^ This isn't necessarily an improvement comment but more of preference. I prefer those types of shots to have heavy amounts of bokeh. The background is a little distracting (but thats me). I would have took the shot wide open at f/1.x to get the creamy bokeh (I assume your 50mm is 1.8/1.4/1.2 or something of the like). Also, looks like you had plenty of light (1/640) so why did you shoot at ISO 400 (assuming the 400 is referring to ISO)? Even at ISO 100, it would have been more than enough light, unless there were heavy winds or something and the flower was moving (but even then shooting at f/1.x would have given you like 4x the light and wouldn't have been an issue either way).
The Official DSLR/DRF Threadⓥ Let's talk about photography
#4051
- The Mysterious One
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Posted 29 July 2009 - 06:07 AM
:)
#4052
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Posted 29 July 2009 - 09:07 AM
^ Hmm okay, I see what you mean. I think the ISO was kept at 400 as a mistake, as in I forgot that I had set it there for a picture before and didn't check to change it. Ah I should've taken it at 1.8 like you said. When I originally took the first shots, the sunlight was blinding in the picture and turned everything whitish so that's why I lowered the aperture, do you have another solution to this? Thanks for your help, I'll keep the ISO advice in mind.
#4053
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Posted 29 July 2009 - 10:25 AM
^ ISO should always be low as possible (IMO). Some people use high ISO on purpose for the grainy effect and increased contrast but personally, I'd much rather have a better shot and add grain and contrast in post production if I wanted to do so. I don't find any need to purposefully take it like that off the camera.
Instead of increasing your aperture value, you could have increased your shutter speed for the underexposure.
Instead of increasing your aperture value, you could have increased your shutter speed for the underexposure.
:)
#4054
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Posted 29 July 2009 - 11:11 AM
kev,
I honestly think that your photo is good. It definately makes it clear what you want the viewer to focus on.
In my opinion, the B&W effect is a bit distracting because you already made it clear that you wanted the flower to be the center of attention, there really is nothing else to see! But that's only my preference. I don't usually like color accented photos, but some really work. I find that the ones I like are very busy photos with everything in focus and the color accent helps guide my attention to something I wouldn't have easily caught if not for the highlight.
I also agree with dot1q's suggestions.
Here's something similar I took a few weeks ago when I visited Washington state.
I found that it's very difficult to take a bad photo there. Everything is SO beautiful!
(Although I could have framed my shot better
)
If the Sun could Bloom
70-200L (zoomed out to 200mm) - f/4 - 1/100 - ISO100
Instead of shooting wide open with your prime lens to get more of bokeh, if you have a telephoto, zoom out the farthest you can shooting wide open and you'll get more pleasing bokeh. Shooting wide open with the 50mm will work, but with such narrow DoF, it would be very hard to keep the entire flower in focus. (You can see in my photo that some of the petals in the back start to blur away even at f/4)
The easiest way to increase blur is obviously shooting with a wider aperture, but remember that the distance from the glass to the subject and the subject to the background is very important as well!
I honestly think that your photo is good. It definately makes it clear what you want the viewer to focus on.
In my opinion, the B&W effect is a bit distracting because you already made it clear that you wanted the flower to be the center of attention, there really is nothing else to see! But that's only my preference. I don't usually like color accented photos, but some really work. I find that the ones I like are very busy photos with everything in focus and the color accent helps guide my attention to something I wouldn't have easily caught if not for the highlight.
I also agree with dot1q's suggestions.
Here's something similar I took a few weeks ago when I visited Washington state.
I found that it's very difficult to take a bad photo there. Everything is SO beautiful!
