.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/2375838716_312090c93b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2375840746_ac44207a2b.jpg

Some other stuff...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2375051891_eee7465238.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2194/2375048615_2cc2e1981d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2375052425_92ac70339f.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2173/2375888922_4f36239b67.jpg

The rest here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/glenn_calvin/sets/72157604317461710/).

[PuckMonkey]

Nice! The Arboretum is good stuff.

[DeaderFan]

Nice stuff FBJ, especially the macro shots. I like the water droplets with the soft lighting. Makes me think of a spring rain.

[FBJ]

I like the water droplets with the soft lighting. Makes me think of a spring rain.

That's pretty much what it was all morning long, yesterday.

BTW, the D3 is just like that Canada goose. It literally just sheds the water. I'd brought towels with me just-in-case, and the only reason I even used them was to dry things off before a lens change. It is definitely an all-weather tool. It's just sealed that well.

[FBJ]

Is it:

A) As-shot
B) HDR
C) Just Plain Ugly

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2340/2375061133_d9d8664d7d_o.jpg

[HeShootsNScores]

That's pretty much what it was all morning long, yesterday.

BTW, the D3 is just like that Canada goose. It literally just sheds the water. I'd brought towels with me just-in-case, and the only reason I even used them was to dry things off before a lens change. It is definitely an all-weather tool. It's just sealed that well.

well... don't go pouring applesauce on it or anything.

[FBJ]

well... don't go pouring applesauce on it or anything.

Heh. That dude is NUTS!! Did you see his drop test?? I just about crapped a purple Twinkie when i saw that!

Even though this thing is sealed up tighter than a duck's arse, I'm not going to do anything crazy with it. If it had gotten any wetter out there yesterday, I would have packed it in. As it was, it was just a light pfzptpfztping of rain.

[Blurker]

I thought I'd attempt to steal back my own thread from PuckMonkey.




This photo has been replaced by some words. The photo was too ugly.

Here is a snake with two heads instead.

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/06_02/snakeAP_468x351.jpg



Anyhow, I'm certainly learning quite a bit playing around and from everyone's input here. Let's keep 'em coming.

[HeShootsNScores]

Heh. That dude is NUTS!! Did you see his drop test?? I just about crapped a purple Twinkie when i saw that!

Even though this thing is sealed up tighter than a duck's arse, I'm not going to do anything crazy with it. If it had gotten any wetter out there yesterday, I would have packed it in. As it was, it was just a light pfzptpfztping of rain.

heck... go swimming with it... it wont hurt it! ;)

that being said... are you sore? Rumor has it those things are HEAVY! A couple of months shooting with it and your max benchpress should go up..........

[PuckMonkey]

Shot today

http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr16.jpg

[Unfiltered]

The 15% coupon code still works at the HDR Soft website. The code is VPG15.



Shot today

http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr16.jpg

I like it a lot, PM. Objects in some HDRs have an illustrated look to them. So I like, some distract. This is one of those processed images that I DO like. Mostly I think it's due to a virtually solid background color. (I'm sure that's why I find HDRs like those shown below appeal to me on some level.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/479096944_eb7f878412_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/2375335575_431888c025.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/38/107387482_3188be804e.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2070/2147973290_bcf6a8bc75.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/2356064558_38664ea50a.jpg

[Blurker]

I probably got lucky with this one, but with enough tweaking and sliding of sliders...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/2380127047_965acc4786_b.jpg

I think I'm getting closer. Friggin' work keeps getting in the way of my tinkering.

[Unfiltered]

Friggin' work keeps getting in the way of my tinkering.

I hate work. It's always getting in the way of my interests, too. :)

[PuckMonkey]

Adobe Lightroom 2.0 BETA just released.

Adobe Labs - Adobe Lightroom 2.0 Beta (http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom/)

[FBJ]

Adobe Lightroom 2.0 BETA just released.

Adobe Labs - Adobe Lightroom 2.0 Beta (http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom/)

Great. If it gives me more control over watermarks, I'm all over it. I want control of pixel % rather than a maximum number of pixels high the watermark is allowed to be. That way, when I export near-original sized images, my watermark won't be so freakin' small you can't see it. I'd also like to be able to change the font, the location on the image, and the opacity of the watermark.

EDIT: I just DL'ed it and tried it. Gotta say it isn't that big an upgrade over the current version. NO control over watermarks that's different than the current version.

[OTTo VoN BLoTTo]

Little behind here, but Glenn... dude those shots above are friggin AWESOME. Seriously.

[Blurker]

With the awesome clouds this morning, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to shoot some HDR and waste time at work building them.



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2386349626_7a5597a987_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2385521699_a32083314d_b.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2228/2385519111_a38e2b21ee_b.jpg

[rinkrat]

Wow, great stuff guys.


Now that I am back on my feet I have to get out there and snap some more pics.

[PuckMonkey]

NICE! Great stuff Blurker. It looks like you have a pretty good feel for the controls in Photomatix. Still trying to get there myself.

And yeah, the right kind of clouds make for perfect HDR images. I have a bunch of great stuff from the past couple of days that I shot. That midrange lighting from a cloudy day makes for some nice results.

[ianmonsta]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2385521699_a32083314d_b.jpg



WOW love this shot

[Blurker]

Yeah, I snapped off about 100 bracketed shots of the sunrise this morning expecting some awesome results... Not much tonal depth to be had when everything's orange or gray.

Of course once the sun was up and I got to work, the roof of the parking garage made for a good platform, and the sun was well up, giving tons of depth to the shots.

I frickin' love this HDR thing. I shot a bunch more downtown before the game tonight. I hope I'm not busy at work tomorrow. ;)

[Unfiltered]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2386268023_19873c2e09_o.jpg

Sorry, Blurker. It looks odd without it. ;)

[HeShootsNScores]

BLURKER! Way to go!

[PuckMonkey]

Just a couple more before I ride off into the sunset on the whole HDR thing.

One More. (http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr77.jpg)

And another. (http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr75.jpg)

Inspired by the delicate application of HDR in Blurker's last set. Thanks Blurker.

[ianmonsta]

Just a couple more before I ride off into the sunset on the whole HDR thing.

One More. (http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr77.jpg)

And another. (http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr75.jpg)

Inspired by the delicate application of HDR in Blurker's last set. Thanks Blurker.

There yah go, looks like youre starting to get the hang of the controls.

[VF]

Fantastic PuckMonkey!

[HeShootsNScores]

giving it a shot....???? (be gentle)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/HeShootsNScores/HDRtryout2.jpg

EDIT:

I went back and "painted" in the people in front a little more so they don't look as illustrated. That way they look a little more real.... I dunno... still playing around...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/HeShootsNScores/HDRtryout3.jpg

[PuckMonkey]

Really nice! Well done.

This image actually reminds me of a question I had about DSLRs with auto-bracketing. Does it actually shoot 3 successive images, or does it shoot once, grabbing different exposure increments of the same image? I don't have the auto-bracketing so every typical 3 image HDR I shoot covers about 45 seconds to a full minute of elapsed time, so anything with movement is going to give me unexpected results. As I'm looking at what camera to get next, I don't see the actual mechanics ever explained.

How does the HDR capture work on DLSRs?

[rinkrat]

The AEB is three actual exposures and are captured at whatever FPS you have the camera set. You can adjust them to be 1/2 stop or 1 stop or 2 stops or whatever apart on a sliding scale. This is set at 1 stop.

http://www.adorama.com/images/articles/062306_12.jpg

[Blurker]

giving it a shot....???? (be gentle)
I went back and "painted" in the people in front a little more so they don't look as illustrated. That way they look a little more real.... I dunno... still playing around...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/HeShootsNScores/HDRtryout3.jpg

This is a great one. Was this a single exposure in Photomatix? Or did you go another route?

I dunno if your tweaking could bring the clouds out just a little bit more. The shot seems topheavy because it's so dark up there. Even still, it's a great shot.



Really nice! Well done.

This image actually reminds me of a question I had about DSLRs with auto-bracketing. Does it actually shoot 3 successive images, or does it shoot once, grabbing different exposure increments of the same image? I don't have the auto-bracketing so every typical 3 image HDR I shoot covers about 45 seconds to a full minute of elapsed time, so anything with movement is going to give me unexpected results. As I'm looking at what camera to get next, I don't see the actual mechanics ever explained.

How does the HDR capture work on DLSRs?

Yeah, the auto-bracketing is the way to go. Makes handheld HDR that much simpler when you've got a fast CF card. Snap, Snap, Snap. All the ones I posted earlier were -2, 0, +2 handheld.

I'm sure that any of the DSLR's will have the auto-bracket function. If you pop for the big dogs (Above my XTi) I think some of them will even bracket a 5 exposure range.

[PuckMonkey]

I'm sure that any of the DSLR's will have the auto-bracket function. If you pop for the big dogs (Above my XTi) I think some of them will even bracket a 5 exposure range.

