Friday, October 30, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 303 of 365. Light Tower.
Friday October 30 2009.
With the days getting shorter, crews are turning to artificial light sources.
With the days getting shorter, crews are turning to artificial light sources.
Canon 50D, Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII VC, ISO 400, f/8 for 1/2000 sec.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
More Impressions On The Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII VC Lens.
I've used the lens for a bit now and I'm starting to get used to it's quirks. One thing it seems to be doing is messing with my camera's meter. The results change from shot to shot within fractions of seconds. I may be just me. I'll have to look further into it.
Here are some sample photos for now though.
Here are some sample photos for now though.
Please note, I did soften her skin a bit. They had been out in the cold and she was a bit blotchy. I didn't touch her eyes though. No need!
Photo Of The Day - 302 of 365. New Lens & Lens Review - Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII VC
I've purchased a new lens. The Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII VC. My main reason for purchasing this lens was convenience. I hate swapping lenses all the time when I'm just out and about. On my Canon 50D it gives me a range of 29mm to 432mm with the 1.6 crop factor taken into account. I didn't buy it with business in mind. I bought it with my family in mind. With this lens, I'll not need to carry all my lenses. Probably just the camera with this lens on it.
The first thing I noticed was the zoom direction is opposite my Canon zooms. You zoom clock wise on the Tamron. During the zoom it, for lack of a better term, sticks around the 100mm mark. I've read about this in forums and believe it is on purpose to keep the lens from creeping when you have it hanging down. There is a zoom lock switch at the 18mm mark that will hold the lens while you are wondering about with the lens hanging down as well. I like that feature.
My first photo scared me. The white balance looked terrible. Normally, I shoot on auto white balance to get close then adjust the raw file in post as I see fit. This was so bad but when I put my Canon 17-85 back on the camera to take the above shot, well it looked bad too! So that was that.
Playing around with the lens in the house last night I took the photo below.
Canon 50D, Tamron AF180270mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII VC, ISO 1600, f/5.6 for 1/25 sec.
This was taken under really bad tungsten lighting but looks pretty good. Sharpness is very acceptable. This was at 142mm.
I will be testing this lens over the next 3 or 4 days and will post more of my thoughts on the lens and some more sample photos then.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 301 of 365. Berries.
Wednesday October 28 2009.
Fresh raspberries and black berries. Some nice condensation too.
Fresh raspberries and black berries. Some nice condensation too.
Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 800, f/8 for 1/15 sec.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 300 of 365. Still Smiling.
Tuesday October 27 2009.
He smiles even when he is not feeling well. What a trooper.
He smiles even when he is not feeling well. What a trooper.
Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 400, f/2.8 for 1/30 sec.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 298 of 365. Parking Lot Bokeh.
Monday October 26 2009.
Waiting in the parking lot at Costco and I thought, hey those lights are kinda colorful. Had to shoot at quite a high ISO so it was noise ninja to the rescue.
Waiting in the parking lot at Costco and I thought, hey those lights are kinda colorful. Had to shoot at quite a high ISO so it was noise ninja to the rescue.
Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 6400, f/8 for 1/6 sec.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 297 of 365. Fall Bike Ride.
Sunday October 25 2009.
The boy and I went to check out the new park that is almost complete. Soon, very soon.
The boy and I went to check out the new park that is almost complete. Soon, very soon.
Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/5.6 for 1/640 sec.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 295 of 365. Adobe Lightroom 3 Beta.
Friday October 23 2009.
Adobe has released a beta of Lightroom 3. I thought I'd test out some of the features. One right off the bat is the built in ability to export to Flickr. Oh and add water marks! Full version will be realesed in April of 2010 I believe.
Adobe has released a beta of Lightroom 3. I thought I'd test out some of the features. One right off the bat is the built in ability to export to Flickr. Oh and add water marks! Full version will be realesed in April of 2010 I believe.
Canon 50D, EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, ISO 100, f/5 for 1/25 sec.
So far my impressions are good. I really like the added publish service and the watermark capabilities. More to come.
Lightroom 3 Beta.
Adobe has released a beta version of Lightroom 3. I've downloaded it from Adobe here. Keep an eye on my blog for my thoughts and feelings on this latest version. Features include better noise reduction which I'm keen on. I'll keep you posted.