(Although I could have framed my shot better
)If the Sun could Bloom
70-200L (zoomed out to 200mm) - f/4 - 1/100 - ISO100
Instead of shooting wide open with your prime lens to get more of bokeh, if you have a telephoto, zoom out the farthest you can shooting wide open and you'll get more pleasing bokeh. Shooting wide open with the 50mm will work, but with such narrow DoF, it would be very hard to keep the entire flower in focus. (You can see in my photo that some of the petals in the back start to blur away even at f/4)
The easiest way to increase blur is obviously shooting with a wider aperture, but remember that the distance from the glass to the subject and the subject to the background is very important as well!
5D MarkII juliet II
EF 35 ƒ1.4L | EF 135 ƒ2.0L | EF 70-200 ƒ4.0L | 580EXII | YN460 | flick'd
EF 35 ƒ1.4L | EF 135 ƒ2.0L | EF 70-200 ƒ4.0L | 580EXII | YN460 | flick'd
#4055
- @dnjsdl
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Posted 29 July 2009 - 12:53 PM
cl mode.. find subject.. af.. af lock.. shoott clickclickclickclick
choose the image you like.. upload !
--
replaced my d3 for a sony a900 and a nikon d2hs..
i enjoyed shooting at 5mp raw files but using the dx lenses
on ff body is..
id like to use my other lenses shooting 5mp raw its quite amazing though..
d2hs..
the 4mp raw file shooting is fkin love...
i wish nikon made a 6mp dslr
with some brand new mf lenses from japans
btw has anyone used the cv 20mm f3.5?
#4056
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Posted 29 July 2009 - 02:40 PM
QUOTE (dot1q @ Jul 29 2009, 11:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
^ ISO should always be low as possible (IMO). Some people use high ISO on purpose for the grainy effect and increased contrast but personally, I'd much rather have a better shot and add grain and contrast in post production if I wanted to do so. I don't find any need to purposefully take it like that off the camera.
Instead of increasing your aperture value, you could have increased your shutter speed for the underexposure.
Instead of increasing your aperture value, you could have increased your shutter speed for the underexposure.
I see I see now! Thanks a lot for explaining more about the importance or ISO to a newbie like me, I understand it more now. So my question is, do people usually set their own ISO, or use the auto selection?
"It definately makes it clear what you want the viewer to focus on.
In my opinion, the B&W effect is a bit distracting because you already made it clear that you wanted the flower to be the center of attention, there really is nothing else to see!"
I never thought of taking pictures like that before, it makes sense now to just leave some things alone. I think this tip will really help me in the future, thanks a lot. And I'll keep in mind your tips for good bokeh too!
#4057
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Posted 29 July 2009 - 09:33 PM
QUOTE (kevykevvv @ Jul 30 2009, 08:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I see I see now! Thanks a lot for explaining more about the importance or ISO to a newbie like me, I understand it more now. So my question is, do people usually set their own ISO, or use the auto selection?
I use both.
Using auto ISO is fine - as long as you understand it's effect in relation to the amount of lighting exposure you have and need. I personally use auto ISO most of the time (set to a 800 or 1600 maximum limit). I take a shot and depending on how light or dark the output is, i then adjust the exposure compensation button accordingly (+/- button) to lower/increase my ISO on the fly. Saves alooooooot of time.
The only situations where i would manually adjust the ISO is when shooting outdoors in the daytime, flash photography or long exposure night photography (3+ seconds) - reason being the lowest possible ISO (50 iso on my camera) can be used to give me my shot the best possible quality. (You got to remember more iso = not only grain, but deterioration in detail due to incamera noise reduction smudging).
#4058
- fool
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Posted 29 July 2009 - 11:23 PM
Just a selection of my favourite snap I took today :]
This one was taken by Uverstar
This one was taken by Uverstar
#4059
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Posted 30 July 2009 - 05:19 AM
QUOTE (kevykevvv @ Jul 29 2009, 05:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I see I see now! Thanks a lot for explaining more about the importance or ISO to a newbie like me, I understand it more now. So my question is, do people usually set their own ISO, or use the auto selection?
I have never used auto ISO.