Nikon D40X doesn't (grrrr...). But it's forced me to experiment with different exposures and bracketing ranges, with some interesting results. So yeah, a highly programmable 5-7 exposure range is exactly what I am looking for.

[VF]

Nikon D40X doesn't (grrrr...). But it's forced me to experiment with different exposures and bracketing ranges, with some interesting results. So yeah, a highly programmable 5-7 exposure range is exactly what I am looking for.

I think most non pro (I.E. something that is not an EOS 1D series or at least the Nikon D3, I don't know with the other Nikons as I am not familiar with them) the max auto bracket is 3 shots for 4 stops, -2, 0, +2, where the pro bodies usually do 8 stops in 9 shots. but one trick I have found that works with my camera is you can sneak 8 stops out of it fairly easily by setting you auto bracket at -2, 0, +2, then you set you exposure compensation to -2, shoot your three frames, which will give you -4, -2, 0, then set the exposure compensation to +2, and take three more which gives you 0, +2, +4. With the exposure compensation being so easy to set, it is a great way to very quickly get an 8 stop bracket.

[HeShootsNScores]

okay, took another shot.

this one was 5 frames, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2... then into Photomatix!

The clouds are a little dark, but it was threatening that day so perhaps it isn't so far off.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/HeShootsNScores/DSC_0092_HDR_final.jpg

[ianmonsta]

okay, took another shot.

this one was 5 frames, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2... then into Photomatix!

The clouds are a little dark, but it was threatening that day so perhaps it isn't so far off.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/HeShootsNScores/DSC_0092_HDR_final.jpg

the main problem i have with alot of HDRs is with trees they always come out so i dunno over saturated and almost look like a neon filter was used, but thats just my personal prefferance some people like it some dont. other than that i think both images are great although i would love to see a little bit more of a differance between the lights and darks in the clouds.

[Unfiltered]

Nikon D40X doesn't (grrrr...). But it's forced me to experiment with different exposures and bracketing ranges, with some interesting results. So yeah, a highly programmable 5-7 exposure range is exactly what I am looking for.

I found this chart that shows the AEB of different models for those looking to buy a new camera.

Auto Exposure Bracketing by camera model (http://hdr-photography.com/aeb.html)

[PuckMonkey]

I found this chart that shows the AEB of different models for those looking to buy a new camera.

Auto Exposure Bracketing by camera model (http://hdr-photography.com/aeb.html)

That is EXACTLY the list I have been looking for. THANKS!

[Unfiltered]

That is EXACTLY the list I have been looking for. THANKS!

Yeah, it made me jealous of those D3 owners. ;)

[FBJ]

Yeah, it made me jealous of those D3 owners. ;)

I need to get out and start playing with the AEB and do some work on the HDR skills. Not sure when I'll have time.

I played around with the AEB a little bit at the Arboretum the other day. The nice thing about the D3 is that it will shoot so fast that you can do hand-held three exposure bracketed bursts with relative ease as long as the scene is fairly bright and your slowest shutter speed is faster than about 1/100th. Nine frames-per-second has its advantages!

[rinkrat]

Hand held works fine for me ;)

I gotta get out and take some pics now that I'm feeling better.

I got a deal on a wide angle on ebay the other day so that might be good for HDR to make it even more "other worldly".

[Unfiltered]

I need to get out and start playing with the AEB and do some work on the HDR skills. Not sure when I'll have time.

I played around with the AEB a little bit at the Arboretum the other day. The nice thing about the D3 is that it will shoot so fast that you can do hand-held three exposure bracketed bursts with relative ease as long as the scene is fairly bright and your slowest shutter speed is faster than about 1/100th. Nine frames-per-second has its advantages!

That chart is great. I had no idea that Nikon went 2-9 AEB all the way down to the D200. Very cool!

[VF]

Wow! An 18 stop range with the Canon 1 series, that is insane.

[VF]

I got a deal on a wide angle on ebay the other day so that might be good for HDR to make it even more "other worldly".

Oooo, what did you get?

[rinkrat]

Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 EF-S USM

So all three of my lenses are 77mm. How lucky is that?

[FBJ]

Here's a couple from the Getty today. I went to play around with the 14mm f/2.8 and to work on some architectural shooting skills. Believe it or not, there is virtually no color saturation increase in the post-prod of these captures. I metered on the sky to get it to be so blue.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2404377394_8f24f948c9.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2404378508_5276c82ef9.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2403550207_fea96bfc66.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2081/2403560819_7c8aef92c7.jpg

The rest are here. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/glenn_calvin/sets/72157604476757645/)

I've got some HDR work to do, as well.

[FBJ]

Okay. As some of you may have seen, I played around for a little while at the Getty Center today. I shot a couple bracketed scenes so that I could play around with Photomatix when I got back home.

Here's what I came up with. I'm kinda happy with the way these turned out, though I still need some practice. I tried to remember the Zone System when looking at scenes, and that really did help a lot.

I've linked below the HDRs to the images that are the median exposure in the five-shot bracket.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/2403670141_9e0e8ba581.jpg
Median Exposure (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/2404383002_b6399a713b.jpg)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2200/2403669677_ef9073e27c.jpg
Median Exposure (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/2403554349_0e84f8e884.jpg)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/2403668829_0af8ef260f.jpg
Median Exposure (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2403557581_0f1ecf28a5.jpg)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2219/2403669333_a7fffd9f5d.jpg
Median Exposure (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/2403559695_10b48e6180.jpg)

After I got them looking the way I wanted them to look in Photomatix, I tweaked them a bit in Photoshop for brightness, contrast, dust spots, noise, and sharpness.

[VF]

God that 14mm f/2.8 is nice! Canon needs to get their stuff together. They have the same lens, but for about $800 more, and probably not quite as nice.

Excellent shots, the HDRs are fantastic as well. Nicely done. I promise you guys I will photograph something besides BabyFan in the near future to share :)

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/tuttle5/SamPage_20080401_7793.jpg

[FBJ]

God that 14mm f/2.8 is nice! Canon needs to get their stuff together. They have the same lens, but for about $800 more, and probably not quite as nice.

Excellent shots, the HDRs are fantastic as well. Nicely done.

Thanks. I really do like that 14mm lens. It's GREAT for architectural photography! Getting it used saved me some dough, but Adorama's rating system is debatable. The website said it was E (shows normal wear, might have minor scratches, glass clean), but there is a definite ding in the glass. It's minuscule in size, of course, but its noticeable in images. I think it should have been rated at G at best. Fortunately, its easy to take out with the spot-removal tool in Lightroom.

Still better than spending $400 more, I think.

[VF]

1 and 2 are superb! I love them. 3 is close, but I think the varying tonality in the sky is a little distracting to me (where going left to right starting at the sun it goes sun, bright patch, dark patch, light patch, wall, lighter patch). Fantastic.

[rinkrat]

the 10-22 arrived. I took it on the dog walk and snapped this pic of the neighbor's flowers


http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/flowers.jpg

[FBJ]

Nice!

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/bowwow.jpg

[VF]

the 10-22 arrived. I took it on the dog walk and snapped this pic of the neighbor's flowers

I'll be very currious to hear what you think of it IQ wise compared to the 17-55, as it is the first new Canon UWA in a while. Looks good so far!

[FBJ]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/bowwow.jpg

Oh yeah!?!?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/2403356879_f1f82ea0cb_o.jpg

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/pier.jpg

This lens has some smudges in the sky area up there. I guess it's fixible if I really had to but I noticed it in a few other shots too. It looks perfect to the eye but I guess there are some little flaws or my polarizer was dirty.

[rinkrat]

Drew MF Barrymore

[rinkrat]

Attn: FBJ

Nikon firms up D3 feature set: Digital Photography Review (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0804/08041401D3firmware.asp)

[rinkrat]

So those imperfections on the 10-22 are too much to take and I even cleaned the lens so I am gonna have to try and return the thing now. What a pain.

[FBJ]

So those imperfections on the 10-22 are too much to take and I even cleaned the lens so I am gonna have to try and return the thing now. What a pain.

Are you talking about the little specs and splotches I'm seeing in the blue sky??

If that's what you're talking about, that HAS to be dirt on your sensor, man. Don't return the lens just yet.

Does the 30D have the self-cleaning sensor unit? Might be on the 40D and not the 30D....

YouTube - Canon EOS Integrated Cleaning System

If not, try following the procedure that appears on pages 41 and 42 of the EOS 30D manual. (http://www.canon-30d.com/Canon-EOS-30D-Manual.PDF) Of course, that's if you haven't already tried that. I'd suggest you hold the camera with the opening pointed downward while you blow air into the camera to dislodge the dust from the low-pass filter.

The following is some dur-hey type stuff you probably already know. Here, for the benefit of those who don't...

DO NOT USE CANNED AIR!! If you let a little liquid out of the canned air cylinder into the innards of the camera, you're going to have a bad time.