Here are some of the highlights,
1 ) Importing has been redesigned
2 ) Collections panel in the Develop Module
3 ) Better Noise Reduction
4 ) Grain feature
5 ) Improved vignetting controls
6 ) Drag and Drop Publishing to the Web
7 ) Watermarking
8 ) Export Slideshows with music
9 ) Custom Print Package for creating print layouts
10 ) Change the background color of prints
I'm looking forward to the watermarking.
Photo Of The Day - 294 of 365. Seriously Dad?!
Thursday October 22 2009.
Seriously Dad, so early?! Get a life. LOL.
Seriously Dad, so early?! Get a life. LOL.
Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 3200, f/5.6 for 1/40 sec.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 293 of 365. Early Morning Park.
Wednesday October 21 2009.
I stopped at a park in our area this morning to take some night shots. I was really hoping the fog would be there but It was not. Next time I see fog there in the evening, I'm stopping.
I stopped at a park in our area this morning to take some night shots. I was really hoping the fog would be there but It was not. Next time I see fog there in the evening, I'm stopping.
Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/11 for 30 sec.
Meditative Photography Slide Show.
Here is a slide show that I've created to show some of my photos that I take purely for the enjoyment of taking them. Please enjoy the slide show.
Chris.
Chris.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 292 of 365. Morning Fog.
Tuesday October 20 2009.
Moisture condenses on a hand rail. The fog was so thick it swallowed up almost all the color.
Moisture condenses on a hand rail. The fog was so thick it swallowed up almost all the color.
Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 400, f/2.8 for 1/80 sec.
Photo Of The Day - 291 of 365. Evening Walk.
Monday October 19 2009.
Taking a stroll down a leaf covered pathway.
Taking a stroll down a leaf covered pathway.
Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 400, f/8 for 1/125 sec.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Digital Photography Tips - Post Processing Warning!
I just have to say be careful how much you post process your images. I'm not talking about enhancing things after the fact here. I'm talking about simple sharpening. I recently did a shoot, the post before this, and was very excited about the photos. They looked so good on the camera. When I uploaded them into Lightroom though, I was met with this.....
Look at the terrible artifacting around his mouth and chin and nose, well everywhere really! I was very disappointed. I thought it must have been something I had done during the shoot.
Turns out, I had the radius and detail sliders too high in lightoom. It was causing all sorts of issues. Once I backed them off and the clarity slider a little, it looked much better. I also turned the masking up to just catch the edges of everything.
Gotta stop playing with the settings all the time. :)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 290 of 365. Merry-Go-Round.
Sunday October 18 2009.
I did a portrait session for a great family today. Had a blast with them and I hope to work with them again.
I've been looking for a park with a merry-go-round so I could do this cool technique. Looks so good with the flash to freeze the boys in time.
I did a portrait session for a great family today. Had a blast with them and I hope to work with them again.
I've been looking for a park with a merry-go-round so I could do this cool technique. Looks so good with the flash to freeze the boys in time.
Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 100, f/22 for 1/20 sec.
Photo Of The Day - 289 of 365. That Silly Pacifier.
Saturday October 17 2009.
That Pacifier ruined a nicely lit shot. :(
That Pacifier ruined a nicely lit shot. :(
Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 400, f/6.3 for 1/160 sec.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 288 of 365. Morning Glory.
Friday October 16 2009.
I had to take this shot this morning. Just loved the light on the distant refinery as the sun was starting to rise to camera right.
I had to take this shot this morning. Just loved the light on the distant refinery as the sun was starting to rise to camera right.
Canon 50D, EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, ISO 800, f/5.6 for 1/100 sec.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 287 of 365. Albert In Flash.
Thursday October 15 2009.
I've been struggling with lighting subjects with flash. Even the photos I got good reviews on took me 20 to 30 tries. A friend loaned me his copy of the Strobist Lighting Seminar. After watching it for a while and snapping shome shots of Albert here at the same time, a light went on inside my head.
The flash does not care what shutter speed you are using. It only cares about your ISO and aperture! Shutter speed only controls how much of the ambient light you include in your photo!
Where was that understanding 2 months ago when I was fighting with my studio portraits?!
Oh, this photo was taken before the light went on.
I've been struggling with lighting subjects with flash. Even the photos I got good reviews on took me 20 to 30 tries. A friend loaned me his copy of the Strobist Lighting Seminar. After watching it for a while and snapping shome shots of Albert here at the same time, a light went on inside my head.
