The Creative Photography Thread - If It Ain't Bokeh, Don't Fix It
5,000 replies, posted
[QUOTE=Emz;28036987]I find Manual so darn confusing.[/QUOTE]
I'll go over some basics real quick. Your exposure is a balancing act of three parts. Manual mode is about balancing these variables without the camera's metering system helping you.
1. Shutter speed; this is how fast the shutter opens and then closes. The faster it is, the sharper the image. The longer, the more light you get - but your image will be less sharp due to movement.
2. ISO; this is how sensitive the film/sensor is. Too much of it means a noisy and grainy image, but the higher this is, the brighter your pictures will be. This allows for faster shutter speeds and sharper apertures, which brings me to the third variable...
3. Aperture; this is how big the 'hole' that lets light onto the sensor is. The bigger this is, the faster shutter speed, and lower ISO you can use. A big aperture means a softer image, but a smaller one means you need to boost you ISO and/or turn down your shutter speed.
You'll get the hang of it, just experiment.
I think that my main issue is I tend to ignore ISO when I try and use the manual settings I guess I am a tad impatient sometimes and get flustered. I get shutter speed and that I need to balance aperture like you said they must all balance like 3 parts but aperture sometimes confuses me a little as silly as that sounds. I think I am half way there on it. Like all I can really remember is that it also affects DOF, such as for landscape stuff I read in a magazine to use a big aperture to keep all of the scene in focus more?
Also shutter-speed is measured in seconds. It's also measured in fractions of a second. So for example a shutterspeed of 100 is actually 1/100 seconds. Similarly 1/2 is half a second.
Aperture is a bit counterintuitive because it is also a fraction. The larger the number, the smaller the opening of the lens. So an aperture of 5.6 is actually 1/5.6. The opening in the lens is actually wider as the number get smaller (so for example 1.8 is wider than 5.6). Once you actually get the nuance of that down it's super simple though. I just know I had a hard time wrapping my head around it when I first started.
[editline]13th February 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=Emz;28038323]I think that my main issue is I tend to ignore ISO when I try and use the manual settings I guess I am a tad impatient sometimes and get flustered. I get shutter speed and that I need to balance aperture like you said they must all balance like 3 parts but aperture sometimes confuses me a little as silly as that sounds. I think I am half way there on it. Like all I can really remember is that it also affects DOF, such as for landscape stuff I read in a magazine to use a big aperture to keep all of the scene in focus more?[/QUOTE]
Well your camera should have a light meter in the viewfinder. It's not always perfect, especially when you have high contrasts of shade and light, but for the most-part in the beginning if you stick to that you should be able to adjust your settings accordingly.
[QUOTE=Emz;28038323]for landscape stuff I read in a magazine to use a big aperture to keep all of the scene in focus more?[/QUOTE]
A bigger number, yes. You'd want a smaller aperture if you want everything in focus.
For my personal shooting style (portraits), I usually shoot wide open (biggest aperture) and just worry about shutter speed and ISO. When I'm ultra lazy I'll put it in Av mode and set the aperture and ISO - letting the camera decide shutter speed.
[QUOTE=Edthefirst;28038345]Aperture is a bit counterintuitive because it is also a fraction. The larger the number, the smaller the opening of the lens.[/quote]I didn't realise it was a fraction, thanks.
[QUOTE=Edthefirst;28038345]So an aperture of 5.6 is actually 1/5.6. The opening in the lens is actually wider as the number get smaller (so for example 1.8 is wider than 5.6).[/QUOTE]
:psyduck:
So how does the aperture being narrow or wide effect the clarity of the image - this I think is my biggest hurdle in what is making me get so confused as I use my camera. I have looked at numerous sources online but I am quite a slow learner and it just makes me go in circles.
Edit:
[QUOTE=bopie;28038407]A bigger number, yes. You'd want a smaller aperture if you want everything in focus.
For my personal shooting style (portraits), I usually shoot wide open (biggest aperture) and just worry about shutter speed and ISO. When I'm ultra lazy I'll put it in Av mode and set the aperture and ISO - letting the camera decide shutter speed.[/QUOTE]
That was useful for me, thank you.
Have a look at [url=http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/depth-of-field.htm]this.[/url] It should answer some of your more technical questions.
Just remember that a physically smaller aperture = more in focus.
