Photography 3

[Bs]

Going on a £90 day trip to Mt Fuji tomorrow. Weather forecast is mixed. Wish me luck!

[matthijs]

Say hi to Mr. Fuji from me

[Bs]

I will, haha! I can see it now, haha! "I went to see Mr Fuji and all I got was this stupid mountain!"

 

I'm just really hoping I get some clear views of it. Some of the pictures from where I'm going to be look stunning and I really want to get some of my own. The weather's really unpredictable right now though, so I just kind of have to hope for the best!

[Alec Ferris]

A shot I got a couple of months back whilst kayak surfing at Ynyslas Beach. I only use a little Kodak playsport, so the quality isn't great, but I'm happy with how this came out:

 

Haven't got many photos lately, as I've been mostly using my GoPro lately and haven't paddled anything that big this semester.

[matthijs]

Thinking about selling my 70-200 2.8 IS, not sure if there's any takers here?

[Bs]

Anyone got any tips on nighttime handheld shooting (ie, without a tripod) - I tend to just try and cut the shutter speed down as much as possible, which is the only solution to try and avoid vibrations and keep it hopefully in focus, but obviously the outcome is usually pretty dark, so I have to work with it on post processing a bit if it's good enough from that. Met someone tonight though who was taking photos with a shutter speed no different from daytime and the shots were coming out perfect, like well lit versions of what I was actually seeing. To be fair his camera was a lot more expensive looking than mine, but mine's still decent and I could never get something like that. He said it was just by working with the aperture setting, but that definitely doesn't work like that for me, like I say, cutting shutter speed is the only option I've found. Is there something I'm missing, or is it just the difference in camera quality? Mine's a kind of intermediate level Nikon D5100, and I think his was a very professional looking Canon of some sort. Just don't know if there's some settings tips I'm missing for nighttime stuff. I can't be bothered carrying a tripod around with me everywhere but when it's dark it's a bit of a challenge trying to get the shots I want obviously, so it's a bit hit and miss on results.

[adds]

I tried a bit of handheld night shooting with my D5100 a while back and the end result is a mix of a few things:

1) the lens, using a lens with a wide max aperture (2.8 or below, ideally even 1.8 or below) will help a lot, what lens were you using? when i was doing it i was only using the kit lens so the widest i could go was 3.5-5.6 which leaves shots quite soft and still doesn't allow in that much light compared to a 1.8 prime. try to shoot at the widest aperture you can.

2) ISO, probably second most important after the lens and unfortunately where the difference in the quality of the body shows. taking a look at the shots I took i was shooting at ISO 4000 which gave good-usable results, but a higher end body will be able to use a lower ISO and produce a similar or better exposure (especially when coupled with the wide aperture lens) and the lower the ISO, the less noise and generally better IQ you get.

3) shutter speed (even though it's 3rd it's still really important, as shutter speed controls ambient light), the general rule for the lowest you can go is to match your shutter speed to the focal length e.g. shooting at 35mm the lowest you can get a sharpish image should be about 1/35. I've found there's a lot of room here to go even slower in the hope of catching more ambient, just don't be shooting particularly fast moving things.

tl;dr try to use the exposure triangle (aperture, ISO, shutter speed) to get the most out of the shot. but good gear obviously gives an advantage.

check out Maciej Dakowicz's Cardiff after dark series for how it should be done. flickr also has the exif data for his shots so that's useful (although i think he used a 5d mkiii and fast lens)

 

Also, i got a call yesterday from my friend, she's starting a charity and needs headshots etc been wanting to do a shoot with her for aaages (she's absolutely stunning), she also likes Terry Richardson's stuff and I'd like to see if we can get some GQ style shots out of her. oh and she says she might bring her friend Gabby. who just happens to be Miss Wales.

Edited November 14, 2013 by adds

[Alec Ferris]

I got a fabulous Nikon in the end of September and named it Charlie. I have so much to learn still, basically I can just point at shoot. I wish I would've played more with my old film Nikon when I was a kid.

 

Last week's pictures:

 

That's a lovely photo

[matthijs]

Obviously take your highest aperture (so lowest number), check your ISO, shutter speed can usually be around 1/30, 1/20 if you're steady handed.

 

The real trick is the timer; pressing your shutter creates some vibrations. Put your self-timer at 2 seconds and you get rid of that shake.

