New Nikon user to the site Need lens input (Page 2): Thank you Brenda :) That is mostly my goal when taking a photo, so that the person, or someone who loves that person can say...

CheetahB73 Loc: Detroit

Bkh42 wrote:

First of all welcome.

I like your work albeit I am no professional I know what is easy on the eye.

So I really wish you well in your decision to ditch facebook and concentrate on your new venture.

Brenda

Thank you Brenda :) That is mostly my goal when taking a photo, so that the person, or someone who loves that person can say, "thats a beautiful photo of you" I strive to capture the best of a person that maybe they don't see..

I'd love to hear more feedback if you'd like to view more of my photos at melodyoflifephotography.com. Enjoy the slideshow :)

creativ simon Loc: Coulsdon, South London

Welcome and enjoy

Great set of shots

Solomon Loc: Australia

you will not take a step wrong with the 80-200 2.8 I have one its one of the sharpest lenses Nikon made. Mine is a little old now, but the glass still works. You should try using the 105 macro for your work.if you find your images a little soft,Use a tripod. turn of all the bits (Auto focus,stabilizer etc)that can make the camera move/vibrate, use MANUAL focus and focus very sharply at the eyes. the rest will take care of itself. Use a shutter release .next most important thing for sharpness. Don't forget you subject will be breathing they can move in & out a bit as well. The most important tool you have is 6 inches behind the camera, your brain,next your love of photography,a desire to learn from others/and your own mistakes is the final bit to add to the mix. I hope to see more of your work and maybe one day we will be able to say ''that's a famous photographer''I knew her when she started out..

photonphysicist Loc: Texas

CheetahB73 wrote:

Hi. New photography business on the side. First ph... (show quote)

Beautiful work!
Welcome to the UHH forum and howdy from Houston!
:thumbup:

I'm not sure what camera you are attaching to the 24-70. Several of the Canon cameras have a "micro adjustment" feature to correct for focus issues. Before you ditch the 24-70, check to see if you camera body has the ability to make micro adjustments to get the sharp focus you seek.

Edmund Dworakowski

What camera do you shoot? The Nikon 24-70 f2.8 is a fantastic piece of glass.What type of photography is your specialality?

Mercer Loc: Houston, TX, USA

For portraits, I always chose a focal length in the 85 to 125mm range for headshot portraits. This backs the camera far enough away from the subject to avoid the facial perspective problems encountered with the 28-50mm lenses -- particularly an elongated, oversize nose. I like your photos, by the way and look forward to seeing more. :thumbup:

CheetahB73 Loc: Detroit

creativ simon wrote:

Welcome and enjoy

Great set of shots

Thank you ;)

CheetahB73 Loc: Detroit

Edmund Dworakowski wrote:

What camera do you shoot? The Nikon 24-70 f2.8 is a fantastic piece of glass.What type of photography is your specialality?

Hi Edmund ;) it is a nice lens.. Maybe it's me that needs tweaking to maximize its glory? I started w a D300 and bought a D800 last September.
I'm not sure i can say I have a speciality just yet.. But I've always been a fan of the dance world. Lois Greenfield is my hero. Her work is just amazing. I love Seniors, because they want to look their best in photos. I'm very much a photographer who feeds off her subject. The more into it they are, the better I am at what I'm doing. I've been an ICU nurse for the past 10 yrs and my people skills are pretty sharp, but when I'm photographing someone who is self conscious or isn't into having their photos taken.. I don't feel I do as well. Babies am small children are fun. I've learned early that you just have to let them do what they want, they'll warm up. I love spontaneous capture its the best. What do u shoot with and what is your specialty Edmund?

CheetahB73 Loc: Detroit

Mercer wrote:

For portraits, I always chose a focal length in the 85 to 125mm range for headshot portraits. This backs the camera far enough away from the subject to avoid the facial perspective problems encountered with the 28-50mm lenses -- particularly an elongated, oversize nose. I like your photos, by the way and look forward to seeing more. :thumbup:

You're absolutely right. I just did a recent set of headshots and I encountered that very problem. Had my aperture set too low and the tip of her nose was as sharp as it could be.. Even though I thought I had the focus on her eyes. Lenses are tricky and I've learned the hard way that unless you're really paying close attention to where exactly that focus is falling, your image could be useless. But, the more conscious I've become, it happens less frequently. But it happened to me most often when using my 50mm.. Thanks so much for your input ;) much appreciated.