The flash does not care what shutter speed you are using. It only cares about your ISO and aperture! Shutter speed only controls how much of the ambient light you include in your photo!
Where was that understanding 2 months ago when I was fighting with my studio portraits?!
Oh, this photo was taken before the light went on.
Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 400, f/11 for 1/125 sec.
Strobist: 430EX @ 1/64 power. Bare. Camera Left. White reflector board camera right.
Chris.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 286 of 365. Red Valve and Pressure Guage.
Wednesday October 14 2009.
Red Valve and Pressure Guage. Part of the boiler system that supplies heat to the 3rd floor of the building here at work. The floor that I am on that has no heat and a great view of the snow coming down outside.
Red Valve and Pressure Guage. Part of the boiler system that supplies heat to the 3rd floor of the building here at work. The floor that I am on that has no heat and a great view of the snow coming down outside.
Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 400, f/2.8 for 1/50 sec.
YouTube. A Great Resource For Photographers.
YouTube is not just for posting silly videos of your family vacations. I do it. I know you do it too. :)
I've found many, many photographers on YouTube with instructional video or just video talking about how they did this shoot or that shoot. What a fantastic resource and it's free! I think my favorites are the videos taken on an actual shoot and then narated by the photographer where he describes what he was doing and what his thought process was throughout the shoot. David Tejada is awesome for that. Here is his channel.
I think I may start posting videos from shoots that I can get videos from. You know, just to humble myself. LOL.
Here's a list of photographers I follow on YouTube:
Chris Marquardt.
David Tejada.
Joe McNally.
Photo Gavin.
Pixel Magic (Rick Sammon).
Pro Photo Life.
Rick Sammon.
Scott Kelby.
I'm always looking for new information or even a different spin on the same information. I'll probably be adding more to my list. I'll let you know when I find a good one.
Chris.
I've found many, many photographers on YouTube with instructional video or just video talking about how they did this shoot or that shoot. What a fantastic resource and it's free! I think my favorites are the videos taken on an actual shoot and then narated by the photographer where he describes what he was doing and what his thought process was throughout the shoot. David Tejada is awesome for that. Here is his channel.
I think I may start posting videos from shoots that I can get videos from. You know, just to humble myself. LOL.
Here's a list of photographers I follow on YouTube:
Chris Marquardt.
David Tejada.
Joe McNally.
Photo Gavin.
Pixel Magic (Rick Sammon).
Pro Photo Life.
Rick Sammon.
Scott Kelby.
I'm always looking for new information or even a different spin on the same information. I'll probably be adding more to my list. I'll let you know when I find a good one.
Chris.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Eyeglasses. Should I wear them while shooting or editing or wear my contacts instead?
I recently started wearing my contacts again. Mostly because winter is coming and I hate having fogged up glasses. I haven't really worn them for 7 or 8 years now. A little bit here and there but not much. I don't recall wearing them while out photographing the word or editing photos.
I noticed something a little unexpected this weekend while wearing my contacts. Colors are more vibrant with my contacts than my glasses! Why? I need to know. This morning I sent an email to Nikon Optics, the makers of the lenses in my glasses to ask them if they had any thoughts on this. As of this writing they have not responded. 6 hours later but if they do, I will post their reply.
I have a feeling it is the anti glare coating on the lenses that is the culprit here. If you have ever scratched the coating, you will recall the difference in the look of the scratch compared to the rest of the lens.
I'm going to wear my contacts more now and hope that I'm seeing the world more true to life than the muted version through my glasses.
Any thoughts?
Chris
I noticed something a little unexpected this weekend while wearing my contacts. Colors are more vibrant with my contacts than my glasses! Why? I need to know. This morning I sent an email to Nikon Optics, the makers of the lenses in my glasses to ask them if they had any thoughts on this. As of this writing they have not responded. 6 hours later but if they do, I will post their reply.
I have a feeling it is the anti glare coating on the lenses that is the culprit here. If you have ever scratched the coating, you will recall the difference in the look of the scratch compared to the rest of the lens.
I'm going to wear my contacts more now and hope that I'm seeing the world more true to life than the muted version through my glasses.
Any thoughts?
Chris
Photo Of The Day - 285 of 365. Left Over Lunch.
Tuesday October 13 2009.
