The Creative Photography Thread - If It Ain't Bokeh, Don't Fix It

[nubscaper]

So today I marks my first foray into higher end photography. I'm beginning to shoot in RAW and import/minor edit in Lightroom.

Does anyone know of a decent battery grip which would work with a D3100?

[B-hazard]

[QUOTE=Pickwickian-;27777672]
*text*[/QUOTE]

Thanks :buddy:, wasn't expecting any praise considering I got my DSLR last Monday/using the kit lens.
Also is there any way I could improve my shots in general (particulary composure)?

[Funny]

[QUOTE=B-hazard;27778191]Thanks :buddy:, wasn't expecting any praise considering I got my DSLR last Monday/using the kit lens.
Also is there any way I could improve my shots in general (particulary composure)?[/QUOTE]

Stop downing the fucking kit lens :holy: haha it's really not that bad.

[editline]31st January 2011[/editline]

Logo'd up in this bitch.

[img]http://localhostr.com/files/4vYAQCG/capture.png[/img]

[B-hazard]

[QUOTE=Funny;27778223]Stop downing the fucking kit lens :holy: haha it's really not that bad.[/QUOTE]

Argh well it's just such a pain in the ass to use during dark/cloudy weather at the moment.

[LuaStoned]

[QUOTE=The-Stone;27775810][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/luastoned/5404717597/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5404717597_212cf35a19_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/luastoned/5404717597/]Gardening[/url] von [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/luastoned/]luastoned[/url] auf Flickr
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/luastoned/5405323804/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5405323804_26776c1fda_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/luastoned/5405323804/]Chicago Harbor Light[/url] von [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/luastoned/]luastoned[/url] auf Flickr
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/luastoned/5404715891/][img]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1424/5404715891_74e162a149_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/luastoned/5404715891/]Lake Michigan[/url] von [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/luastoned/]luastoned[/url] auf Flickr
[/QUOTE]

I don't really want to repost, but it kind of drowned in the last page. What do you think about them & what could I enhance?

[B-hazard]

1st one is a bit generic.
2nd one is great as I previously said.
3rd one doesn't give the subject much room to move, the subject should be to the right and there should be a bit more sky in order to follow the rule of thirds (doesn't always apply but I think it applies in this shot).
Also I don't like the two people in the background.

[Eltro102]

[QUOTE=Eltro102;27776254]Took some photos of some sky, very clichéd but I like them
[b]C&C is very appreciation[/b]
btw: how do I embed lightroom flash galleries in posts?
[img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5405354272_555d869d19_b.jpg[/img_thumb]
[img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5405353738_c41398ab7c_b.jpg[/img_thumb]
[img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5404731119_c731435ef7_b.jpg[/img_thumb]
[img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/5404729979_1745a39b99_b.jpg[/img_thumb]
[img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5405333456_d7d4e154f6_b.jpg[/img_thumb]
[img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5404727775_17aa908762_b.jpg[/img_thumb]
[img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5405332246_1f96e1d65f_b.jpg[/img_thumb]
if anyone (i.e. no one) wants the originals, they're not very big (less than 4000x4000)[/QUOTE]

hate reposting but I think I got drowned out >---|-(D:)

[Bek___]

Damn, I missed a lot.

[B-hazard]

[QUOTE=Eltro102;27778510]hate reposting but I think I got drowned out >---|-(D:)[/QUOTE]

Edit them in Lightbox or Photoshop in order to fix up the white-balance, exposure, colors, etc.
Also try not to do silly angles like in the 4th photo, and I also think rule of thirds once again would help here.

If you send me the originals (ASAP, I'm going to bed in 40 mins), I can quickly have a go at editing them for you.

[nubscaper]

[QUOTE=B-hazard;27778602]Edit them in Lightbox or Photoshop in order to fix up the white-balance, exposure, colors, etc.
Also try not to do silly angles like in the 4th photo, and I also think rule of thirds once again would help here.

If you send me the originals (ASAP, I'm going to bed in 40 mins), I can quickly have a go at editing them for you.[/QUOTE]

You mean lightroom?

[Bunticus]

I can't believe I only started using lightroom today.

[Eltro102]

[QUOTE=B-hazard;27778602]Edit them in Lightbox or Photoshop in order to fix up the white-balance, exposure, colors, etc.
Also try not to do silly angles like in the 4th photo, and I also think rule of thirds once again would help here.