[crazybobbles]

Anyone got any tips on nighttime handheld shooting (ie, without a tripod) - I tend to just try and cut the shutter speed down as much as possible, which is the only solution to try and avoid vibrations and keep it hopefully in focus, but obviously the outcome is usually pretty dark, so I have to work with it on post processing a bit if it's good enough from that. Met someone tonight though who was taking photos with a shutter speed no different from daytime and the shots were coming out perfect, like well lit versions of what I was actually seeing. To be fair his camera was a lot more expensive looking than mine, but mine's still decent and I could never get something like that. He said it was just by working with the aperture setting, but that definitely doesn't work like that for me, like I say, cutting shutter speed is the only option I've found. Is there something I'm missing, or is it just the difference in camera quality? Mine's a kind of intermediate level Nikon D5100, and I think his was a very professional looking Canon of some sort. Just don't know if there's some settings tips I'm missing for nighttime stuff. I can't be bothered carrying a tripod around with me everywhere but when it's dark it's a bit of a challenge trying to get the shots I want obviously, so it's a bit hit and miss on results.

 

So for landscape, you really need a tripod or something similar. The pro dude was probably rocking a 5d onwards which is amazing in low light.

 

When I was rocking the x100s I basically used my surroundings to act as a tripod. Be a bit creative with what you currently have. I might bring my monopod in the future, the foot of mine can transform into proper tripod feet for extra stability

[Bs]

Thanks for the tips, guys, I'll make a note of them and try and keep them in mind next time. I realised tonight that I'd forgotten about ISO completely - felt very stupid - that said, it's obviously not an all-encompassing solution. I do try and use surroundings to my advantage if there's anything I can rest the camera on but obviously if there's nothing at the right height, then you get a bit stuck, haha! I do have a proper heavy duty tripod at home, but because of its weight it's not really something I take out unless I know I'm going to use it extensively. Things like the self timer and changing individual settings are things I've always done with that, but I generally seem to try and avoid changing settings around too much when I'm on the go - maybe that's something I need to try working on more.

[crazybobbles]

Thanks for the tips, guys, I'll make a note of them and try and keep them in mind next time. I realised tonight that I'd forgotten about ISO completely - felt very stupid - that said, it's obviously not an all-encompassing solution. I do try and use surroundings to my advantage if there's anything I can rest the camera on but obviously if there's nothing at the right height, then you get a bit stuck, haha! I do have a proper heavy duty tripod at home, but because of its weight it's not really something I take out unless I know I'm going to use it extensively. Things like the self timer and changing individual settings are things I've always done with that, but I generally seem to try and avoid changing settings around too much when I'm on the go - maybe that's something I need to try working on more.

 

To be fair, ain't nobody got time for a full on heavy duty tripod. Get the light possible thing you can get away with

[naget4music]

Can anyone give me advice for purchasing cameras off ebay? I'm thinking a nikon j1 (but might get it after christmas). Other than making sure the seller has 100% positive feedback, I don't really know what else to do. I was also considering buying a used one because it's so much more affordable for me.

[Bs]

Thanks for the tips on night shooting, guys! Went out tonight and I think I got some really good ones (I'd got a few good ones before too but it was a lot harder not knowing how to set the camera up properly for it) - I've decided to just go full manual in the dark, and change ISO and shutter speed as I need to. Pretty happy with how it worked out I think. I'll go back to the place I was having problems in the next few days and try and get some improved shots, and obviously I'll remember it for future too.

 

I'll be honest and say that I do tend to use my kit lens the vast majority of the time - it's not perfect, but it does manage to cover a wide range of bases and get near enough the picture I want most of the time, even if the more specialised shots aren't going to come out as well obviously. Something of a 'jack of all trades, master of none', I suppose. I do have another lens, but being a telephoto lens, it tends to just get brought out for specific shots or when I need the extra zoom. If I don't think I'm going to need it for something specific though, I'll usually just take the kit lens - depends where I'm going and what I plan on doing, like the tripod. It usually gets left at home unless I know a picture I want is impossible without it. If I can get close enough, I won't bother.

[crazybobbles]

Thanks for the tips on night shooting, guys! Went out tonight and I think I got some really good ones (I'd got a few good ones before too but it was a lot harder not knowing how to set the camera up properly for it) - I've decided to just go full manual in the dark, and change ISO and shutter speed as I need to. Pretty happy with how it worked out I think. I'll go back to the place I was having problems in the next few days and try and get some improved shots, and obviously I'll remember it for future too.

