Messages

16

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Dynamic range, high lights information D800 vs 5dmk2

« on: April 22, 2013, 11:55:03 PM »

Ouch to Mikael!  And 2 units of packed red blood cell- stat- he is bleeding to death!

sek

Inside the church in Lund there is down in the vault a work of art hanging on the wall
Both cameras exposed exactly alike, highlight consists of a barred window.

Once again Mikael demonstrates that his idea of how to expose an image is to do everything any quasi-competent photographer instinctively knows is insanely stupid to do and simply will not produce anything even remotely worth looking at, and then he does even more of it.

We get it, Mikael. You really, truly, honestly, passionately can't take a photograph to save your life and you're proud of that fact. We really get it.

What we don't get is why you're so proud of flaunting your incompetence. Most people with skills as bad as yours don't go out of their way to grab everybody's attention for the sole purpose of rubbing everybody's noses in your problems.

Cheers,

b&

17

Portrait / Re: I need your help to criticise my photos :P

« on: April 20, 2013, 01:56:09 PM »

Hi.

Don't get discouraged.  This is a difficult type of photography in particular for many reasons, details are extremely important for beauty, in addition to the usual technical photo details.

That said, these are good learning pics, and I noted some trends in yours.

Be sure skin tones are correct.
Watch facial expressions- open mouths are usually not aesthetic, though they can be
Throw backgrounds out of focus- don't let objects come out of heads
Try not to let things overlap, where possible I think the first one- watch for threads coming off- see the headband- now we have Photoshop, not so good with slides!

Beyond that I see what you mean about making the pics dynamic appearing.  This is so specialized I am not sure I could have done any better, so I will leave that to fashion shooters to give their recommendations.
I liked your use lighting for vignetting, and tangential lighting to show pock marked skin
This is one that frequently gets me, and got you in

Hey guys, Iv been taking some events for my friends in a society in university. I have a feeling that my photos as a whole are very boring and really seek some good help in guiding me to better performance. I use 5DM3 with 580EXII and 24-105. Im clearly not fitting into the shoes i have. Nothing in the seminar was too "exciting" and i found it hard with the ambient light. It was a makeup demonstration. Thanks!

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/532716_173334189490455_290923686_n.jpg

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/69042_173334246157116_1525267561_n.jpg

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/11500_173334389490435_1712155298_n.jpg

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/562353_173334482823759_463254154_n.jpg

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/547670_173334596157081_283226680_n.jpg

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/552907_173334606157080_1331559028_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/537145_173334679490406_1597457434_n.jpg

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/164972_173334756157065_405191640_n.jpg

http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/923533_173334379490436_2058724245_n.jpg

18

Lenses / Re: Canon L Glass is currently priced at over $1200 / pound

« on: April 20, 2013, 01:46:05 PM »

When I retire, I will take the pounds of white glass and shoot pics with them.  But then again, I am a numbers "phobe"

What is even scarier than this is the price per gallon of printer ink.  I remember an article where the ink is something like $4,000.00 per gallon in some cases.

sek

Okay I'll admit I am crazy enough to put this analysis together.  Then again after a year of retire (from Director of Marketing Analytics at a major CPG company) I miss number crunching.

Glad to share the data, I am sure that there a few items I missed.  Right now all I am interested in is the top line.  When I went deeper into the data, I found that older lens (2006 and early) had lower cost per pound $750 versus more current lenses $1,200.  Lots of reasons for this - could be new lenses are more technologically advanced and harder to manufacture, include more expensive glass and metals, harder to raise prices than introduce a new product at a higher price point ...

19

Software & Accessories / Re: How do you print your photos for those who still do?

« on: April 19, 2013, 03:02:30 AM »

When I want a print, I go to one place- Bay Photo.  I get my pics printed on the aircraft grade aluminum, high gloss, rounded corners, with the optional back spacer with holes to hang the pic.

They look great, don't need glass, or mat, or a wire to hang up or anything.  Large prints usually around $100 or so compared to many hundreds to get fancy framing etc. 

Bay photos gives great color, sharpness, service, turnaround, etc.  Always happy with them.  True, they only do jpeg, but as long as monitor is calibrated, and original is sharp, I get great pics (at least 24 X 24 inches, maybe more).

20

Animal Kingdom / Re: Boa Constrictor - up close and personal - C&C please

« on: April 17, 2013, 11:13:21 AM »

I love tack sharp, so my fav is the large eye.

That said, be sure to focus on the eye.  Perhaps a slightly larger dof.  More contrast also can be had with better lighting-flash? sunlight?

I agree with the ethics.  May want to use datacolor or passports for color calibration.

I agree with the composition- rule of 3's.

Keep up great work.
sek

21

Lenses / Re: I need a 24mm focal lenght Lens.. is the 24mm f2.8 IS right for me?

