Messages

1

1D X Sample Images / Re: Weddings

« on: May 18, 2013, 10:37:21 AM »

Here's another shot from a post-wedding shoot:

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1D X Sample Images / Re: Weddings

« on: May 18, 2013, 03:54:06 AM »

Beautiful pictures and something for me to aspire to.

Are you beginning to move towards using the 50mm 1.2 most of the time, or still focusing on using the 85mm and 35mm?

Thank you! Focal length depends on the compression I'd want to get. It's not something I decide beforehand 

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1D X Sample Images / Re: Weddings

« on: May 08, 2013, 06:03:44 PM »

yeah, you can deffo tell the difference between the 35mm and the 50mm now. I shoot mainly with my 50 and the compositions are a lot tighter like yours above. I'm getting the 35mm...

We (me and my wife) shoot close to the subjects because of the background that's too `busy` in the place we live in, which is the fastest shrinking city in the world. We made an attempt to go wider recently with 50L (I mean picture framing here), so I'll upload a shot or two next week.

Here's the shot:

Is it wide enough? 

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1D X Sample Images / Re: Weddings

« on: May 08, 2013, 01:58:25 AM »

Thanks! Though it kind of scares me to think of doing that. I can't imagine the dust-on-sensor issues. Great results though!

That's why I bought a reverse adapter 

5

Lenses / Re: 50 1.2L back-focuses with lateral focus points

« on: May 06, 2013, 02:00:16 AM »

I thought the focus had to be "precise" at the point where one is focusing, and that the field curvature would affect the remaining area of the frame.
I mean:
1. if I focus in the center, the field curvature would make closer the "focus sphere" (should be "focus plane") at the left and right parts of the frame;
2. If I focus on one side (e.g. left), the side where I focus should be spot on; while, the field curvature should make closer the focus sphere on the other side of the frame (center and even more on the right).
Isn't the above correct?

My experience shows that it's not correct. For a weird reason (caused by the lens's spherical abberrations, as far as I know) you should have differenet compensation adjustments for each focus point. Or shoot using one focus point. Otherwise you'll have those focus issues.

To compensate I have to set a +4 in the microadjustment settings; in that case I end up with the center point front focusing.

P.S.
I brought the lens to the Canon Service Center in Milan (where I live), they said that the softness on the corner is normal. Anyhow, it seems they misunderstood the issue.

The dispersion is within the specification. I have AFMA range of ~7 steps accross focus points (from -3 to +3).
That's the price you pay for the bokeh you get with this lens.

6

1D X Sample Images / Re: Weddings

« on: May 02, 2013, 05:45:22 PM »

The photo was made with a flipped lens, so I didn't have control over aperture. That's why I bought an extension tube recently to cover this type of shots 

Can you explain this technique a little? I've never heard of "flipping" a lens before. I love the results! Great photo (and the non-macro ones a awesome as well).

Here's ste-by-step manual:
1. Take off the lens from your camera (wide angle works better, such as the 18-55);
2. Flip it around;
3. Hold it up to the camera and shoot 



Few hints:
- Autofocus won't work, you need to focus by camera movement;
- Aperture cannot be controlled; though I saw people removing the lens with camera turned on, so it has aperture value persistent (I don't recommend following their example);
- There are converters that can be attached to the front of the lens (filter mount) and EF mount from the other side;
- This trick is called super-macro, because focus plane is really close to your lens (you can identify the distance with your finger as a starting point).

Enjoy 

7

1D X Sample Images / Re: Weddings

« on: May 02, 2013, 05:25:35 PM »

Very nice work!  Big fan. 

I lived in Russia for a few years.  Loved it!  I wasn't into Photography yet, but I'm doing lots of weddings now here in the US.

What city do you live in?

Also, what body to you shoot with?