DO NOT BLOW INTO THE CAMERA WITH YOUR MOUTH!! The water-vapor in your breath will do bad things to the innards of the camera.

Use only a bulb-blower.

After that, test it out by putting a lens back on it and pointing it at a flat-white wall and taking a picture with the wide lens. You might have to repeat the above steps a couple times to get all the dust particles off the low-pass filter.

Worst case is you take it to an authorized Canon repair facility and have it professionally cleaned. Maybe $30 or so.

After you finally get things cleaned out, make sure you turn your camera off before switching lenses (this ensures there's no static charge on the sensor to attract dust), keep the opening of the camera pointed downward as you change lenses, make sure the lens you're about to put on is dust-free, and don't change lenses in dusty environments.

[rinkrat]

Yeah I did the bulb thing and 80% of it disappeared. I'll have to be more careful since this place is a dust pit.

THANKS for saving me the embarassment of sending back the lens. I took pics with the other lens to test and the marks were on there too so it was the sensor for sure.

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/renoroomsmall_original.jpg

On Broadway

[FBJ]

Glad that was what the problem was. A bum lens would have sucked, what with most places charging 10% to restock.

I've noticed that the big sensor on my D3 is a HUGE dust magnet. I've had to really ratched up the level of care I take when I change lenses. In fact, the majority of the images I took at the Getty last week had spots all over the freakin' place.

BTW...if you haven't tried Lightroom's dust-spot removal tool, it works really really well. That will save the images that you take before you know you've got sensor dust! I used that tool extensively on my Getty pictures last week.

[PuckMonkey]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/renoroomsmall_original.jpg

On Broadway

Now shoot this exact same scene at around 8:30 tonight.

Seriously.

Trust me.

[VF]

Some of that dust will be "welded" on, which is the term people use for dust that is impossible to remove with the blower, most of it has a static charge and therefor makes it hard to get off. As Glenn said, the easiest and the safest is to have Canon clean it for you (you can drop it off in Irvine). You can also clean it yourself, if you are that kind of person, I would recommend Eclipse fluid, and a box of their sensor swabs (you are going to want type 2, for 1.6 crop cameras).

This site (http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/index.html) has the different methods, and this site (https://www.micro-tools.com/store/SearchByCategory.aspx?CategoryCode=6#CT6) is where you can get the stuff.

I think Glenn is right that having Canon do it is the safest, but having them clean your sensor every time it needs it can also be a bit of a pain.

[VF]

BTW...if you haven't tried Lightroom's dust-spot removal tool, it works really really well. That will save the images that you take before you know you've got sensor dust! I used that tool extensively on my Getty pictures last week.

And what is nice about it is that you can "copy" the spot removal from one image to a whole set (by using the Sync button), so if you have a mondo dust spec in the same spot in 300 images, you only have to fix one, and sync the rest (the 5D is a dust magnet as well, so I have a lot of experience with this :) )

[VF]

...I would recommend Eclipse fluid...

Please note that if you have a newer camera (40D, 400D, 450D, Nikon D3, D300, D40...full list here (http://www.photosol.com/cameras_bymfg.html)) that HAVE to use E2 fluid and not the Eclipse fluid. Very very bad things can happen.

[rinkrat]

I ordered a rocket blower so I'll try that and then the swabs if that doesn't do the job. Thanks for all the info guys.

[rinkrat]

OK I went back at 8:30 and it was cool but too dark to do a bracket hand held so I'll have to bring a tripod to do an HDR. Here's a non-HDR straight out of the camera. THANKS for the tip Mr. Monkey, the lighting is bitchen. I'll have to schedule my dog walks at 8:30 for awhile!
http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/reno2.jpg

[PuckMonkey]

Yeah, dusk'ish is a good lighting range, and ambient colored neon creates some really nice effects with the HDR. Can't wait to see more from your walks.

[PuckMonkey]

And while we're sharing and all...

Here's a work in progress of a technique that I've been working on lately. What I am doing is, after creating the HDR file, I create multiple tone-mapped files, each adjusted for specific parts of the particular image. Then I'm combining those images yet again in Photoshop and blending and masking. Much more involved obviously, but I've created some interesting images lately that way. Not for every HDR image, but a useful tool to have available.


http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/wip-hdr178.jpg

^ wip

[rinkrat]

I was looking for a flying saucer on the right side

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/reno3_original.jpg

not an hdr

[PuckMonkey]

Yeah, that's gonna glow. Maybe go at 9:30 :) .

[PuckMonkey]

One more from yesterday's shots.

PS: And yes, I do realize that all the HDR stuff I am posting is "dark".

http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr180.jpg

[Unfiltered]

One more from yesterday's shots.

PS: And yes, I do realize that all the HDR stuff I am posting is "dark".

http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr180.jpg

They maybe "dark" but they kick ****ing ass!

[BleedingPurple]

One more from yesterday's shots.

PS: And yes, I do realize that all the HDR stuff I am posting is "dark".

http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr180.jpg


Absolutely, Bad-Ass!

I've been gone from the boards for quite a while but I'm still pursuing the photography thing and I'm even taking a B&W Film class at my local college. I should be buying a DSLR soon enough...

[FBJ]

And what is nice about it is that you can "copy" the spot removal from one image to a whole set (by using the Sync button), so if you have a mondo dust spec in the same spot in 300 images, you only have to fix one, and sync the rest (the 5D is a dust magnet as well, so I have a lot of experience with this :) )

All the images should have the same background, though. The vector (i.e. direction and distance from the spot you're trying to get rid of) that the dust-correction tool uses will be the same in every photograph, and might accidentally clone something you don't want it to clone...like a piece of building or something. Next thing you know, you've got a bigger spot in that place in each image than when you started!

[FBJ]

Some of that dust will be "welded" on, which is the term people use for dust that is impossible to remove with the blower, most of it has a static charge and therefor makes it hard to get off. As Glenn said, the easiest and the safest is to have Canon clean it for you (you can drop it off in Irvine). You can also clean it yourself, if you are that kind of person, I would recommend Eclipse fluid, and a box of their sensor swabs (you are going to want type 2, for 1.6 crop cameras).

This site (http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/index.html) has the different methods, and this site (https://www.micro-tools.com/store/SearchByCategory.aspx?CategoryCode=6#CT6) is where you can get the stuff.

I think Glenn is right that having Canon do it is the safest, but having them clean your sensor every time it needs it can also be a bit of a pain.


"Welded" on? I don't think I have ever experienced this myself. Every bit of dust I've found on the sensors of the D200 and the D3 has been able to be removed with judicious use of the rocket blower. I've never even had to use swabs, fortunately.

[PuckMonkey]

"Welded" on? I don't think I have ever experienced this myself. Every bit of dust I've found on the sensors of the D200 and the D3 has been able to be removed with judicious use of the rocket blower. I've never even had to use swabs, fortunately.

I finally resorted to getting a swab kit from Samy's the other day. I had more "welds" than a Chevy Nova going on in there, and refused to have my camera out of my hands for 10 days. Worked out pretty well.

[rinkrat]

I ordered a swab kit late last night and I ordered the rocket blower yesterday so I will be ready for war. I took a pic this morning and it looked pretty clean. I'll find out today at the Grand Prix practice.

[VF]

Looking great PuckMonkey! Have you been finding you have to use multiple tone mapped images, or can you use 1 general tone map and then layer and mask you originals?

[VF]

"Welded" on? I don't think I have ever experienced this myself. Every bit of dust I've found on the sensors of the D200 and the D3 has been able to be removed with judicious use of the rocket blower. I've never even had to use swabs, fortunately.

Oh, just let it sit for a few months, it will weld itself :)

[PuckMonkey]

Looking great PuckMonkey! Have you been finding you have to use multiple tone mapped images, or can you use 1 general tone map and then layer and mask you originals?

Thanks, Poppa!

It depends on the feel I'm trying to achieve with the image, but I have done both. The image above, for example, I used one tone mapped image to pick up the sun rays that I was able to optimize on one, and maintain the overall feel as I composited the second image that was tone mapped for the cityscape (and a third that was done for the interior). Once I post-process that image, it should all blend together nicely. For clean shots (like Glenn's amazing Getty pics, and the cool neon shots that rinkrat is going to shoot tonight :) ), I definitely make use of the originals.

I'm also experimenting with using a modified black channel as a key plate, but until I upgrade my camera rig, my stuff isn't sharp enough to make proper use of it yet. But the results so far have made me a happy camper. I know it's going to do what I want it to do.

[VF]

...But the results so far have made me a happy camper. I know it's going to do what I want it to do.

You should be a happy camper, they look great. I really like the illustratory look to them. I think Glenn's work extremely well because the subject itself is clean and sharp, yours are great because they have a very moody, drawn look to them. It really makes me want to make some images!

