Messages

16

Animal Kingdom / Re: Swans on Golden River

« on: March 08, 2013, 06:05:04 PM »

A great shot. I like #2 a bit better; there's more detail in the right-most bird's neck.

The water looks like liquid gold!!

Congrats!

Zen

17

Software & Accessories / Re: Is this support setup good?

« on: March 06, 2013, 04:09:35 PM »

What Neuro said +1. I too have the RRS gear and it's fantastic. I went through 3-4 different set-ups before RRS, and now wish I had gone with the good stuff from the beginning.

RRS gear is top notch.

Zen

18

Lighting / Re: Which flash for a 5d mkIII

« on: March 04, 2013, 06:31:31 PM »

I just bought the 600EX-RT to replace an older 430, and this 600 is fantastic. I'd recommend heartily.

Zen

19

Abstract / Re: Boredom on a Sunday...

« on: March 03, 2013, 04:07:01 PM »

I also have a 5D3 and the 17-40, and find the lens produces extremely sharp images. They are a great combination.

Z

Quite a striking image. Good for you.

Zen

Thanks Zen.

Just for the record - 5D3 and 17-40mm ISO 800.

20

Abstract / Re: Boredom on a Sunday...

« on: March 03, 2013, 10:38:04 AM »

Quite a striking image. Good for you.

Zen

21

Portrait / Re: A Portrait of Poverty . . .

« on: March 01, 2013, 08:34:40 PM »

Hi Ivan,

The b&w's are much more powerful for this subject. They depict the people in a stark, cold atmosphere that photographically replicates what the subject people actually experience.

Regarding how you greet and interact with those you want to shoot . . . Milton Rogovin, now deceased, became a nationally known photographer whose images of poverty are now in the Library of Congress. He lived and worked here in Buffalo, NY, and I had a passing acquaintance with him and his wife. He did the same thing with his subjects that you suggest. Show them the images, give them prints and treat them gently, but as ordinary people. Do not look down on them or give them any reason to believe that you do. Rogovin did 2 ten year projects shooting 3-4 dozen people each time, then going back ten years later to shoot the same folks, then again another ten years later. He shot the parents and their kids, their kids' weddings and their kids; their tiny shabby homes, with broken windows, their torn and wrinkled clothes and the streets where they spent their time. He told the story of poverty with his camera far better than the written word could ever do. His images were . . . are memorable.

From that series, he produced a book that he updated each time he shot another series. He gave copies to his subjects. They knew him, greeted him when he walked down the street, welcomed him into their homes, etc., etc.

So from watching him work, I know it can be done successfully and gracefully. But it is a unique skill; that is the ability to relate easily with folks who have so little, so much less than you. Rogovin never offered his subjects money to pose for him. He was, instead, their friend. I have high admiration for Rogovin and for anyone else who can relate so intimately with a group of people who have so little and must live so difficult a life.

Congrats to you for taking on such a series, and good luck to you.

Zen

22

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: Good TripodHead

« on: February 27, 2013, 04:45:20 PM »

+1 on the RRS eqpt. It's the absolute best. After going thru 4-5 different combinations of other brands, incl Giotto and Manfrotto, I went for the RRS and there is no comparison. Wish I had gone with RRS from the beginning. I have the mid size head and find it stable, easy to use, mount and dismount the plated camera [5D3], etc.

Take a look at their web-site.

Zen

23

Black & White / Re: Portraits of Poverty...

« on: February 26, 2013, 04:07:05 PM »

Years and years and years ago, I shot almost all in b&w, developed my own a printed many of them myself. So, in many cases, I still prefer it to color. There tends to be more "character" in b&w faces than in color, imho. In these two, the first doesn't look like poverty to me, even tho it may actually be. The first looks to me more like a hard working outdoors character who has spent much of his life in honest hard work. The second seems to communicate hard times, or if you prefer, poverty, much more than the first.

Interesting, isn't it, how different people see the same images differently.

These are really great shots.

Zen

24

5D MK III Sample Images / Re: Where am I ?

« on: February 26, 2013, 02:43:32 PM »

Not being a world traveler, I did not know 2 and 3. But Monticello is instantly recognizable. Been there several times, and have marveled at how Jefferson built the place.

Thanks for the geo lesson.
 

Zen

25

Canon General / Re: Physical Ailments From Heavy Gear

« on: February 16, 2013, 07:31:03 PM »

"That Camdapter looks pretty good - and with quick release plate compatibility too! Could you keep us up to date on how that suits you?"

