Photography 56k no-go zone

[nukehead]

I have never really tried my hand at photography even though I find it fascinating. Last year I managed to wrench a little point-and-shoot Nikon from my girl to snap some shots of the sunset. I haven't edited these or anything but here are two of about twelve taken before the camera was whisked away from me once again.



I just loved the colouring in this next one but I couldn't get the 'whole' shot that I would have liked. Those clouds end a little too abruptly at the edges.

[McDangerous]

So I've been reading up quite a bit about photography and trying to acquire some tips on how to take better photos, and these are the results below. I borrowed my girlfriend's father's Sony a350, and these are just preliminary shots that I took quickly this morning and tonight. After my test tomorrow I'm going to have a proper go at it and take some time and practice. I'm quite happy with how these turned out since I didn't really spend much time on them. Still getting the hang of balancing out the ISO, f/stop, shutter speed and automatic focusing settings.

Forum width restrictions are cramping my style, so please open them up in a new tab to see them in full.

Also, nuke, very nice shots. I like the top one in particular, especially the silhouetted palm tree, it really gives the picture a sense of depth. I would've aimed the camera lower to just get a little more of the horizon in, but it's already a nice shot, and the increased angle you've got it at now enables a large gradient of colour in the sky.

[nukehead]

Ha, I forgot I posted those.

Yeah I had a couple of the first one with the horizon a little higher but chose that one due to the sort of 'warped' perspective that I love in photography. Not quite as pronounced as I would like but I really enjoy those shots that feel ethereal due to perspective. I really want to wrangle a proper SLR with a decent lens and **** around a little. In fact, macro photography would suit me best. I really dig spotting unusual things in an everyday scene. Would love to have the tech to explore it.

Moving on from me, McDangerous, I like your rose shot. I just wish that bottom leaf wasn't there. In fact, I think it would have been ideal to have the rose unimpeded. Looking forward to see your 'effort' shots. ;)

[McDangerous]

I have a couple where the rose is alone in the scene, but I chose that shot due to the movement of the leaves alongside the stationary flower. There was a breeze travelling through the house when I took the shot and the shutter speed was luckily slow enough to allow the movement of the leaves to be captured. I would have actually liked to have had a tripod so that I could extend the exposure time to get more motion blur from the leaves, but I actually took that shot about a month ago just using plain old Macro settings, before I actually started researching photography.

With an SLR you'll be able to have a wider angle lens for shots like those, which will aid you in creating that bulbous perspective you enjoy. I've only had this one at my personal disposal today, so with some practice and some decent subject material I'll hopefully get some decent shots out.

I'd actually love to do some astronomy photography, but alas, I don't have the time at the moment to venture out far enough from the city to eliminate the light pollution it generates.

[McDangerous]

So I decided today was a PC photography day, so I set it up and took plenty of shots. Unfortunately I'm not entirely happy with the way that they came out in the end. Basically I need to get used to checking my shots before proceeding to the next scene or image I want to take to make sure it's perfect. I've got a couple of shots where the actual pic looks cool, but it could have been better if I just zoomed out a little or increased the f/stop to get a greater depth of field. I'm learning though, and that's what counts. I'll upload and post my favorite one that I took. I did edit it, but I just wanted to focus the attention on the graphics card, so I basically just de-saturated the rest of the image, barring the fan, as I thought it added some depth to the shot.

Once again please view it in a new tab.

[McDangerous]

Two more quick ones I took that I'm quite happy with.

[Azraphael]

So I headed on a mini road-trip last week to my absolute favourite place on the planet, the Garden Route, where I spent five days exploring Sedgefield, Buffels and Knysna. It's the first time since I bought my camera (a year ago) that I've actually had the chance to really use it for myself, and not just work. I am very much teaching myself as I go along, with much experimentation and frustration, but I'm loving every second of it.


This little guy was almost as photogenic as my dog, refusing to budge even when the lens was right up in his grill. I have dubbed him Schmodel-McFly.


A random shot of the flowers in the garden of the cabin we were staying in. The garden was absolutely beautiful with plenty of oportunities to practice in. The morning light was also absolutely spectacular. While Cape Town was being battered by a monster storm, we had clear skies and sunshine.


The view from the garden, with that beautiful, front-lit early morning light.


Down on the beach, nothing particularly impressive about the shot, but there is definitely a mood to this shot that I love. I think it just summed up the whole trip.


And finally, my favourite pic of the entire trip. Yes, it's been shopped slightly, but this was just the perfect subject, in the right place, at the right time. I've mainly used it as a practice plate for Photoshop, but it just got this vibe that I love. I'm having it printed on a 2.5 meter canvas to hang in my lounge, that's how much I dig it.