I usually shoot in Av mode and only use Tv mode when I want a slower shutter speed or when I want to be more creative. I only shoot manual when I'm using my speedlite or again when I want something like a faster shutter speed with my aperture stopped down.
What I usually do is set my aperture to the desired setting, press halfway to check the shutter speed, and if it's too slow I bump up the ISO until my shutter speed becomes reasonable. (I generally use the shutter speed >= focal length rule, but I tend to break it often because my handholding skills have gotten better)
Usually, a good way to check if your ISO is too high is to halfpress the shutter and if the shutter speed is too high (and aperture is at it's desired setting), then 9x out of 10, your ISO is too high.
I used to make the high ISO mistake a lot, but those tips have helped me correct my error quickly without missing the shot. Don't know if I made sense. Let me know if I need to clarify
5D MarkII juliet II
EF 35 ƒ1.4L | EF 135 ƒ2.0L | EF 70-200 ƒ4.0L | 580EXII | YN460 | flick'd
EF 35 ƒ1.4L | EF 135 ƒ2.0L | EF 70-200 ƒ4.0L | 580EXII | YN460 | flick'd
#4060
- The Mysterious One
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Posted 30 July 2009 - 06:47 AM
^ Same here. I don't use auto ISO period. I shoot Av/Tv almost exclusively and manual when I want to start getting creative. I change ISO only as a last resort to accommodate the rest of my desired settings. I will attempt to recompose and/or change my lighting situation if possible before bumping the ISO. To think of it, I do occasionally use full auto when I just want to take quick casual/random shots and don't have the time to really think about anything.
Also, to add to some of the tips being mentioned about post production... I would say the single most common attribute I change in post production is white balance. Although a good photographer can usually get it close to what he/she wants out of the camera, but a lot of times you realize how much better the shot is at different settings once you start looking at it on your computer. The auto wb isn't always correct and even the various presets don't always accurately give the best results (especially when you have mixed light sources or have particular subjects). Just something to consider and one of the more important reasons for shooting raw for more important shots that you want to keep. By all means, I don't go through this exercise for all my shots but only the ones that really matter. Nonetheless, even if you don't post process the wb, its good to at least understand the concept very well and get it correct as possible out of the camera.
☆원이☆, that dnjs style/girl pic is awesome. It's like an ad for a kdrama or something..
Anyone know anyone interested in a used 40D with extra aftermarket battery ($550 neg) and EF-S 17-55 with hood which is normally included ($650 fixed)? Both are in excellent condition with original packaging. 40D actuation count is less than 5k. I don't want to go through the hassle of using ebay and the like.
Also, to add to some of the tips being mentioned about post production... I would say the single most common attribute I change in post production is white balance. Although a good photographer can usually get it close to what he/she wants out of the camera, but a lot of times you realize how much better the shot is at different settings once you start looking at it on your computer. The auto wb isn't always correct and even the various presets don't always accurately give the best results (especially when you have mixed light sources or have particular subjects). Just something to consider and one of the more important reasons for shooting raw for more important shots that you want to keep. By all means, I don't go through this exercise for all my shots but only the ones that really matter. Nonetheless, even if you don't post process the wb, its good to at least understand the concept very well and get it correct as possible out of the camera.
☆원이☆, that dnjs style/girl pic is awesome. It's like an ad for a kdrama or something..
Anyone know anyone interested in a used 40D with extra aftermarket battery ($550 neg) and EF-S 17-55 with hood which is normally included ($650 fixed)? Both are in excellent condition with original packaging. 40D actuation count is less than 5k. I don't want to go through the hassle of using ebay and the like.
:)
#4061
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Posted 31 July 2009 - 02:26 AM
I'm pretty sure the 1D Mark IIN doesn't offer auto ISO -- I believe 5D Mark II was the first Canon DSLR to offer it though I'm not 100% sure.
I use auto ISO -- on my Leica M8.2 it's nice because you can set the longest shutter speed that you can handle so that the auto ISO can set according to your needs...
