The *Official Photography Thread*

Here we go...

I didn't bother correcting the throwaways. Here's the edited competition entry...

 

Finding/tracking your subject at 400mm is a PITA but you'll get used to it pretty quickly and it only gets worse as you go up in magnification

What does the rental place say about the ring? It's only that last 1/2" on the barrel adjust. I can usually loosen it by holding the focus ring and the tension ring separately.

 

Ya... when my 8 meg upload compresses to 100k... there's some loss going on.

 

It's a great picture! Love the bokeh.

 

Bingo, there ya go Rich!

May look into the white balance on that shot too. Looks a bit blue/green on my screen, but just a hair... Gettn picky now haha

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...pid_RRS_1BB_RS_Sport_Extreme_Sport_Strap.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/981773-REG/joby_jb01278_cww_ultra_plate_black.html

Based on recommendations here. I LOVE this strap. I'm strapless when I want to be or when the camera is mounted, and strapped when carrying.
The slide is effortless, like I'm not wearing a strap.
The Joby adapter plate is big enough to allow me to use the huge "hockey puck" quick release mount for my Slik 700DX.



Also, someone mentioned light boxes....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/859556-REG/Polaroid_PLPS_Tabletop_Studio_Light_and.html

For the price, this box is just really neat. The lights aren't the best, but it's available on Amazon for like $10 less without the lights... may as well get them!
My only complaint is the background cloth comes folded rather than rolled, so it's got some heavy wrinkles.
I need to figure out how to store them in the "case" rolled.

When the box is opened, the rear is black, top and sides are translucent white, and the bottom is open. The "case" doubles back and forms the support for the back. A velcro strip across the top of the back secures the background fabric (red, white, blue, and black provided, flip side of the satin white is a matte neutral grey).

Folded for transport/storage, it's a little larger than a record album at about 17x17. The lights and camera mount stow in a pocket on the front, so thickness is about 4".

 

You can DIY those light boxes using a cheap white sheet and some lights from Home Depot.

 

I kind of want to try that out, so I can take some photos of my orchids when they bloom

 

I balanced it for daylight.

Had I been more comfortable and spent more time setting it up, I probably would have put the Gary Fong grey dome out there as a reference.
As it was, it was just a smidge yellow so I went to "daylight" WB in lightroom (manipulating RAW).

 

Ya, there's all kinds of ways to build a lightbox.

I went with this one because it was cheap, came with the background fabric, and folds up and stores nicely.

 

Wow.

Wow.

Here's one (no post, straight out of the camera) from my Tamron 70-300....

Focal distance was around 5ft.
f/6.3
1/125
ISO-100
185mm (Macro mode on this lens runs from 185 to 300)

 

Haha..idk why but i really like this photo man haha

sweettt







Okay..since im in mid west country(sadly) at the moment..one cool thing is big spring storms so my goal is a cool lighting photo or two..


however..

my main problem is well..holy mother of rain. Rains WAY more then in Wy. So...any ideas on how i can set up my gear and save it from the downpours? i really want the Arch with lighting behind it..

 

That'd be totally cool to see.

The price is definitely right!

 

i thought about the truck...but figured there would be too much movement..

Plus to get a shot of the Arch that is worth a damn, i have to get up on a tower that is totally exposed and like 40' high. Or go to the south bridge that is also exposed. Can't park for those places and wait it out.

Guess ill just have to try the plastic bag idea..im worried that rain drops hitting it will screw it up though...i mean..they are big rain drops! haha

 

It's the basic $200 70-300.
The $450 version doesn't seem to have the macro mode.

I've been very impressed with this lens. If quality control is hit and miss on Tamron, I definitely "hit" on this one.

But ya... it doesn't compare to your rental. My bokeh is pretty harsh.

 

I don't remember if I posted this photo, but the attached photo is what I did when I went out into a blind for some waterfowl shots with predicted rain. It didn't end up raining so I never had to test it but it seemed like the camera was a bit slower and had more trouble focusing with the bag on, so that's something to consider. When I shot my shot for the 30 second challenge there was also the potential for rain so I just brought an umbrella out with me. Never had to test that either, though, but I think if you hold the umbrella low over the camera and there's little to no wind that might be the best option.

 

You're welcome. Glad to hear (and see) how well it's working for you!

And I love seeing everyone's examples too

 

i like that Kevin..cool thanks.

Wind...could be an issue..sometimes its not here.

And i don't even own an umbrella

 

Haha, I'm sure a friend would let you borrow one. The only reason I own one is 'cause I found it on the ground outside my apartment