Posts: BigD | Ugly Hedgehog

Wasted Years Learning to take Photographs

JerseyPhotoGuy wrote:

My sentiments exactly. Shouldn't we all (i.e., those of us who love photography) celebrate the fact that technology in the form of the digital camera (whether point and shoot or DSLR) has made photography (whether snapshots or so-called "artistic"images) easier and, therefore, more popular; which will result in more technological advances in cameras, make photography easier yet, and become still more popular -ad infinitum.Our goal should be to encourage everyone to become a "photographer" in one form or another . The more people engaged in the creative process the better. What's wrong with that? What appears to have been overlooked in this discussion is the definition of "photography" - the "art or process of producing images of objects..."This discussion has engendered a lot of value judgements whether a person using a P&S or a DSLR on auto can ever produce artistic or even good images. Of course they can.A person with a device that "produces images" is a Photographer. How the image is produced is irrelevant if the image produced pleases the photographer. Ninety-nine per cent of us calling ourselves " Photographers" produce images only to please ourselves. The other one per- cent produce images for sale and, therefore, must please others. I do value the judgement of other photographers in the interest of becoming a better photographer; but in the end it's my judgement that matters most. Even if the image is technically deficient; if I like the image for whatever reason I keep it. I'm realistic enough about my own photographic abilities to know that only very rarely will I ever produce an image that is both technically and artistically perfect ; even though I try to do so with every single shot-whether using the auto mode, one of the scene or so-called "creative"modes ,or full manual. Whatever it takes. These modes are only the means to produce an image that pleases me and the people for whom I take photographs i. e., family and friends. The primary reason I love photography is to capture a moment in time (whether of a person, scene, or event), that is meaningful to me (because the person or event is important to me personally or the scene is beautiful), and that will evoke a pleasant memory when I look at the image in the future. My only disagreement with the sentiments expressed above is that you can "enjoy BOTH the process and the pictures",just let go of your ego and pride about both.

My sentiments exactly. Shouldn't we all (i.e., tho... (show quote)

I get that some feel threatened by technology and feel that it is closing the gap between them and "the masses". I for one do not believe that at all. I feel absolutely comfortable shooting in any mode that a modern DSLR has available. I have spent a lifetime learning this stuff so "for me" its a non issue. I think some of you are missing what the OP was saying. It was about an ad to sell a camera that flat out said you don't have to know a darn thing because this marvel is better than you. Of course I am paraphrasing but that was the jest. I think we all get that it was a guy trying to sell a product and they tend to say what people want to hear. Since this is a PHOTOGRAPHY forum one would assume that people hear know or at the very least have an idea that that thinking is completely absurd. Yes technology is awesome and I love it. Yes the new cameras can AND DO take some amazing images on automatic modes. But the real issue is simply that they are not capable of solving all photographic situations and that is why we discuss them. We are being realistic and "discussing" their limitations as well as their uses and all the ground in between. I would suggest that that is honest debate not ego at play. Again this is the reason for a photography forum isnt it? I would not really dig a forum where a person posts something and every reply is "agree" or "disagree" would you?

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Wasted Years Learning to take Photographs

mfeveland wrote:

Again, you're dwelling on what the camera can't or won't do, rather then what it can do, and does.

I'm not dwelling on anything, I'm replying to the content of this thread. The OP made a topic about the need to learn proper photographic technique not being important any longer because of the new automatic modes of these modern cameras according to a TV ad selling a new camera. My reply illustrated a time where those super duper modes for me were absolutely useless and knowing what I was doing made it possible to obtain a good image. I also said that I did try automatic modes just in case it figured out something I was missing. A closed minded guy that try's all available options huh? How is that dwelling? is sticking to a subject dwelling? Or is it more appropriate to swerve off topic and start analyzing all that reply? I am very aware of what these new cameras can and cannot do and I am not dwelling on it I am merely "discussing" it. You see that is the reason why people read a forum about photography to hear differing opinions and points of view from a large cross section of like minded people engaged in the same activity. If they don't want to participate in a particular discussion they can simply move on. :roll:

(Main Photography Discussion)

Wasted Years Learning to take Photographs

mfeveland wrote:

Let's face it folks, you CAN take great pictures i... (show quote)

Not being negative, closed minded or sour I think most of us are saying that the technology only takes you so far. And if you "only" have the tech and not the know how you may run into a situation where the camera won't save you.