[VF]

So I was getting a few images printed, one of which was the following:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/tuttle5/01.jpg

which I just threw on some sloppy border which I downloaded from somewhere to add to the feel of the image, and it got me thinking, how are sloppy boarders really made? The only two ways I know of are to take a file to your negative holder to jaggy it up and print the entire negative, or work with a paper where you have to brush the emulsion in yourself. As I only had one darkroom class in my life (using Tri-X only at that), how is a sloppy boarder like this one, which you see in a lot of these sloppy boarder packs, even possible? Or is it people are just getting creative with their sloppiness and leaving reality behind?

[FBJ]

From a single file...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/2421378755_ae2ec5c516_o.jpg

Here's (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/2421371967_27fc278a87_o.jpg) the regular image.

[FBJ]

Another single-file HDR...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2087/2421443789_675ab9823d_o.jpg

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/img_6377small.jpg

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/img_6499small.jpg

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/img_6439small.jpg

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/img_6433small.jpg

A few pics from the Long Beach Grand Prix 2008.

They were doing warm up laps etc and it was open to the public.
I managed to sneak onto one of the photo towers. ;)

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/renohdrsmall_original.jpg

[HeShootsNScores]

^ Nice!

[rinkrat]

Puckmonkey tutored me on the right methods. Full props to him.

[PuckMonkey]

Hey Mike, now try this...

Instead of ISO 800, drop it down to 100 and give yourself longer exposure times (20-30 second exposures are not unheard of for me). Let the light do the work instead of the sensor. Also, set your medium exposure down at least a full stop.

I think you will be really happy with the different results. The longer exposures let the light "bathe" the scene, and starts to give you an aurora borealis feel. So even though you may have the same exposure values of an ISO 800 shot, what you are capturing is the actual light, and not the digital sensors re-interpretation of it.

I've been doing tons of testing and experimenting with HDR for the last couple of weeks, and it's interesting to watch a controlled and repeatable image like yours develop as new things are discovered.

[rinkrat]

Gotcha! I purposely set it higher to avoid the long exposure. Why? I'm not really sure. Habit I guess.
This is ****ing rad, let Puckmonkey learn by trial and error and then have him teach me step by step. I'm learning a lot and doing it fast. Mad props to Eddie Spaghetti. :)

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/virginmaryskysmall_original.jpg

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/streetsmall_original.jpg

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/bluecarsmall.jpg

fun at 11mm

[rinkrat]

Nikon D3 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD3/)

[FBJ]

What's with all the sex toys on the dashboard of that Beetle?

Heheh...

Nice work with the superwide. So many people that use them have a tendency to try and "get everything in" (which so often leads to images with no obvious subject) instead of getting in tight with the subject.

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/3636clubsmall.jpg

The body piercing boutique closed early so I had to move up the road.

[PuckMonkey]

NIIICE!!!

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the importance of really locking down on your tripod during these exposures. :)

If your camera has a mirror lock-up, use it. And for all of my shots I shoot in self-timer mode so my hands are completely off and unable to move the camera when exposing. That adds another 10 seconds to my already laborious process, but it makes the difference.

Looks like your dialing it in though. What do you think?

[rinkrat]

Yeah my tripod is not real stable. I'll have to figure out that other stuff and nail it on one of these.

It looks like I forgot to put on my 3-d glasses

I wonder if the timer will take all three shots or one at a time? It was kind of weird standing there with my finger on the button waiting for the exposure to end and the next one to begin and I'm sure I was shaking the thing all over the place.

It was pretty cool that Caddy was parked there in the red zone.

Yeah it's pretty cool. :) Thanks again for all the help. I'll get it right eventually. I had the tripod in the street and get a lot of people asking what the **** I'm taking pics of.

[VF]

NIIICE!!!

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the importance of really locking down on your tripod during these exposures. :)

If your camera has a mirror lock-up, use it. And for all of my shots I shoot in self-timer mode so my hands are completely off and unable to move the camera when exposing. That adds another 10 seconds to my already laborious process, but it makes the difference.

Looks like your dialing it in though. What do you think?

I HIGHLY recommend shutter release cables (30D is here (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-RS-80N3-Remote-Switch-EOS-D2000/dp/B00009R6VZ)). I have the same one, works well, I cut the cord in half, and put in 1/8" stereo plugs (male on the camera side, female on the other) so if I want I can extend it with a headphone extension cable, or trigger it with something like a pocket wizard. Unfortunately, this is one accessory where paying the $50 for the Canon version is worth it, as the generics can be pretty cheesy and break quickly.

As for the image, looking good! I would echo everything PM said, but also throw in that I might like to see it taken a bit earlier in the evening so the sky isn't so dark, but I like how the neon is looking.

[PuckMonkey]

Inspired by your quest for neon, I shot this one (http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr216.jpg) last night of a Chinese dress shop that, every time I pass by it a night, reminds me of the brothels in Amsterdam. I call it "Betrothel".

:)

Can't wait to see more of your stuff.

[VF]

Yeah my tripod is not real stable. I'll have to figure out that other stuff and nail it on one of these.

It looks like I forgot to put on my 3-d glasses

I wonder if the timer will take all three shots or one at a time? It was kind of weird standing there with my finger on the button waiting for the exposure to end and the next one to begin and I'm sure I was shaking the thing all over the place.

It was pretty cool that Caddy was parked there in the red zone.

Yeah it's pretty cool. :) Thanks again for all the help. I'll get it right eventually. I had the tripod in the street and get a lot of people asking what the **** I'm taking pics of.

For the shutter, if you are in almost anything but Manual or B, you only need to tap the shutter and it will stay open for as long as the camera thinks it needs to. If you use the timer, it will do all exposures in one go (at least on the 5D). However, if you have the mirror lockup custom function set, the timer changes from 10 seconds to 2 seconds, and you need one shutter push to lock up the mirror and it fires the shutter 2 seconds later, and you have to do that for each exposure of the AEB.

[PuckMonkey]

I HIGHLY recommend shutter release cables (30D is here (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-RS-80N3-Remote-Switch-EOS-D2000/dp/B00009R6VZ)). I have the same one, works well, I cut the cord in half, and put in 1/8" stereo plugs (male on one side, female on the other) so if I want I can extend it with a headphone extension cable, or trigger it with something like a pocket wizard. Unfortunately, this is one accessory where paying the $50 for the Canon version is worth it, as the generics can be pretty cheesy and break quickly.

As for the image, looking good! I would echo everything PM said, but also throw in that I might like to see it taken a bit earlier in the evening so the sky isn't so dark, but I like how the neon is looking.

Spot on, Sam. I had an infrared remote that was very helpful when I started playing around with this. However, it ended up under the grinding tires of a Big Wheel when it apparently fell out of my bag one day. Has not worked consistently since.

[rinkrat]

Yeah, earlier would be good. I'll practice on some timer shots before I have to perform it in the streets.

[rinkrat]

Inspired by your quest for neon, I shot this one (http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr216.jpg) last night of a Chinese dress shop that, every time I pass by it a night, reminds me of the brothels in Amsterdam. I call it "Betrothel".

:)

Can't wait to see more of your stuff.



Nice ! i like the textures on the walls.

[PuckMonkey]

Yeah, earlier would be good. I'll practice on some timer shots before I have to perform it in the streets.

Put a tip-hat down on the ground and tell everyone you are doing a performance art piece about the omnipresent media and its effects on an image conscious society. Probably make a few bucks.

[VF]

So, I have still been trying to decide which lens to rent to take to Red Bull, and in doing my research, I came across something that made me nauseated and want to cry all at the same time:

http://img2.zol.com.cn/product/11/513/ce0EiiteaFq6.jpg

Full translated page here (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.fengniao.com%2F55%2F 558755.html&langpair=zh%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8), from what I can make of it, someone tossed the photog the camera as some event was about to start, but it might have also been mounted on a tripod? Anyway, no fun at all with 1DMkIII and a 500mm f/4.0 IS, that is about $10,000 down the drain.

I think that image convinced me I should go with the measly by comparison 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 zoom and keep it simple (and I would have to have picked up a Wimberly mount if I wanted to use the 500mm or the 600mm, which is a little more than I want to get into)

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/caddysmall.jpg

This one had a little less camera shake

[PuckMonkey]

How cool is it that the Caddy was parked right there? Nice shot

[rinkrat]

Yeah it was in the red zone too.

Damn look at the window of the caddy. If I had gone lower I could have reflected the sign in there real bitchen.

[PuckMonkey]

That would be a good HDR Challenge image actually. I bet between all the exposures, there is enough detail to crisp up the blur.

[rinkrat]

Look at my shadow on the hood of the car ;)

[PuckMonkey]

AHH!, I see the tripod now.

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/bikerssmall_original.jpg

[rinkrat]

LAist: Found in Long Beach: Legal Street Racing (http://laist.com/2008/04/18/found_in_long_b.php)

Rinkrat is Photo of the Day on the LAist. That's twice in one week!

