Guest Ginger Bread Man Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 At the studio i was working for i had 2 sb 900s and 1 sb800. both of these models come with a removable base and filters so that i would at times set one on floor one on hotshoe and hold one with the left hand. lots of fun to play with for sure. the one setback i saw to them <all flash heads in general really> is that they tend to overheat under fast paced low light conditions. at least i would constantly overheat my unit.<under extreme conditions> mind you that the sb800 needs 5 batteries when using the detachable quick recharge whatever its called. i would recommend you take 2 or 3 battery sets per flash head just in case. these are very strong versatile lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yomommasaho Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 thanks for all the advice! im not completely inexperienced, but i still have so much to learn. i'll be back on here often. thanks again to all who took the time to help a brother out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercer Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 http://www.peakdesignltd.com/capture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da1lyoperations Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 My mate showed me that, I wasn't too sure on it. I've seen something like it a while ago too. I tend to wear shitty belts that break with too much strain so I don't think the clip and myself would get along too well. And generally when my camera is out of my bag, it's in my hand. Although I can see it would definitely be good for people hiking and stuff, times when you don't have room in your bag and don't want the camera strap swinging around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercer Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 I'd most likely put it on my backpacks shoulder strap, my camera might be too heavy for my belt and I'm not trying to rock a weightlifter belt. The body on my camera alone is a little over 2 pounds or about 3 times the weight of an entry level DSLR like a rebel. When I slap a lens on it gets pretty heavy, I have about a 3 hour limit on tolerating a neck strap. I'm also in either a crowded or tough environment most of the time, where the ability to use both hands is essential unless I am continuously shooting. Even then it's a little unnerving knowing if I drop it it will hit the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da1lyoperations Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Yeah for sure, D700 right? I guess that wouldn't be too bad on the bag strap, but definitely would be dragging on the belt. I'm mainly rocking the F4s now which is about 1.5kg with the grip/lens all on there so I'm in the same boat with the weight. I guess you'd have to see how it would be having one shoulder sitting with 2 pounds more then the other. I guess I'm comparing Sydney to New York in being able to walk around camera in hand. Our streets can get pretty busy but nothing in comparison. Although I'd still be worried lifting it off the clip that I might fumble and drop it, with the strap I know it'll just fall and catch my neck/shoulder. I can be pretty clumsy though, haha. These guys are supposed to be pretty on top of the game with straps that have good mobility/accessibility http://www.blackrapid.com/ But I guess if you've got a backpack that's not really an option. I always have a bag on me so I've never thought too much into fancy straps beyond the standard ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercer Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 My usual set up nowadays, backpack with an external flash and other essentials, a tripod that secures well to the outside, and the camera. I know it seems like a bit much but the tripod is essential for time lapses and the external flash is essential for a shooting style I"m working on. I'd like to attach the camera to the strap opposite of the side the tripod is on while I'm just walking around. Either that or create a method of clipping it to both backpack shoulder straps in a way that would allow me to lift it high enough to shoot with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da1lyoperations Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Nice, that's not too bad. I could see it fitting well on the other strap now. Since I've got this new bag I don't really need anywhere to hang my camera because I can just swing the bag around and grab it. Hold it for the time I need to and slip it back in. I guess you can't really do that with a backpack with a tripod attached. This is what I'm often dragging out. Kiev 60 - Nikon F4s - Nikon L35. And some 120+35mm film. Sometimes I'll leave the Kiev and take a flash instead, and drag a tripod along. I've been trying to get into using stobes at night to light certain areas of a photo - off camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrChupacabra Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 That Capture clip is pretty cool. Might have to kick out the $50 to get one. I really don't like neck straps for any extended period of time if I'm actively moving around, so I usually end up going back and forth between having it on my neck and using my neck strap as a makeshift wrist strap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__ __ __ __ Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 So I am probably going to buy this guy right here. I currently have a D5100, but I am considering getting either a D7000 or a D300s to upgrade. I love the D5100, I haven't had any problems except tiny things with the kit lens. Does anyone own both D300s and D7000? I know the 300s has less megapixels, but it is a few hundred more that I have seen online. If I dont end up getting another body, Ill probably save a little bit longer with the money left over and get a 10-24mm lens too. It is my first time investing in glass, or lens. Suggestions? Things I should stay away from? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da1lyoperations Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 85 1.4 is a nice lens. I own a D300s, haven't really read much about the new Nikon models but I've heard the D7000 is good, I think I read somewhere it's like a 'baby D700'. Although if you've just recently got the D5100 I'd hold onto it man, get the 85 1.4 and keep shooting with that body and just acquire better glass. Good glass is key. 50mm 1.4 + 24-70mm 2.8 would be the only combo I'd ever need shooting a dslr. Then when you're ready to upgrade you can take a big step and move to full frame. D700 or whatever new model they release. Or even a D3 or something if you're ready and have the cash. No point going step by step up their range of cameras. If you can learn to take great photos on a lower level model then you can move to a full frame model later. