NikonsAndVStroms Photography Thread

[NikonsAndVStroms]

Originally Posted by NICO

OK, I'll play. Nicoson in his element, just hanging at the beach enjoying a lazy day...

The image is pretty flat, you should find the curves option if you have photoshop or the gimp (if not download the gimp it's free) and you can play with the contrast to make it pop.

As for the composition as is watch the corners with the cut off of the shovel. You could move closer to your kid and lower thus making a false appearance of size. He might wonder what is up with you but just go around all angles trying crazy stuff. When you go home you'll find some weird shot that actually works and then you have that to build off of.

[Grainbelt]

Great thread. I've been getting more and more into taking better pictures over the last year.

I'm still not very good. Here are a couple of favourites.

scanned from film:




Digital, converted to b&w




Digital. Exif should be there.




Digital, on a Sigma 10-20. I love that I captured the moment, even in challenging light. The picture is nothing special.




And an old one from a p&s I've always liked.





Thoughts?

[NICO]

Originally Posted by NikonsAndVStroms

The image is pretty flat, you should find the curves option if you have photoshop or the gimp (if not download the gimp it's free) and you can play with the contrast to make it pop.

Gimp huh? I'll look it up. (You better not be setting me up for some Pulp Fiction crap. )

Originally Posted by NikonsAndVStroms

As for the composition as is watch the corners with the cut off of the shovel. You could move closer to your kid and lower thus making a false appearance of size. He might wonder what is up with you but just go around all angles trying crazy stuff. When you go home you'll find some weird shot that actually works and then you have that to build off of.

My kids think I'm nuts anyway, might as well keep that going.

[barefoot]

Ooh! I'll play, if you don't mind!
1) Mitchell Mesa, in Monument Valley:


2) Bexar County Courthouse:

[NikonsAndVStroms]

Originally Posted by Grainbelt

Great thread. I've been getting more and more into taking better pictures over the last year.

I'm still not very good. Here are a couple of favourites.

scanned from film:




Digital, converted to b&w




Digital. Exif should be there.




Digital, on a Sigma 10-20. I love that I captured the moment, even in challenging light. The picture is nothing special.




And an old one from a p&s I've always liked.





Thoughts?

Since there are so many I'll just do some quick ones:

1) The big thing on this one is it looks like a standard height looking down, the doll and crates/random metal are all interesting elements but the angle could really add to them, like a close up on the coll looking out onto those elements.

2) A pretty standard snap shot but the big issues are it is slightly out of focus and the B&W conversion is pretty muddy. Is this a straight B&W conversion or did you play with the contrast/curves.

3) Try rotating 90 degrees counterclockwise and maybe use curves to brighten it up a little.

4) Pretty simple image, maybe if you got into the field it would translate better but then it wouldn't be your moment.

5) Try cropping off a little of the right hand part.

[Grainbelt]

Originally Posted by NikonsAndVStroms

Since there are so many I'll just do some quick ones:

1) The big thing on this one is it looks like a standard height looking down, the doll and crates/random metal are all interesting elements but the angle could really add to them, like a close up on the coll looking out onto those elements.

2) A pretty standard snap shot but the big issues are it is slightly out of focus and the B&W conversion is pretty muddy. Is this a straight B&W conversion or did you play with the contrast/curves.

3) Try rotating 90 degrees counterclockwise and maybe use curves to brighten it up a little.

4) Pretty simple image, maybe if you got into the field it would translate better but then it wouldn't be your moment.

5) Try cropping off a little of the right hand part.

Yep. I'd agree with all of that. I find it odd that 4 and 5, that really aren't anything, bother me the least.

1 was a great find at an abandoned farm, but I bunged up the composition.

2 is a too-tight crop with the wrong lens and one of my first attempts at b&w conversion. I'll upload the original for shits and giggles. Converted in PSE8 and tweaked a little by trial and error only.

3, not sure I agree, but there isn't much there anyway.

The original of the b&w conversion.

[2twisted]

Thanks for taking the time and helping out

Do you crop and adjust all the pictures you take or at least the better ones, Or do you get to a point when taking pictures you dont need to mess with them. Thanks.

[NikonsAndVStroms]

Originally Posted by 2twisted

Thanks for taking the time and helping out

Do you crop and adjust all the pictures you take or at least the better ones, Or do you get to a point when taking pictures you dont need to mess with them. Thanks.