[FBJ]

I don't know if you guys are doing this or not (I think PM is...):

After creating the HDR and tonemapping it in Photomatix (or whatever it is you use), save the file and run it through Lightroom's (or PS's for that matter) noise reduction. It makes for a much smoother image.

[FBJ]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/bikerssmall_original.jpg

That is a FREAKING AWESOME image! The only suggestion I would make is to level out the horizon. It is just ever-so-slightly high on the left side of the frame.

Nice job getting rid of the sensor dust, too.

[rinkrat]

Damn I already did that twice. Just missed ;)

Walking the dog is a lot more fun now. :) :) :)

[PuckMonkey]

I don't know if you guys are doing this or not (I think PM is...):

After creating the HDR and tonemapping it in Photomatix (or whatever it is you use), save the file and run it through Lightroom's (or PS's for that matter) noise reduction. It makes for a much smoother image.

Funny, when I started I did that on a couple of images, but I forgot all about it. :)

[rinkrat]

HDR is for tweakers.

[rinkrat]

I don't know if you guys are doing this or not (I think PM is...):

After creating the HDR and tonemapping it in Photomatix (or whatever it is you use), save the file and run it through Lightroom's (or PS's for that matter) noise reduction. It makes for a much smoother image.

OK, I just did that and added a ton of sharpness.

[rinkrat]

Here is the plane that buzzed the LB Grand Prix yesterday.


http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/flyover_original.jpg

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/dollfactsmall.jpg

The Doll Factory - Home of the LA Derby Dolls

Did this last night. I used the timer and sure enough it took all three bracketed photos. That rules!

[Unfiltered]

LAist: Found in Long Beach: Legal Street Racing (http://laist.com/2008/04/18/found_in_long_b.php)

Rinkrat is Photo of the Day on the LAist. That's twice in one week!

Woo-hooo, Mike! Between these two notes, and the extremely kick-ass People magazine nod, this has been an already nice year for ya'!

http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2008/features/insider/080331/derby_dolls.jpg

[Unfiltered]

Okay, guys. The tax return should be deposited in the account some time in the next week. I am in the market for a tripod and head, and I'm looking for recommendations.

I have a Canon 40D that won't have anything larger than a 300mm tele on it on the regular. (I have an 85mm and a 135mm, as well.) I may rent a 400mm some time, but that may be a once a year kind of thing. (Like the Red Bull Air Race next month, which I unfortunately will miss this year.)

So, to recap, the max load will be:

Canon 40D with Battery Grip
300mm w/ the Occasional 400mm
580XL

I'm looking at two price ranges:

Realistic: Up to $600
Daydream: Up to $900

What say you?

TIA,

Corey

[rinkrat]

Gitzo

Read this
Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan (http://www.bythom.com/support.htm)

[VF]

I very much agree with what RinkRat posted. When I was looking for a tripod a while ago I read that very same article and thought to myself "naww, I won't need anything that sturdy / expensive, the $300 range for legs and head will work fine" and now a few years later guess what, I am regretting my decision and am thinking that I need both new legs and a new head.

In addition to the Gitzo recommendation (with no center column), I would recommend Really Right Stuff ball heads as well as their L brackets. If you are thinking about renting the 400mm or anything bigger, having a gimbal head is going to be a huge advantage. The gold standard for those types of heads is the Wimberley Head II, which are very expensive, but a more reasonable alternative that was recommended to me was the #3421 gimbal head by Bogen. One of the reasons I'm not renting big glass this year for Red Bull is that I am questioning my tripods abilities to handle it.

[Unfiltered]

Gitzo

Read this
Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan (http://www.bythom.com/support.htm)



I very much agree with what RinkRat posted. When I was looking for a tripod a while ago I read that very same article and thought to myself "naww, I won't need anything that sturdy / expensive, the $300 range for legs and head will work fine" and now a few years later guess what, I am regretting my decision and am thinking that I need both new legs and a new head.

In addition to the Gitzo recommendation (with no center column), I would recommend Really Right Stuff ball heads as well as their L brackets. If you are thinking about renting the 400mm or anything bigger, having a gimbal head is going to be a huge advantage. The gold standard for those types of heads is the Wimberley Head II, which are very expensive, but a more reasonable alternative that was recommended to me was the #3421 gimbal head by Bogen. One of the reasons I'm not renting big glass this year for Red Bull is that I am questioning my tripods abilities to handle it.

Thanks to both of you! I'll read the article later today. I figure, by the time the money is there, I can fit in a few trips to the shop and check out what I've been reading.

Thanks!

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/bikepath_hdr_original.jpg

Here is a single shot HDR.

[VF]

Wow, that is a pretty dynamic result for a one shot HDR, nicely done!

[rinkrat]

Yeah it's just this pic tweaked
http://www.letsgokings.com/bbs/1136896-post762.html

Might have overdone it a bit. ;)

[Unfiltered]

Okay. It looks like I'm going to have to mow a few more lawns this week to get the the sticks and head I want. ;)

I've got it down to a few that I will check out this week. Once the cash is in my account, I'll be picking them up. So, that give me a good 4-6 days to romance the wife. :)

[rinkrat]

Someday I will get a good tripod. Till then I'll improvise.

[FBJ]

Since we're talking tripods, I'm going to throw in the fact that I am EXTREMELY impressed with my Manfrotto 190X Pro. Great set of legs.

The ball-head, though it's great quality, isn't as user-friendly as I'd like it to be. I'm thinking I'll eventually replace it with a pistol-grip type ball-head that is more-quickly adjustable.

[FBJ]

Burbank. Dawn Patrol...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2435977652_8e96a3bd49_o.jpg

[VF]

WOW!!! That is kick ASS! I love it. I would give you karma but I need to spread some around blah blah blah. I think the only thing I find distracting is the haloing at the top edge of the windshield near the sides. Big size available perchance?

[VF]

I need to get out of the house and do some shooting :(

[rinkrat]

Nice!! Love the sepia tones.

[FBJ]

Thanks guys. The stuff I shot this last couple days while out flying was all hand-held. Here's a couple more...

27,000 lbs. Thrust From This Flower...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2435982532_da2ec8b54a_o.jpg
Another similar shot here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/glenn_calvin/2435977314/sizes/o/).

#1...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2315/2435978034_13788151fc_o.jpg
I tried to get rid of that weird "corona" around the engine nacelle, but couldn't get it to work itself out of the image.

Chicago Midway...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/2435165389_a67b22060e_o.jpg
All-in-all, I'm really happy with the way this one turned out. The only thing I'd change (if I could) would be the yellowish-orange tones that the fluorescent lights down the concourse give off.

[rinkrat]

Try adjusting the smoothing to lose the corona.

[FBJ]

Try adjusting the smoothing to lose the corona.

I tried everything...I thought. I'll go back and take a look.

[VF]

All-in-all, I'm really happy with the way this one turned out. The only thing I'd change (if I could) would be the yellowish-orange tones that the fluorescent lights down the concourse give off.


They are looking good! As for changing the hue:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k35/tuttle5/2435165389_a67b22060e_o_SP.jpg

I brought it into Photoshop, converted to LAB color space (I find it is a pretty easy space to change hues like this), did a curves adjustment layer, and mashed them around until I got what I wanted (I Ctrl clicked to get the points on the curves where I wanted them), then masked off everything but the hall. It is probably easier if I just send you the PSD so you can see what is going on.

[FBJ]

Precisely what I was after...

Thanks.

[VF]

27,000 lbs. Thrust From This Flower...
[img]
Another similar shot here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/glenn_calvin/2435977314/sizes/o/).


That link comes up as a private page :(

[FBJ]

That link comes up as a private page :(

This is what I linked to:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2158/2435977314_ed249195a6_o.jpg

[rinkrat]

FLICKR PHOTO OF THE?WEEK | The District Weekly (http://thedistrictweekly.com/daily/staff-infection/flickr-photo-of-the-week-11/)

[FBJ]

sweet!

[VF]

Nice, way to go RR!

[wngr2552]

Congrats on making Flickr photo of the week!

[VF]

Canon celebrates 40 million EF lenses produced (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-News/Canon-40-Millionth-EF-Lens.aspx).

That is a lot of lenses!

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Images/News/2008-Canon-EF-Lens-Lineup.jpg

[wngr2552]

Canon celebrates 40 million EF lenses produced (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-News/Canon-40-Millionth-EF-Lens.aspx).

That is a lot of lenses!

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Images/News/2008-Canon-EF-Lens-Lineup.jpg

HOLY COW that is a LOT of lenses that I would LOVE to have!

[rinkrat]

I'll take those white ones. ;)

[VF]

I'll take the whole right side of that image, I'll admit I'm an L-coholic. Oh that red ring feels so good!

[FBJ]

Red ring, schmed ring.

