Random Thread of Photography

Angie

Tugboats and arson.
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Nope, the ones I use just go between the camera and the lens, but the lens isn't turned around.

I just ordered a super-cheap 55 mm prime lens, so I'm curious if I can get an extension ring on that.
 

BoxsterCy

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These aren't great pictures (proving RT Photo is not JUST for great pics!) but thought it was fun and cool to have these Thanksgiving dinner birds in my neighbors yard yesterday while living a 1/4 mile from Minneapolis in a metro area of 2.9 million people. Cool moment, okay pictures for hand held in not great light just before thunderboomers rolled in. This was a grab and shoot as I was getting ready to mow the lawn, no time for mono-pod or tripod or thinking it through.

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Angie

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Holy cow, those are close! They really are sorta creepy birds, aren't they?
 

BoxsterCy

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Holy cow, those are close! They really are sorta creepy birds, aren't they?

Fairly close, had 55-300 Nikkor cheapo lense at 165mm*. Handheld, surprised they were not fuzzier even with VR that's way too much for handheld if you are expecting a sharp picture. It was fun "stalking" them since I had low expectations.

Mono-pod is now moved next to deck door!

Edit: Looked at photo file details and it was 165mm, so was not at 300mm.
 
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ceeboe

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Wow, haven't posted on here in a while, but saw this thread and wanted to help!

First, I do commercial and fine art photography, so if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask, PM or otherwise. A link to some of my work.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cboeke/

There is so much to learn, and can be daunting for sure, so I always make sure to give back to those who are starting out! I'm willing to provide feedback on photos, but I just ask to be open to constructive criticism. Its hard to hear about photos your personally invested in, so I'm cautious in doing so unless asked.

A small advertisement, but a helpful one I hope.

Each year Living History Farms in Urbandale holds a Photography Day. For the price of admission, you can learn from 30+ photographers in 50+ classes ranging with all types of topics. I've been teaching there the past few years and will be back again this year. Definitely stop out as this is tailored perfectly for those like yourself who want to learn more. I'm not paid for this - completely voluntary, thus why I wanted to share and help. Link Here
 

Angie

Tugboats and arson.
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Wow, haven't posted on here in a while, but saw this thread and wanted to help!

First, I do commercial and fine art photography, so if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask, PM or otherwise. A link to some of my work.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cboeke/

There is so much to learn, and can be daunting for sure, so I always make sure to give back to those who are starting out! I'm willing to provide feedback on photos, but I just ask to be open to constructive criticism. Its hard to hear about photos your personally invested in, so I'm cautious in doing so unless asked.

A small advertisement, but a helpful one I hope.

Each year Living History Farms in Urbandale holds a Photography Day. For the price of admission, you can learn from 30+ photographers in 50+ classes ranging with all types of topics. I've been teaching there the past few years and will be back again this year. Definitely stop out as this is tailored perfectly for those like yourself who want to learn more. I'm not paid for this - completely voluntary, thus why I wanted to share and help. Link Here

Wow, C - first of all, good to see you around. I didn't know that you were doing photography - is this new?

These are striking - I love the landscape ones, in particular Loess Hills and London! I don't know about the others, but I think any of us would love input in here, whenever you have time!
 

oldman

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Holy cow, those are close! They really are sorta creepy birds, aren't they?
You ought to see them from about 3'. They have really ugly heads, with little hairs growing out of warts.
 

mark46

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Couple more pictures!
 

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ceeboe

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Wow, C - first of all, good to see you around. I didn't know that you were doing photography - is this new?

These are striking - I love the landscape ones, in particular Loess Hills and London! I don't know about the others, but I think any of us would love input in here, whenever you have time!

Hello to you Angie! Thanks for the kind words!

I've been shooting for some time, so not new much any more, but always learning and improving. I always recall some of my first attempts. One of thing that stuck with me is the willingness of others to offer some help and advice - I've always made sure to return that favor because this can be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable hobbies that can last for years and years.

Great eye as well as those two photos as some of my favorites!
 

ceeboe

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One quick note for everyone:

In one of my classes I talk about two elements that make a great photo - these will be two of the biggest tips I could ever provide that should hopefully be just as important no matter the skill level:

Light - Of course the main element in photography and the meaning of the craft (the capturing of light). Always, always, always pay attention and take advantage of using your light. Find ways to be creative with it. May not always turn out great, but it should help get outside the box when looking for new inspiration. Forget about your aperture, shutter speed, or film speed (ISO) and instead focus on capturing the light in the best way possible.

Composition - This ultimately sets a good image apart from a great image. I also explain it as 'Tell us your story'. Everyone always asks, "How do I take a great photo and not just a snapshot?" This really all starts with a great story and building strong compositional elements. Think about your favorite photo, there probably is a story and great composition that allows other people to view it just as you do. It doesn't have to be complex or heavy in thought. Before you snap your next photo, think about the story you want to tell with the image.
 

ceeboe

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Re: Photography Opinions Requested

I'm taking an intermediate class at Reiman Gardens last week and this week. My most recent assignment is to put the camera into manual mode and take two photos. Basically, we're supposed to either take one with high aperture and adjust ISO/shutter speed accordingly, then switch to low aperture and do the same; or you can use shutter speed as your starting point, and adjust ISO and f-stop to adjust. (In laymen's terms that means either one photo with a blurry background and one with a sharp background; or one that allows blurred motion and one that stops motion.

I'd love input on these, I need to submit one pair tonight and don't know what to use:

Pair 1 (butterfly):

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Pair 2 (dragonfly):

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Pair 3 (monarch):

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Pair 4 (Dahlia):

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Pair 5 (feet):

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These are technically well done. Exposure looks good and the focus seems spot on. For shooting manual, this is a great start of understanding your equipment and how it works. Keep it up.

I would further push yourself in finding work that inspires you. Start with one photo - study it. Find elements you really like about it and try to recreate those in your own images. Maybe it's the perspective, the light, the color, the expression, etc.
 

ceeboe

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This photo has absolutely nothing to do with my ability as a photographer (because I don't have any) but is all a matter of the picture basically taking itself. But I wanted to share this shot I took of Portofino, Italy (on the northern Italian Mediterranean coast) last week as we were taking off on the ferry.

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Neat composition - as you said the photo takes itself. If you'd like more feedback just let me know.
 

ceeboe

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Grabbed this in Teddy Roosevelt Park outside of Medora last year. Nothing special, but I just like the "blueness" of it, and the wide open sky that I don't get to see much of living in the city...

Great color! Not sure how much feedback you'd like, but a great start at skyscapes!
 

ceeboe

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Machu Picchu --
Feedback welcome. Resized so loosing photo quality but you get the idea.

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Looks like you've been taking pictures before, so I won't insult your intelligence. Technically nicely done. Great color, focus, and some strong compositional elements.

I really like the first one that is zoomed back and you can see the entire cliff. Only distracting piece is the lower left with the flowers. If having an opportunity to shoot again, I would scoot a bit more right and crop that out. Otherwise I think everything else looks well done!
 

ceeboe

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I've participated off & on in an amateur facebook group called photo-a-day; basically there is a word or short phrase "prompt" for each day, and the photographers take a picture and post it. The different takes people get on the prompts can provide quite a variety of shots.

This was "still"
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this was "lines"
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this was "negative space"
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and this was "rule of thirds"
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This is a great practice to keep doing! I would highly recommend the same advice that I shared with Angie. As you work through these practices, find images you really like and see if you can bring that into your photos.