Welcome to Left Over Lunch. The day after Thanksgiving is always a treat. Turkey is always good. Put it with some Chinese Hor D'oeuvres and yum.....
Welcome to Left Over Lunch. The day after Thanksgiving is always a treat. Turkey is always good. Put it with some Chinese Hor D'oeuvres and yum.....
Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 400, f/5.6 for 1/80 sec.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 284 of 365. Princess.
Monday October 12 2009.
My Sweet Pea is becoming such a Princess.
My Sweet Pea is becoming such a Princess.
Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 400,m f/1.8 for 1/50 sec.
Photo Of The Day - 283 of 365. Contemplation.
Sunday October 11 2009.
Homer and I shared some contemplation over coffee this morning. We both had the blank thought bubble until the coffee pot was empty.
Homer and I shared some contemplation over coffee this morning. We both had the blank thought bubble until the coffee pot was empty.
Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 800, f/5.6 for 1/30 sec. Kiss of flash bounced off ceiling.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 282 of 365. Better Days?
Saturday October 10 2009.
They've seen better days. Not bad for 3 weeks though. :)
They've seen better days. Not bad for 3 weeks though. :)
Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 800, f/5.6 for 1/15 sec.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 281 of 365. Plasma Cutter.
Friday October 9 2009.
Sparks fly as a mechanic cuts apart a truck deck for modifications.
Sparks fly as a mechanic cuts apart a truck deck for modifications.
Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 200, f/8 for 1/15 sec.
Photo Of The Day - 280 of 365. Snow!!
Thurdsay October 8 2009.
It's snowing. Actually about 2 hours after I took this, we had a blizzard blow in.
It's snowing. Actually about 2 hours after I took this, we had a blizzard blow in.
Canon 50D, EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, ISO 100, f/4.5 for 1/125 sec.
Shout Out For A New Blogger.
Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to let you all know about Corey Teeple's new blog. If he blogs like he photographs, well, I'm looking forward to reading it.
Chris.
I just wanted to let you all know about Corey Teeple's new blog. If he blogs like he photographs, well, I'm looking forward to reading it.
Chris.
British Newly Weds Sue Photographer.
Recently a British couple sued their wedding photographer for....well.....Ah read the article and see for yourself. I just can't find the words to describe it. It's just so bad.
Here is the article.
Guys like this make me feel very good about my work indeed!
Chris.
Here is the article.
Guys like this make me feel very good about my work indeed!
Chris.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Budding Photographer Interview - Corey Teeple
I've known Corey for a while now and I'm always impressed with the quality of his work. He has a vision that I envy. He can see the end result before he takes the photo and sticks to that vision no matter what. I admire that conviction.
Photographer name: Corey Teeple (digitaldad07)
1 ) How long have you been interested in photography?
Since 2004, 5 years. I took a vacation through the rockies with a point and shoot digital and went absolutely bananas.
2 ) What got you started in photography?
A long time passed since that vacation and I felt that I was stifling my creative urges. I was coming up to significant birthday and I asked my wife for a dslr so I could finally get serious about it.
3 ) Do you have any photographers who's work you admire? I tend to look at local people as inspiration. I really like the works of Carey Nash and Curtis Comeau.
4 ) What inspires you to make photographs?
I am not sure its narcissism or truth. I pay attention to details or angles that the world seems to pass by unnoticed.
5 ) Do you have a specific style that you like to shoot? Such as portraits, fine art, photojournalism etc.
It would seem I have a knack for lifestyle portraiture. Candid work. Definitely outdoor work.
6 ) What is your favorite photographic subject?
It’s a toss up, child photography or still life.
7 ) What gear do you shoot with?
I have a modest collection of gear. I use a Canon T1i, a Canon 18 – 55mm IS f/3.5-f/5.6 lens, a Canon 70-300mm IS USM f/4.0-5.6 telephoto, and finally a Canon 50mm f/1.8 II prime lens for low light and portraiture. I house all this is in a Tamrac notebook/camera backpack. Its probably 30 lbs loaded.
8 ) What is your favorite lens?
I have to say at this point the 50mm prime. I think there are more possibilities with the zoom lenses, but the prime really grabs the subject and has provided me a number of very high impact photos.
9 ) Do you shoot in Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or Manual?
I typically shoot Av mode. I will be migrating to full manual by spring.
10 ) Where do you see your photography in 10 years?
