Posts for: theoldman
Jul 18, 2019 13:45:48 #
I want to make an easily challenged statement about photography. I assert that it is so ubiquitous it is becoming passe. Ouch!
I can hear the screams of objection already, but here is my reason for the statement. Fifty or 60 years ago in my day, and certainly before that, a good photograph was the exception. I did slides with my Nikon F and friends actually came to the house wanting to see a slide show. The only explanation is that I did good (not great) photographs while they were mostly taking snap shots of their kid's birthdays (which by the way are more important today than my sunsets and waterfalls).
Today many have the talent, time, and equipment to make great photographs. Any day here I see scores of images that 50 years ago I only saw on magazine covers. And they earn a little praise, from other photographers.
If you think I am being unfair, look at any stock photo site. If I did that regularly I might give up. Why bother if thousands produce daily thousands of better images than I do.
I know, it only has to please me, it has intrinsic value, it isn't the product, its the process, it will help me see, even if no one else ever looks at them, its not the image, its the experience......of course it is :)
I submit that a photograph is not worth a 1000 words any longer BUT maybe a 100 words will make a photograph exceptional. And that is my point. Share the sizzle as well as the steak. Include the story. Not aperture and shutter speed, but what makes the image significant or important.
Let me see if you agree. I have included two random pretty, but decidedly not exceptional photographs, with much that can be criticized in either. But let's see if 100 words adds to their interest. You be the judge.
The first is taken on the cliff above the San Juan River, near Mexican Hat, Utah. In fact, the Mexican Hat formation is behind me (How is that as a photo descriptor!! :) )
A. L. Raplee had a cabin on the river below (37.1767, -109.8475), but he ignored the warning of Indians that the river flooded. The rock walls of his cabin stayed for years, and provided temporary shelter for many, but he moved to nearby Bluff after he was flooded out. In the background you see the Raplee Monocline, so memory of his short lived residence lives on. (Exactly 100 words :) )
The second photo is of the stage stop (44.1151, -120.1556) near Post in the Oregon outback. Evidence of the old stage road is nearby. As an interesting side note, the stage stop and stage road were on the 1905 route of the first transcontinental auto race won by an Oldsmobile Curved Dash automobile named Old Scout. (only 57 words).
Dave
The Old Man
I can hear the screams of objection already, but here is my reason for the statement. Fifty or 60 years ago in my day, and certainly before that, a good photograph was the exception. I did slides with my Nikon F and friends actually came to the house wanting to see a slide show. The only explanation is that I did good (not great) photographs while they were mostly taking snap shots of their kid's birthdays (which by the way are more important today than my sunsets and waterfalls).
Today many have the talent, time, and equipment to make great photographs. Any day here I see scores of images that 50 years ago I only saw on magazine covers. And they earn a little praise, from other photographers.
If you think I am being unfair, look at any stock photo site. If I did that regularly I might give up. Why bother if thousands produce daily thousands of better images than I do.
I know, it only has to please me, it has intrinsic value, it isn't the product, its the process, it will help me see, even if no one else ever looks at them, its not the image, its the experience......of course it is :)
I submit that a photograph is not worth a 1000 words any longer BUT maybe a 100 words will make a photograph exceptional. And that is my point. Share the sizzle as well as the steak. Include the story. Not aperture and shutter speed, but what makes the image significant or important.
Let me see if you agree. I have included two random pretty, but decidedly not exceptional photographs, with much that can be criticized in either. But let's see if 100 words adds to their interest. You be the judge.
The first is taken on the cliff above the San Juan River, near Mexican Hat, Utah. In fact, the Mexican Hat formation is behind me (How is that as a photo descriptor!! :) )
A. L. Raplee had a cabin on the river below (37.1767, -109.8475), but he ignored the warning of Indians that the river flooded. The rock walls of his cabin stayed for years, and provided temporary shelter for many, but he moved to nearby Bluff after he was flooded out. In the background you see the Raplee Monocline, so memory of his short lived residence lives on. (Exactly 100 words :) )
The second photo is of the stage stop (44.1151, -120.1556) near Post in the Oregon outback. Evidence of the old stage road is nearby. As an interesting side note, the stage stop and stage road were on the 1905 route of the first transcontinental auto race won by an Oldsmobile Curved Dash automobile named Old Scout. (only 57 words).