I use auto ISO -- on my Leica M8.2 it's nice because you can set the longest shutter speed that you can handle so that the auto ISO can set according to your needs...
#4062
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Posted 31 July 2009 - 05:22 AM
I just checked yesterday to see if I could put my 1DmkII in auto ISO and you can't
But even when I had my 40D (which has auto ISO) I never used it.
Maybe it's just me, but I would rather sacrifice for a longer shutter speed, than have to bump up ISO.
I want it to be as clean as possible, especially when you're shooting in very low light and dark areas start to look pixelated. I'm a landscape/cityscape type of shooter (or I try to be) and I LOVE bulb shots shot at high f-stops and low ISO
Come to think of it, the 1D series doesn't have the green box (fully auto mode) either. haha
I think it's a good idea though, because that's just one more setting I would have to click past to get to the one I want
But even when I had my 40D (which has auto ISO) I never used it.
Maybe it's just me, but I would rather sacrifice for a longer shutter speed, than have to bump up ISO.
I want it to be as clean as possible, especially when you're shooting in very low light and dark areas start to look pixelated. I'm a landscape/cityscape type of shooter (or I try to be) and I LOVE bulb shots shot at high f-stops and low ISO
Come to think of it, the 1D series doesn't have the green box (fully auto mode) either. haha
I think it's a good idea though, because that's just one more setting I would have to click past to get to the one I want
5D MarkII juliet II
EF 35 ƒ1.4L | EF 135 ƒ2.0L | EF 70-200 ƒ4.0L | 580EXII | YN460 | flick'd
EF 35 ƒ1.4L | EF 135 ƒ2.0L | EF 70-200 ƒ4.0L | 580EXII | YN460 | flick'd
#4063
- The Mysterious One
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Posted 31 July 2009 - 06:05 AM
^ Been catching up on this topic and its good to see you are enjoying your 1Dii so much. I was contemplating getting a 1 series but just settled on a 2nd 5dii instead. Hopefully I don't regret it..x.x
:)
#4064
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Posted 31 July 2009 - 06:42 AM
haha thanks! I really do enjoy the 1D series. There's something about the shutter sound that makes me smirk every time. I've been tempted and still contemplate trading for a 5D classic because of all the glory behind FF. I can't even imagine how my 16-35L would look on that bad boy!
But two things that always hold me back is 1) trading is a hassle and 2) I'd have no walk around lens and would be forced to buy the 24-70L. Sounds kinda crazy, but I use my 16-35 and sigma 50 as my dual walk around now.
If I'm ever in NY and you want to try out my 1D, let me know... that is, if you'll let me try out one of your 5D's... hahaha I'll just keep fantasizing ^^
Seriously, no more money will be used on photo gear for the time being... <1 year and I've spent 3x more than my original budget. It's downright shameful that I went WAY over my budget, considering I'm an accountant haha
Wow... TWO 5DmkII's?! Don't you have a 40D as well? I seriously wish I had a camera body with an auto sensor cleaner, micro adjust capabilities, and FF! My camera gets SO dusty after a while! I've been lucky enough that a blower solved the problem, but I'm afraid some day I'm going to get something really stubborn and attempt a wet clean.
Anyways, for some reason, after I switched from a cyworld minihomepage to a blog (so I can upload large photos without them being compressed) I've been getting a surprising amount of hits. I used to get maybe 5-7 hits a day on my minihompi, but after I switched to a blog, I consistently get over 60 and average about 100 hits per day! I have NO idea why or how they are finding my page. I get a few random comments from people I don't even know! Sounds kinda vain, but I'm happy with all the attention my photos are getting ^^
Plus, my friends have commented on how they can tell my skills have drastically increased within the past few months This hobby is seriously addicting
btw, this is totally unrelated, but I saw an interview with Ben Stiller and the interviewer asked what movie would have want to make a sequel to, and without hesitation, Ben said Zoolander
But two things that always hold me back is 1) trading is a hassle and 2) I'd have no walk around lens and would be forced to buy the 24-70L. Sounds kinda crazy, but I use my 16-35 and sigma 50 as my dual walk around now.