It's all about the BIG GOLD 'N'!

BLING BLING!!!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/2438106846_1e6bda75e2.jpg

[DeaderFan]

Speaking of that, watching the Laker game tonight I saw some big glass along the court. What caught my eye was the fact that a lot more of it was black than what you usually see. Maybe the D3 is having an impact?

And congrats to RR for the photo of the week honors! Man you are getting a lot of quality images out there. Good job!

[FBJ]

Maybe the D3 is having an impact?

No question.

[rinkrat]

D3FINITELY!


FTFY

[VF]

Oooo, I actually like that one better than the 27,000lbs thrust flower. The color gradient that is happening is very interesting. Is that some split toning that is going on, or is that just from the sunrise? Very cool.

[FBJ]

Oooo, I actually like that one better than the 27,000lbs thrust flower. The color gradient that is happening is very interesting. Is that some split toning that is going on, or is that just from the sunrise? Very cool.

I don't know split-toning from a hole in the ground. It's just the way it came out.

It's goin' off in the HDR groups, though. People dig that one, I guess.

[rinkrat]

Nice detail and overall industrial vibe. Very cool.

[rinkrat]

I went back here and did it with the timer etc. I think I just like standing around in front of this place and talking to all of the people.

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/somatic_original.jpg

[Unfiltered]

Canon celebrates 40 million EF lenses produced (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-News/Canon-40-Millionth-EF-Lens.aspx).

That is a lot of lenses!

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Images/News/2008-Canon-EF-Lens-Lineup.jpg

Dude, I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I've been pretty awesome with math all of my life, and THAT is not 40 million lenses.

[VF]

Dude, I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I've been pretty awesome with math all of my life, and THAT is not 40 million lenses.

That is 40 million in new math, the same new math they used to figure out the 1D MkIII autofocus system :21smile: (actually, with the fixes, the 1D MkIII autofocus is pretty kick ass, but what a black eye for them)

[HeShootsNScores]

Here is a single shot conversion I did in Photomatix...

sorry about the horizon... although I kinda like it in a weird sort of way. I was walking around Disneyland with my fiance and didn't have a tripod or monopod, so I used a rock on the edge of the lake where the submarines are.... and this is what came out!

Its a little too "neon" for me, but there are a lot of neon lights over there in tomorrowland, so I'm not overly upset with it...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/HeShootsNScores/LGK%20stuff/DSC_0028_HDR.jpg

[HeShootsNScores]

gave it another shot... another location

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/HeShootsNScores/LGK%20stuff/DSC_0022.jpg

[FBJ]

Okay.

I quit.

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/6687694-lg.jpg

More photos by Martin Amm, (http://photo.net/photodb/member-photos?user_id=2109438) a man who should not only be hated, but feared as well.

/douses photo gear with gasoline and sets ablaze

[Clich? Guevara]

That is one powerful macro!

[VF]

In the gardening thread, gescom linked to his friend who also has some impressive macro work: Eusebio Photography (http://www.eusebiophotography.com/nature.html)

[FBJ]

In the gardening thread, gescom linked to his friend who also has some impressive macro work: Eusebio Photography (http://www.eusebiophotography.com/nature.html)

The lighting in those images is AWESOME. I especially like the closeup of the spider with the black eyes and green mandibles (?) where you can see the reflection of the softbox in his eyes.

Wonder how you go about setting up a shot with creatures that are creepy, tiny, and have no ability to act on anything but pure instinct?

P.S.

There's a gardening thread??

[VF]

The lighting in those images is AWESOME. I especially like the closeup of the spider with the black eyes and green mandibles (?) where you can see the reflection of the softbox in his eyes.

Wonder how you go about setting up a shot with creatures that are creepy, tiny, and have no ability to act on anything but pure instinct?


I know, way cool. He has a lot of impressive work in there. I imagine a macro set up like the one on the bottom of the page - Really Right Stuff macro flash brackets (http://reallyrightstuff.com/flash/05.html). When shooting something that small you wouldn't really need any light modifiers, because the flash head is already so large in comparison to the object you are shooting, and the flash is so close to the subject.



P.S.

There's a gardening thread??

Well, not really. Just a thread were Doc is asking about garden creepy crawlies (http://www.letsgokings.com/bbs/f5/hey_gardeners-77848.html) :)

[FBJ]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2143/2458144238_2220d52a71_o.jpg

[FBJ]

I got kicked out of another public place yesterday, being told I could not take photographs at Santa Monica Pier.

The wife and I were out on the pier. I was teaching her to use my D200 as I was toting around my D3. Both of us were taking pictures right and left. When we entered the building that houses the carousel, we were told by an employee that we were not allowed to take photographs. I immediately took a look around and noticed several other people using digital SLR cameras to take photographs and asked if they'd been informed of the restriction. The woman told me that they were obviously not professionals, and that they were okay. She also stated that my wife's Canon point-and-shoot (she always carries it in her purse) is okay as well.

Essentially, this woman assumed that I must be a pro taking pictures with intent to sell because my camera is bigger than everyone else's. To me, that's like assuming a woman is in porn because she's got huge knockers or assuming she's in rap videos because she's got a huge jiggling ass.

I got pretty pissed (to the point where I felt bad later and went back and apologized to the employee who was really only doing her job). Eventually, I found my way to the SM Pier offices and discussed my issues with the staff. They gave me a permit on-the-spot, and told me the reason they have the rule is because they don't want the paparazzi around when celebrities show up. When I told her I'd been all over the pier for two hours taking pictures, she told me that the reason security guards didn't boot me earlier was because there was some television shoot going on there and people probably assumed I was with the production crew.

What a load of CRAP!

Incidentally, the permit restricts me from selling any images that are taken on the pier/of the pier and states that any images taken are the property of the City of Santa Monica. How the hell can they get away with that crap legally in a public place?!?!

That's twice now that I've been run out of public places because my camera is too conspicuous. It is INFURIATING.

[FBJ]

Canoga Camera ****ed me...

I stopped in there last week to pre-pay a weekend rental on the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G VR lens for tomorrow's trip down to San Diego for the Red Bull Air Races. The guy that took my money GUARANTEED that it would be ready for me to pick up today after 3pm.

So I show up at 3:15pm and ask to pick up the lens. The guy goes looking for it. Can't find it. Finds out that they never even had one in the rental inventory (even though it was on their rental list). "Don't worry," he says. He'll just pull one out of regular stock and put it into the rental inventory (since it wasn't done to begin with). Of course, they don't HAVE one in stock to move from sales inventory to rental inventory (understandable, since it's a $4,500 lens to begin with...which is why people ****ING RENT THEM).

So he offers me the 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 (which doesn't even come close to comparing to the 300 f/2.8, optics-wise) and a 1.4x teleconverter. Apparently this camera salesperson knows precisely jack squat about what he's selling because that lens won't accept teleconverters.

So instead of having the 300 f/2.8 with my 2x teleconverter (for 600mm on the D3), I'm stuck with my 70-200 f/2.8 and 2x for a total of 400mm.

I hope that's enough lens.

Last year, with the D200's 1.5x crop factor, the 70-200 with the 2x was just slight overkill (600mm, total).

Dammit.

[rinkrat]

Wow. I love that you can find it all in your own yard. I need a macro. :0 I have the bugs already!

[rinkrat]

<script language="Javascript" src="http://box.jpgmag.com/badge.php?person=rinkrat&theme=94"></script>

[Blurker]

Here are a couple that I've shot over the last month or so and just got the time to process and post. None of them are overly dramatic, but I'm trying to play with more natural looks lately.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/2465826576_2fdd3d3d5d_b.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2118/2458693024_fc6e2096a0_b.jpg

This was handheld, so there's a little bit of ghosting on the edges.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2252/2458693582_f04c22494f_b.jpg

This one was a single shot done in Photomatix. I tried some 3 exposure shots but the globe was turning and really messed up the process.

[Blurker]

This one isn't as natural, and I desaturated it a bit to pop the door and window.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/2399499426_49709e810a_b.jpg

[FBJ]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/2465891618_dddc35652c_o.jpg

More. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/glenn_calvin/sets/72157604881385941/)

[DeaderFan]

Glenn, I noticed over at dpreview.com they had a review of the 70-200 VR and noted some of the vignetting issues on the FX sensor you mentioned when you first got the D3. Basicalliy they said that it is a superb lens for DX cameras but in conjuction with the D3 it offers "less impressive performance on FX format - marred by soft corners and vignetting."

Is that vignetting we're seeing in the picture above and example of that problem? Or did you add it later to frame the image?

[FBJ]

Glenn, I noticed over at dpreview.com they had a review of the 70-200 VR and noted some of the vignetting issues on the FX sensor you mentioned when you first got the D3. Basicalliy they said that it is a superb lens for DX cameras but in conjuction with the D3 it offers "less impressive performance on FX format - marred by soft corners and vignetting."