Check my second post on page #2 and the breadcrumbs (forum category) 

8

1D X Sample Images / Re: Weddings

« on: May 02, 2013, 06:52:07 AM »

I'm relatively new to full frame having shot for the last few years on a crop sensor so focal lengths of lenses need getting used to all over again. I've only shot one wedding so far with my 5Diii/5Dii pairing and it was mainly with my 50. I used to shoot with 7D/60D and use a 28mm so the 35mm would have a similar feel on a full frame yet I could get a slightly shallower DOF I suspect? My next wedding isn't til next month so I have a little time to save up for the 35mm sigma art. thanks for making my decision an easy one!

this was shot mainly with the 50mm http://www.lewismaxwell.co.uk/projects/4671939#1 btw

There's one thing I have noticed many photographers misunderstand. No matter what lens they use, framing remains the same. This leads to unpleasing results in wide-angle close-up portraits and just doesn't make any difference overall. I suffered myself, so I want others to be aware 

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Software & Accessories / Re: How would you achieve this look in Lightroom?

« on: May 02, 2013, 04:11:06 AM »

So I really like the post work this photographer uses on her photos, but I can't quite place my finger on what techniques were used to achieve the look. Here's an example:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151375869157124&set=a.10151043132512124.423771.597667123&type=1&theater

Can anyone give me some pointers as to how I might get this feel using Lightroom 4?

Thanks!
Jordan

There are lots of Lightroom tutorials out there, so you need to dig deeper. The picture you provided has intense color changes (as well as raised shadows), so there's no manual how to achieve the same effect, it depends on the original file you edit. I suggest you to start from the logic and application results of each slider individually 

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Black & White / Re: Black & White

« on: May 02, 2013, 03:56:46 AM »

I love this image...

It's great to hear feedback like that! It gives another reason to create works that are even better 

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1D X Sample Images / Re: Weddings

« on: May 02, 2013, 02:25:56 AM »

Nice shots.  The WB seems a bit off in some though.  Lots of blue and pinky colored wedding dress. Maybe that's what you wanted I don't know.

Thank you for the feedback. It's our way to differentiate ourselves. Colors should be "clean" and complementary to each other in the shot. Something you can read about in color theory books.

12

1D X Sample Images / Re: Weddings

« on: May 01, 2013, 05:43:10 PM »

Love the photos. Which lens did you use for most of these?

I use fixes  You have them in your signature 
Exception is 17-40 that was used for the very first shot (it was flipped).

  Privet! I believe "fixes" is not a common term outside of the former USSR. They are usually called "primes".  Beautiful work, by the way. Cheers.

I tend to mix languages I speak, sorry for the inaccurate term 

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1D X Sample Images / Re: Weddings

« on: May 01, 2013, 04:11:14 PM »

yeah, you can deffo tell the difference between the 35mm and the 50mm now. I shoot mainly with my 50 and the compositions are a lot tighter like yours above. I'm getting the 35mm...

We (me and my wife) shoot close to the subjects because of the background that's too `busy` in the place we live in, which is the fastest shrinking city in the world. We made an attempt to go wider recently with 50L (I mean picture framing here), so I'll upload a shot or two next week.

My advice would be to make few steps backwards if you want a wider shot. Leave the framing adjustable by you, not by the lens. And think about new purchase only if you need compression or picture quality of a specific lens 

Though if your aim is event photography, 35L is fabulous there 

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1D X Sample Images / Re: Weddings

« on: May 01, 2013, 03:41:01 PM »

Nightbreath:

You have some fantastic images there. Really pro quality work. Question:

Do you have your images posted anywhere where I could download them to see the exif info? I'm always trying to improve my own work and I find it extremely helpful to see the exif info from great photographs to help me gain some insight on aperture selection and focal length.

Thanks for sharing!

Hi there! I strip out all the exif info when I save for web. Though if you ask me about something specific in a personal message, I wouldn't hesitate to give a hint 

15

1D X Sample Images / Re: Weddings

« on: May 01, 2013, 09:33:29 AM »

are you using 50mm or 35mm on most of them? loving the DoF and colours. If it's the 35mm then you've just swung me into getting one, if it's 50mm then I must try harder

It's 35L and 85L most of the time. 50L is new to me, but the results exceeded my expactations. Here what I get with the 50mm last week: