Photography is a "skilled craft". It is a craft that is sometimes used as a medium to create "Art". I think the concepts often get very confused among folks. The most notable "photography" is quite often a combination of both.
However, adding to what I've said this far, to relate to "photography" as being a form of "Art" would be wrong, the two, are mutually exclusive. "Pictures don't lie", "A picture tells a thousand words". On the other hand, "ART"..."Art is a lie that makes us realize truth", as declared by Picasso. All of these statements are definitively true which, kind of leads to a hardline conflict between the two and yet, there isn't a line at all. Artistic expression can manifest itself doing anything. It's the great thing about being human.
"Hi, left brain", "Meet right brain." I always forget which is which, but it doesn't matter as long as their in the same head. I love my brains. As to which is harder? I guess I'd have to say the intuitive side since I just haven't seemed to be able to use it or exercise it much for awhile.
burkphoto wrote:
I remember the kit. It convinced me I needed to spend more on a decent enlarger lens!
I don't think you can separate all the variables. You CAN test one thing at a time, with all other variables kept equal.
At some point, you have to just accept what you have, learn its characteristics and limitations, live within them, and not fret over how good something else is (or might be). There are plenty of folks who obsess over every last bit of performance on a test target, rather than getting out and making images.
In the real world, some of the most compelling photos are made with lenses that aren't particularly sharp, with cameras that aren't the "best on the market" (whatever that means). They tell stories, move minds, sell products, change hearts, or cause us to linger and take a longer look.
And we don't friggin' CARE whether they were made on film or with a digital camera, or whether they were made with a Nikon or a Canon (or any other brand) camera. We're too caught up in what we SEE to care about the technology.
The medium IS NOT the message. Marshall McLuhan was full of it. If you use any medium appropriately, you will make your point. Great gear just makes it easier and more fun.
I remember the kit. It convinced me I needed to sp... (
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In a word, YEP!
I've been to museums and special photography shows in New York, Chicago, Indianapolis and several University's and I've yet to see a photograph of a test chart.
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NOTE: As a comment to another thread, BurkPhoto's post here is a prime example of why it would be great to have a "thumbs up" counter. :thumbup:
Peterff wrote:
Some kind of star rating could work for that, but very difficult to moderate or administer, and subject to abuse quite easily unfortunately. Sadly we are not all honest, impartial, and well-behaved!
No, it's not a star rating. It's more like a cumulative thumbs up, that's all. The vote is only for that post. Something is either popular or it's not, for better or worse, you can't fake it. You do realize you could only vote once on each post don't you?
I think I should clarify my own take on the subject. I don't think a "like or dislike button" is exactly appropriate here. What I DO think would be good is a "vote up" button WITH a counter. Honestly, those posting the most useful comments deserve a little acknowledgement and it would be nice to able to show our respect. It wouldn't stop anyone from posting or reading, but it sure would help the relevant posts stand out.
SharpShooter wrote:
John, I'm not giving you a like/dislike, but I will point out that even Facebook doesn't have a "dislike" option!! And believe me, I'm sure they have spent a small fortune researching that type of thing. I'll bet Facebook gets more traffic in one minute than the Hog has gotten since inseption!! So why do they not have one?!?
This site is a little more interaction than that. And as Jerry pointed out, some here come just to be here and have fun, and maybe, just maybe, learn a little along the way. Maybe it's the only fun they have. Some here are in wheelchairs with a bottle of oxygen strapped to it and shooting their dog with their cameras is all that's left for them photographically wise. Maybe that person was in mind when UHH was designed. I have no idea what the Business Model was, but maybe this is it. Imagine the person I just described coming on here every morning and all they see to a topic is 59 likes and 77 dislikes..., not one bit of interaction, intellectual responce, color or life? So they say, "I like and am interested in learning this", and all they get is 29 likes!!!! Yikes!!! ;-)
SS
John, I'm not giving you a like/dislike, but I wil... (
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I understand and share your sentiment, but I think your a little mislead on how it would function. Just take a look at all the News outlets, Yahoo or any number of larger sites comment sections. The thumbs up and thumbs down DO NOT detract users from leaving comments, quite the contrary. It often encourages comments. I myself, have many times wished I could vote up someones input. It also encourages those whose posts ARE most appreciated. One thing it definitely does is draw attention to anything notable. Relevant posts become more easily spotted and less likely to be overlooked. It serves to limit clutter. No longer will members need to post, "I agree", "ditto" or just post a smiley nearly as much. We already have a feedback option that would be great,
IF, anyone would use it more then once in a lifetime.