Is that vignetting we're seeing in the picture above and example of that problem? Or did you add it later to frame the image?

I've found that it's really only noticable in images like the one I posted above where you've got very plain backgrounds of a single color. There is a problem, but what you see above is my own doing. I purposely increased the vignetting in Lightroom. I'm kind of proud of that image overall, but I'm not sure I like it vignetted like that. I decided I'd leave it for a few days and look at it every so often to decide how I felt about it. Part of me thinks it helps the image, part of me is indifferent. There's another one with a similar vignette job in the Red Bull thread.

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/img_8280s.jpg

Granny Threat checks her raffle tickets. (I could probably black out the girl in the upper left but I like this shot)

[PuckMonkey]

I got kicked out of another public place yesterday, being told I could not take photographs at Santa Monica Pier.

The wife and I were out on the pier. I was teaching her to use my D200 as I was toting around my D3. Both of us were taking pictures right and left. When we entered the building that houses the carousel, we were told by an employee that we were not allowed to take photographs. I immediately took a look around and noticed several other people using digital SLR cameras to take photographs and asked if they'd been informed of the restriction. The woman told me that they were obviously not professionals, and that they were okay. She also stated that my wife's Canon point-and-shoot (she always carries it in her purse) is okay as well.

Essentially, this woman assumed that I must be a pro taking pictures with intent to sell because my camera is bigger than everyone else's. To me, that's like assuming a woman is in porn because she's got huge knockers or assuming she's in rap videos because she's got a huge jiggling ass.

I got pretty pissed (to the point where I felt bad later and went back and apologized to the employee who was really only doing her job). Eventually, I found my way to the SM Pier offices and discussed my issues with the staff. They gave me a permit on-the-spot, and told me the reason they have the rule is because they don't want the paparazzi around when celebrities show up. When I told her I'd been all over the pier for two hours taking pictures, she told me that the reason security guards didn't boot me earlier was because there was some television shoot going on there and people probably assumed I was with the production crew.

What a load of CRAP!

Incidentally, the permit restricts me from selling any images that are taken on the pier/of the pier and states that any images taken are the property of the City of Santa Monica. How the hell can they get away with that crap legally in a public place?!?!

That's twice now that I've been run out of public places because my camera is too conspicuous. It is INFURIATING.

Worthy of a look. The Photographers Rights (http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/ThePhotographersRight.pdf).

[PuckMonkey]

Also, just 15 minutes south of Philly is tax-free shopping. That can inspire a person to do some pretty impulsive things.

Just sayin'

[FBJ]

Also, just 15 minutes south of Philly is tax-free shopping. That can inspire a person to do some pretty impulsive things.

Just sayin'

What'd you do!?!?

[VF]

Yes, this sounds interesting.

[rinkrat]

I just read another incident about the Strobist guy being hassled because he had a tripod. They thought he must be some kind of terrorist for bringing it into the hotel he was staying at. There is way too much paranoia and it's targetting the wrong people.

[rinkrat]

Also, just 15 minutes south of Philly is tax-free shopping. That can inspire a person to do some pretty impulsive things.

Just sayin'

Every day is tax free on Amazon.com ;)

[PuckMonkey]

What'd you do!?!?


I had a D3 in my hand and my my wife (along with the sales people) chirping "Do it! Do it!", but I just couldn't pull the trigger on the Excalibur of dSLR's. After a box of smelling salts and a day of monk-like self-contemplation, I returned to the store and claimed my second child...


http://www.pma-show.com/news_images/00298_nikon-d300-dslr.jpg

A bouncing baby D300.

[VF]

Nicey! Congrats.

[FBJ]

WOOT! Congrats, Eddie! You'll love it!

[PuckMonkey]

My first D300 HDR image shot just hours after I got the camera, so it's got some technical issues to be sure. But it certainly drives home the fact that a whole new world of images is open to me now with my upgrade. The bullfrog was still putting up a fight and the water moccasin was moving back towards the water. My previous system of 2-minutes per HDR wouldn't have even been attempted here.

http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr300_001.jpg

[VF]

How cool is this little Leica M3 digital 5mp CMOS knockoff (http://www.amazon.com/MINOX-DCC-Leica-Digital-Camera/dp/B000LRIU54/ref=pd_sim_p_title_3)?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41n8A4bXIPL._AA280_.jpg

Too bad it is a little junker.

[FBJ]

Another night at the ballpark...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2351/2480259137_d9dc770b54_o.jpg

[HeShootsNScores]

Another night at the ballpark...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2351/2480259137_d9dc770b54_o.jpg

SWEET shot FBJ! I really like it! The fisheye look really works well for the ballpark. Chavez Ravine just doesn't look that pretty in real life though.... ;) Just kidding.....

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/colorwheelsmall.jpg

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/wheel2small.jpg

Fun at the Pike

[PuckMonkey]

http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/hdr300_047.jpg

[rinkrat]

Bitchen pic PuckMonkey. love the tones.

[FBJ]

Which room in your mansion is that, Eddie?

Nice shot!

How are you like the D300?

[FBJ]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/colorwheelsmall.jpg

Great pic! Only thing I notice is the sky being kinda noisy and pixelated. What's with that?

[HeShootsNScores]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/HeShootsNScores/LGK%20stuff/DSC_0148HDR.jpg

[Blurker]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/HeShootsNScores/LGK%20stuff/DSC_0148HDR.jpg

Nice one!

[rinkrat]

I'm going to go back to the ferris wheel when the sly is more interesting and do it again. an interesting sky would make it pop. Actually it looks pretty neat out there right now. ;)

[PuckMonkey]

Which room in your mansion is that, Eddie?

Nice shot!

How are you like the D300?

That's the closet in the upstairs bathroom of my butler's guest house. There never is enough space, is there?

LOVING the D300! But now I have a gear wishlist that's about 1000 items long, and every item is ex-pen-sive. I might have to switch my butler to part-time for a while.

Question: Are you shooting your HDR stuff in 12-bit or 14-bit? I've just started experimenting with all the new parameters I have available, and the 12 vs 14-bit HDR tests are creating some results that I wasn't expecting (I'm calling them "saturation pockets" for now). Just wondering what your (and everyone else here, for that matter) experience was.

[FBJ]

14-bit.

But I had to look because I couldn't remember. That was one of those "set it and forget it" things when i first bought the camera.

[BleedingPurple]

I'm Baaaaack! I Know, you probably didn't even notice I was gone. You guys have put up some amazing stuff while I've been away. The HDR stuff is fascinating. Anyway, It's been crazy busy at work and I've been putting in some long hours but it allowed me to buy....




Drum roll...




Ta-Da

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/2275/2907628170050855533S600x600Q85.jpg

I've got a ton to learn and to read about but I have to give a lot of credit to you guys in getting my excitement up there. This has always been something I've wanted to pursue and all the art that you guys produce day in and day out has really inspired me. Anyway, I'm sure I'll have tons of questions with this beast, so I'm warning you now... :)

Bring on Photo Challenge #5!

[BleedingPurple]

So I've got a question with this HDR thing. Are you always using the Bracketing feature? And when/if you do so, is it simultaneously taking 3 shots or is there a lag between the 3 or 5 shots that you take? In my manual, it makes it seem like it's taking 3 instantaneous shots but I may be mistaken.

[VF]

So I've got a question with this HDR thing. Are you always using the Bracketing feature? And when/if you do so, is it simultaneously taking 3 shots or is there a lag between the 3 or 5 shots that you take? In my manual, it makes it seem like it's taking 3 instantaneous shots but I may be mistaken.

Most of the images in this thread are done using bracketing of some sort. As for the speed, with the 40D it depends on which drive mode you are in. If I am not mistaken, the 40D has 3 modes, single shot (no matter how long you hold down the shutter button, the camera only takes one image), continuous, and high speed. If you are in single shot, you will have to press the shutter button 3 times, in the continuous and high speed mode you just mash the shutter button down, it will take its 3 shots and then stop. Continuous mode you will get about 3 frames a second, and in high speed you will get about 6 frames a second.

[VF]

Question: Are you shooting your HDR stuff in 12-bit or 14-bit? I've just started experimenting with all the new parameters I have available, and the 12 vs 14-bit HDR tests are creating some results that I wasn't expecting (I'm calling them "saturation pockets" for now). Just wondering what your (and everyone else here, for that matter) experience was.

In general 14 bit will give you smoother gradients with less posterization, but photomatrix may not play nicely with 14 bits (I can't test it out with my 12 bit dinosaur ;) )

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/queen_lighthouse_small.jpg

Queen Mary and lighthouse

[rinkrat]

Nice!! An IS lens too. Sweet.