I see myself with an impressive portfolio with a continual improvement in my out-of-camera and post production skills. I hope to be photographing full time from Spring to late fall.
11 ) Do you have a tip for our readers?
If people comment that your zeal for your work borders on obsessive, your effort level is almost there.
12 )Do you have a favorite photo of yours that you would like to share with us?
I recently took a silhouette shot on the bank of the North Saskatchewan just after sunset. Every time I close my I eyes I see the clouds open to allow the remaining sunlight to backlight the cityscape.
Photographer name: Corey Teeple (digitaldad07)
1 ) How long have you been interested in photography?
Since 2004, 5 years. I took a vacation through the rockies with a point and shoot digital and went absolutely bananas.
2 ) What got you started in photography?
A long time passed since that vacation and I felt that I was stifling my creative urges. I was coming up to significant birthday and I asked my wife for a dslr so I could finally get serious about it.
3 ) Do you have any photographers who's work you admire? I tend to look at local people as inspiration. I really like the works of Carey Nash and Curtis Comeau.
4 ) What inspires you to make photographs?
I am not sure its narcissism or truth. I pay attention to details or angles that the world seems to pass by unnoticed.
5 ) Do you have a specific style that you like to shoot? Such as portraits, fine art, photojournalism etc.
It would seem I have a knack for lifestyle portraiture. Candid work. Definitely outdoor work.
6 ) What is your favorite photographic subject?
It’s a toss up, child photography or still life.
7 ) What gear do you shoot with?
I have a modest collection of gear. I use a Canon T1i, a Canon 18 – 55mm IS f/3.5-f/5.6 lens, a Canon 70-300mm IS USM f/4.0-5.6 telephoto, and finally a Canon 50mm f/1.8 II prime lens for low light and portraiture. I house all this is in a Tamrac notebook/camera backpack. Its probably 30 lbs loaded.
8 ) What is your favorite lens?
I have to say at this point the 50mm prime. I think there are more possibilities with the zoom lenses, but the prime really grabs the subject and has provided me a number of very high impact photos.
9 ) Do you shoot in Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or Manual?
I typically shoot Av mode. I will be migrating to full manual by spring.
10 ) Where do you see your photography in 10 years?
I see myself with an impressive portfolio with a continual improvement in my out-of-camera and post production skills. I hope to be photographing full time from Spring to late fall.
11 ) Do you have a tip for our readers?
If people comment that your zeal for your work borders on obsessive, your effort level is almost there.
12 )Do you have a favorite photo of yours that you would like to share with us?
I recently took a silhouette shot on the bank of the North Saskatchewan just after sunset. Every time I close my I eyes I see the clouds open to allow the remaining sunlight to backlight the cityscape.
Thank you very much Corey. Great stuff. So nice to see someone as obsessed, I mean focused ( no pun intended ) on photography. I recommend that everyone check out Corey's Flickr stream and check out his blog at CSquared Imaging. Some really nice work there.
Photo Of The Day - 279 of 365. Too Soon?
Wednesday October 7 2009.
Too soon?!
Too soon?!
Canon 50D, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, ISO 400, f/5.6 for 1/15 sec.
Yet Another Photo Makes It To ADIDAP’s Flickr Round!!
I am on a roll. This one made it for the July 19th pick on the the All Day I Dream About Photograpy (adidap.com) group. This is starting to go to my head. LOL.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Road Trip Video - 2009 Alberta Ride For Sight.
I know, I know, this is a photography blog. Honest this is relevant in a way.
I did some photography for the 2009 Alberta Ride For Sight this past summer. My son came along for the ride and we did a bunch of videos on the way there and back. I finally got to it and put together a silly video of our adventure. I hope you enjoy it but keep in mind, I'm a photographer not a videographer. I have minimal skills with video post production as well. But it was a very fun day.
Chris.
I did some photography for the 2009 Alberta Ride For Sight this past summer. My son came along for the ride and we did a bunch of videos on the way there and back. I finally got to it and put together a silly video of our adventure. I hope you enjoy it but keep in mind, I'm a photographer not a videographer. I have minimal skills with video post production as well. But it was a very fun day.
Chris.
Joe McNally - Just Another Funny Guy.
Have you ever noticed that we tend to idolize the photographers we admire? I do it with several. That's why I was so happy to come across this blooper video of Joe McNally and Bob Krist. It sure it nice to see that they are just a couple of fun guys enjoying what they do.