If you send me the originals (ASAP, I'm going to bed in 40 mins), I can quickly have a go at editing them for you.[/QUOTE]

I'll try but gmail is being very ghey. Heres my photostream (pm if you want bigger ones)
[url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/57434916@N06/[/url]

also I did the first one over bright because it looks better

[Pickwickian]

[QUOTE=Eltro102;27778510]hate reposting but I think I got drowned out >---|-(D:)[/QUOTE]

It happens.
To everybody.
Don't keep quoting your work - it'll only annoy people.
If you don't get a reply, try changing tactics. Maybe just post one or two photos and explain what you like about them. Then people have something to work with, instead of being so flooded with images they can't be bothered to give some advice.

In respects to your images though - photographs of skies can get old very quickly. But I don't know a single photographer who didn't at one point shoot a lot of sunsets.
But hey, the evening sky is beautiful. And photography is all about capturing moments that mean something to you - and hopefully other people - so why not photograph them?

Just keep shooting. You'll begin to understand what makes a 'good photo' in time.
Just take my advice on board for next time and maybe you'll get some more constructive criticism - or even praise!

[Edthefirst]

[QUOTE=Pickwickian-;27777672]
Agreed. I only quickly glance at the avatar. When everyone's got similar looking ones I just get confused.
[/QUOTE]

Same here. It's why I only change my avatar after very long periods of time, but I always keep the same style (the head moving side to side, I think it's time for Jackie Chan to make an appearance though).

[Pickwickian]

[QUOTE=Barnhouse;27777833]Offtopic but did you get my PM? Sorry I'm kind of desperate :v:[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I did.
However, I'm pretty lazy about that sort of stuff.
I open a message, read it, then don't do anything about it.
If you really are desperate, keep sending me messages until I get so annoyed that I do what you asked haha!

[editline]1st February 2011[/editline]

[QUOTE=Edthefirst;27779022]Same here. It's why I only change my avatar after very long periods of time, but I always keep the same style (the head moving side to side, I think it's time for Jackie Chan to make an appearance though).[/QUOTE]

I've only ever had The Wiggles for my avatar.
Changed it to a gif. once I got Gold.

[Eltro102]

[QUOTE=Pickwickian-;27778990]It happens.
To everybody.
Don't keep quoting your work - it'll only annoy people.
If you don't get a reply, try changing tactics. Maybe just post one or two photos and explain what you like about them. Then people have something to work with, instead of being so flooded with images they can't be bothered to give some advice.

In respects to your images though - photographs of skies can get old very quickly. But I don't know a single photographer who didn't at one point shoot a lot of sunsets.
But hey, the evening sky is beautiful. And photography is all about capturing moments that mean something to you - and hopefully other people.

Just keep shooting. You'll begin to understand what makes a 'good photo' in time.
Just take my advice on board for next time and maybe you'll get some more constructive criticism - or even praise![/QUOTE]

Thanks :D <3 that response is very... poetic?

[mrcsb]

[QUOTE=Edthefirst;27776787]Not sure what camera he's rolling with, but on a bright sunny day I can pump up to 800 iso and have barely any noise, but then again the D90 handles noise like a champ.[/QUOTE]

yeah... a well-exposed ISO 800 pic should turn out fine on anything at least as good as a D40 or XS (not exactly a high bar to meet), with a bit of noise reduction (LR is great for that)

it's once you start shooting in the dark and/or having to boost is where things get ugly (but can still end up good quality thanks to Lightroom!)

[Edthefirst]

[QUOTE=Pickwickian-;27778990]Maybe just post one or two photos and explain what you like about them. Then people have something to work with, instead of being so flooded with images they can't be bothered to give some advice.[/QUOTE]

Oh god, this so much. Whenever I feel like discussing some images I feel as if I need to address all the photos in the set posted. It's usually why I'm so discouraged from providing feedback on a wall of images. Especially in this now relatively fast moving thread. It's much better for me to just critique 2-3 images and provide some solid feedback instead of having to make a quick comment about each image of a 10 image set.

[latirCole]

fourth/fiftytwo:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/latircoleetti/5399414304/]simple worshipping, light.[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/latircoleetti/]El Nino[/url], on Flickr
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/latircoleetti/5399414304/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5013/5399414304_cdac1bba3a.jpg[/img]

[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5398812389_1c5cc101c4.jpg[/img][/url]

[Edthefirst]

[QUOTE=mrcsb;27779082]yeah... a well-exposed ISO 800 pic should turn out fine on anything at least as good as a D40 or XS (not exactly a high bar to meet), with a bit of noise reduction (LR is great for that)

it's once you start shooting in the dark and/or having to boost is where things get ugly (but can still end up good quality thanks to Lightroom!)[/QUOTE]

Oh yeah definitely. I'm still really impressed with how well the D90 handles anything less than 800. Hell I'm not even bothered if I had to shoot at 640 all day. I used to think anything over 200 was ridiculously high, but the camera + Lightroom/PS can really make an 800 ISO shot look like it was shot at 100.