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__ __ __ __ Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Cool, Thanks. Looks like Ill just get those 2 lenses then. Thank you for taking the time dude. I appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeforall Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 after reading this thread im sure this post will most likely get overlooked or responded with vast amounts of n00b hate, but after using disposable cameras for years and years, i got given a Canon S95 for a present. Could someone please point me in the direction of how to go about starting to learn how to use it properly? im shooting on the auto setting and i know theres alot more to this camera then that. I understand i need to learn the basics of a camera, so im reading online tutorials on shutter speed and what not aswell just to get some basic photography knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercer Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 Did you read the first page of this thread, it pretty much covers the basics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__ __ __ __ Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 lol. the very first post by Mercer ha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hahaha760 Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Does anyone have a link or resource that I can improve on setting up and shooting food images being I'm asked to shoot food images once in awhile I would like to gain some knowledge to be more confident on what I'm doing...thanks and props to anyone that can hook up some info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da1lyoperations Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 There's no real resource to tell you how to shoot anything. If there is it's generally gonna be bullshit. You can only work it out yourself because you have to work out the things that work best for you. Generally a few things will help. You want to shoot with natural lighting, don't get a complete lighting setup for food. It's gonna ruin it. If you need to cut out some shadows or just balance the light a bit get a speedlight or two with some softboxes, or even just a reflector. If you're shooting meals with fresh fruit a good trick is to get one of those little water sprayers, set it to 'mist' and make it look like it's just been picked and washed. Get close, just not too close, include some background stuff like the cutlery or a bottle of wine/glasses in the background but keep the focus on the food. If you shoot it with a tight depth of field make sure you get all the important parts of the meal in focus otherwise shoot a smaller aperture to fit them in. There's some basic ideas, otherwise... Just shoot some at home, trial and error. Shooting food is fun, getting to eat the meals afterwards is probably the best part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hahaha760 Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Thanks ill post some shots when I can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn1_fuckos Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Daily operations is right. Unless you have a food stylist and you have a good concept of lighting then dont go to crazy. Keep it simple thats what i do. ill be shooting raw foods this week if i can ill post some photos Window light is actually your best friend for any type of shoot weather its food or people. if you bring in a ONE flash use it to bring up the shadows or a white reflective surface like a big piece of white board will do as long as its not in your shot. that will help out with your shadows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hahaha760 Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Thanks mn1. when I remember I usually have a white board, I will definitely suggest using natural light. Also must spread Rep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeamerOne Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 I don't think anything is off limits with photo manipulation, as long as it's not hideous. It shows an interesting, different perspective that I don't mind at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da1lyoperations Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Of course levels of manipulation should be off limits. After a certain point it's not even photography anymore. It's simply digital manipulation. Taking a photo is capturing a moment, capturing light and that's it. I'm with Mercer, I will never process outside of the basic RAW editing when I shoot digital. Once people start becoming okay with photo manipulation then boundaries become blurred. Lately there's been a few cases of press photographers ending up in the shit because they've manipulated images to get across what they want, not what actually happened. Which has resulted in some losing their jobs, good. That's not photojournalism and should not be accepted. Of course it has always happened over time with photojournalism but never the photographer themselves so much as now. Usually in times of war/conflict and it would be a government decision for propaganda uses. If you want to remove someone from a scene, or change the lighting, etc... Then wait until the person leaves the scene, and change the lighting yourself. Use strobes or change your white balance/film. People spend hours cloning out subjects from their photos. Fuck that, it was there in the first place, leave it there. That's how it was. My opinion anyway. If people want to produce stuff like the elephant image, that's cool. As long as they don't call it photography, because it's not, in any way. Darkroom forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrChupacabra Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 It's still a rad picture, but definitely super bitch to claim it wasn't staged so he could try to walk home with a prestigious award. In regards to the digital manipulation talk, this pretty much sums it up: After a certain point it's not even photography anymore. It's simply digital manipulation. If you're amazing at digitally composing images that you didn't actually capture, I'm not mad at you. But don't claim it's photography, because it isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fat ralphy Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 rental wolf, i lold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yomommasaho Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 If you're amazing at digitally composing images that you didn't actually capture, I'm not mad at you. But don't claim it's photography, because it isn't. case closed, 4 pros summed it up in 4 well executed statements. wanted to come back and report back on the job i got doing real estate photography last year. the company actually hooked me up with an aftermarket flash (promaster is the brand name) so that's been getting the job done. it communicates with the camera directly, so i can't adjust the light, but what i've been doing is try to trick it here and there. the toughest part of my job ( in terms of technical proficiency with the camera) is to balance out the light coming through the windows with the light inside. except the flash, its all natural lighting, so if its a dimly lit room, i can pretty much forget it. pretty much all the realtors are super-psyched with the work i do, and so are my bosses, but i know the truth about my incompetence. its been said over and over, "if you don't know what shutter speed is, look on the first page", but then i hear y'all 4 using terminology that just flies right over my head. where's the tech advice for intermediate heads? i still have so much to learn about the craft of photography, and i understand "we all do, learn new things everyday", but where's a good place to do some reading and help really nail down some of these more advanced concepts? 'ppreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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