The *Official Photography Thread*

The 5200 has continuous focus mode. This is also called AF-C. More than likely, that is the setting you’ve got set. This means the lens will continuously try to lock focus. Try setting the focus mode to AF-A. This is the default mode. Find your subject, press the shutter half way to lock focus then take the picture.

 

All my lenses are Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor

 

You set the autofocus modes in the camera's menu system.

 

Also by prime I mean fixed focal length.

 

I had thoughts of that right after I posted the lens type. Doh!

 

I did not know that. Thank you.

 

Sooooooooo much to learn.

 

I would use 3D if shooting birds against a solid sky and Dynamic (D9) in other scenarios for birds.

 

WOW, what a great tutorial. Wish I'd found this long ago. Learned a ton about my camera in just a few minutes. Tells you how lazy I've been for quite some time. The manual is overwhelming. This guy really helps.

 

Shot these with my Nikon D750 on my trip to France & Italy.

 

idk if you know, but I've been friends with a few people at SmugMug over the years and a customer. Over the years, they've done some pretty cool videos. I attribute that to hiring Anton Lorimer. He's a pretty talented film maker and responsible for a bunch of intro like videos and for a new series called "One Day One Artist". This series just released and their subject this time around is Michael Shainblum who happens to one of my favorite time lapsers.

https://youtu.be/Q0jkYAKKXtw

Hope you find the series motivational.

 

Camp critters, Fungi, and fall colors

White Mountains-0106 by David Dawson, on Flickr

White Mountains-0107 by David Dawson, on Flickr

White Mountains-0046 by David Dawson, on Flickr

White Mountains-0069 by David Dawson, on Flickr

 

The lights decided to come out this morning. Pentax KP+DA10-17mm fisheye


Auroras 092829 web-0141 by David Dawson, on Flickr


Auroras 092829 web-0134 by David Dawson, on Flickr

 

What’s up everyone? It’s been a while since I’ve used my camera. One of my friends is starting a woodworking company so I offered to take some photos for him. This is his first product. What do you guys think? Prop choice, framing, lighting, etc. any feedback is welcome!

My Photos-12.jpg by Stephen, on Flickr

My Photos-5.jpg by Stephen, on Flickr

My Photos-11.jpg by Stephen, on Flickr

 

I would eliminate all labels from the bottle or turn the label towards the camera to show what it is. It looks like you're purposely trying to hide the label.

The background I would eliminate by making it a solid color or increasing subject to background distance so it is consumed in the bokeh or light the fire (looks like a gas fireplace, could be distracting also?).

I think your white balance might be a touch cool when viewed on muh phone

 

Thanks for the feedback! You are correct about the bottle haha. I should start gathering props without labels. With the label facing the camera I thought it was even more distracting since the Jameson logo is so big, I felt like my eyes were automatically drawn to it.

Good point on the background, I just kind of worked with what I had but could have easily tried against the wall and used one of my lights to change up the color a little.

I see what you’re saying about the white balance on the phone. I’ll have to check it again on my iPad and computer.

How do you feel about the bottle in the foreground? I wasn’t quite sure if I liked it but wanted to change it up a bit.

 

Not really sure what is being sold here. Right now, it’s just stuff on a table without any defined relationship. Since you said wood working company, can I assume the coaster is the product? If so, lose everything but the coaster and glass. Try adding light to the coaster and less for the background. Overhead shots are fine but I’d stick to slightly off the table but enough to know what’s on offer-like photo_11.

If you have flash, set the light output for the correct exposure for the coaster and glass by under exposing the scene (manually set the exposure so you see just a touch of the background) the add flash. You might need to make a snoot to keep just the glass and product lit.

I’d look at magazine ads of similar products for ideas too.

 

Thanks for tips. It is the coaster. I should have taken some photos of just the coaster and glass like you said. I’d like to try again at some point. I do kind of feel like I was trying to get too much going on at once. Next time I’ll start with just the product then add stuff. I was semi prepared but not quite enough.

I didn’t have a flash other than the on camera flash with me. I have some LED video lights with me though. Not sure if that would have a similar effect.

thanks again!

 

They'd work. But because you want to be more precise with the light by using a snoot, you'll have to be careful to not ignite the paper (I know they're LED but some still generate heat. BTW, you can make a snoot from a piece of dark paper. Roll it into a cone shape with the wide end going over the source and the narrow end being just wide enough to light your subject.