CheetahB73 Loc: Detroit

photonphysicist wrote:

Beautiful work!
Welcome to the UHH forum and howdy from Houston!
:thumbup:

I'm not sure what camera you are attaching to the 24-70. Several of the Canon cameras have a "micro adjustment" feature to correct for focus issues. Before you ditch the 24-70, check to see if you camera body has the ability to make micro adjustments to get the sharp focus you seek.

Well Howdy to you too ;) thank you! I was not aware there was such a thing, but I will research that possibility for sure. I'm currently shooting with a D800.

I appreciate your advice! Look forward to more "howdy's" too!

Edmund Dworakowski

CheetahB73 wrote:

Hi Edmund ;) it is a nice lens.. Maybe it's me th... (show quote)

Well Cheeta, I like to shoot landscapes here around the Jersey Shore. I too started with the D300 platform and am currently using a D300s. Although I enjoy shooting images of my neices and nephews, they just don't sit still long enough. Landscapes don't jump around so much. My dilemma is whether to go FX D800E, or be patient and wait to see if Nikon comes out with the D400 (rumers have started again)... At 24MP, new sensor, processor and greatly improved ISO capabilities, I think I could be happy with an improves pro-body DX. I was wondering if you needed to upgrade your post processing computer equipment when you switched from the D300 to the D800 with the huge leap in the number of MPs ?
Welcome to the group, I hope to see you posting regularly,
Ed

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

CheetahB73 wrote:

Hi. New photography business on the side. First ph... (show quote)

Hello. I do the majority of my shooting with the 24-70 lens. I was very skeptical at first when I bought this lens but I am a true believer now. This is an incredible lens with incredible sharpness. here is a sample shot with this lens. Of course the 50 and the 85 are stellar performers, fixed lenses usually are. To truly see how sharp your lens is do not rely on the computer screen to judge true sharpness, make a print and this is where you will see the quality. Computer screens are notoriously unreliable when it comes to making a good decision about this unless you have a top of the line NEC monitor. I know this is not a portrait but it still shows a quality image. Are you using a tripod? Which camera are you using? Making a living as a photographer is difficult, if you have a good job I would definitely take a long look at becoming a photographer. This is a full time endeavor and it takes a lot of knowledge, training and luck.

yhtomit Loc: Port Land. Oregon

Stick with primes as long as you can afford it.
When I have money,I will by a lens or two.If I have any money left,I buy food and clothes for my children.Welcome and cheers.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

You have a 50 and an 85 prime. The question in my mind to ask is do you want to have more reach or greater view.

Thus, one can look at either an 28 to 35 more coverage or a 135 for greater reach. If you are doing portraits anything longer than a 135 is not too useful. Should you decide to do full figure portraits within a natural background setting I think a tilt and shift lens would be desirable.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Hi Cheetah! Welcome to the fun. Lots of great folks here to help you as you have seen.:) I would stay over 85mm for portaiture work. Take a look on ebay at the old 135. It will front focus and back focus. And I find it a great lens for shooting the grandson. I use to be a pro, but now this is a hobby. And I am enjoying it and the folks here. If your 24-70 is not giving you tack sharp pictures all the time something is wrong! You should stop and do some tests with it on a tripod. If you want to know what to do just PM me and we can talk. And there is a way to add some sharpness to your lens in camera. Just look in the manuel for it. Everytime you put the lens on the camera it will put what ever value you have picked for that lens.
Erv

CheetahB73 wrote:

Thank you Brenda :) That is mostly my goal when taking a photo, so that the person, or someone who loves that person can say, "thats a beautiful photo of you" I strive to capture the best of a person that maybe they don't see..

I'd love to hear more feedback if you'd like to view more of my photos at melodyoflifephotography.com. Enjoy the slideshow :)