A "like" counter can be a good thing, as it can help point out helpful posts and it also serve to cut down on redundant confirmation posts. You don't necessarily need a "dislike" counter on a forum such as this. It's one thing to let someone know you really do like something, but if you don't, then you should just pass.
JohnFrim wrote:
No, silly. The pet rocks go on a leash. The stone bag is for picking up the pebbles they leave behind. It's the law, y'know!!!
I'm glad somebody got that straight. :D
bimmer124 wrote:
A possum in a bag would work, we use them all the time especially in winter.
If it's frozen stiff, sure. :wink:
It seems to me that if your going to just "dangle" something underneath your tripod, it might as well be something your already carrying anyway, like a camera bag/pack or one of your kids, something like that. It just seems to me "dangling" anything is a prescription for compounding the problem if it moves.
I've thought about if I ever needed added weight, I would make an insert for the bottom of the center column, threaded to accept a bolt. A "spin on weight" could easily be made from a barbell weight, a bolt, nut and pair of fender washers. Alternatively, a square frame sized for a "squeeze fit" of your camera bag could be made to bolt to the column, which would solve the "dangle" problem.
Sorry, but I just don't like $300 solutions to $3 problems. If you have a "dying need" to be fancy, spend an extra $3 for paint to match the tripod. If you want to be REAL FANCY, send me $5 and I'll send you a copy of my above instructions. :lol:
johneccles wrote:
The moral of this story is "don't buy a Nikon"
No, no. The problem and the moral apply to just about everything manufactured, whether it be your car, your camera or your personal vibrator. The Moral is, Don't Crash it, Don't Drop it and Don't Work It to Death. End of Story! :lol:
As has been said, RAW is not a "format". It is, as it's name implies, ALL (every bit) of the "raw" data as recorded by the sensor. Your camera's White Balance settings DO NOT alter that info in any way. However, the settings info IS contained in the photo's info and the processing software you use to open RAW files CAN apply those presets upon opening the file if you so choose. Whether your software does that by default or not depends on the software, but either way, it IS, or should be a selectable option in your software. Which ever you choose, the actual RAW file is NOT altered.
GARGLEBLASTER wrote:
I answered that question also some posts back (Message 5 on page 1). The acetone doesn't melt my keys.
Also I have been in touch with the manufactures of my keyboard and they don't sell replacement keys. Not all keys are compatible with all keyboards.
I wasn't referring to replacement "keys". They make permanent stick on letter sets that will work with almost any keyboard. You can also get them for other language keyboards.
GARGLEBLASTER wrote:
I have a problem (it's probably me, I type with two fingers and probably thump the keys too hard) in that very gradually the letters on some keys disappear, the "A" and the "S" are particularly prone. My small solution to this when I acquire a new keyboard is to paint the letter keys with several coats of clear nail varnish. Makes the letter last longer. I'm open to longer lasting solutions.
OK, but what if the nail polish dissolves the paint or worse starts melting the key itself? I ask that because it actually is quite possible to disolve one or both as nail polish often contains acetone which is a plastic solvent. Test it first!!
Better yet just get a set of replacement keyboard letters to use if, when or as the originals wear off. Yes, they sell them, check Amazon.
bdk wrote:
the only person big business cares about is the investor. They are the people they want to keep happy. CUT CUT CUT to save a few bucks to give the investor an extra 3 cents on their investment.
I recently bought a blender, the cord on it was 10 inches long. I wrote the company, thought it was an error, wanting a new one. Nope they made the cord shorter because all counters have outlets close by so extra cord gets in the way, really???? it was because they saved 15 cents per unit im sure...
the only person big business cares about is the in... (
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There IS a reason for the short cord. They make them that way so they can't reach a sink full of water.