It all depends, none of my cameras have 100% viewfinders so it is always a slight guess, for many there is no crop at all, but I also have no fear of cropping or rotating my images in any way. I actually did a roughly 100 image series last year with no cropping, the series was created with a 2MP camera so every bit counted and it really made me pay attention to framing.

If by adjust you mean process than yes, but almost all my post processing with very few examples can be recreated in the dark room so I don't go too crazy.

[NikonsAndVStroms]

Originally Posted by 2twisted

Thanks for taking the time and helping out

Do you crop and adjust all the pictures you take or at least the better ones, Or do you get to a point when taking pictures you dont need to mess with them. Thanks.

What camera were these images taken with they seem a bit fuzzy (I'm just wondering if it is the camera or the jpeg compression).

For the top image I would try and get a more active pose, say the bird looking at you or in the process of eating, this shot just looks very static. Also the right side doesn't have much in it for the viewer so a vertical framing would have worked better.

The bottom one looks to be a bit overexposed but you seem to have most of the information there (not too many areas are blow out so with curves you could possibly get it working). As for the composition that well I am not sure what it is "thing" on the right seems to take away since it grabs the eye and is not too interesting. Now with the tractor I feel there are 2 ways that could have worked better. If you went closer and angled down more to have just this rusted tractor in all the lush growth for the contrast. Or to be on the level of all of it looking out, possibly from behind the tractor since those tires could look great.

[RonS]

Originally Posted by NikonsAndVStroms

Post questions about your camera or lens choices.

Why would anyone choose Nikon over Canon with the 1D Mk IV, 5D Mk II and 7D all available in the Canon line?

[OUtback UFO]

INteresting thread... i join in...

1. Was shot on Tmax100 Delorian River, Tasmania


2.Helfsty Castle, Czech Republic


3. Arches National Park

[NikonsAndVStroms]

Originally Posted by RonS

Why would anyone choose Nikon over Canon with the 1D Mk IV, 5D Mk II and 7D all available in the Canon line?

But I'll bite

1D Mk IV does not have as good AF or high ISO performance as the D3s

5D Mk II does not have as good build quality (weather sealing), AF which is one of the 5D's weakest features, high ISO, and can shoot about half as fast (3.9 VS 8 FPS) as the D700

7D is behind the D300s in AF performance but otherwise is a pretty close camera, a great add on for the 50D which lagged behind in many areas.

Nikon's higher end cameras all share very similar AF systems which is a huge plus over the Canon's and have on average higher build quality (the 1D and D3 are similar but below Canon has lagged until the 7D which I hear is close to the D300).

[RonS]

Originally Posted by NikonsAndVStroms

But I'll bite

1D Mk IV does not have as good AF or high ISO performance as the D3s

5D Mk II does not have as good build quality (weather sealing), AF which is one of the 5D's weakest features, high ISO, and can shoot about half as fast (3.9 VS 8 FPS) as the D700

7D is behind the D300s in AF performance but otherwise is a pretty close camera, a great add on for the 50D which lagged behind in many areas.

Nikon's higher end cameras all share very similar AF systems which is a huge plus over the Canon's and have on average higher build quality (the 1D and D3 are similar but below Canon has lagged until the 7D which I hear is close to the D300).

Yeah, Nikon was way behind Canon but they seem to have copied Canon's CMOS technology to the point that the bodies are almost as good as the Canon bodies. Shame about that Nikon glass though

[NikonsAndVStroms]

Originally Posted by RonS

Yeah, Nikon was way behind Canon but they seem to have copied Canon's CMOS technology to the point that the bodies are almost as good as the Canon bodies. Shame about that Nikon glass though

I know you don't get to send it back over and over for a good copy like that Canon glass, it keeps you from getting to know those friendly people at the service department on a 1st name basis

And last I checked Nikon seems to be ahead in high ISO quality

Sony and Canon need to catch up now

[RonS]

Originally Posted by NikonsAndVStroms

I know you don't get to send it back over and over for a good copy like that Canon glass, it keeps you from getting to know those friendly people at the service department on a 1st name basis

And last I checked Nikon seems to be ahead in high ISO quality

Sony and Canon need to catch up now

I hope you know I'm just pulling your leg. I like them all. Even my old dog of a Canon 40D with the 24-105L attached is better at photography than I am. I hang out over at Fred Miranda trying to improve but it’s a long road.