docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

spot metering won't help if your not paying attention to contrast

Photoquilter Loc: Virginia

The pop-up flash does not show in my metadata.

Try taking a subject (similar to the one shown, subject clearly standing out in front of background) with force flash off on the camera, or cover the flash. Then take a picture with the pop-up flash. Compare the two shots (both visually and metadata). Does the flash show in the metadata? You should see a definite difference in the two shots visually.

shaz4146

Simple answer - the background is dead and dark and you didn't notice. You wanna do this again - go back to the spot and pay attention to the background - if it is dark and dead - then you know - you want this effect again - pay attention to backgrounds.......[/quote]

thank you for your advice...but i pay attention to the extreme!! I dont use post editing, I crop occasionally so i always try to get a good shot...to do this you need to look at all aspects of the photo! I think a previous post hit the nail on the head. The loss of colour was not just in the background...take another look!

shaz4146

thank you...i will try this.

shaz4146

i dont understand what you mean???

shaz4146

they are shots using flash..but the last one wasnt...

shaz4146

I like the drab gray background with the bright flower, but not sure how you did it unintentionally in the camera. Perhaps it was a combination of white balance setting, flash, and ISO. If you figure it out, let us know!

there was definitely no flash...was an extremely bright sunny day...which is why i used 2500 speed. was shooting manually so must have been something i did that wasnt normal!!

Nice pictures.
Barb[/quote]

shaz4146

Simple answer - the background is dead and dark and you didn't notice. You wanna do this again - go back to the spot and pay attention to the background - if it is dark and dead - then you know - you want this effect again - pay attention to backgrounds.......[/quote]

this is possible for the dragon fly...it was very light in some of my shots but shadow created in others...it doesnt look like shadow though. the last image could not have been so dark behind...I would never have used the settings if it had been.

ah well, enough said on this...will experiment and let people who have taken time to help know if I solve it.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

this is possible for the dragon fly...it was very light in some of my shots but shadow created in others...it doesnt look like shadow though. the last image could not have been so dark behind...I would never have used the settings if it had been.

ah well, enough said on this...will experiment and let people who have taken time to help know if I solve it.[/quote]

Friend, I am addressing the first image you posted - the flower and the dead background only - I am not speaking about or too any other image. You seem to be in a hurry.

You asked why that effect occurred - I gave you a field observation reply - you seem to want a technical answer - there isn't one. Can you repeat this - yes provided the field conditions allow - or you can keep thinking its all in your camera or your computer or your head......it's not - it part of a naturally occurring situation.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

in color one works with hue and contrast - you have strong tonal contrast which makes your flower pop - you have to learn to see and use tonal values - your camera will not do this for you

shaz4146

Friend, I am addressing the first image you posted - the flower and the dead background only - I am not speaking about or too any other image. You seem to be in a hurry.

You asked why that effect occurred - I gave you a field observation reply - you seem to want a technical answer - there isn't one. Can you repeat this - yes provided the field conditions allow - or you can keep thinking its all in your camera or your computer or your head......it's not - it part of a naturally occurring situation.[/quote]

[quote=docrob]

you didnt say you were referring to my first image...and because you described it as dark I assumed you meant the dark backgrounds I posted in the following photos. The original image I was more interested in learning about the foreground, what made it look grey when it wasnt the same as the image showed.

I'm not sure why you think i am in a hurry??? I asked a question and am open to advice..indeed I believe I have got some really useful advice and things to try out and think about. Are you saying I am in a hurry because I am responding quickly?? (I work long hours and will have no more time to respond until next week!)
I dont understand why hurry?? Are you meaning something different?

you have assumed I want a technical reply...what I wanted was to begin to recognise how to take other photos like this...of course this does not mean just technically!! I gave my technical details because that is what this forum seems to be asking. Of course I expect that it will be due to the natural conditions...but what I would have liked to know is how to respond to these with camera settings...ie...put the sun behind the image, use a fast speed, extend your lens etc etc etc. These are the things that I am still learning about. What field conditions...full sun? dark cloud? Shadows? early sun? close to the subject? far away and zoomed in on the subject....and all the other things I havent learnt about yet. Then when I see similiar conditions again I will not have to rely on trial and error, and I will be able to respond with a better understanding of the technical side.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

If this is what came out of the camera, then you captured a scene with just of few elements of color. In the upper left corner is some green-- so I think you happened to capture a scene of color-less grass with a flower. To duplicate, without PS, you need to look for similar scenes. In short, there is no technical solution, i.e. aperture, shutter speed, etc that will duplicate the color in a colorless scene scenario.

There are PP processes where you selectively remove (or add) color to specific objects. It, generally, has a "look what I can do" feel. Strategically placed color in otherwise colorless scenes does have appeal.

shaz4146

If this is what came out of the camera, then you captured a scene with just of few elements of color. In the upper left corner is some green-- so I think you happened to capture a scene of color-less grass with a flower. To duplicate, without PS, you need to look for similar scenes. In short, there is no technical solution, i.e. aperture, shutter speed, etc that will duplicate the color in a colorless scene scenario.

There are PP processes where you selectively remove (or add) color to specific objects. It, generally, has a "look what I can do" feel. Strategically placed color in otherwise colorless scenes does have appeal.[/quote]

Thanks for this...I have seen programs that do this...and I agree...it is a bit of 'look what I can do', which is why I havent started using them...yet! I also think some of the other processes spoil a natural photo...but I know lots of people will disagree with me...we're all different in our tastes.

I still think there maybe something in what a previous post said about spot metering...it seems to make sense...but I will have to try. I think I need to understand more about the effects of artificial light, some of the new settings I have on my D800, from another post in this thread I have learnt how to darken the background from how it looks in'real life' so I will use this in the future. I enjoy taking series of photos so this will be useful.

thanks for taking the time to post

sjbegres Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Which version of PS are you using? I don't find an "Add an adjustment" option on the right side of my PSE7.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

I will be brief 1) I did not know that I needed to more precisely reference your flower photograph beyond saying "flower." 2) In your initial post you did not specify either the back or the foreground - you merely asked "how did I get this effect?" 3) Since you are now asking about the foreground and why it is a lighter grey I believe if you look at the image you will note that the sun is shining on the foreground sticks and one could reasonably assume - shining also on the flower. 4)
I hate to break the news to you but you did NOTHING - the light did it all and so no, sorry, unless you plan to shoot controlled lighting you can do nothing to re-create this effect because you did not create it in the first place.

5) I think you are in a hurry because you do not seem to consider what people are saying to you and you do seem to have overlooked the most obvious answer to your original post....i.e, the light.

6) You want to know to take photos like this (the one with blue flower dead background) - simple - learn to observe - be patient - practice - play - learn from what you do - by playing you will learn what works best for you - 7) no one can tell you what settings what angle what light what lens etc and 8) you will always have to rely to some extent on trial and error.

My best advice start using a tripod, get your self and old view camera focusing hood - go out often - spend time - take your time - figure out what you see.........



Of course I expect that it will be due to the natural conditions...but what I would have liked to know is how to respond to these with camera settings...ie...put the sun behind the image, use a fast speed, extend your lens etc etc etc. These are the things that I am still learning about. What field conditions...full sun? dark cloud? Shadows? early sun? close to the subject? far away and zoomed in on the subject....and all the other things I havent learnt about yet. Then when I see similiar conditions again I will not have to rely on trial and error, and I will be able to respond with a better understanding of the technical side.[/quote]