Dave
The Old Man
Jul 15, 2019 12:42:43 #
Terrific images!! It has been over 40 years since my last visit there.....but your images brought back those days. Little has changed (you wouldn't expect it to ) other than the grounds are a little better kept. Do they still play chants inside?
Dave
Dave
Jul 13, 2019 12:23:51 #
If an e-mail request is to log in to your account, don't follow the link provided, it may be a link to a scam site. It is always safer to log in as you normally would, at the site front page.
Another hint. If you want to test a log in, as in the case you do decide follow a link, use a made up password. If it is accepted, you know it is a scam. And they won't have your real password.
And always check the URL at the top of the page. Be suspicious of any URL that does not start with the simple name of the company, in the case of Amazon "www.Amazon.com." Watch out for names with strange extensions like "www.Amazon.Nigeria.com." :)
Dave
Another hint. If you want to test a log in, as in the case you do decide follow a link, use a made up password. If it is accepted, you know it is a scam. And they won't have your real password.
And always check the URL at the top of the page. Be suspicious of any URL that does not start with the simple name of the company, in the case of Amazon "www.Amazon.com." Watch out for names with strange extensions like "www.Amazon.Nigeria.com." :)
Dave
Jul 6, 2019 12:57:27 #
Perhaps you need to update your software. I am running Raw Therapee 5.6 and you are running 4.XX, apparently a much older version. Raw converters are updated with each new version.
Dave
Dave
Jun 20, 2019 12:28:24 #
Those are spectacular images! The composition and timing is great, and the post processing created a unique feeling. You managed to blend a sense of the past with a vibrant view of the present.
Best of all for me, you have inspired me to try your approach.
Best of all for me, you have inspired me to try your approach.
Jun 10, 2019 13:55:35 #
I think you did a good thing. When you consider the likelihood that some guy has a collection of dead batteries, wanders the streets looking for matching cameras, and is willing to add 20 pounds for your untested trade, it would be a rather badly conceived scam. Possible, but not profitable.
And looking at the cost of used d810 batteries, I'm thinking maybe you may have made a small profit, and done a good deed at the same time!
Dave
And looking at the cost of used d810 batteries, I'm thinking maybe you may have made a small profit, and done a good deed at the same time!
Dave
May 25, 2019 13:55:13 #
Jim,
Terrific B-17 images!!
I have the photos and pilot's log, etc from a B-17 pilot over Germany. Your great photos bring his material to life.
Dave
Terrific B-17 images!!
I have the photos and pilot's log, etc from a B-17 pilot over Germany. Your great photos bring his material to life.
Dave
May 22, 2019 15:50:25 #
I have owned the P1000 for several months and have shot thousands of photos, hand held and on a tripod. I can get good handheld shots at full telephoto or on a tripod. There are three useful hints.
Handheld, shoot in bursts at the slower setting. Odds are that even if you move, shake, or breath, one or more of your shots will be sharp. I have gotten many many good bird shots this way. I also underexpose a little to give me a higher shutter speed, and then readjust in post processing. And that also helps with white plumage which otherwise blows out.
Two hints for the tripod. (1) Buy a bracket that will allow you to re position the camera center of gravity. Otherwise, with the lens fully extended the nose will slowly sink. It is impossible to frame an image and then not have it disappear when you go to shoot. (2) Get a shutter release cable.
I don't consider the P1000 to be my all round camera. I use it for insects, wildlife, birds, flowers, whales, etc. And it has earned my respect and regular use in that domain. It opened new doors, and I seldom can say that about a new camera.
But it weighs too much and no 1/2.7 chip will ever provide the clarity I want. That said, if I could only afford one camera, and I really really wanted wildlife closeups, it would likely be the P1000.
Handheld, shoot in bursts at the slower setting. Odds are that even if you move, shake, or breath, one or more of your shots will be sharp. I have gotten many many good bird shots this way. I also underexpose a little to give me a higher shutter speed, and then readjust in post processing. And that also helps with white plumage which otherwise blows out.
Two hints for the tripod. (1) Buy a bracket that will allow you to re position the camera center of gravity. Otherwise, with the lens fully extended the nose will slowly sink. It is impossible to frame an image and then not have it disappear when you go to shoot. (2) Get a shutter release cable.
I don't consider the P1000 to be my all round camera. I use it for insects, wildlife, birds, flowers, whales, etc. And it has earned my respect and regular use in that domain. It opened new doors, and I seldom can say that about a new camera.
