So, I took a Bryan Peterson online class on Understanding Exposure. My 18-55 mm lens is now my new best friend, especially the wide-angle end, specifically low shots at f22. Props are my new friends, too. My main subjects seem to be mostly taken around our area, most on our own rural property, and adding props expands my possibilities and it's fun.
So far, my lunch and hat at the lake, my son's old Mars Rover RC model, and a new prop, a large @ Walmart thingy I found at a thrift store. Here are examples. Still figuring out the ins and outs, so these are cropped from landscape shots that I think I would have been better off taken portrait in camera.
Any comments welcome. Since the class I feel like a total newbie again.

Why f/22? Take the red picnic table, do you have version of the same scene at say f/11 or f/13? Is there more depth of field at f/22? Are the image details sharper at a wider apertures (f/9 -> f/13)?

You might consider your exposure (ISO and shutterspeed) against the small aperture. The three examples are pleasing, but also all three are a bit dark / underexposed. Your white BK cup is more gray than white and the clouds are yellow, although the clouds are a WB issue where you need to bring down the K temp or move the slider toward the blue, taking out a slight bit of yellow. A brighter exposure would help with the blue of sky and lower the grain, even shooting at ISO-0100.

I like a deep depth of field. However, I prefer sharper images than f/22 will likely yield for a consumer grade 18-55 zoom due to lens diffraction. A slightly wider aperture should yield sharper images with no tangible loss of DOF, while also helping with the shutterspeed and hand-holding, even with an IS-enabled lens. A level horizon will help these types of compositions as well.

Why f/22? Take the red picnic table, do you have version of the same scene at say f/11 or f/13? Is there more depth of field at f/22? Are the image details sharper at a wider apertures (f/9 -> f/13)?

You might consider your exposure (ISO and shutterspeed) against the small aperture. The three examples are pleasing, but also all three are a bit dark / underexposed. Your white BK cup is more gray than white and the clouds are yellow, although the clouds are a WB issue where you need to bring down the K temp or move the slider toward the blue, taking out a slight bit of yellow. A brighter exposure would help with the blue of sky and lower the grain, even shooting at ISO-0100.

I like a deep depth of field. However, I prefer sharper images than f/22 will likely yield for a consumer grade 18-55 zoom due to lens diffraction. A slightly wider aperture should yield sharper images with no tangible loss of DOF, while also helping with the shutterspeed and hand-holding, even with an IS-enabled lens. A level horizon will help these types of compositions as well.

Did I read that sign correctly?

TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW

In a Laundromat:

AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT

In a London department store:
BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS

In an office:
WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN

In an office:
AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD

Outside a secondhand shop:
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

Notice in health food shop window:
CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS

Spotted in a safari park:(I sure hope so)
ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR

Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR

Notice in a farmer's field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.

Message on a leaflet:
IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS

On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)

**********************************************************

Proofreading is a dying art, wouldn't you say?

Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter




This one I caught in the SGV Tribune the other day and called the Editorial Room and asked who wrote this .

It took two or three readings before the editor realized that what he was reading was impossible!!!

They put in a correction the next day. I just couldn't help but send this along. Too funny .




Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says

R eally? Ya think?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

Now that's taking things a bit far!

-----------------------------------------------------------

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over

What a guy!

---------------------------------------------------------------

Miners Refuse to Work after Death

No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so's!

------------------------------------------------------

J u venile Court to Try Shooting Defendant

See if that works any better than a fair trial!

----------------------------------------------------------

War Dims Hope for Peace

I can see where it might have that effect!

----------------------------------------------------------------

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile

Ya think?!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures

Who would have thought!

----------------------------------------------------------------

Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide

They may be on to something!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges

You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?

----------------------------------------------------------

Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge

He probably IS the battery charge!

----------------------------------------------

New Study of Obesity Looks for LargerTest Group

Weren't they fat enough?!

-----------------------------------------------

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft

That's what he gets for eating those beans!

-------------------------------------------------

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks

Do they taste like chicken?

****************************************

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half

Chainsaw Massacre all over again!

***************************************************

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors

Boy, are they tall!

*******************************************

And the winner is....

Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

Did I read that right?

***************************************************

Cheers and Beers
Graham
098

Just wondering what you folks use, if anything, to protect you camera & lens from a long day of direct sunlight? I've been spending some time out at softball games, and it's been desert hot outside, and I'm concerned about the heat damaging my gear. I expect any long exposure will eventually take a toll on the seals, and possibly other components. Or maybe I'm way off on my concerns?