If I'm ever in NY and you want to try out my 1D, let me know... that is, if you'll let me try out one of your 5D's... hahaha I'll just keep fantasizing ^^
Seriously, no more money will be used on photo gear for the time being... <1 year and I've spent 3x more than my original budget. It's downright shameful that I went WAY over my budget, considering I'm an accountant haha
Wow... TWO 5DmkII's?! Don't you have a 40D as well? I seriously wish I had a camera body with an auto sensor cleaner, micro adjust capabilities, and FF! My camera gets SO dusty after a while! I've been lucky enough that a blower solved the problem, but I'm afraid some day I'm going to get something really stubborn and attempt a wet clean.
Anyways, for some reason, after I switched from a cyworld minihomepage to a blog (so I can upload large photos without them being compressed) I've been getting a surprising amount of hits. I used to get maybe 5-7 hits a day on my minihompi, but after I switched to a blog, I consistently get over 60 and average about 100 hits per day! I have NO idea why or how they are finding my page. I get a few random comments from people I don't even know! Sounds kinda vain, but I'm happy with all the attention my photos are getting ^^
Plus, my friends have commented on how they can tell my skills have drastically increased within the past few months
This hobby is seriously addictingbtw, this is totally unrelated, but I saw an interview with Ben Stiller and the interviewer asked what movie would have want to make a sequel to, and without hesitation, Ben said Zoolander
5D MarkII juliet II
EF 35 ƒ1.4L | EF 135 ƒ2.0L | EF 70-200 ƒ4.0L | 580EXII | YN460 | flick'd
EF 35 ƒ1.4L | EF 135 ƒ2.0L | EF 70-200 ƒ4.0L | 580EXII | YN460 | flick'd
#4065
- Cookie Monster
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Posted 31 July 2009 - 07:25 AM
Really nice price on the 40D dot1q 
I think I have seen them go for much more at potn.
Wow that sounds like a really nice feature. At least adjusting it manually is just a few button clicks and some guessing away. But knowing you, I bet the longest shutter speed you can handle will be 1 second like that super tripod free shot from a while ago.
My max is probably 1/30 and even that is pushing my luck.
I think I have seen them go for much more at potn. QUOTE (erure @ Jul 31 2009, 03:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm pretty sure the 1D Mark IIN doesn't offer auto ISO -- I believe 5D Mark II was the first Canon DSLR to offer it though I'm not 100% sure.
I use auto ISO -- on my Leica M8.2 it's nice because you can set the longest shutter speed that you can handle so that the auto ISO can set according to your needs...
I use auto ISO -- on my Leica M8.2 it's nice because you can set the longest shutter speed that you can handle so that the auto ISO can set according to your needs...
Wow that sounds like a really nice feature. At least adjusting it manually is just a few button clicks and some guessing away. But knowing you, I bet the longest shutter speed you can handle will be 1 second like that super tripod free shot from a while ago.
My max is probably 1/30 and even that is pushing my luck.
#4066
- The Mysterious One
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Posted 31 July 2009 - 07:49 AM
QUOTE ([HyuNi] @ Jul 31 2009, 10:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
haha thanks! I really do enjoy the 1D series. There's something about the shutter sound that makes me smirk every time. I've been tempted and still contemplate trading for a 5D classic because of all the glory behind FF. I can't even imagine how my 16-35L would look on that bad boy!
But two things that always hold me back is 1) trading is a hassle and 2) I'd have no walk around lens and would be forced to buy the 24-70L. Sounds kinda crazy, but I use my 16-35 and sigma 50 as my dual walk around now.
