Posts: paddlerdon | Ugly Hedgehog

Superstition Mountains

Very nice image.

Mar 4, 2019 10:48:20 #

Lake Michigan Sunrise

Very nice, the colors caught my attention but there is something and I'm not sure what that kept me looking into this scene. Very nice.

Feb 17, 2019 11:28:12 #

PHOTOGRAPHING IN THE COLD below freezing

As a Minnesotan my camera is often out in the cold. I always put it in a sealable bag before bringing it in. I pop the memory card out before sealing so I can work on my images as soon as I get home. I have upgraded ziplog bags to drybags that kayakers and rafters use (much more durable). I use 7 liter bags for camera and most lenses. 20-30 liter when 150-600mm lens is used. Vinyl and vinyl coated canvas bags are difficult to manage when cold so I'd suggest lightweight nylon with poly lining or silicone impregnated nylon. Extra battery in an inside pocket is also good advise.

Jan 17, 2019 10:57:10 #

Sunrise on Lake Superior

Nice set Mark! I don't get to see too many "familiar" places on this site!
Thanks, Don

Dec 22, 2018 10:43:23 #

Can never enough become too much?

This discussion has been very helpful. In my original post I was really considering the many images (literally 100's) of this one place individually and was confident they had all just turned into a blur of sameness. I've now come to see that considered in groups or as some of you've mentioned sets or series or studies, images that are even very similar have a new interest when considered collectively.
Thank you so much!

Dec 21, 2018 08:49:50 #

Utah Skies

Some very nice images!

Dec 20, 2018 09:37:33 #

Can never enough become too much?

Thanks all for the encouragement, I hope I didn't give the impression I was considering putting the camera away away (can't see that happening). I may have made my last image of this waterfall for a while though. At least till the marsh marigolds bloom next spring, I still haven't made the flower with the moving water background image I want! (but that's probably not a landscape discussion :-)

Dec 19, 2018 15:14:42 #

Can never enough become too much?

As someone who primarily makes landscape images I am wondering what others do when a favorite location causes them to say to themselves, "do I really need another picture of this?" Favorite places and especially the ones closer to home can become a little thread bare. I'll use the location below as example as my last visit caused me to stop and wonder if enough is too much, should I really share any more pics of this little waterfall?

So this is a little waterfall where I go, there are the obvious options, where to stand, camera settings, etc and the seasons bring change and even water volume (flow) impact waterfalls in so many ways but maybe I’ve seen/done it all? While I will never get tired of visiting this place maybe I should leave the camera home??
Prairie Creek in Caron Park, Nerstrand MN
thanks, Don

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Dec 9, 2018 11:23:50 #

Avoiding Condensation

I upgraded from a ziplock bag to a dry bag used by kayakers, rafters, etc. They are very tough. I roll it up and snap it through a loop on my pack so I always have it. I also try and remember to pop the memory card out of the camera before bagging so I don't have to wait to pp when I get home.

Mar 16, 2018 10:58:16 #

Kayaks and Cameras

Hi Marsha, I paddle and photograph alot. What I want to shoot, where I'm paddling and what boat I am in all factor into what camera gear I bring and how I protect it on the water. Sometimes I'm a photographer using a kayak (dslr, lens/s and tripod and a boat to fit them) sometimes I'm a paddler with a camera (dslr and gear stay home, point and shoot or cell phone come along). Drybags work but must be sealed properly, don't provide bump protection and will likely sink. You can line a dry bag with foam to help. Waterproof cases don't have those draw backs but can be cumbersome to way to large and expensive if a dlsr and long lens are needed. If you are new to paddling I would suggest leaving your cameras home till you get a feel though you'll want a small dry bag for your keys, wallet, etc maybe get one with enough room to include a cellphone or small point and shoot. A couple things I've learned, even the gentlest stream can present hazzards and looking threw a viewfinder is an easy way to miss noticing them. I,ve also learned it takes a great deal of practiced effort to shoot wildlife when in a kayak on moving water especially with a long lens. (they just never hold still for me!) If you want to get into details, especially regarding boats and waters, feel free to pm me, I'm a Minnesotan too!

Feb 19, 2017 10:53:28 #

Thanks Alan, I don't really need a lesson on ND filters but I did glean a tidbit from your reply. Flare, yes that was a good comment and you're right these filters do have some flare. I did a little testing while shooting this mornings sunrise, the 6 stop has a little, the 11 stop probably has more than I can tolerate! The good news is the lens itself didn't exhibit any!

amfoto1 wrote:

The purpose of an ND filter is to allow longer exp... (show quote)

Feb 18, 2017 08:40:00 #

Yes genorkus there is a lot of chromatic aberration, you see it in both #1 and #2 right? It's quite a disappointment in the lens. (lightroom seems to be able to remove it quickly) Thanks for taking the time to look and reply. Can I assume you didn't see anything else then? Also thank you for NOT providing me with info on how I am suppose to use an ND filter! ;-)
Don

GENorkus wrote:

Side note:
Forgetting your original ND filter question, I see one heck of a lot of chromatic aberration! Not really any in the center but the outer portions are very noticeable.

Feb 17, 2017 08:57:00 #

The filter is 1 of a pair I bought at amazon for 40 bucks. This is a round 6 stop ND filter (glass) brand of "ICE" that will be used mostly at waterfalls. This scene was only a filter test...suppose I could have done a better job selecting and comping. I was thinking I wanted some highlight, shadow, color and the lens to be zoomed to shortest focal length. Other than lightroom converting raw to jpeg there is zero processing on either image. I Will attach a 3rd image, it's been post processed and the 11 stop filter was used, certainly not the magenta mess I was expecting!

CO wrote:

I don't see the vignetting. I see that the upper left corner of the images is a little darker but that's just how the sky was. I don't see the same darkening in the upper right hand corner. There's a overall slight difference in exposure. That's just my take on it. Maybe other people will analyze it better than I.

Why are you using an ND filter for this scene? Is it a graduated ND filter?

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Feb 16, 2017 14:56:13 #

I bought a couple of cheap ND filters that seem to work far better than I expected so I'm wondering if anyone can point out issues they see in the filtered version. The vignetting is obvious to me but I'm not seeing any other issues. I will confess I am not a pixel peeper so I'm hoping for better analysis from some of you. The histogram's are a little different but I don't know to interpret ( with filter shadows are a little lower and highlights a little higher than non filter). Shutter speed was the only change between the images. So what say you, did I luck out? I am intentionally not id'ing which is which, though exif data will id the longer exposure. :-)
Thanks!
Don

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Feb 2, 2017 07:37:55 #

Nikon D7100 vs Pentax K5 iis

Thanks "Shooter" point of clarification, is the D7000 sensor the same as whats in the K5? (They are both 16 MP where the 7100 and 7200 are 24 MP) Which brings another question, I've read opinions that think 16MP is the sweat spot for APS-C sensors, wondering others thoughts on that. I could have stated my original question more clearly, are the slight differences in Dynamic range and ISO between the D7100 and K5 noticeable to the human eye?

MT Shooter wrote:

The D7100 (D7200 newer version) and the K5's share... (show quote)