Comments on: Observations Photographing LaidOffCamp Phoenix

By: Curtis Miller

Curtis Miller — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:50:05 +0000

Thanks for the advice! That's one of the main reasons I am trying photography: to get out of my comfort zone. Being a programmer, I tend to spend all of my time on the computer, but I was longing for something that would get me away from that and challenge me in different ways. I'm still trying to decide if photography is something I actually like or something I want to like… So far, though, it's been great!

By: Curtis Miller

Curtis Miller — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:47:36 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement! I think I almost understood what you're saying… still learning all the terminology. With the higher f stop, like f/8, more of the frame should be in focus right? I borrowed a lens from Tyson; it's a 28-90mm, so maybe I'll try using that a little more, too.

I don't plan to continue manual focus forever, but it's been a great learning experience. It's even made me think about how my eyes see the world, which is something I didn't really contemplate before.

By: Curtis Miller

Curtis Miller — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:43:34 +0000

Thanks Charlene, I really appreciate your encouragement! I'd love to do it again, so maybe some event will give me a chance to try. Next time, I'll consult with professionals about what I should bring first though

By: Lar Van Der Jagt

Lar Van Der Jagt — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:13:43 +0000

Regarding mixed results with exposures, maybe check & see if your camera has an auto-bracket feature that will snap 3 shots for each single shot. The two extras are slightly under or over exposed, so if you're close then you may still end up with something you're happy with. It's also useful for doing post processing on shots where there might be extreme lighting changes.

Always love to see people stepping out of their comfort zone to learn a new craft! Keep up the good work.

By: AcmePhoto

AcmePhoto — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:05:51 +0000

My $2…..

If you have "good glass" like an f.2.8 f1.8 etc… this does NOT mean that shooting wide open is the best choice. If you're doing a portrait, maybe, however the best part of any lens is not wide open. If photographing a group. the depth of focus can often be too small. A common saying with photographers is "f8 and forget it" Not saying that f8 is winner, however using a less shallow f stop will allow you to use autofocus and concentrate on other things.

Even manual focus is only so good, meaning on a portrait if you're on manaual focus you sort of want more than one part of the face (and eye, etc) to be in focus. Yes smaller numbers on a wider lens are easier than f.2.8 on a 200mm, but just because you have "fast glass" dosen't mean shooting wide open is the best choice.

If you don't have any longer lenses you might be able to pick up a 2x converter to make youself a 100mm lens when you stack it on the 50mm. This was all I had when I first started photographing and it gave me a more "portrait lens". I've also discussed with Archer that it's good to not have too many lenses / gear as you must learn on piece of equipment at a time before mastering it.

Keep up the good work.

@acmePhoto

By: [Charlene]

[Charlene] — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:17:21 +0000

I attended LaidOffCamp Phoenix and I consider myself lucky to be in several of your photos. I thought you did a great job during the event and love your photos, also. Thanks for volunteering your skills to support this event. It's always fun for participants to see photos after the event. I'm going to look forward to seeing you and your camera at future community events. Keep on snapping!

By: Curtis Miller

Curtis Miller — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:19:19 +0000

Thanks Jim, that's probably one of the best compliments someone can give to a newbie I barely did any post-processing on the photos, but if you see something you like, feel free!

By: Curtis Miller

Curtis Miller — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:36:20 +0000

As the first assignment? Uh… no! But, I think that would be a great addition about midway through. Perhaps it could be the midterm

By: @StartUpNowUS

@StartUpNowUS — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:35:58 +0000

Curtis, I thought you were a professional, since you comported yourself like a ninja. I respect Tyson's opinion, but a camera in the face can throw many subjects for a loop, and so your 'away, far off' approach is likely to get many good shots, which can be cropped down to seem close when you are using a high quality camera like the one that you have. Thank you so much for being there, for capturing the 'action' in favorable frames (thanks, for example, for getting close-field on BOTH participants in our session, so the room full of empty seats was not as obvious in the photo as it was to us. But, hey, we presented concurrently with @pamslim, and we told people to see her, and catch ours on podcast, so we expected a small crowd and we were glad for both of our brave audience members.)

By: Curtis Miller

Curtis Miller — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:35:26 +0000

Well said, James! Yes, I used the 50mm all day on manual…