Posts for: bewithabob
Oct 18, 2013 12:29:23 #
Flipper2012 wrote:
Hi Jenni,because you budget is 1200 dollars and to... (show quote)
This is the most sensible answer I have read here. Budget is the gating factor . I think for the OP is asking "Best value within my budget", not 'best' Some responses that suggest a D4, or a D800 are absurd, because those camera bodies are not available at even ½ her price range.
The Nikon D7000 got rave reviews when it was introduced a few years ago, and it is available now refurbished at ridiculously low prices making it a best value camera body with lots of extras, an excellent focus system, and fast shutter for multi-frame rate.
One could pick up a Nikon 70-300 lens used, from KEH with Vibration reduction. A good lens for this purpose and a reasonable price just $99! http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Autofocus-Zoom-Lenses/1/sku-NA07999036687J5?r=FE
I would not be too concerned with getting a lens that is f2.8 or even f.4.0, since she can boost ISO and get very good results even in stadium lighting conditions. Nikon's image sensor is equal to the task.
One thing I would add for the OP however, (which some others have already commented on), is to account for the following items in your budget in addition to your camera and lens
1) Fast SDHC memory cards (buy two)
2) A tripod or monopod. (helpful when shooting a long lens)
3) Some type of lens cleaner like a Lens Pen to keep your lens clean.
4) An inexpensive camera bag for carrying around your camera and lens stuff
When you add those things into your budget on top of your camera and lens, you will just be squeaking by on your budget, but you will be set up for taking great images.
Mar 18, 2013 02:23:08 #
I have entered a challenge for the first time
who too!
Mar 12, 2013 12:41:10 #
Oh my gosh, David. You are incredibly talented, and have some great patience to get these shots. Wonderful, and thanks for sharing them!
Mar 12, 2013 12:36:12 #
Bunny-Jean wrote:
Welcome!!! Post some photos!!
Hi Bunny Jean and thanks for the welcome.
Here is a link to some shots I took at cars and coffee. I am slowly building my photo book and looking for more places to shoot here in Dallas.
Tell me what you think of these.
http://flickr.com/gp/bewithabob/Q7p81w/
Mar 12, 2013 12:20:38 #
Mar 12, 2013 02:37:01 #
I am a native Californian- and it is a huge state with loads of beautiful natural scenery.
As people have mentioned- Yosemite National Park is magnificent, and the valley is spectacular, but there are also some great spots in the upper Tuolomne Meadows and hikes to Hetch Hetchy or horseback trails that will amaze you. There are great look outs is so many places there, countless.
If you are on the coast, the drive from Carmel south along route 1 is magnificent. But if you are in Northern California, visit the wine country, specifically Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino- the vineyards are beautiful and several wineries there present great photos ops. Again there are so many- I have been there dozens of times and every one is wonderful. There is a hot-air ballooning and gliders yo can take from Napa, as well that present great photos and experiences. Further north, the town of Mendocino on the north coast is fantastic- beautiful shoreline and nice feeling, and friendly.
Further south- spend some time in Santa Barbara 0 the beaches there and the town is quaint- the old missions of California are great historical landmarks and are spread all over the state.
Drive south along the coast through Malibu- The coast line is fantastic
In Los Angeles, there is an amazing horseback trail that is at the foot of the Hollywood sign, that goes over and into the hills. Not many people know about it, but it offers some colorful scenery that you won't normally see in the LA area, and good views over the city.
The Getty Museum in West Los Angeles is fabulous- the grounds are wonderful, as is the architectural marvel of the museum itself and the gardens.
Going further south ( I am skipping a lot) you should visit beautiful Laguna Beach and the tide pools there. There is an artists colony as well, but the scenery along the coast is spectacular some of the most beautiful in California-
Lived in Manhattan Beach for 20 years, I miss it now that I am in Texas!
As people have mentioned- Yosemite National Park is magnificent, and the valley is spectacular, but there are also some great spots in the upper Tuolomne Meadows and hikes to Hetch Hetchy or horseback trails that will amaze you. There are great look outs is so many places there, countless.
If you are on the coast, the drive from Carmel south along route 1 is magnificent. But if you are in Northern California, visit the wine country, specifically Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino- the vineyards are beautiful and several wineries there present great photos ops. Again there are so many- I have been there dozens of times and every one is wonderful. There is a hot-air ballooning and gliders yo can take from Napa, as well that present great photos and experiences. Further north, the town of Mendocino on the north coast is fantastic- beautiful shoreline and nice feeling, and friendly.
Further south- spend some time in Santa Barbara 0 the beaches there and the town is quaint- the old missions of California are great historical landmarks and are spread all over the state.
Drive south along the coast through Malibu- The coast line is fantastic
In Los Angeles, there is an amazing horseback trail that is at the foot of the Hollywood sign, that goes over and into the hills. Not many people know about it, but it offers some colorful scenery that you won't normally see in the LA area, and good views over the city.
The Getty Museum in West Los Angeles is fabulous- the grounds are wonderful, as is the architectural marvel of the museum itself and the gardens.