Will be happy to report back. Give me a week to test it out.

Zen

The Camdapters came quickly from B&H, and I installed immediately. They came with clear instructions, and a drinking straw, of all things, to aid installation. I ordered 2 copies in black. They have other colors as well.

Installation took but a minute, literally, and the straps are easily adjustable to your hand. The leather is soft surfaced, not suede, and your hand slips in and out easily, depending on how tight you like the strap to "hug" your hand. They do give a feeling of security, make it easier to grip the cam, and you can adjust loosely enough that you can use your fingers and still have a nice firm grip on the cam. I notice that with the strap, I do not need to grip the cam as tightly as without it. Wish I had known about these before, and yes, I WOULD recommend to a friend.

At only $27 each, they're worth a try. And, no, I do not work for Camdapter . . . .

Zen

26

Canon General / Re: Physical Ailments From Heavy Gear

« on: February 13, 2013, 05:55:25 PM »

"That Camdapter looks pretty good - and with quick release plate compatibility too! Could you keep us up to date on how that suits you?"

Will be happy to report back. Give me a week to test it out.

Zen

27

Canon General / Re: Physical Ailments From Heavy Gear

« on: February 12, 2013, 07:19:56 PM »

Hi everyone,

I sympathize with the OP big time. At age 76 and with genetically flat feet, significant arthritus and sciatica, I've looked for solutions to several of the same problems the OP and the others mention. I shoot a 5D3, and even with the lightest lenses, I simply cannot handle the weight on an ordinary neck strap.

So rather than going through a dozen or more shoulder/neck strap combinations that won't work anyway, all at significant expense, I've rejected that type of strap completely. Instead, I use a hand strap [currently a Canon, but with a Camdapter on the way] that gives good support to my right hand, yet allows easy use of my fingers.

Then, instead of trying to hold the camera constantly, I use a Lowe Pro Roller Attache X 50 bag. It's on wheels and easily handles my 5D3 with lens attached, a second lens, a flash, spare batteries and cards, and several other small accessories. If needed, I can stuff another mid sized lens in on top, but I seldom need one. The outer shell of the case is pretty stiff, making it easy to strap my tripod to the top whenever I want to take it along. What makes the case so convenient is that it opens at the top with a double slider zipper, hinges at the bottom, and with the zip undone all the way, the bag stays open without trouble. I generally leave the cam in the open case as I move around, then just grab it out of the top when I need it. If the terrain is rough, or there are others around and don't want the cam exposed to their view, I can close the zips a bit and close the compartment a little or all teh way. Thus, all the weight is in the bag except for the few minutes I actually hold the camera while shooting. Moreover, this thing is a convertible. That is, the part that actually contains the camera gear, can be lifted out of the roller base and converted to a shoulder bag, if needed. I've never needed it that way, though. When closed all the way, the bag easily fits in the carry on space on most [all?] planes.

This system works well for me and allows me more time with the camera. I'd suggest taking a look at this bag and a hand strap. Incidentally, one of the accessories I always carry is a bottle of Tylenol Arthritus Pain Relief 650mg strength. 

Good luck to all. Whatever you do, I hope you can resolve the problems and avoid the aches and pains that  keep you away from doing what you want to do.

Zen

28

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: What camera for walking/staggering in a St. Pat's Parade?

« on: February 06, 2013, 07:00:49 PM »

Try the Canon G 15 p&s, a really great little cam. Shoots auto or manual, has an electronic tele, etc. Uses SD cards and gets a ton of shots from a hot battery. Around $500 at your local Canon retailer.

good luck. Don't forget to carry ID on the big day.

Z

29

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Are you maybe using any kind of screen-protector to your new 5D Mark III?

« on: February 02, 2013, 06:38:02 PM »

+1 on the Giottos Schott glass protectors. I've had them on my 50D, 5D2 and now on both 5D3s. Easier to install and much cheaper than changing out the factory production piece that's already there. B&H carries them, in stock.

Zen

30

EOS Bodies / Re: 5D3 vs 6D AF in low light

« on: January 20, 2013, 06:14:30 PM »

I wonder . . . do we expect the camera to "see" better than we ourselves can? For example, I can barely make out shapes in "near dark" situations, yet some expect the camera to do better than that. Is that logical?

Zen