Soo.... Any photographers out there?

**maximusboomus** · 07-31-11, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by rush2049

Nice lenses. The next one I am looking at getting is either a super wide or something in the 200mm range. I probably want the super wide more, but depends what I find a deal on when I am looking.

That's definitely a studio setup; I haven't done a non-location photoshoot yet, but I also haven't invested in any of the equipment necessary. I have a really small lowe-pro bag that barely fits my spare 50mm lens with the camera, trying to keep my bag light as I carry it almost everywhere.

What kind of accessories do all of you use? I do the standard, or what I think should be standard; A UV filter with a lens hood on both (all) my lenses.

What kind of shooter are you? I have the 7D set in full manual mode all the time, I have never taken a shot with it in a different setting. I like twiddling with every last number to get the shot and appreciate the camera more because it lets me adjust almost everything....

One thing the 7D does not do by itself is automatic picture taking. I really want the ability to set it so that every X minutes it would snap a photo.... but it seems I have to get a 100$ accessory to do that..... to which I am like, 'I can live without it'

Yeah as I listed my gear I figured I'd be outed

I do run an on location studio photography business and graphic arts business too... Been busy for the last 6 years

I love my job but its not for the weak hearted its a dog eat dog world and only the harsh truely survive... Anyways enough of shop talk lets talk the fun part...

I sold my 17mm recently, opted for a 2 lens setup since I only shoot portraits, I will break out some of my landscapes when I find them (I have a 10TB backup gimme a break lol)... I believe simple is better, I prefer using 1 light instead of 7 although allot of my main work is multiple lights. I only work with f2.8 and below, L series only and I don't need IS simply because I understand how to use my cam to avoid the extra surplus price on my lenses. Shooting Manual only, unless at weddings, then I'll use TV and AV too...

Accessories : Lens hood. And a bag.

Please please please take the fucking cheap UV filters off your lenses... You spend $2000 on a lens then put a $100 piece of glass in front of it? The lens cap protects the lens. Dont believe me take off the filter and hold it up in the air and see the difference in quality just from looking through it. The only filters I recommend are Polarisers and colours. Photoshop will be your friend don't worry lol!

I've been thinking about a photography thread for a while now, and Loki has bugged me allot to show my work.... I think with this many photogs we could have fun with a "photo challenge of the week"... You don't have to participate but it'd be a fun challenge to shoot new stuff, I see allot of you like landscapes so forcing you to do a food shot or a portrait would be fun and would teach us all new shite

**rush2049** · 07-31-11, 11:50 AM

When I say wide angle, I am talking like 10-7mm.... the extreme.

The UV filters have saved my glass at least 5 times (replaced every time). I carry it around my neck for long periods of time often through brush and crowds of people..... that's my reasoning for having it, also it makes taking shots into the sun easier and have a more consistent color to the sky.

I have noticed they attract dust more, they have a static to them that attracts it I think, but I am rougher with them when I clean them as I don't treat them like they cost a thousand bucks.

I would love a weekly challenge or something.... give me a reason to get off my butt and shoot stuff.

**maximusboomus** · 07-31-11, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by rush2049

When I say wide angle, I am talking like 10-7mm.... the extreme.

The UV filters have saved my glass at least 5 times (replaced every time). I carry it around my neck for long periods of time often through brush and crowds of people..... that's my reasoning for having it, also it makes taking shots into the sun easier and have a more consistent color to the sky.

I have noticed they attract dust more, they have a static to them that attracts it I think, but I am rougher with them when I clean them as I don't treat them like they cost a thousand bucks.

I would love a weekly challenge or something.... give me a reason to get off my butt and shoot stuff.

Challenge accepted!

**MeBad** · 08-01-11, 12:18 AM

What are some good informative books I can buy in regard to digital photography and photoshop? I am self-taught to this point and know I am missing out on alot.

**rush2049** · 08-01-11, 01:16 AM

eh.... instructional books are not worth the time.

If you are just getting into the field then I would suggest looking at equipment reviews. Maybe look at a in-depth review of a standard DSLR. Go from there, look up terms you don't know. Like if you don't know what ISO is, then find a nice video discussing it. Youtube is not a bad place to search for this stuff.

Let the equipment reviews lead you into the technical know how for why something is preferable over something else. Then you can look for articles on tips for taking certain types of photography, what works and what doesn't. Perhaps finding some in-depth picture critiques where a popular professional will take the time to point out good areas in the photo and the bad.

When it all comes down to it though, if you don't have what I call the 'eye'. Your not going to enjoy it. You can have all the technical knowledge you want, but in the end if you don't enjoy just taking photos then its not worth it. (This is from a hobby perspective)

As far as photoshop (gimp, etc.) is concerned, your photos should be good before they go to editing. Heck, I mostly don't touch mine at all, unless they are going to a printer or someone is paying me for them. Photoshop from a photography standpoint mostly is a fixing tool, not a creation tool.

My advice for learning photoshop is to take a class on it to learn the basics and some of the advanced concepts, but make sure the class is photography based.... not drawing or some such other topic. Once you understand the basics you can learn through tutorial the advanced stuff, or just fiddle around. The cool thing is once you become proficient with one tool, you can mostly just move tools and adjust with little problems.

But learning should go in this order:
camera technical knowledge > camera use (full manual) > advanced camera concepts (flash, lighting, effects)
(at this point you should be able to take pictures and be happy with the result)
basic photo editing skills > advanced editing > super tricky painting type less photo more fake skills

I am biased.