 

I'll be honest and say that I do tend to use my kit lens the vast majority of the time - it's not perfect, but it does manage to cover a wide range of bases and get near enough the picture I want most of the time, even if the more specialised shots aren't going to come out as well obviously. Something of a 'jack of all trades, master of none', I suppose. I do have another lens, but being a telephoto lens, it tends to just get brought out for specific shots or when I need the extra zoom. If I don't think I'm going to need it for something specific though, I'll usually just take the kit lens - depends where I'm going and what I plan on doing, like the tripod. It usually gets left at home unless I know a picture I want is impossible without it. If I can get close enough, I won't bother.

 

I hardly rock a tripod. It's more for proper pro shots that you're dying to take. They're usually sports or nightlife and I'd prefer not to ruin the evening lugging one around. I did bring a monopod for fireworks for New Year's Eve but it was a bit unnecessary in the end.

 

If you're happy with the range and flexibility of a zoom lens then invest in a better zoom lens that isn't the kit. The lower aperture helps.

[matthijs]

If you're one for the kit lens, consider upgrading to a 17-55 2.8, you won't regret it. It's basically an L lens for crop frame.

[Bs]

That sounds like it might be an option - at the moment I've got -

 

18-55mm (kit lens) - covers a wide range of shots without specialising in any of them

55-300mm (telephoto lens) - a bit more specialised but definitely a bit better picture quality

 

If I could upgrade my 'general' lens to something that still covers all the bases but better quality, it's something I'd definitely consider, but I don't really know my options on that - I've only started thinking about this very recently though and I can't see it happening before I leave Japan at the very least - spending enough here as it is.

[crazybobbles]

That sounds like it might be an option - at the moment I've got -

 

18-55mm (kit lens) - covers a wide range of shots without specialising in any of them

55-300mm (telephoto lens) - a bit more specialised but definitely a bit better picture quality

 

If I could upgrade my 'general' lens to something that still covers all the bases but better quality, it's something I'd definitely consider, but I don't really know my options on that - I've only started thinking about this very recently though and I can't see it happening before I leave Japan at the very least - spending enough here as it is.

 

How much cheaper are lenses in japan?

[Bs]

Depends if I can find a good deal or not - prices aren't dissimilar to everywhere else I don't think, especially since the conversion rate isn't what it used to be, but if you guys can give me a few options, I know a few camera shops I can go and check them out.

 

Obviously I want it to fulfill the 'general use' bracket, so a bit of zoom, with a bit of wideangle option is obviously great, and if the image quality is going to be generally better, and I have a bit more flexibility with settings then perfect - I don't really want to break the bank though. I think I spent about £200 on my telephoto lens, I don't think I'd want to go any higher than that, preferably a bit lower. I'd need AF-S Nikkor I think, and if it's got a decent VR then that's a bonus - I've got a pretty steady hand, but it's nice to know it's there if I need it when I'm almost always shooting handheld. I don't know how much difference it makes but hey, haha!

[Liam]

Does anybody here shoot much video footage? My new job are looking to film at events (comic con stuff) and little segments in the office and we need a solid 1080p camera/camcorder. Just wondered if anyone had any recommendations. Not looking tooooo expensive, so under £200.

[El Zilcho]

Not an actual recommendation, but you should use a camcorder for filming to avoid the rolling shutter effect a photo camera will give you.

[matthijs]

Zoom Q3HD appears to be good, but I'm not a filmer...

[Bs]

Been shooting manual again pretty much all day today - so rewarding. I'm not sure why it's taken me until now to really find this out, but hey, it's definitely going to be a massive asset for the future.

[crazybobbles]

Been shooting manual again pretty much all day today - so rewarding. I'm not sure why it's taken me until now to really find this out, but hey, it's definitely going to be a massive asset for the future.

manual is definitely more rewarding in regards to getting the right amount of light coming in etc. not so good in the world of concert photography when light scenarios change so drastically auto iso feature is a GODSEND, means you can rock manual pretty much the whole time and let auto iso compensate for the light

[matthijs]

When taking snapshots rather than concert photos I nearly always use auto ISO.