Nikon Owners Get Together!

[evil4blue]

Originally Posted by PeteQ

There was a lot of discussion on white balance settings and lighting changes, etc. Here's a quick little example of how even if the lighting doesn't change but the color of the subject does, what it can do to your image, flesh tones especially. Not all inclusive, but a quick little demo to help illustrate .... White Balance

Nice example, quick and to the point. For those still confused about setting your custom WB, take a look at your manual, and do some tests. Like we said last night, you can use a gray or white card to set your balance.

If you want to try the opaque lid trick, flip you camera to manual focus, turn the focus ring until the scene is out of focus, hold the lid in front of your lens and aim your camera towards the main light source, take your WB reading.

For flash WB, aim the camera and flash at a wall or ceiling (preferably white wall or ceiling). Take your reading.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Pringles needs to make a bigger can! Of course, Mr. Fong's deal is only $50 and if you want just the dome part, it's like $12.

The remote flash demo was nice. The filter cleaning was nice. All-in-all, it was a very nice get together.

Suggested topics for next time... assuming there is enough interest in one or more of these topics:

** Maybe publish a tentative itenerary beforehand... unless we just want it to "flow" off the cuff.
1. Maybe discuss the green/blue screens and how they're used. And the software used.
2. Filters and their effects. Discuss the brands, the differences, etc. Grad ND, ND, Cir. Polarizers, etc.
3. Lighting discs. When/How to use them to highlite, accent, and remove shadows. Or whatever.
4. Business marketing?
5. Web site design? IS providers, web hosting, custom photo web-site builders, internet-based photo labs (pros & cons), etc..
6. New lenses or ones that are coming out?
7. Macro photography?
8. Curves!!! How to understand them and use them to your advantage instead of just being afraid of them!
9. Composition? (Maybe this should be #1 on the list?)
10. Flash topics. When to use 2nd curtain versus 1st curtain flash. And why would you want to change. When to change the sync speed and why. What are the effects of the preflash.
11. Photography insurance, security, equipment protection, general maintenance, etc.

... just to name a few.

Thanks again to everyone! It was fun!

- Wil

[David_3]

Originally Posted by evil4blue

If you want to try the opaque lid trick, flip you camera to manual focus, turn the focus ring until the scene is out of focus, hold the lid in front of your lens and aim your camera towards the main light source, take your WB reading.

Out of lack of anything better to do tonight, I've been playing around with a coffee can lid and the White Balance preset mode on my camera. All I can say is WOW! The results are as close to perfect as anything I've ever seen. That coffee can lid is now a permanent part of my camera bag.

Thanks again to Joe, Steve, Pete, and David for sharing their time and photo tips. Can't wait for the next Nikon owners get together.

[Light Chaser]

So, the coffee can lid is not perfectly white - but that's ok, right? At least my camera bag might smell like coffee now....... will that be enough to get me awake for those early morning outdoor shoots?
barbara

[evil4blue]

The lid should be neutral, as close to white as possible. A color cast will translate to slightly skewed wb.

[Light Chaser]

Well, it's as white as any coffee can lid, with some 'opaqueness', so if that's ok, I'll put it in the bag!

[evil4blue]

Barbara,

That should be fine. If you want to test it out, white balance with a white sheet of paper and the lid, see how close the 2 are.

[David_3]

The lid I used is sort of a clear/translucent....not really white at all. But it sure worked well in my livingroom.

[evil4blue]

David,

I'm glad the trick is working for you.

[Light Chaser]

Sounds like a winner then! Thanks to all.
Barbara

[PEC]

Hi ya'll

Please let me know if you have another of these nikon sessions in the Dallas area.

Thanks!