[QUOTE=Edthefirst;28038345]Well your camera should have a light meter in the viewfinder. It's not always perfect, especially when you have high contrasts of shade and light, but for the most-part in the beginning if you stick to that you should be able to adjust your settings accordingly.[/QUOTE]
I'll confess with my glasses I am quite lazy and struggle to see through it as they then just go against my face and hurt. If I take them off I always lose them and I am too poor to keep re-buying glasses (and too much of a coward for contacts.) It's a bad excuse I know and I need to get over taking my glasses on and off often whilst using my camera I guess.
[QUOTE=bopie;28038454]Have a look at [url=http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/depth-of-field.htm]this.[/url] It should answer some of your more technical questions.
Just remember that a physically smaller aperture = more in focus.[/QUOTE]
Physically smaller being a "bigger number" aperture right? I think I got it - I also started reading the article, thank you.
This is all really helpful, so thanks to you guys for being so great. :h:
Visted the Salton Sea today
Landscapes:
[Media]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15602099/IMG_2725.JPG[/Media]
[Media]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15602099/IMG_2746.JPG[/Media]
[Media]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15602099/IMG_2729.JPG[/Media]
Ducks And Birds:
[Media]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15602099/IMG_2741.JPG[/Media]
[Media]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15602099/IMG_2753.JPG[/Media]
[Media]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15602099/IMG_2740.JPG[/Media]
[Media]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15602099/IMG_2756.JPG[/Media]
Dead fishes:
[Media]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15602099/IMG_2726.JPG[/Media]
[Media]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15602099/IMG_2727.JPG[/Media]
[Media]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15602099/IMG_2739.JPG[/Media]
[Media]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15602099/IMG_2754.JPG[/Media]
forgot one
[Media]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15602099/IMG_2732.JPG[/Media]
Those images are way too large - 4000 wide is like 3 times wider than my screen. :ohdear:
[QUOTE=Emz;28038713]Those images are way too large - 4000 wide is like 3 times wider than my screen. :ohdear:[/QUOTE]
sorry, just take the link and copy to a new window, ill resize them.
Yeah I did but it still made scrolling afterwards confusing. No matter, I do like the one legged seagull image though.
[QUOTE=Emz;28038577]I'll confess with my glasses I am quite lazy and struggle to see through it as they then just go against my face and hurt. If I take them off I always lose them and I am too poor to keep re-buying glasses (and too much of a coward for contacts.) It's a bad excuse I know and I need to get over taking my glasses on and off often whilst using my camera I guess.[/QUOTE]
Having been in the same situation as you are I can safely say I haven't regretted contacts one bit. I was also scared of having to stick my fingers in my eyes, but trust me it's not a big deal at all. They (your eye doctor) teaches you how to put them on and take them off when you first get them. After putting them on once or twice you instantly lose that stigma of sticking your fingers near your eyes. Once you actually get used to wearing contacts you'll never want to go back to wearing glasses full-time ever again. It's just a matter of overcoming that initial fear and going against your, "don't stick shit in my eye" instinct.
Any one wanna help me for a sec, anyway I can resize without losing quality?
imageshack is pretty good about it
or get a flickr
I was going to try and take some good photos for my 200th post, but i guess this will do.
[IMG]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/5442566647_c833566110_z.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5443165054_f0b81d5ff5_z.jpg[/IMG]
[QUOTE=Emz;28038577]Physically smaller being a "bigger number" aperture right? I think I got it - I also started reading the article, thank you.[/QUOTE]
well, the number is smaller too, e.g. f/16 is smaller than f/2.8
f/[number] means literally, f, the focal length of your lens, divided by that number.
so say for a 50 mm lens, the actual, physical size of the aperture at f/2.8 is 17.9 mm and at f/16 is 3 mm
[editline]14th February 2011[/editline]
i hope that makes sense
[QUOTE=bopie;28040723]202/365
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveotto/5443955956/][img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5443955956_6a2bc1ac1e_z.jpg[/img_thumb][/url][/QUOTE]
That right there is pretty friggin' cute.
Out of 112 photos today. This one is the only one I am truly proud of.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/bohanpang/5443397221/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5443397221_9cabdb5a70.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/bohanpang/5443397221/]Baby![/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/bohanpang/]Bohan Pang[/url], on Flickr
Straight off the camera! *thumbs up*
[QUOTE=karlhungus;28040612][media]asdf[/media][/QUOTE]
Oh my god, fucking compwhizii needs to fix those autoplaying.
[QUOTE=bopie;28040723]202/365
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveotto/5443955956/][img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5443955956_6a2bc1ac1e_z.jpg[/img_thumb][/url][/QUOTE]
Love it.
[QUOTE=bopie;28040723]202/365
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveotto/5443955956/][img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5443955956_6a2bc1ac1e_z.jpg[/img_thumb][/url][/QUOTE]
This is great.