Going further south ( I am skipping a lot) you should visit beautiful Laguna Beach and the tide pools there. There is an artists colony as well, but the scenery along the coast is spectacular some of the most beautiful in California-
Lived in Manhattan Beach for 20 years, I miss it now that I am in Texas!
Mar 12, 2013 02:13:53 #
First off, Howdy from Dallas. I am new to the forum, and wish you good luck with your portraits sessions and a happy graduation for your niece
Couple of suggestions-
regarding focus- take a look at your camera settings, and make sure you are not deploying any facial recognition which can cause you camera to auto focus, and then check your auto focus settings,
There are buttons on the back of the camera you can use to determine when the focus is locked. Some people like to focus on the near eye, with shutter half pressed, then recompose, and then fire, but I find sometimes, when doing that, the slight change in camera angle , you can get a little drift in the focus too. I think it is better to use the button on the back of the camera- with a little practice you will get used to it.
I think you have some good choices there already for lenses. I personally like the 100mm 2.8 for portraits, it will give you some nice bokeh.
Couple of suggestions-
regarding focus- take a look at your camera settings, and make sure you are not deploying any facial recognition which can cause you camera to auto focus, and then check your auto focus settings,
There are buttons on the back of the camera you can use to determine when the focus is locked. Some people like to focus on the near eye, with shutter half pressed, then recompose, and then fire, but I find sometimes, when doing that, the slight change in camera angle , you can get a little drift in the focus too. I think it is better to use the button on the back of the camera- with a little practice you will get used to it.
I think you have some good choices there already for lenses. I personally like the 100mm 2.8 for portraits, it will give you some nice bokeh.
Mar 12, 2013 01:59:55 #
I am new around here, but it looks like you picked up a nice one. Hope your wife has forgiven you this.
Mar 10, 2013 11:56:26 #
Tex wrote:
This group looks very interesting. Will they allow anyone to take pictures?
Hi Tex
yes taking photos is permitted- take a look at my flckr page and you'll see what I got from that.
Showing up earlier is best- the early light is much better so the sky isn't so bright.
I am planning to go to the next one.
Mar 9, 2013 23:43:03 #
FreoJim wrote:
Hi everyone. Although this is a personal question ... (show quote)
You have a lot of breadth there already.
If you like to shoot portraits, I think Nikon's AF-S 70-200 f2.8 VRII which is sharp and yields a fabulous bokeh for portraits.
For off-camera flash, I think you can do quiet well with SB900 or SB910 Speedlights which give good TTL results of NIKON's TTL creative lighting system. THese put out good light with the Photoflex Octobox (I have a pair of the 60"era for portraits) and I also like the 60" Photek soft lighters which work very nicely with speed lights.
Off camera flash takes a bit more equipment, and while you can get good results with one flash, I have found that for environmental portraits you often find yourself wanting extra light modifiers for hair lights, backgrounds, main light, fill light, and then a reflector ( I have a pair of the California Sunbounces in white gold, and silver).
Shoot through umbrellas are also a good investment and not too expensive.
You will need a good background or two, and some decent light stands (I like the Manfrotto BAC models which come in different heights to suit your needs, which will give you good height and are stackable for transport and storage.
But as I said you can get great results with just one flash.
I also prefer to go manual, and use a light meter when using a flash, my meter preference is the Sekonic L758DR which can be calibrated to your camera with the Sekonic target.
I did this portrait of my uncle a few weeks ago at my house with just one main light: a SB-800, set to Manual, at ⅛ power about 3 feet from the subject camera right, shot through a 60" Photoflex Octobox, with a 4x6 foot white reflector on the opposite side as fill. This is a reliable set up for me. I only had a few moments before he had to catch a plane, so took just 5 images and every one was a great exposure, so it was just a matter of expression. This was my favorite- the expression he uses when he is holding 4 aces when we play poker, but doesn't want you to know it.
This was shot with a Nikon D7000, ISO 100, f5.6, 105mm lens @ 1/125.
My uncle Jim
Mar 9, 2013 22:11:46 #
tsister wrote:
Welcome from a neighbor in Wylie. You'll learn alot here so enjoy.
Thanks for the welcome. Hi neighbor!
Mar 9, 2013 22:10:07 #
Irvingite wrote:
Not familiar with it
bewithabob wrote:
Hi Irving Neighbor- do you ever go to cars and coffee to look at the vintage cars. great photo ops there.
Not familiar with it
For those of you who are interested, Cars and Coffee is a great meet up once a month for the automotive groups who like to show off their cars.
http://dallas.carsandcoffee.info
They have these all over the country, and this one is pretty nice, as it is hosted in the parking area of the local BMW dealer in North Texas.
Here are some of my shots from last year-
http://flickr.com/gp/bewithabob/Q7p81w/
Mar 9, 2013 19:20:36 #
Tex wrote:
Great here are a couple realy good ones
The Complete Photographer
The North Texas Photography club
The Complete Photographer
The North Texas Photography club
Tex- I guess you are member of those. Are they on meet up too?
Mar 9, 2013 19:14:50 #
Tex wrote:
Go to www.meetup.com. there are several in the Dallas area. they offer classes and group outings.
Thanks, Tex. Found it and joined one !
Mar 9, 2013 19:14:14 #