Chris.
Chris.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 278 of 365. Rain Drop Reflectance.
Tuesday October 6 2009.
As I watched the rain hitting my office window today I noticed my reflection looked all ghosty in the middle of the frame. That's me, the dark area between the orange blob on the left and the white blob on the right. Spooky.
As I watched the rain hitting my office window today I noticed my reflection looked all ghosty in the middle of the frame. That's me, the dark area between the orange blob on the left and the white blob on the right. Spooky.
Canon 50D, EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, ISO 400, f/5 for 1/125 sec.
Photo Of The Day - 277 of 365. Happy Anniversary.
Monday October 5 2009.
7 years ago I married my soul mate. Happy anniversary Honey, I love you.
7 years ago I married my soul mate. Happy anniversary Honey, I love you.
Canon 50D, EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, ISO 400, f/4 for 1/40 sec.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Another Photo Makes It To ADIDAP's Flickr Round
I post photos to several groups on Flickr. One of those is the All Day I Dream About Photograpy (adidap.com) group. I have a second photo featured in the Flickr Round. Woo Hoo! Makes me feel good. Here is the post. Here is the photo. It made #10 but I'm not sure if they are rated. Probably not.
Plastic Fantastic. Gotta Love It.
My 50mm f/1.8. I love this lens. Anyone who has one must agree with me on this. At first I was a little dissapointed with the results I was getting. Not consistent with the focus. Turned out to be my 50D's autofocus. I did a little micro adjusting and things are great now. I won't live with the lens on my camera but I sure have a new found respect for this inexpensive little lens.
Here are a few of my favorites from the last couple of weeks.
Chris.
Here are a few of my favorites from the last couple of weeks.
Chris.
Photo Of The Day - 275 of 365. Portrait Session.
Saturday October 3 2009.
I did a portrait session for some friends of mine today. I haven't worked on them much yet but I really like this shot.
I did a portrait session for some friends of mine today. I haven't worked on them much yet but I really like this shot.
Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 400, f/2.8 for 1/50 sec.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Photo Of The Day - 274 of 365. Sanitizer Reflection.
Friday October 2 2009.
That time of year is here again. Good Ol' flu season.
That time of year is here again. Good Ol' flu season.
Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 100, f/1.8 for 1/50 sec.
Work Flow.
Recently, I was asked by my friend Corey Teeple about my work flow and how deciding to convert to DNG would affect that work flow. I gave some hard thought to my work flow. Basically after the shoot it goes like this.
That's pretty much how I roll. Deciding to convert to DNG allows me to have the development information embedded in the file so I won't loose it. Other than slowing the import a bit, I don't think it will affect my work flow at all. I will sometimes try something new maybe do some black and white conversions but not much. I just love the vibrant color.
I would love to hear how others go about thier work flow. Leave me a comment and lets compare.
Follow me on Twitter.
Chris.
- I import to Lightroom via a card reader. It's faster than connecting the camera to the computer. I used to import to a folder for each date but over the last couple of years I found that to be a nightmare for archiving. Lightroom has such great filtering tools that I just don't need to break them down that far. I import them into a general import folder then every month I back those up to dvds and move the photos to a yearly folder using Lightroom. I have a couple of presets that I use during import that give me a general starting point for my editing and add some basic data into the exif.
- In the library module I now go through the shoot and select the photos that will get further consideration using a simple flagged/not flagged system. I add my keywords even to the ones I'm not flagging. Then I filter for just the flagged photos. Some photographers will delete the ones they did not flag to save room but I keep them. You never know when an out of focus photo will work well with a new creative filter in photoshop that has not come out yet. I keep them just in case. Besides, disc space is cheap these days.
- Now I move on to the develop module for some basic editing. I check the white balance, exposure, sharpness, crop on all the photos just to make sure they are the way I like them or what the client likes. Then I'll dive into some curves adjustments, HSL adjustments, maybe some contrast or just some black level adjustment. I don't do a whole lot of post processing on the majority of my photos. I like the natural look to them having a film background and being at the mercy of the developers has caused that I think. But sometimes I just see the need for some work in photoshop and for that I use Photoshop Elements. It has the majority of the tools that I would ever need.
- Now I will go through the flagged photos and give them a rating a 3 or a 5 depending on how much I like it. I usually only give the 5s to the client but I'll work on the 3s a little more and see if I can jump it up to a 5.