[QUOTE=bopie;28040723]202/365
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveotto/5443955956/][img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5443955956_6a2bc1ac1e_z.jpg[/img_thumb][/url][/QUOTE]
what an oddly interesting picture
I hope no one's quoted this yet
[QUOTE=karlhungus;28040612][media]http://vimeo.com/19906571[/media][/QUOTE]
Wow, I totally lost it when your friend started jumping.
[QUOTE=bopie;28040723]202/365
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveotto/5443955956/][img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5443955956_6a2bc1ac1e_z.jpg[/img_thumb][/url][/QUOTE]
Look, I'm quoting your picture, hurr durr.
On a serious note, it's really great. I can't put my finger on what exactly makes it so interesting, and that annoys me. Have an artistic.
It's so bright and sunny today. Played with angle and shit.
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/VukFP.png[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/yWuPC.png[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/hfqKl.png[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/1aDaD.png[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/wOv0e.png[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Fx9Zc.png[/IMG]
in the words of jaanus, up close and personal
Being banned for a week I've been unbelievably anxious to show you guys these photos I got from my last roll of film, I love them!
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/sameiru/5427618328/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5427618328_460741d82e_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/sameiru/5427618328/]Blue[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/sameiru/]Sam Haberman[/url], on Flickr
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/sameiru/5427616756/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5427616756_223d780e0b_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/sameiru/5427616756/]Flowers[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/sameiru/]Sam Haberman[/url], on Flickr
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/sameiru/5427614420/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5427614420_838a45e8b8_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/sameiru/5427614420/]Agapanthus[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/sameiru/]Sam Haberman[/url], on Flickr
There's a bunch of other ones on my Flickr as well :)
[QUOTE=The Salmon;28047130]Being banned for a week I've been unbelievably anxious to show you guys these photos I got from my last roll of film, I love them!
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/sameiru/5427618328/][img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5427618328_460741d82e_z.jpg[/img_thumb][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/sameiru/5427618328/]Blue[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/sameiru/]Sam Haberman[/url], on Flickr
[/QUOTE]
This one is quite nice. I like most bubble photos though for some reason. :h:
[QUOTE=duckboy38;28039145]I was going to try and take some good photos for my 200th post, but i guess this will do.
[img_thumb]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/5442566647_c833566110_z.jpg[/img_thumb]
[img_thumb]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5443165054_f0b81d5ff5_z.jpg[/img_thumb][/QUOTE]
I like the first though it would be really cool as a close up macro shot to show all the ants. The second is just some leaves really and I personally would have focused on the leaves in the foreground or got as many in focus as possible. I think there is too much blur going on around the middle of the image and it spoils it a little. Just my opinion though.
[QUOTE=Edthefirst;28038895]Having been in the same situation as you are I can safely say I haven't regretted contacts one bit. I was also scared of having to stick my fingers in my eyes, but trust me it's not a big deal at all. They (your eye doctor) teaches you how to put them on and take them off when you first get them. After putting them on once or twice you instantly lose that stigma of sticking your fingers near your eyes. Once you actually get used to wearing contacts you'll never want to go back to wearing glasses full-time ever again. It's just a matter of overcoming that initial fear and going against your, "don't stick shit in my eye" instinct.[/QUOTE]
Yeah a few people I know all said that but I guess I've become really dependant on my glasses being apart of my face. If I get this job tomorrow then I may consider contacts as the amount of time I clean my glasses a day is just ridiculous.
[QUOTE=bopie;28040723]202/365
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveotto/5443955956/][img_thumb]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5443955956_6a2bc1ac1e_z.jpg[/img_thumb][/url][/QUOTE]
I wish my rabbits or degus stayed that still.What do you use for light by the way or does your house not have crap lighting like mine does? :v:
[QUOTE=Uber|nooB;28039275]well, the number is smaller too, e.g. f/16 is smaller than f/2.8
f/[number] means literally, f, the focal length of your lens, divided by that number.
so say for a 50 mm lens, the actual, physical size of the aperture at f/2.8 is 17.9 mm and at f/16 is 3 mm
[editline]14th February 2011[/editline]
i hope that makes sense[/QUOTE]
It does, thanks.
[QUOTE=Nonikai;28046943][img_thumb]http://i.imgur.com/yWuPC.png[/img_thumb]
[/QUOTE]
I like low angles but it needs to be done so it just doesn't look like "I placed my camera on the floor" if you get me? Perhaps cropping the image afterwards I'm not sure - composition isn't something I am exactly good at yet. :v:
bopie has a 580ex II
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