[Toxxyc]

Quick question - what did you shop on the picture?

[Azraphael]

Basically, I just brought out the reflections on the chrome, enhanced the black ever so slightly and sharpened the image. I wanted a slightly grainy, old school feel to it. I am very much still teaching myself so it's all a lot of trial and error for now. Half the time I don't actually know exactly what I'm doing. My philosophy is, and I don't care what any of the other artistes around here think (jokes, crits are welcome), is as long as the the eye for a good picture is there, the technical ability (for me at least, at this stage) is secondary. I am looking at studying photography part time in the future, where I will then focus on the technical ability but for now I am just experimenting and having fun, fueling this growing interest.

[Aesir]

Hey guys! I want to see how the sun goes around my yard during the course of the day, I want to do this in order to find out the best spot to put my Bonsais. I decided I want to make a time lapse video of the yard. I have no idea how to do this but obviously I don't want to spend any money on something I want to do because I'm a bit bored.

I have a Nikon Coolpix P300.

How many photos do I need to take in order for the video to be smooth and how long apart?
What program can I use to put them into a movie?
Any tips are welcome as well of course. :D

Thanks!

[Flangenimblick]

Just took this pic with my iPhone.

Man Im awesome. ;p'

[Azraphael]

Cape Town? I left my camera at the office last night, and Murphy's Law, while sitting at Jamaica Me Crazy a massive storm rolled in over Table Bay.

[Flangenimblick]

Cape Town? I left my camera at the office last night, and Murphy's Law, while sitting at Jamaica Me Crazy a massive storm rolled in over Table Bay.

Oudtshoorn :)

Yeah, I sat outside for about 10min trying to get a good shot. This one was mostly fluke, haha.

[McDangerous]

A couple of my recent snaps:


Ellen by TyronLab, on Flickr


Dream by TyronLab, on Flickr


Purple Glass Flower by TyronLab, on Flickr


Purple Arrangement by TyronLab, on Flickr


Eye of Tyron by TyronLab, on Flickr

You guys can check out the rest on my Flickr photostream: flickr.com/tyronlab

As always, any comments, questions or suggestions appreciated!

Love that pic of the old jammie Azraph, really nice composition there. Also, don't be ashamed that you 'shopped it, it was created just for that purpose. You can't make a terrible photo a good photo with Photoshop, but you can re-create your vision with it using some photos that are close to what you're looking for.

Also, nice job Flange, your iPhone should be good at those types of pics though, it does have a Lightning connector after all doesn't it? :P

EDIT: Wait, is it lightning or thunderbolt? Can't remember. Nerd joke fail.

[McDangerous]

First time I tried a long exposure car pic, and I decided to try it randomly while driving. Switching between my two lenses while keeping the car under control was interesting to say the least, but I got this shot which I absolutely adore. It's not a good photo by any means, I just think it has an awesome look to it, there's something cinematic and CG-looking to it.

Comments and suggestions appreciated!


The Impromptu Race by TyronLab, on Flickr

[Azraphael]

Wow, nice shot McD. I've been wanting to go out and do some long exposure for a while, preferably from Rhodes Memorial at peak traffic in the evening. The other night would of been perfect with the light mist but I had to work. Being a location scout, I know exactly how tricky it can be to try and shoot and drive, I often have to take sneaky shots when security guards won't let me in. Hi-Fi corp used to sell a mini tripod for about R50, great to mount on a dashboard.

[McDangerous]

To be honest I did get some decent shots from just putting my camera on the dashboard, but because I drive an old '73 Alfa the whole car vibrates the entire time, so it ended up being shakier than hand-holding. Really digging it though, I'd love to do some more when I have the chance, and I'm actually prepared!

We need some more input guys and gals! I love this thread.

[tarisma]

Right so this seems to be the thread. Need some advice I am on the verge if buying myself a Nikon D3100 with a 18-55 lense as well as a 55-200. The majority of my family uses cannon, but all of my friends use Nikon and I prefer the nikon's. Any comments or before I go through with my purchase

[KimmyKae]

I don't have a fancy camera or nothing, but I like taking random photos of things I think are pretty, touching or poignant in some way.



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[McDangerous]

Nice job Kimmy, Like the first three shots specifically. You have a good eye for composition. Really like the close up perspective shot of the railroad track, with a decent camera and a sharp lens it would have been perfect, but otherwise very good job.

On the camera choice question @tarisma, I can't comment really other than the fact that I bought the Canon 1100D, and I love it to bits. What are you actually looking to shoot? Oftentimes longer zoom lenses are pointless for beginner photographers, you'd be much better off going for a cheaper bundle and spending the extra cash on a good 50mm lens, or "nifty fifty".