If I'm ever in NY and you want to try out my 1D, let me know... that is, if you'll let me try out one of your 5D's... hahaha I'll just keep fantasizing ^^
Seriously, no more money will be used on photo gear for the time being... <1 year and I've spent 3x more than my original budget. It's downright shameful that I went WAY over my budget, considering I'm an accountant haha
btw, this is totally unrelated, but I saw an interview with Ben Stiller and the interviewer asked what movie would have want to make a sequel to, and without hesitation, Ben said Zoolander
Although not a majority, but I think a lot of people prefer the 16-35 as a walk-around on both Crop and FF. I guess it really depends on one's needs.
Yeah, tell me about overspending big time. This was supposed to be a "get a camera to take baby pictures" thing which obviously evolved in to a major hobby of mine now. I love it more than anything else including computer techy stuff (which have been my passion since forever). I work in IT so I do it all day at work so its actually been a relief the past 2 years that I found something else to focus so much attention on. Lately, I'm trying to volunteer at some gigs as well as get paid a little at others so that I can work with pros to get more experience. I've also done a few small gigs on my own and starting to get more comfortable with it. However, free time in my normally busy schedule is hard to come by so this has been happening less often than I want.
Zoolander is the best "no plot" movie ever~!
Whats the link to your blog???
:)
#4068
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Posted 31 July 2009 - 08:32 AM
QUOTE (epark1281 @ Jul 31 2009, 08:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Oh the prices came out. Damnnnnnnnnn.
I have absolute no desire for the S2 though; it looks SOOOOOO heavy -.-a
If I had that kind of money I'd get more nice glass for my Leica M and a film body
QUOTE ([HyuNi] @ Jul 31 2009, 07:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anyways, for some reason, after I switched from a cyworld minihomepage to a blog (so I can upload large photos without them being compressed) I've been getting a surprising amount of hits. I used to get maybe 5-7 hits a day on my minihompi, but after I switched to a blog, I consistently get over 60 and average about 100 hits per day! I have NO idea why or how they are finding my page. I get a few random comments from people I don't even know!
I've had a cyworld blog since it first came out and I can't explain the visitor count either.
When I update, I can get 300 people to visit but I have no idea where the hell they're coming from +_+;;
Anyway my blog is here x)
QUOTE (awdark @ Jul 31 2009, 08:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wow that sounds like a really nice feature. At least adjusting it manually is just a few button clicks and some guessing away. But knowing you, I bet the longest shutter speed you can handle will be 1 second like that super tripod free shot from a while ago.
My max is probably 1/30 and even that is pushing my luck.
My max is probably 1/30 and even that is pushing my luck.
I think I have it set at 1/8... It can handle longer shutter speeds because it's a rangefinder
#4069
- The Mysterious One
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Posted 31 July 2009 - 08:49 AM
I like that EP-1 camera mainly cause its practical and affordable and something great to do away with p&s altogether while getting all the benefits of a dslr. Still kinda pricey for something I know I won't use often enough to justify the purchase but at least its not in the ridiculous range like the Leicas. xP
So Minji, any intentions on selling your Canon gear one day???
So Minji, any intentions on selling your Canon gear one day???
:)
#4070
- photography junkie
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Posted 31 July 2009 - 09:20 AM
QUOTE (dot1q @ Jul 31 2009, 09:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I like that EP-1 camera mainly cause its practical and affordable and something great to do away with p&s altogether while getting all the benefits of a dslr. Still kinda pricey for something I know I won't use often enough to justify the purchase but at least its not in the ridiculous range like the Leicas. xP
So Minji, any intentions on selling your Canon gear one day???
So Minji, any intentions on selling your Canon gear one day???
I have to admit, I am getting tempted to just sell all my Canon gear because it's really getting ignored by me T^T But I think I'll regret it if I sell it. If I did sell, I suppose the zoom lenses would be the first to go... Prime lenses are what I'm really into now.
