Messages

61

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: December 06, 2012, 09:54:57 PM »

Never seen one of these before--took an hour just to get this shot as this bird is a bit peculiar.  Lands on a branch for 1-2 seconds then flys to another branch for 1-2 then hides in the scrub brush.  After an hour I began to give up.  As I walked down a steep dirt downgrade I caught one on a branch for about 5 seconds and pulled this off..his name..a Spotted Towee..where?  Modjeska Canyon..southern Cal.


Spotted Towee by Revup67, on Flickr

62

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Ultra long daytime exposures - 5D mkiii

« on: December 04, 2012, 03:38:36 AM »

Any vibration caused by mirror movement should affect the image minimally, as long as the vibration lasts for <1 second, and the exposure on the order of minutes

+2 - True without question esp. on shots 2 and 3 but shot number 1 appears close to street traffic  (seems apparent) possible more vibrations throughout entire length of exposure.

63

Landscape / Re: Post Your Best Landscapes

« on: December 04, 2012, 01:42:36 AM »

Param..a very fine shot indeed - this is a good example of where the loss of IQ at a smaller F-stop (F32) is pretty much meaningless.  I've heard this issued raised before and though it is true IQ lessens beyond say F10 or so in some cases where shutter speed is shorter.  With this one it is somewhat irrelevant as the longer exposure absorbs more definition.  On a side note (not being contradictory but to end off the possibility of greater diffraction at such a small F stop) did you consider using an ND on this shot to use a wider F-stop vs. F32?  Possibly dropping down the ISO to 50 to get additional slow down if using a wider Av.  Again, just a thought.

64

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Ultra long daytime exposures - 5D mkiii

« on: December 03, 2012, 04:24:51 AM »

Hey Alex..nice shots especially the first one - very clean.  Seems there might be a bit too much under exposure on the second and third though not sure if that happened in post and the over exposure on the sun perhaps too long on the time allowance?  Just some thoughts and I did see you mention these are not HDR.

65

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: some pin-up shots

« on: December 03, 2012, 04:21:03 AM »

Put the model on the 25-40% margin of the image, instead of in the middle. The middle of the image is reserved for formal composition, which either makes a solid, powerful statement, or a flat and boring image. An art text I saw on the web somewhere by Andrew Loomis talks about this matter of composition. In fact, googling formal composition will give you interesting information about this. Bit for both images, the model is not striving for a powerful look, nor a stable look. You are trying, likely, more for soft, dynamic, and feminine. Place the model on the side of the frame, and both images will be much more effective. I like the setting for both; I think a different composition will be the ticket with each. This is about birds, but will help you anyway:

+1 couldn't agree more and I too like your outdoor shots

66

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Ultra long daytime exposures - 5D mkiii

« on: December 03, 2012, 04:07:44 AM »

I want to use that technique to shoot empty streets...was there many people coming and going in during shooting? (like stairs and bridge ones).

With a B&W 10 stopper (example or ND 400 Hoya) you won't see any people coming any going on a 4-5 minute exposure. This is the beauty of that dark glass extending your exposure time.

Just don't forget to do the MLU (mirror lock up) to avoid vibration. 

I've read about the IQ degrading at F16 and F22 or higher (one of mine goes to F32) but I believe that only applies to shorter exposures example 1/15, 1/10, etc.  if you have that lens open long enough the sensor will pick up more detail, colors etc which would somewhat mitigate the worry over IQ (excluding diffraction of course).

67

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Autumn/Fall Color Photos on 5D Mark III - Any Lens

« on: December 03, 2012, 03:46:22 AM »

cool tire and bike pic.  You using Fusion still ?

68

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Autumn/Fall Color Photos on 5D Mark III - Any Lens

« on: December 02, 2012, 08:27:03 PM »

Bowne Road in Atlantic Highlands NJ..about a block or so from Bon Jovi's home.


Bowne Road Atlantic Highlands, NJ by Revup67, on Flickr

69

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Autumn/Fall Color Photos on 5D Mark III - Any Lens

« on: December 02, 2012, 04:19:36 PM »

Love being lost in the woods. Being surrounded by nature, alone with only your own lifelong skill set to get you by = total euphoria


&quot;Meadow Ramble Trail&quot; by Revup67, on Flickr

70

Animal Kingdom / Re: Bird ID - Help Please!!!

« on: December 02, 2012, 03:10:43 AM »

Out of the gate I guessed Plover but now agreeing with others it is Black-bellied more specifically "Adult-non Breeding" (Aug-Apr) Page 162 Sibley's Guide to Birds (spot on) and whatbird.com.  I sometimes post to the whatbird.com forum.  I usually get a positive ID (when in doubt) within 10 minutes or so.  Loads of eager experts to help out with photo ID's.

71

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: December 02, 2012, 03:04:25 AM »

LSV - I didn't think we had any Yellow Crowned Night Herons here - though I did note you mention "rare".  According to whatbird.com this bird doesn't in southern Cal.  http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/53/_/Yellow-crowned_Night-Heron.aspx.  Was there any mention as to what the Yellow heron was doing in this part?  Fascinating and good eye !

72

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Autumn/Fall Color Photos on 5D Mark III - Any Lens

« on: December 01, 2012, 03:32:34 PM »

Wicki..I will try that and I am assuming you are referring to loading the JPG (the HDR pic) into LR then attempting the prescribed formula above.  I will admit the sky does look quite good...nice work.  I am still reluctantly trotting away with LR but practice can make perfect.  Thanks !

73

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Post Your 5D Mark III Bird shots (cropped or uncropped) here

« on: December 01, 2012, 03:21:47 PM »

Hi MrfewShots..the DOF on that bird pic works especially due to the size of the bird and also you nailed the focus on its eye.

I'm not convinced that is a robin however..seems more like a Thrush of some sort.  Check out this site http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/212/_/American_Robin.aspx.  You can use the Search wizard for a positive ID or post into the forum.  I've used that forum and the responses are usually very quick and spot on.

If it helps any and you want to post a photo here from Flickr, Choose Share then select BBCODE and try Large.  Copy and paste the entire set of code into a reply.  This may help you vs. a link..all the best !

74

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Post Your 5D Mark III Bird shots (cropped or uncropped) here

« on: December 01, 2012, 02:59:37 PM »

Lnguyen - excellent portrait especially with the super nice bokeh effect.  Not sure if you are seeing this on your end but the pic seems a bit noisy possibly due to its size (pixels) or did you apply sharpening? May have too much perhaps.

75

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Post Your 5D Mark III Bird shots (cropped or uncropped) here

« on: December 01, 2012, 02:55:27 PM »

RPT: 

So question to the Gurus:
When the bird is in the bush (so to speak) and there are some branches/twigs in the line of sight, is there any other technique that I should be employing?

I might take the camera off AI Servo (presuming this is where you had it) for one and put it on One Shot, then perhaps not Spot AF (see page 75 manual where it states focusing may be difficuclt during hand holding).  Sounds like you may have the camera on an AF setting that was not optimum for that moment in time and that the camera needed this additional direction.  I would suggest either Single Point AF then navigate the square to the point you want to focus or recompose (not recommended) or you can try AF Point Expansion