[HeShootsNScores]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2363/2488270049_65f65c2418_b.jpg

March Airforce Reserve Base AIRFEST 2008

A-10
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2173/2488322319_517dbb5504_b.jpg

[rinkrat]

http://www.letsgokings.com/gallery/files/1/pikesmall.jpg

[HeShootsNScores]

F-22 Demo at the March Airforce Reserve Base Airfest 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2312/2488342291_46abf01f92_b.jpg

[FBJ]

In general 14 bit will give you smoother gradients with less posterization, but photomatrix may not play nicely with 14 bits (I can't test it out with my 12 bit dinosaur ;) )

Photomatix plays with my bits.

All 14 of them.

[FBJ]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2363/2488270049_65f65c2418_b.jpg

March Airforce Reserve Base AIRFEST 2008

A-10
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2173/2488322319_517dbb5504_b.jpg

Those are freakin' NICE. I like the F-22 one the best! Way to go!

[FBJ]

Do Want!

Singh-Ray Vari ND Filter... (http://www.singh-ray.com/varind.html)

[HeShootsNScores]

Those are freakin' NICE. I like the F-22 one the best! Way to go!

Thanks FBJ! Its much easier to shoot at a stationary F-22 than a moving one... hahaha... you really should see that thing fly. It is unreal.

[Clich? Guevara]

I thought I'd share a photo I found on flickr that is literally one of the most amazing captures I've ever seen.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/1579046348_7e3d4a337e_o.jpg

Link: FA/18 Compression Wave on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/madebackwards/1579046348/)

[rinkrat]

I was stopped from taking pictures twice in the last two days. I think the tripod draws too much attention and security think you are setting up a rocket launcher or something.

[FBJ]

Yeah. We're free, here.

[rinkrat]

OK I got a package from B&H today and now I'm gellin' like a felon. A lot of the ambient light at the Derby Dolls seems real warm so I figure it's tungsten. I cut out a little orange gel and I'm ready for war!

[FBJ]

I like Jell-O.

[PuckMonkey]

Decided to take a break from the affected grunge look that I've been stuck on and try something crisp and clean for a change. Once I argued enough with my camera about not changing the ISO as part of it's bracketing matrix, I started to get some good stuff I think.

...then my batteries died.


http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/cityhall.jpg

You Can't Light City Hall

[HeShootsNScores]

okay... last one of the airshow stuff.... trying to do different things.... This is fun!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/2492535249_cbb98910c2_b.jpg

[HeShootsNScores]

wow PM... nice... you weren't kidding when you said clean.

[FBJ]

Very nice.

[HeShootsNScores]

The people who are doing my wedding pictures (wish me luck... the wedding is in 2 days...) run a regular blog with their pictures.... They do GREAT work....

all to say... they posted this last week, under tips and tricks.... and thought it may be appropriate to share...

enjoy!

Tips & Tricks : Photo Mechanic : evoke photography blog (http://www.evokephotography.com/blog/archives/734)



May 9, 2008 | Filed Under Check it out, Photographers, Tips & Tricks by michael |

I?ve had a lot of people email and ask different questions about editing, processing, stylizing, and photography techniques, so instead of responding to individual emails I thought I would start a new section of the blog devoted to answering some of those questions so that everyone benefits! So from time to time you?ll see posts titled ?Tips & Tricks? with all the wisdom of a Jedi Master (which I must honestly say I most likely learned from close friends and other ?yoda? type photography mentors. So thank you to you guys in advance, I?m just sharing the love).

That being said, I wanted to share an invaluable program with all of our photographer readers. The question about which programs to use, and how to use them in a work-flow is always being passed around, so let me start with this; a good image ?selection? or ?cutting? program is a must regardless of your work-flow. Some people use Adobe?s CS2 or CS3 Bridge, or the selection software built into Lightroom. These are all great, and their inherent benefit is that you?re not using multiple programs, so you can organize and centralize a work flow pretty easily, however it seems that their biggest drawback is their speed. They are heavy, multi task programs that don?t really perform when it comes to viewing and moving through thousands of images quickly. Bridge does considerably better on the new Intel based computers, but it still doesn?t hold a candle to the speed of a program called Photo Mechanic from Camerabits, and this is where the benefit comes from adding it into your work-flow. For a long time I heard a lot about iView Media Pro, and its strength for cataloging and speed, however after finding Photo Mechanic, I quickly left iView for other projects (iView is a very strong program, I just use it differently now).

Now, let me say this; Photo Mechanic is not meant to replace image production software such as Bridge or Lightroom, but rather to supplement it, and here?s how. You let Photo Mechanic deal with the bulk of the work up front in Raw speed, and then leave the final selections for the production software to handle in all their organizational skill and work-flow prowess. For example: You drop a wedding with 4000 images (which you use Photo Mechanic to ingest) and you quickly browse through tagging the images to keep, narrowing down the selection to your final set of, let?s say 1000. These are the images that you will then bring into your normal work-flow software. Now you?re using your normal production software that it is not bogged down by image quantity, and you?re simply starting production on images that are already intended to be in the catalog.

The reason Photo Mechanic is so much faster is that it uses the small thumbnails already attached to RAW files to give you previews, so it doesn?t actually have to render a RAW image in order for you to view it. This shaves off some serious time when you?re skimming through images quickly.

Visit the Photo Mechanic website to download a demo and see if it might fit into your work-flow. I promise you, as of right now, you won?t find a faster program out there!

Have comments or thoughts? let?s hear them!

http://www.evokephotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/photomechanic1.jpg

[Blurker]

Decided to take a break from the affected grunge look that I've been stuck on and try something crisp and clean for a change. Once I argued enough with my camera about not changing the ISO as part of it's bracketing matrix, I started to get some good stuff I think.

...then my batteries died.


http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/cityhall.jpg

You Can't Light City Hall


Awesome shot!

I haven't had much luck with night/long exposure brackets. I probably should go ahead and pop for the IR remote for my XTi, or at the very least a cable release.

[rinkrat]

Nice! I love the night stuff.

[BleedingPurple]

Beautiful Picture. What was your exposure?


[B][CENTER]http://www.cindrome.com/LGKPHOTO/cityhall.jpg

[PuckMonkey]

Beautiful Picture. What was your exposure?

Thanks BP.

It was shot as a 7 exposure bracket at 200 ISO, f/5.6. (1/2 sec, 1 sec, 2 sec, 4 sec, 8 sec, 15 sec, 30 sec). I compiled the HDR from just four of the exposures (I think I used the 1/2 sec, 2 sec, 4 sec, 30 sec for this one). Because of the time, the stars had started streaking in the HDR image, so I layered the 8 sec exposure in post because the stars were the brightest and sharpest on that exposure.

[FBJ]

I had this (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2481073460_3b04835ffb_o.jpg) image printed. 20"x30" on metallic paper and heavy matte-board (kind of like you did of that other one, Sam). Mpix (http://mpix.com/) did it for me, and it turned out freakin' AWESOME.

[FBJ]

I've been sort of looking for a good print-shop to do some high-quality stuff for me from some of my captures. ValleyFan had suggested White House Custom Colour (http://whcc.com/), but their application process to become a customer takes a little while to complete. In the meantime, I decided to try Mpix.com's (http://mpix.com/) service.

I had this (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2481073460_3b04835ffb_o.jpg) image printed. 20"x30" on metallic paper and heavy matte-board (kind of like you did of that other one, Sam). It turned out freakin' AWESOME. Easy to start an account, good prices, and they turned the job around in less than a week! It looks EXACTLY like it does on my color-corrected monitor, too! They just did a fantastic job for me!

I'd highly recommend them!

[VF]

I had this (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2481073460_3b04835ffb_o.jpg) image printed. 20"x30" on metallic paper and heavy matte-board (kind of like you did of that other one, Sam). Mpix (http://mpix.com/) did it for me, and it turned out freakin' AWESOME.

Nice! I would be interested to see a full color image like that on metallic. Having never used mpix myself, why did you go with them, better prices? Did you like them?

---EDIT---
Ahhh, never mind, all questions answered in the other thread :)

[FBJ]

I'd thought WHCC was taking forever in getting back to me. Turns out, my email spam filter got three of their messages they'd sent requesting test images. So I sent off a batch of five this morning. I imagine they'll come back just fine, and when they do, I'll be able to verify them and use them as a print house.

[rinkrat]

I used a local outfit that I've been using since the pre-digital days called Fromex to do a few prints last month and they looked great. One was for someone else and I had no problem with the quality at all, in fact the photo was from a crop to begin with and it looked great. Their software allows you to upload the pics online and since they are in Long Beach, I can go and pick the prints up the next day (or later in the afternoon if I call and ask nicely).

Fromex Photo & Digital Photo Prints Digital Camera Printing Online (http://www.fromex.com/)
I think it's owned by a black guy and a Mexican, hence the name. (j/k)

Maybe I'll order from one of these outfits and compare the quality/price/convenience if I get more demand for prints.

[FBJ]

Fromex...hah. I remember them from WAY way back. Didn't they pretty much put all the little Photomat kiosks out of business??