- If the photo is noisy, I'll send it out to Noiseninja as a TIFF for some work there. Love that program by the way.
- I've been playing with an evaluation copy of Imagenomic Portraiture. All I can say is WOW! Even I looked good after that program. LOL.
- After bringing the TIFF back into Lightroom I'll either export it out as a high res JPG or upload it to Flickr. If I put them on Flickr for a client to review, I create a set just for them and make all the photos private. I send them a guest pass to the set for them to look at. I am looking at using possibly Smug Mug as a back end in the future.
- Occasionaly I do some prints which I send to London Drugs of all places here in Edmonton. The store I use does a great job and they are very consistent. Pricing is great too.
That's pretty much how I roll. Deciding to convert to DNG allows me to have the development information embedded in the file so I won't loose it. Other than slowing the import a bit, I don't think it will affect my work flow at all. I will sometimes try something new maybe do some black and white conversions but not much. I just love the vibrant color.
I would love to hear how others go about thier work flow. Leave me a comment and lets compare.
Follow me on Twitter.
Chris.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Budding Photographer Interview - Val K (Tacogal on Flickr)
When I look through the photos Val shares on Flickr, I see such vivid color and fun shots. I'd call her style photojournalistic in nature but that just scratches the surface. Her floral photos are stunning.
Photographer name: Val K aka Tacogal
1 ) How long have you been interested in photography?
Three years ago I got my first DSLR and was hooked. Prior to that I used a Pentax SLR starting back in the 70’s mostly slides. At that time we were living in Northern Manitoba and all our film was sent to Winnipeg for developing and that usually took 2 weeks. Wow how life has changed.
2 ) What got you started in photography?
As a child my family hardly ever took photos, so when I married and started my own family I vowed that there would be lots of photos. Of course living in Northern Manitoba for 5 yrs we took a lot of photos of nature as the country was just so beautiful. From those early days we have 1000’s of slides which we have begun to scan and transfer to cd’s.When we started our family the camera was always at hand. To this day I am always the person at every function that is busy clicking photos.
3 ) Do you have any photographers who's work you admire?
No one person in particular however since joining Flickr I certainly have enjoyed several members work especially in our FOTD group. I have read almost every Scott Kelby book and have learned so much about post processing from his books.
4 ) What inspires you to make photographs?
As the seasons change I find my inspiration also changes. Fortunately living on the west coast I can usually be outdoors comfortably in all four season. However I do find in the winter months my photography does move indoors more.
5 ) Do you have a specific style that you like to shoot? Such as portraits, fine art, photojournalism etc.
I am not sure that I have a specific style yet if I had to pick one it would probably be photojournalism.
6 ) What is your favorite photographic subject?
I love the outdoors and nature photography. My garden and flowers give me an endless source of photo opportunities which I really enjoy.
7 ) What gear do you shoot with?
Three years ago I was given my Canon Rebel XTi for Christmas. The two kit lens that came with the camera have been used very little as I purchased the Sigma DC 18-200 and primarily use that. My “Purse” camera that goes absolutely everywhere with me is the Canon G10 which I absolutely love!!
8 ) What is your favorite lens?
Sigma DC 18-200 and am dreaming of a macro lens!!
9 ) Do you shoot in Apeture Priority, Shutter Priority or Manual?
Primarily I shoot in Apeture however I am trying to become more comfortable with my Manual settings.
10 ) Where do you see your photography in 10 years?
I am a total hobbyist and have no aspiration to go pro. However I aspire to achieve more professional results to share with my friends and family. I would like to take some photography classes to further challenge my skills.
11 ) Do you have a tip for our readers?
Always have a camera with you, even it is a basic point and shoot. Take lots and lots of photos! Also read as much as you can about taking better photos. There is so much free information on the internet and all we have to do is read, listen and watch.
12 )Do you have a favorite photo of yours that you would like to share with us?
This photo of the marina in Sidney, BC from the deck of wonderful restaurant that we often dine at.
Photographer name: Val K aka Tacogal
1 ) How long have you been interested in photography?
Three years ago I got my first DSLR and was hooked. Prior to that I used a Pentax SLR starting back in the 70’s mostly slides. At that time we were living in Northern Manitoba and all our film was sent to Winnipeg for developing and that usually took 2 weeks. Wow how life has changed.