I notice that Peak and a couple of other vendors sell a protective cover, snow, rain, winter, but it's black in color, and to me black is a heat magnet. Even if the cover is black will it still protect my gear?

Thanks,
Cookie

I disagree with your definition, and apparently so does the Merriam-Webster dictionary. It defines "snapshot" as "a casual photograph made typically by an amateur with a small handheld camera" That doesn't mean that all images captured by amateurs are snapshots, nor does it mean that all images captured by professionals are not snapshots. The key word here is casual, one of the definitions of which is "done without serious intent or commitment".

Hi everyone. I have a very subjective question so I am just looking for a trend in the answers. I have a three week cruise/trek in Asia planned for later in the year. My dilemma is bringing my 200-600 mm monster lens. If I bring the lens it means bringing my big camera bag. Which then influences all of the other luggage we bring. Carry on's, difficulty of travel days. etc. I have two bodies. A 15-30 will be on one. Wide shots from the ship. Ancient temples, etc. And a 24-210 will be on the other. In a perfect world I would have a 300 but I don't and that expense won't be happening before the trip. Would you bring the big lens? Obviously it's good for animals. Will be going to one great zoo. I'm not a huge people photog and besides walking around crowded Vietnamese streets with the big lens isn't very low key. Thoughts?

My first comment would be that you can't judge exposure by what you see on the tiny screen, sometimes viewed in awful light as well. You can, however, get some idea of proper exposure from the Histogram. I NEVER adjust exposure from the screen, but, sometimes, do from the Histogram. My second comment is that your exposure looks pretty good. I'm judging that on the girl's face, not the entire image. If I were processing that photo in Lr, I would probably add a small amount of exposure and, perhaps, lower the highlights a bit, but that's just me. I use Maxtix metering most of the time and I have come to rely on it quite a bit. When making images on a very sunny day you have to choose what to expose for as the dynamic range of the scene is much greater than the capability of the camera. Matrix metering, along with some adjustments in post, have become my best friend. Best of luck. Oh, and stop 'chimping'!

I am shooting with the D750 and a Ynognuo YN968 speed light. When shooting high speed sync, the speed light will work when I am inside my house. But, when I go outside, it doesn't work. The flash will flash on the first shutter trip, no flash after that. If I shoot a series of 5 shots, the first one is with flash, the last four, no flash. Please don't tell me to read the manual, and check my setting, I have done that numerous times. Can anybody shed some light (no pun intended!) on my dilemma...why will it work indoors, but not outdoors?

While in Yellowstone NP 2 weeks ago, we saw lots of bears. A first time to see them for me. Mostly black bears, some up on the hills and some in the ditch right beside the road. We had seen one grizzly part way up a hill. Then on our last night there, we came around a corner to a spot where lots of cars were stopped. There was an open parking spot so we pulled in and then saw a mother grizzly and two cubs fairly close to the road, and luckily on my side of the vehicle. She moved in even closer for an exciting time to see and photograph them.

Difference of a male or a female at the ATM





Male or Female at the ATM

MALE VS FEMALE AT THE ATM MACHINE

A new sign in the Bank Lobby reads:
'Please note that this Bank is installing new Drive-through ATM machines enabling customers to withdraw cash without leaving their vehicles.

Customers using this new facility are requested to use the procedures outlined below when accessing their accounts.

After months of careful research, "MALE & FEMALE" procedures have been developed. Please follow the appropriate steps .'

*******************************
MALE PROCEDURE:
1. Drive up to the cash machine.
2. Put down your car window.
3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.
4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.
5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.
6. Put window up.
7. Drive off.



*******************************



FEMALE PROCEDURE:
(What is really funny is that most of this part is the truth!!!!)



1. Drive up to cash machine.
2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine.
3. Set parking brake, put the window down.
4. Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate card.
5. Tell person on cell phone you will call them back and hang up.
6. Attempt to insert card into machine.
7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to its excessive distance from the car.
8. Insert card.
9. Re-insert card the right way.
10. Dig through handbag to find diary with your PIN written on the inside back page.
11. Enter PIN
12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.
13. Enter amount of cash required.
14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.
15. Retrieve cash and receipt.
16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside.
17. Write debit amount in check register and place receipt in back of check book.
18. Re-check makeup.
19. Drive forward 2 feet.
20. Reverse back to cash machine.
21. Retrieve card.
22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card holder, and place card into the slot provided!
23. Give dirty look to irate male driver waiting behind you.
24. Restart stalled engine and pull off.
25. Re-dial person on cell phone
26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles.
27. Release Parking Brake.



SEND THIS TO A MAN WHO NEEDS A LAUGH, AND TO THE LADIES who can handle it....