The *Official Photography Thread*

A couple from this past weekend. Trying to work on getting better shots of the stars but I ran out of time with a rising moon this time.

 

A couple shots from a kayak/camp trip.

 

I have three similar photos and wonder which people prefer (and why, if you'd like to share). Only the lighting is different across the three.

#1 - pre sunrise


#2 - sun on mountain


#3 - sun on tent

 

I’ll probably be the odd one here but I like #1. I think the truck blends better with the whole photo in it.

 

I like #3 the best because the sun is catching the hill in the middle of the frame and the mountain in the background doesnt look as oversaturated as #2 does. I like the tent and first layer of bushes in picture #1 better though. If it were me I would poke around with blending #1 and #3 together.

Did you actually camp here? This would be awesome to wake up to.

 

I like #2. Truck pops out more in the forst picture but I like the effects with the sun on the mountain

 

LOL, at least I'm in similar company - i.e. a tough decision.

Here was my current thinking.
#1 - I technically like this one the most, I felt like it was the most balanced, exposure wise.
#2 - I wanted to like this one the most. It's what I setup the shot for. But, felt oversaturated to me. I'm going to try reprocessing to see if I can get happier with this one.
#3 - This was an afterthought as I took the photos, but after I took it, I thought it looked best on my little camera screen. After the fact however, I don't like how the sun has spilled onto the mid-ground hills. Turned out to be my least favorite.

And @Breezy - of course I camped here - how else would I get the photo? lol

Thanks all! Any further feedback from anyone is absolutely welcomed!

 

Drive up and just take the picture....

This account used to expose people who did just that:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvDOtxiF1I1/?igshid=beh6615s8ypf

 

Hahaha, that's crazy. No, you can see my trip reports in my build thread to know that I actually go places and camp. Gotta love social media these days.

 

I think a lot of social media is fake when brands are involved. I mean, I see a lot of Prewitt Ridge photos where it's pretty clear no camping is happening.

 

#1 because of the foreground lighting.

 

I kind of like #3 from the storytelling perspective more. I feel like there's two things you want someone to appreciate in this image- the mountain, and the truck. With one having sunlight and not the other, your eyes pull to it. It also gives off one of those 'the mountain is far away but we're both getting hit by the same sun, so distance is really relative' vibes which is cool if you're into that sort of thing.


In other news, got a used Sigma Art macro for my Sony today. Here's my favorite out of the walk around my fence line:

 

So, I have been trying like mad to get a good picture of the hawks from my back porch. Thing is, can't use the auto focus, obviously. And trying to move the manual focus expertly enough to get a good shot is killin' me. additionally, these shots are shot with an zoom lens at maximum 300 mm. Whats the secret. I've gotten lucky a few times, but mostly, not so much.








This last picture has two Red Tail Hawks and one Crow or Raven. That big bastard in the middle is a juvenile Golden Eagle. So I'm told. This is 15 minutes from downtown Oakland.

 

Wife and I went on Safari in Tanzania two years ago. It wasn't a photography trip, but it would have been nice if there were some short lessons every day. Winged it. Screwed up so many opportunities trying to do everything manually. Should have gone straight to auto mode instead if risking it.

 

Why no autofocus? If you have to manual focus, stop it down for a wider depth of field but then you’ll need a lot more light (either ambient or ISO). Also, try shooting in bursts so if you miss focus on one, you may catch the shot in other frames.

Birds in flight are super difficult to snag. Remember, they take off with the wind and land into the wind And if they “lighten the load” they’re getting ready to launch.

 

Not sure what camera body you are using. But depending on which one, you may have some control over the auto focus. If you're using the single point, then it's gonna be a PITA to capture a bird. More is better to a point. If you're shooting toward the grass, fewer is better because blowing grass has a habit of grabbing the auto focus.

If you have the original of each of the birds, try and figure out which focus point(s) were used. That can be really helpful.

 

Nikon D5200. But I'm a slow bowler.

 

When I had the auto focus on it kept searching. Never stopping. In and out, like it didn't have a clue what to focus on. No doubt, it's probably user error.

 

That’s where you would use the 3D tracking mode. If the d5200 has it in there. I started digital with a d7000 so it may not be in the 5xxx series.

 

Hi! Doesn't sound like you're using a prime lens but if you do and your lens has a focus limiter it might help to set it and avoid the searching. You might also want to try "back button focus" as an option for better tracking. AF is definitely the better option!