But it weighs too much and no 1/2.7 chip will ever provide the clarity I want. That said, if I could only afford one camera, and I really really wanted wildlife closeups, it would likely be the P1000.
Apr 20, 2019 18:21:29 #
Some of us can remember when chrome was king of the road.
Dave
Dave
Apr 20, 2019 15:59:58 #
classic320 wrote:
keep 'em coming, love 3D. Currently using a point & shoot twin lensed Fuji, used to use a Realist 2.8, traded it for a Triade projector. Still have a Realist 3.5 with wide angle auxillary lens, a Revere, and the aforementioned Triade. Recently got a refurbed Sony 3D tv and BluRay that I haven't fully set up. Would welcome any any knowledge and tips! And always look forward to your posts here....
Sounds like we have traveled some of the same paths....Stereo Realists and paired Pentax 1000's in film days, Fuji W1 and W3 in digital, and the little Canon A2400 IS $76 set on a flash bracket.
I am far too much the amateur to offer useful tips. But I did want to make the point that folks can get into pretty good 3D for under $100 bucks. And using a flash bracket as a base allows for ready adjustment of the distance between the cameras (inter-ocular distance). The flower close up was at 5 inches, and the lake at about 10 inches.
Some of the good folks here have provided great advice, and I appreciate it.
Dave
Apr 20, 2019 15:26:52 #
Having a little fun in 3D out in the yard this morning. Taken with paired Canon point and shoot cameras ($32 each, used) on a $12 flash bracket....3D equipment cost $76.
Dave
Dave
Apr 20, 2019 15:10:35 #
The fake man is an experiment. I think I would leave out the shadow in the future. And BTW, the character can be posed, not simply standing like a scarecrow!! I used Adobe Fuse for the figure, turned him to simulate 3D, and dropped him in the 3D photo using PS and Stereo photo Maker.
Apr 19, 2019 13:25:38 #
Those of us who are "chronologically advanced" have so many advantages over whippersnappers, it is almost sinful. :) One of a great many is a fascinating story, in your own words and pictures, like yours. No one under 50 can top that.....and youth thinks it has advantages! :)
Cheers!
Dave
Cheers!
Dave
Apr 18, 2019 20:38:27 #
Great memories!!
Is there a ratio of distance to base that I can use? I bought a matching set of point and shoot cameras and a bracket that allows me to adjust the base up to about 10 inches. If 15 feet between shots at 350 feet distance is too great a base, what would be a preferred base?
Maybe stated differently, what is too wide a base at 350 feet?
Dave
Is there a ratio of distance to base that I can use? I bought a matching set of point and shoot cameras and a bracket that allows me to adjust the base up to about 10 inches. If 15 feet between shots at 350 feet distance is too great a base, what would be a preferred base?
Maybe stated differently, what is too wide a base at 350 feet?
Dave
Apr 18, 2019 18:53:40 #
We are extremely fortunate to have moved to the lake 30 years ago when you could still get lakefront on a modest salary.
The fishing is good as the lake is stocked, but I don't own a pole! However our great grandson is going to try his first fishing this spring from our dock when it warms up a little.
Half my photographs these days are of ducks, geese, herons, eagles, kingfishers, and other waterfowl on the lake. A log drifted into our part of the lake this winter and it became the preferred stopping place for cormorants, geese, mergansers and mallards.
They are too far away for a good 3D image with a fixed lens base, and birds move between separate shots, but I caught two sleeping with two separate shots the other day. Nothing great, but interesting.
Dave
What is perhaps interesting is that the shots were taken from my deck at a measured distance of 350 feet! I walked about 15-20 feet along the base between shots!
The fishing is good as the lake is stocked, but I don't own a pole! However our great grandson is going to try his first fishing this spring from our dock when it warms up a little.
Half my photographs these days are of ducks, geese, herons, eagles, kingfishers, and other waterfowl on the lake. A log drifted into our part of the lake this winter and it became the preferred stopping place for cormorants, geese, mergansers and mallards.
They are too far away for a good 3D image with a fixed lens base, and birds move between separate shots, but I caught two sleeping with two separate shots the other day. Nothing great, but interesting.
Dave
What is perhaps interesting is that the shots were taken from my deck at a measured distance of 350 feet! I walked about 15-20 feet along the base between shots!