2 ) What got you started in photography?
As a child my family hardly ever took photos, so when I married and started my own family I vowed that there would be lots of photos. Of course living in Northern Manitoba for 5 yrs we took a lot of photos of nature as the country was just so beautiful. From those early days we have 1000’s of slides which we have begun to scan and transfer to cd’s.When we started our family the camera was always at hand. To this day I am always the person at every function that is busy clicking photos.
3 ) Do you have any photographers who's work you admire?
No one person in particular however since joining Flickr I certainly have enjoyed several members work especially in our FOTD group. I have read almost every Scott Kelby book and have learned so much about post processing from his books.
4 ) What inspires you to make photographs?
As the seasons change I find my inspiration also changes. Fortunately living on the west coast I can usually be outdoors comfortably in all four season. However I do find in the winter months my photography does move indoors more.
5 ) Do you have a specific style that you like to shoot? Such as portraits, fine art, photojournalism etc.
I am not sure that I have a specific style yet if I had to pick one it would probably be photojournalism.
6 ) What is your favorite photographic subject?
I love the outdoors and nature photography. My garden and flowers give me an endless source of photo opportunities which I really enjoy.
7 ) What gear do you shoot with?
Three years ago I was given my Canon Rebel XTi for Christmas. The two kit lens that came with the camera have been used very little as I purchased the Sigma DC 18-200 and primarily use that. My “Purse” camera that goes absolutely everywhere with me is the Canon G10 which I absolutely love!!
8 ) What is your favorite lens?
Sigma DC 18-200 and am dreaming of a macro lens!!
9 ) Do you shoot in Apeture Priority, Shutter Priority or Manual?
Primarily I shoot in Apeture however I am trying to become more comfortable with my Manual settings.
10 ) Where do you see your photography in 10 years?
I am a total hobbyist and have no aspiration to go pro. However I aspire to achieve more professional results to share with my friends and family. I would like to take some photography classes to further challenge my skills.
11 ) Do you have a tip for our readers?
Always have a camera with you, even it is a basic point and shoot. Take lots and lots of photos! Also read as much as you can about taking better photos. There is so much free information on the internet and all we have to do is read, listen and watch.
12 )Do you have a favorite photo of yours that you would like to share with us?
This photo of the marina in Sidney, BC from the deck of wonderful restaurant that we often dine at.
Thank you very much Val for sharing your story with us. I encourage everyone to check out Val's photo stream. I'm sure you will find inspiration there.
Obsessed or Passionate?
I've been told I'm obsessed about photography. I call it passionate. It's been said I take photos of the dumbest things. OK, sometimes I have to agree with with that. But still, it's practice. The more photos I take the better I get. I wouldn't keep doing it if my skill didn't improve. I don't think a photo of a coffee cup on a urinal is stupid, it's art, well sort of.I'm sure I'm not the first one to do that. What would the world be if we didn't laugh at all these obserdities?What's my point.....I don't recall. I just had to find a way to post a photo of a coffee cup on a urinal. Gotcha.
Don't tell me that this photo didn't make you laugh or at least smile.
Chris.
To Convert To DNG or Not To Convert To DNG - That Was The Question.
Note I said was the question. I've decided to make the jump into the DNG file format instead of sticking with my proprietory RAW files.
Why? Well smaller files for one. Embeded develope settings for another. No more sidecar files to lose! Also, Adobe has opened the DNG format up to the world so it will live on. I've been watching to see what would happen with the DNG format for quite a while now and I'm happy to see it be opened up to the world.
If it's good enough for Scott Bourne, it's good enough for me.
Chris.
Why? Well smaller files for one. Embeded develope settings for another. No more sidecar files to lose! Also, Adobe has opened the DNG format up to the world so it will live on. I've been watching to see what would happen with the DNG format for quite a while now and I'm happy to see it be opened up to the world.
If it's good enough for Scott Bourne, it's good enough for me.
Chris.
Photo Of The Day - 273 of 365. Morning Frost.
Thursday October 1 2009. As I sat in my -4C truck waiting for the heat to warm the truck wishing I had thought about starting it sooner, I noticed the melting frost and the street lights shining in the water and ice. Put a smile on my face so early in the morning. Hence a photo of the day already!
Canon 50D, EF50mm f/1.8 II, ISO 800, f/1.8 for 1/8 sec.
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