Thanks for the feedback OnTheRopes and Boemboem.
I only use small apertures to get those sunstars. Not by post editing. It's something I learned a while back from reading way too many photo magazines. I've also read that lenses with 7 straight aperture blades create cleaner sunstars than newer lenses with 9 curved blades but I don't have any of those. Really nice portrait by the way. Frame worthy.
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PHOTO-A-DAY: July 2012
(727 posts) (69 voices)-
Posted 10 months ago #
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Posted 10 months ago # -
Thanks golf007sd, she can be rather cute when she wants to.
boemboem, nice portrait, I like the composition. As to what f-stop to shoot at I can't really give any specific advice since it's very situational. It depends on what lens you're using and what kind of effect you want. Sometimes you want to include the background and sometimes you just want it to go away. Personally I don't have a fast portrait lens yet so I haven't been able to shoot anything in the latter style. Trying to save up for the 85mm f1.8...or maybe I'll just pay squamish a visit...
The portrait below was shot at f16 :p
Posted 10 months ago # -
@Boem - it was a 30 sec exposure. It was pretty much black out when I took the shot. I didn't even know it was supposed to storm, but I was drinking on the beach with some friends and had my camera in my backpack. I have a better understanding of why people chase storms now. Great shot of your wife by the way. Gotta love a girl with green eyes.
Here's another Ferrari shot from Summit Point
Posted 10 months ago # -
The quality of images here really is amazing and inspiring. Great work everybody.
D700 - 28 mm f/1.8 @ f/3.2
Posted 10 months ago # -
@BigAsn: WoW...if that is not a crazy cloud formation then I don't know what is...look like a tornado is about to come alive..great shot and nice edit Adamz.
@birdman: Not sure on her age....but I then again I don't kiss and tell...hehe!
@boemtboem: And I quote: "The larger the F-stop number is, the smaller the opening is. In other words, the larger number represents the lower end of the scale, less light entering the camera. A smaller F-stop number means the opening is larger, more light entering the camera." In english, if you want to really isolate your subject shot at f/1.8-f/2.8. Focus on the eyes and if possible try to keep them both on the same plane otherwise one will be tack sharp while the other will be out of focus....unless that is the effect you are looking for. When you shot at high f-stop and you are close to your subject your DOF will be very narrow, thus really allowing for great bokeh effect. The best way to really see this in action is to practice shooting your lovely wife starting at f/8 (like you did on the picture you posted) and then going higher...f/5.6. f/4. f/2.8...etc..etc.
@Rifqi: It is official you are the Marco Bug king on NR...congrats :PPosted 10 months ago # -
My post today is with such humble respect for you wildlife photographers.... these birds and other wild animals simply do not follow directions. But, with some patience and using the fabulous Nikon equipment here is my "bird photo".
And for the pixel peepers.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/7646637582/sizes/o/in/photostream/
Posted 10 months ago # -
Here is somebody taking it easy.....
Posted 10 months ago # -
OMG that Black-Headed seagull is sharp on the full size pic Tommie!
Lovely pics this month from all.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Taken with my 55-200 VR. Love that lens. Sharpened a bit in-camera. Sorry still part of the Jpeg club until i can figure out how I can extract the maximum from ACR.
Posted 10 months ago # -
@ BoemBoem : Answering your question about HDR vs Bracketing. It's the same thing. I think when people use the term separately they're referring to the different technique they use. Either software based HDR, like Photomatix, which combines multiple exposures for you and automates the image. The manual way to get HDR (high dynamic range) is to layer multiple bracketed exposures in a program like Photoshop. It's as simple as layering different exposures over one another then masking or erasing areas from different layers. The idea is to bring out even exposure, shadow and highlight range throughout the entire image. I don't use either method very often because it tends to make the image too cartoonist looking. I dodge and burn like I did in my darkroom days. I've played with Photomatix and HDR but just don't use it all that often. When shooting scene with difficult or uneven lighting I shoot multiple exposures so I have the choice to either dodge/burn or perform an HDR layer blend (either manually or with Photomatix). Hope that explanation made sense.
@ msmoto : Beautiful photo of the bird and background coast. Love the layers and colors.
Here is another alley shot. As I was setting up this shot an employee came out of the back door and placed the garbage can in the alley. I thought about moving it then decided to keep in there since it was in its natural environment. A unique feature of the city of Fort Collins, Colorado is the beautification of its alleys. Most alleyways in town have been redesigned as pedestrian walkways with flowers, artwork and unique lighting. As you get further away from city central and deeper in the alleys you'll find the alleys become more "alley like" and less "pedestrian friendly", less 'beauty-fied'.
Nikon D800 | Nikkor 24-120 f/4
Posted 10 months ago # -
Cyclekraft: okay, I am buying the 24-120 for sure. Every picture you post screams sharpness and contrast.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Mine is pretty bad compared to all these amazing photos. The wife and I went for our first bike ride since our son was born 4 weeks ago. I liked this one.
D70 - 20mm f/2.8 @ f/8 1/2500
Posted 10 months ago # -
Re-posting it in the proper size, sorry.
Posted 10 months ago # -
And now for an abstract thing. Sunlight reflection on the flight home from Guatemala.
D7000 - AF 50mm f/1.8D - f/4 - ISO 100 - 1/200sec
Posted 10 months ago # -
A grab of a the sunset through cloud with the 500mm
Posted 10 months ago # -
@cyclekraft: Thank you for your explanation, I agree with you that Photomatrix makes it all a bit cartoonish, I do like Photoshop HDR Pro. I definitely going to use the dodge and burn techniques with you as my mentor ;-) I really love your photo's keep up the god work!
@Rx4Photo: Thank you for your compliment! And thank you for your explanation about the star bursts
@captainelmo: Very nice clear picture :)
@golf007sd: Great explanation, it's almost a study on it's own.
long exposure of 3 x HDR at sunset with and 110ND filterPosted 10 months ago # -
D7000 NIKKOR 70-200 2X/TC (FL 380mm) F/10 1/1250 ISO/400Posted 10 months ago # -
MMMMM.... Beer.....
Posted 10 months ago # -
Some really great posts on PAD! The photo's continue to inspire :)
Posted 10 months ago # -
Great shots all. I don't have time tonight after a long work day to put anything new up, but hopefully tomorrow.
@Bland...did you have the 70-200 before or is that new? What were you shooting before if the 70-200 is new?
Posted 10 months ago # -
tcole1983 said:
@Bland...did you have the 70-200 before or is that new? What were you shooting before if the 70-200 is new?I got my 70-200 a couple of weeks ago and I'm still learning what I can do and can't with it.
Shooting race bikes at 400mm with a 2X TC is obviously taking it to its max, hand held (VR turned off), but I've been extremely happy with the results, even though the pics are marginal.
This coming Sunday I'm shooting drag boats and I've rigged up a monopod with a swivel head that I hope will make my shots more percise with clarity. I'll be posting my results and the gear I used, pretty sure it's going to work really well.
The NIKKOR 70-300 is what I was using before getting my 70-200.
Before shooting the bike race last weekend I went out and shot practice runs the week before. My results were horrible, another photog told me to put my lens hood back on my lens. Since I'm right handed, he said to hold my camera with my right hand and pan with my left hand holding onto the lens hood. This was huge and worked beyond belief! I'm sure many on here knew this but it was greek to me, best tip I've had all year.
Posted 10 months ago # -
golf007sd, is there a crown or any monetary perks to go with that title? :p
Here's the same critter from a different angle.
Posted 10 months ago #
Topic Closed
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