« on: April 16, 2013, 11:44:09 PM »

Really?  I love my 24 to 105 kit lens.

i tried the EF 17-40mm and was not satisfied, then i tried the 24-105mm and was also not satisfied.

is there really no 24mm lens with better image quality in the canon lineup that does not cost a fortune??
the borders looked bad with the 17-40mm and 24-105mm.
i compared the images to my uncles images and his 14-24mm nikkor lens is much better.
the nikkor is sharper and has less distortions.

so i thought i buy the EF 24mm f2.8 IS.
it´s a prime and i expect better image quality then the zooms, right?

is the 24mm f2.8 IS noticable better than the zooms i have tested?

i really only need the 24mm, but the image quality has to be great from center to border.
is there another 24mm lens option for me, around 600-800 euro?
 

before i forget, i have a 5D MK3.


ps: the 24-70mm f2.8 II is to expensive.

22

Technical Support / Re: MacBook Pro : Best RAW Processing Software?

« on: April 16, 2013, 01:47:46 PM »

I am a Mac person and I like LR better than Aperture.  It is much easier to use, and does a great job.

23

Canon General / Re: Why do you do Photography?

« on: April 16, 2013, 12:56:14 AM »

That is a good enough reason to upgrade right there!

Im just wondering what the breakdown of canonrumors' is.

Im pretty sure I overspend on this hobby of mine which I still consider as a new hobby (2-3 years now?) but I once read online, "some people's hobbies are boats, some are cars, both are much more expensive then photography." I guess thats how I justify my almost 10k worth of gear that doesnt pay back a single cent.

Currently I have a 5D mk3, 24-70L mk1, 24-105L, 50L, 70-200L 2.8 IS II, despite all that Im still thinking of picking up a 24-70L mk2. My girlfriend keeps stealing my mk1 =[

24

Lenses / Re: Keep my 70-200 f/4 IS?

« on: April 15, 2013, 10:10:49 AM »

I have both.  I love the smaller zoom- lighter, easier to carry, excellent iq.  I use both.  Plus, always have a back-up in case of a problem.

If you need the money, sell it.  If you are fine for money, it is a great lens to have and use.

25

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Battery Grip BG-E11 & off brands

« on: April 15, 2013, 12:58:12 AM »

My question to all who have battery grips is this.  Aside from the additional buttons and the convenience of shooting in portrait orientation, and longer life (two batteries), does the battery grip offer other benefits, such as faster focusing?  I have a 5D III.

Thanks for your observations from your experience.

sek

26

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM

« on: April 15, 2013, 12:37:34 AM »

Were you able to calibrate the lens?

i've always wondered why people rave about this lens so much. Sure, it's cheap, but imho it's just fuzzy. Or did i get a dud?
have a look at this cockatoo i shot in aus last september.
first shot slightly cropped, 50% scaled, 93% jpeg compression. second shot 100% crop, 93% jpeg compression. 7D, iso800, 1/1000s, f8, Ljpg straight from the camera.
DOF at that distance (~20m) should be at least 1.3m, at any rate i used spot af expansion.

so do you guys reckon it's just a dud unit, or is this typical for this design?

anyway, when i bought it i justified the expense comparing it to the 70-200f4, i paid €100 less, and got the 200-300 range and IS to boot. I've since sold it to my sister, she's happy with her 18-55 on her 550d, so she should be happy with this (although, she shoots raw and i don't, go figure), and i'm buying the 70-300L in a week or two duty-free on my way to aus...

27

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Set From Death Valley National Park

« on: April 15, 2013, 12:34:24 AM »

Nice.

28

EOS Bodies / Re: 5DM3 Firmware Update

« on: April 12, 2013, 01:13:43 AM »

Not hard or scary.

Instructions provided when you go to the site. 

Basically, download to CF card.  Go to the Menu with Version, and update, click yes, then don't do anything until it is done.   Be sure that battery is charged, etc.  Doesn't take long at all.

sek

29

EOS Bodies / Re: Canon EOS 1DX Junk camera??

« on: April 11, 2013, 07:46:03 AM »

RChung, my dear new friend, I understand your problem, and I am here to help.  I am sure I can too!

Send me a private message, and I will give you my mailing address.  You carefully ship all of your equipment to me, and after I receive it (with the receipts of course), I will purchase for you, and send you a perfect camera that will be right for you.  I think the Powershot G1X left on full auto will be just the ticket, and it has video to boot!

Most of us would agree that the camera guy sold you the crappiest camera that Canon makes along with some nasty lenses.  Actually, it is only the goodness of my heart that I would accept it from you.  Imagine the hit to my image if I were to be seen sporting that big black abomination of a camera.  You are lucky I don't ask you for money to take it off your hands.

30

Canon General / Re: Think I need a 12 step program

« on: April 09, 2013, 10:19:45 PM »

You need an inheritance, and an inpatient 12 step program!

Yikes!

3 bodies, 6 lenses, 2 leather rolling camera bags in just over 12 months- is there any help out there? Already plotting my next body and lens purchases....