[codenamecueball]

[QUOTE=nubscaper;27778134]So today I marks my first foray into higher end photography. I'm beginning to shoot in RAW and import/minor edit in Lightroom.

Does anyone know of a decent battery grip which would work with a D3100?[/QUOTE]

you have to get a third party one and uzxse it as a wireless trigger cos nikon are stingy

[DoubleDD]

[QUOTE=Edthefirst;27779142]Oh yeah definitely. I'm still really impressed with how well the D90 handles anything less than 800. Hell I'm not even bothered if I had to shoot at 640 all day. I used to think anything over 200 was ridiculously high, but the camera + Lightroom/PS can really make an 800 ISO shot look like it was shot at 100.[/QUOTE]

In perspective though, the D90 isn't that great with high ISO. I took some pictures with my Canon 7D at ISO 6400, ran them through a bit of noise reduction and they still looked pretty good. Ofcourse this depends on the scene. Daylight shootings with high ISO number usually give better results than shooting in low-light situations.

When I got my Canon 7D, I was pretty dissapointed at it's high ISO performances. I was scared to go near ISO 1600. With programs like Photoshop and Lightroom though, you get more possibilities to push your ISO further and still get good pictures.

[Ronin]

Finally got a copy of lightroom, and I plan on taking photos again real soon so expect some nice things.

[Pickwickian]

I have something embarrassing to say...
I've never shot in RAW. I know all the pros for it, but it just goes over my head. I can't seem to bring up the courage to start.

I can barely edit my photographs and I have an aversion to anything on the computer side of photography.
It's something I really need to get over... Especially if I'm to advance.

To be honest, I need to be shown by somebody - not read it in a book, magazine or off the net.
Maybe I should enrol on a course or something... I don't know.
Any advice guys?

[editline]1st February 2011[/editline]

In other news, have some photographs:

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinquast/5405876590/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5405876590_c8edc8151e_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinquast/5405876590/]Olly Ascent[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/edwinquast/]edwin.quast[/url], on Flickr

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinquast/5405880210/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5405880210_a9a0245dd1_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwinquast/5405880210/]Olly Descent[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/edwinquast/]edwin.quast[/url], on Flickr

[B-hazard]

[QUOTE=Eltro102;27778981]I'll try but gmail is being very ghey. Heres my photostream (pm if you want bigger ones)
[url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/57434916@N06/[/url]

also I did the first one over bright because it looks better[/QUOTE]

Afraid I couldn't do much to your shots due to the flickr quality, but I'm sure you could get good results using the full sized image:
[img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/5404731119_c731435ef7_b_1.JPG[/img]
[img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/5405353738_c41398ab7c_b_1.JPG[/img]
[img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/5405354272_555d869d19_b_1.JPG[/img]

Just to show how far a bit of editing to go, heres the originals of these two shots:
[img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/IMG_6926.JPG[/img]
[img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/IMG_7061.JPG[/img]

And heres the edited:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/58669118@N02/5398268013/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5398268013_4e20108e86_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/58669118@N02/5398268013/]IMG_6926[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/58669118@N02/]Isaac Brownbridge[/url], on Flickr

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/58669118@N02/5398266189/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5398266189_9c7997ffa8_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/58669118@N02/5398266189/]IMG_7061[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/58669118@N02/]Isaac Brownbridge[/url], on Flickr

Can easily fix the woes of a very cloudy day/shots taken when getting dark, all it takes is a few mins of messing with sliders in photoshop/lightroom.

[Jaanus]

I just can't be arsed to shoot in raw. Each 21mpix shot on the 5D mark II is like fucking 45mb. Even the jpgs are like 8.5mb

[B-hazard]

Considering you had enough money to buy a 5D can't you afford to have multiple large capacity SD cards?

[Funny]

[QUOTE=Jaanus;27779797]I just can't be arsed to shoot in raw. Each 21mpix shot on the 5D mark II is like fucking 45mb. Even the jpgs are like 8.5mb[/QUOTE]

Get an HDD photo bank.

[Nonikai]

Have some night shots, just experimenting here really:

[IMG]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1740292/Night/P1311686.JPG[/IMG]

[IMG]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1740292/Night/P1311687.JPG[/IMG]

[IMG]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1740292/Night/P1311690.JPG[/IMG]

[IMG]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1740292/Night/P1311695.JPG[/IMG]

[IMG]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1740292/Night/P1311698.JPG[/IMG]

[Bek___]

Still the white balance problem.

Do you have any post editing software? Because it's hard to achieve the right white balance at night