(Main Photography Discussion)

Wasted Years Learning to take Photographs

If it was the Canon ad on QVC I too saw it and had to giggle. I'm a professional photographer, have a degree in photography, have spent WAY too much money on gear, and work for a handful of agencies as well as several large publications. I have been on assignments all over the globe and have been presented with many challenges to deal with in obtaining an image for a client. I remember one shoot where it was simply a little Halloween carnival with very small kids in a park recreation center building (hey they're not all famous people on the beach in Hawaii). I had a terrible time getting anything worth a darn because 1:it was pretty boring stuff and the kids were kind of shy and 2:the place was awful for light and background color and clutter. I finally managed to get some shots that I was happy with (actually they were pretty cute) and on the way out I called the Editor. I was sniveling about the job and what a pain it was and she says "that's why I sent a photographer to shoot it not a reporter". Kind of cleared my mind up straight away, I had the knowledge and the equipment to turn boring into a story. And what appeared as a simple "quickie" required every ounce of 30 plus years of technical and artistic knowledge I possessed as well as pretty much all the gear I had with me (which was a lot) to turn out something that others would enjoy viewing :lol:

Oh and I even tried sticking it on the green box and Ettl and the pictures were properly exposed with perfect flat featurless boring lighting :roll: Manual exposure and manual off camera strobe work was the ticket and I'll bet my 1DMkIv is a match for that T4i in automagic mode :thumbup:

(Main Photography Discussion)

You are costing me money.

wlgoode wrote:

quote=BigD Tripods, lenses, hah you guys are stil... (show quote)

Build your own huh. Yea OK lemme see your DIY strobe pack that matches Profoto's specs...

:roll:

(Main Photography Discussion)

You are costing me money.

Tripods, lenses, hah you guys are still in the kiddie pool. You wanna start living in a smaller place and borrowing from your 401K start looking at Profoto lighting gear, Mola Beauty Dishes, Chimera Softboxes and medium format digital back cameras :shock:

And when you buy a rolling gear case that cost a grand only to realize you really need two of them to hold all your grip gear your totally screwed, in the good kidna way :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

(Main Photography Discussion)

Shooting paid wedding with consumer level camera

sixshooter wrote:

quote=BigD If you are a "pro" using Can... (show quote)

A hypothetical question that is intended to pick the brains of pro or semi pro photographers for a "what would you do". The answer is they would replace the equipment with other pro level gear given the five days of lead time. Now if they walked out to the car on wedding day to find that all their stuff was missing than they would have to think fast but even that is assuming they are a: stupid enough to load the car up and leave it unattended b: do not have more gear in the house somewhere. So in other words the answer as asked would be "non of the above". Is that better?

(Main Photography Discussion)

Shooting paid wedding with consumer level camera

If you are a "pro" using Canon that's a simple question to answer because as a CPS Platinum member my "friends" are at the Canon CPS 1(800) BAILOUT number. One phone call and in 24 hours I would have a pair of 1Dx's with a half dozen "L" lenses and a couple of 600 EX RT's for the reception. Since you did not mention my Elinchrom Ranger Asymmetrical kit I assume it would still be available :lol: If not I have another one I will bring instead but its a symmetrical one so it can be harder to get a nice ratio in a small area.

Real working professionals have several sets of equipment as well as the ability to make do with whatever. Anyone that has shot more than a few weddings knows that stuff ALWAYS happens and they have backups for their backups, insurance to replace gear, and access to more gear. :thumbup:

(Main Photography Discussion)

the bullet has been bit

Cameras, Lenses, hah child's play. Wait until you get the bright idea to look into studio strobes - can you say PROFOTO haha? Gear acquisition can never be cured once contracted. :shock:

(Main Photography Discussion)

Gitzo to Manfrotto?

imagemeister wrote:

The only thing that Manfrotto seems to lack is the "impress" factor !

