Why not a Blog 5

[stmv]

well, blog 4 is not complete,, once they get to a certain lenght, they become a pain to scroll down.

I really enjoyed instructing at an all day class/photo shoot starting at sunrise. We all got into position, and caught the rising sun.

I am fascinated at the shortness of the window of when the sun first crest the edge, to being almost too high and bright. It came to around a minute. Every 20 seconds and the sun had moved signifcantly. Even second to second effected the shot.

So, you have to be prepared, ready, and then shoot with minimum change up in exposure between each shot, or the day will pass you right by.

 

[stmv]

using a stature as part of a story, can be quite effective. It depends on how static the image is,, does it work as a compelling photo. Often with statues the answer is no.

and then there are the ART that invites interaction with the viewers such as the Monroe statue that was in Chicago, some of the people/Monroe shots I saw were priceless. And of course there are the modern peices that are almost incomplete without the inclusion of their surroundings in which of course the camera is the perfect medium.

If an artwork is over (depending on the country), a certain age, then the work becomes public property for reproduction. You can go make a beautiful version of say Dickins novel and sell to your heart content. Ben Franklin was totally anti the whole copyright idea, thinking that by definition, creating art was making a public piece.

Another category is when the picture morphs the picture either by composition or by editing technique to another realm. Recently I came across an ancient bronze eagle in a walking path (picture posted here), and with the lighting, framing, and such, made it look quite different then the impression if you saw the statue in person.

So, respect other folks copyright as one should, but incorporating art into your portfolio, if you can make it work as an effective photo. sure. Reply Edit Delete

 

[stmv]

Got to spend the weekend at the cape, which allowed access to the ocean. Great to get a changeup in your scenery for your photography pleasure.

 

[stmv]

almost done editing the weekend shots, takes quite a lot of hours, some shots need just the tiniest of adjustments, others a lot more.

I try to leave more room now around my shots for flexibility in the darkroom. Now that the cameras have abundance of pixels, no reason to limit your options. I aim for about 15-25% margin around the primary subject.

Since most of the edits start from raw, there is always just a bit of tweaking since the raw is the source data and can be a bit flat compared to the processed JPEGs where the intergrated CPU is deciding how to optimize.

 

[stmv]

I might be one of the few that don't get all that excited about image stablizer in lens. to me, they just add bulk, size and cost. I tend to use a tripod when the conditions are not right and have to turn the VR off anyway when on tripod, then I forget to turn it back on hand holding, kinda a pain. When I hand hold, tend to be on bright days, with fast shutters like 1/500 or faster, so, the VR just is not needed.

but, I understand that the market is driving it. VR in primes.. yuck. but, coming,

 

[stmv]

Just finishing up the editing of my weekend photo shoot, and so enjoyed going to a new location, amazed at the picture per hour output. I figured I spent a total of 4 hours spread out 2 days of shooting, and yielded about 50 keepers. Most due to the richness and concentrations of the subjects on the cape.

Which is why driving and hittng fresh areas can be so refreshing and key of the design.

 

[stmv]

I was walking thru my local Costco, and they had a huge pile of D600s. nice Kit with a 24-85 and 70-300 lens, I picked it up in my hand, nice heft, almost the perfect size, and of course Nikon Features.

Can see why this will be a popular camera.

I had just a scare with my 15mm lens. I was out taking a shot in the evening on a village street, night time. Well, I turned around and bam,, did not know there was a parking meter, hit the meter direct on with the front of the lens... thank goodness for the sun shields made out of metal. They protected the curved glass.

 

[stmv]

sometimes the pictures that look best on the computer screen are not the best prints, but sleepers on the computer leap off the printed page. So, don't always assume that the awesome computer screen shot will be the winner on the print, and vice versa.

 

[stmv]

just recharged my printer ink, so,, printing the photos that have been backing up. I highly recommend having your own printer had home (a higher end 6-7 ink model with good blacks). The prices are really quite reasonable. I have used the 1800 and 1900 models. I know that one can go up higher, but for me, these are really in the sweet spot. Can print up to class B paper, and even feed speciality paper like art rag.

For any prints larger then say 13x19, I go outside for the print. The way I figure it, I don't print enough of the really large prints to make the investment into these type of printers. After all, I would print only that large for special orders, and one can simply fold the cost into the sell of the print shop. So, really no financial reason to invest more then a Class B printer.

The new printers can produce awesome prints at 100 year old archival ink.

 

[stmv]

went down to the local print store, I used to frame my own stuff, cutting matte and stuff, but I have found that by careful selection of premade frames, having the instore matte cutter cut any special sizes, putting it together at home, that the cost of framing is greatly reduced.

Nothing looks better then say a 13x19, nicely matte and behind glass. A picture can leap off the frame, or be one that draws the eyes in to study. A picture on the wall should be one that invites the eye to go back over time, studying, enjoying the lines, etc. For me, computer images never match the results of printing up the work. Perhaps its a statement to the commitment to the work, and permanent nature of the image at that time instead of flashing across a screen.

 

[stmv]

blah,, overcast skies now for weeks and weeks. and now the fall colors are all done. Photo ops in November become more of a challenge, but plenty of subjects in different places.

 

[stmv]

I was using the 18-55 lens that came with my D7000 because it was actually quite sharp. but after about 10 months it started to loose its ability to focus on all subjects. and manually focusing this lens is a pain,

so,, switched to the 24-85 lens which is definitely built a notch up, I actually think the 18-55 is a bit more sharp, but the 24-85 is fairly sharp. Definitely adds more weight the camera. Another reason I like the 18-55 because it keeps it a light weight package. But, in some ways, the 24-85 makes the lens balance better, perhaps the best weight combo for this camera.

I noticed that for this lens is now consider a kit lens for the D600. I might pick up a clean 18-70 DX lens. That was also a really nice lens for the price. They shipped thousands of these lens with the D70, so lots of versions out there. I like the 18 range, so while the 24 is a nice lens, I am missing that last 6mm, especially on a DX sensor. I do think the lens is a perfect match for the D600.

 

[stmv]

Darn, finnally a sunny morning, time change meant nice sunrise up on the mountain, snow on distant peaks, and my truck overheats and I had to drop it off to the dealer instead! so no photos. double darn.

Sometimes Fate intervenes and prevents the fun.