nikonwaddy

Thanks Tom for thoughtful note. You and I seem to think alike in many ways. I also use BBF on my D800 and like you have a 70-200mm, but f4, poorboy version, and a 85mm f1.8 but find these are too long for my small home studio although the 85 is excellent for location work. I have been using a 24-120mm f4 and while a very wonderful walk-around lens it can be a little soft in the studio if not handled carefully. I have lately been experimenting with a 60mm micro f2.8, not for macro work but for the studio as it is a very sharp lens and gives more compression than my 50mm f1.4...

Thanks again partner

Happy shooting..

trc Loc: Logan, OH

SS,

I finally got home from work, showered, ate, and now can reply. I knew that question has been asked many, many times before, and that there are as many answers and thoughts about it as there are gallons of water in an ocean! I replied to him since he asked and thought I might as well tell him what I do and the equipment I use most the time. Quite frankly, I forget how many focus points my camera maxes out at, but like to focus directly on a eye when doing portraiture using a single spot focus. Group pictures are always challenging, getting triangles set up, keeping people and eye's and faces in the same plane, and getting everyone to look right into the camera lens at the same time and in the same click of the shutter. Of course, that's why I tell people to remain perfectly still, don't move, and keep looking into the lens for 4 or 5 shots on 'rapid fire.' You know as well as I that what I say and what happens are two completely different results! As long as my subject(s) and various human body parts of the anatomy are in the same focal plane, my images come out quite nicely most the time.

Of course, I'll adjust the aperture when necessary depending on the specific shot and number of people in the image and what my optimum goal is to achieve, but I still like to focus on an eye - was taught that way and will probably always do it that way! I truly do love the back focus setup on my camera, so focusing and recomposing never seems to be a major issue. Actually, a Lutheran Minister and friend and photographer from Michigan is the person who got me started on the back button focus method and treat, and gets the credit for turning me on to that!

Don't get me wrong, I don't always recompose and try to get set-up the way I want the first time in the viewfinder before snapping the shutter, but it sure comes in handy sometimes. Also, f8 usually works quite well, but sometimes I will move it up or down a tad depending on the frame content and capture desired as well as the lens being used. All rules were made to be broken sometimes! Thanks very much for your input, and I admire and accept your comments with great enthusiasm.

Best Regards,
Tom

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Waddy,

My 70-200mm lens is the only lens I own that I bought new and paid full price. My other lenses I bought on eBay after emailing the seller several times, calling them by phone, and getting a feel for what type of person they are and how well they take care of their equipment. Knock on wood, but I have always had very good success. The f/4 is a nice lens and a lot lighter from what I understand from people who have had them.

Actually, I have used my 70-200mm lens in very small and closed places and it does a wonderful job - just get your settings appropriate and start shooting away. Try getting yourself in a position where you are shooting at a focal length of around 170-178 mm or so. The background is usually very nicely out of focus, but the subject is very nicely in focus and sharp - especially the subject's eye. Try to shoot at around 160th sec., and then lastly adjust your ISO so that the shot meters correctly. Assuming you aren't in a dungeon, the ISO is usually AOK such that you do not end up with an abundance of noise! Try it and let me know how it works for you. Thanks very much.

Best Regards,
Tom

P.S. You might like to read the reply I gave to SS before this one (I think).

davefales Loc: Virginia

My non-photographic self says...wow! My photographic self says...wow!

1stboB

a TOTAL "fan" of high contrast..... very well composed, very NICE effects, (and though I know you weren't in complete control
of this shot) WELL CAPTURED!

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

Very beautiful. I love the way the light highlights her muscles. Cheers.

Keldon Loc: Yukon, B.C.

Wonderful lighting of a lovely woma. Finally someone has found a goodlooking model in good shape. No tattoos evident either.

Sac-Jack Loc: Sacramento, Ca

I have to say that this one was well done. Thanks for sharing!!!

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

Late to the game on this thread, but I had to offer one criticism of an otherwise beautiful image. I'm just a little disturbed that there is no demarcation between the left buttock and the top of the left thigh. It's a bit too smooth. See the right side for what I mean.

davefales Loc: Virginia

I'd say you have "joined" successfully. Nice art.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

nice

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

Wow! Incredible!

Streets Loc: Euless, TX.

Quick ,Martha, my drool cup. What a fine photo of a prime example of femininity. Just yummy in every way.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

The pose and lighting are perfect for such a physically fit model. The shadowed dimples on the lower back, upper hip and, upper thigh give the image the “Wow factor” for me. Thanks for sharing it.

Thurber Mingus

Great shot, we look forward to seeing more.