They're both made in Italy so whatsamatta?

:wink:

(Main Photography Discussion)

Full Frame DSLR

I have four cameras, a 5DMkII, 2 7D's, and a 1DMkIv. When I shoot stuff that moves like sports and what not I use the MkIv as the primary and the 7D's as backups and remotes because they shoot faster and the crop factor(s) are helpful. When I shoot something that does not move too much such as wedding portraits or landscapes I use the MkII. We can discuss pixel depth and photosites and microlenses and blah blah blah all day long but bottom line is the full frame sensor gives a deeper more contrasty beautiful image that the crops don't (go ahead and blast me but I actually have both and that's what I see the FF images are simply awesome). Yes the crops are also great and you could use both types for anything but there is a reason they make "both". Best advise is be honest about what your going to shoot "mostly" and get what is best suited for that and don't look back.

(Main Photography Discussion)

Gitzo to Manfrotto?

The Manfrotto carbon fiber tripods are awesome. I have a Gitzo carbon fiber monopod and I LOVE IT but my Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 tripod is equally as awesome. I mount a Canon 1D MkIv on it with a 400mm f/2.8 on a Manfrotto 498RC2 ballhead with PL400 quick release plates and it is solid as a rock. Didn't find any stickers that tell how many layers the carbon fiber is on the Manfrotto but honestly they look the same (Manfrotto is a tiny bit darker in color) and since they are owned by the same people I'm thinking they are pretty darn close. Either way you won't be buying cheap since both are higher end just stay away from the thin legged versions if your looking for stability. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

(Main Photography Discussion)

Weightlifting competition

jimmix7 wrote:

Well thanks for all the advice,,I have been, done ... (show quote)

The good thing is now you have the experience in your pocket and you know what you need to do. Unfortunately (for your wallet) you also now know why shooters that do that kind of stuff often have the best cameras and fastest lenses. I'm not sure if you are shooting in RAW or .jpg but start to play with RAW if you have not and get into your software a little. With good post processing you might find that you can shoot at higher ISO's and then pull the image out with noise reduction software and exposure manipulation.

Best advise is to go to more and more events and keep building your experience and you will see your images grow better and better and THAT is the best part. Good luck and stay hungry for better shots.

(Main Photography Discussion)

Weightlifting competition

jimmix7 wrote:

Thanks BigD if flashes are allowd I will certenly take your advice....
Jimmy

They should be allowed but if they give you crap just tell them your not aiming it into anyones eyes. Might work, might not. If not and the light is bad switch to your 50mm f/1.4 and go for the lowest ISO you can get away with. If your up close you should be fine. The best part is you don't have an Editor screaming at you for a certain shot haha. Have fun.

(Main Photography Discussion)

Weightlifting competition

jimmix7 wrote:

Thanks Rpavich..Good advice.. Its just Weight lifting...I think there's a bodybuilding one on later in the year,, This is just practice for me,,I will stay in the background out of the way of the 'pros' But like you say I could catch the compettitors later ,,I'd really like to get some good grooling action shots,,I'd give them away free and I think the indeviduals would be happy at that,,,I can't help being stressed though....Thanks again
Jimmy

What? Oh hell no, I am a press photographer and the best advise I can give you is charge up there and elbow yourself a spot out and get some awesome shots. Real working pro photographers will slip and slide in and out and "get their shots" with very little fanfare and they will respect others that are trying to get their shots if you just hop in and go for it. If you "stay in the background" your gonna get lousy shots. You are the "house shooter" and know the guy running that show so take charge and get right up front for the best shots.

As for your gear setup mount your speedlight on that D90 and give your zoom lens a go. If the light sucks turn on your strobe and aim it up at about 45 degrees so its firing just over their heads and shoot manual. Play with your zoom to find what works which may NOT be matching what your using (try 85mm to start). Set an ISO of 100, shutter to max sync speed, flash power about 1/16 to start and try for a large aperture to blow the background out some. Adjust the aperture and flash power to get a good snappy exposure. Watch what those pro's are doing and see if they are doing something similar, you will be amazed how often they're struggling just like you are but they won't show it haha :roll: :roll: :roll: