Please Help with Suggestions

[davelowe]

Originally Posted by trahanw

---Been reading several post here lately notice the discussion where it seems that alot of the photographers are shooting in raw mode. I understand the concept of using RAW due to no compression and the ability to correct images more freely without loosing pixels through JPG compression. If this what most photographers are shooting in.

Yep, Shooting in the raw gives you more to play with - so to speak.

You started this thread wondering about ISO and detail. If detail is a concern and you are concentrating more on composure and focus than exposure, adjusting in raw can sometimes salvage a shot that otherwise would be deleted if shot in JPEG. It comes at a cost though. More cards and more work flow.

Regards, Dave.

[trahanw]

Originally Posted by davelowe

Astounding work. Well done. Perhaps the pose could have been just a little more open to the camera though. That way we could see more of the front of the uniform and all those medal ribbons. Did you also do a shot of this with fill flash, just as a learning experience? Mind you that hard shadow from the single light source and the stare of the eye under the cap line makes the impact of this image much more heightened. I like it a lot.

This shot helped me understand tremendously the how important the histogram is when shooting. It lacked the well balance level. Showing no detail on the right side of the histogram. Therefore when I zoom in on this picture. I can see no balance levels on the histogram. Detail is lost, as seen if you zoom in on the picture and view the right side of the face. How could I have drew in more detail.

#1 Believe I could of added a fill flash to highlight the right side. Was shooting for the Rembrant look but I lacked the lighting to detail the entire face on this view.
#2- I shot this at 1/30, f10, Exposure +1.33, ISO 250, AWB, Matrix. Should of boosted the shutter, raised the f stop to a bit for detail, raised the ISO to 400 to adjust for the changes. And left the Exposure alone a bit, had fill flash, custom WB. I could have brought out more detail. Bottom line was watching the Histogram I could have had a more of a POP effect. What do you think? See Pictured

[trahanw]

Originally Posted by davelowe

Yep, Shooting in the raw gives you more to play with - so to speak.

You started this thread wondering about ISO and detail. If detail is a concern and you are concentrating more on composure and focus than exposure, adjusting in raw can sometimes salvage a shot that otherwise would be deleted if shot in JPEG. It comes at a cost though. More cards and more work flow.

Regards, Dave.

You're right Dave. Did some night shots tonight to experiment with the effects of ISO. Really let me note differences in settings. Of couse these were stationaty object. Was able to see how the ISO affects everything else. The speed of the film, honestly I couldn't tell much of a difference besides high noise at a higher ISO. Guess I may have noticed a difference is photographying moving objects then of course I would have had to compensate with shutter speed. I was using a tripod so I was able to get the shutter pretty low. I still need more attention on ISO. Here is one of my favorites, 1000 ISO., F5, 1/5....Noisy at the bottom. Shot AWB on tripod.

[trahanw]

Dave not sure if you're still around. But, wanted to drop you a line and say thanks again. Since, we've talked I've been back and forth reading your postings and after a little more practice and reading Undertanding Exposure. Your direction becomes more clear, and you're are right I'm always looking those little things that make a photograph. Again, thanks for you guidance and support. I've posted a Pic I took today to share with you what I hope is progression. Since, we've talked I was able to buy some added equipment to really step it up..Sekonic Meter, Strobe Light. Also just shadowed a Pro and learned a knowledge beond what I imagine. Here is a snap shot I took over christmas. Hope your Christmas went well. And again thank you.


Still, learning that aspects of ISO, Shutter Speed with Flash (Wow) never imagined to go down to 1/30 with flash. And apeture...depth of field is a world of it's own.

[Michelle Allmon]

Originally Posted by trahanw

Now that I think about it I was also using a Expo disk and may have set teh white balance at a different light setting.

Heh? That's just your white balance, wouldn't affect your exposure assuming you didn't change the WB later. Correct me if I'm wrong...

[trahanw]

Michelle, You're completely correct. When I started this thread.. exposure and metering light was another world I hadn't reach. Since, that time it becomes clear to me everyday. Altough white balance couldv'e affected the overall composition of the photo. It was exposure amd metering the light source that was my main problem. Still learning everyday, for the last month I've been experimenting in Manual and noticed a huge difference in my shots. Prior to that I was mainly letting the camera make all the choices.

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[davelowe]

Originally Posted by trahanw

Dave not sure if you're still around. But, wanted to drop you a line and say thanks again. Since, we've talked I've been back and forth reading your postings and after a little more practice and reading Undertanding Exposure. Your direction becomes more clear, and you're are right I'm always looking those little things that make a photograph. Again, thanks for you guidance and support. I've posted a Pic I took today to share with you what I hope is progression. Since, we've talked I was able to buy some added equipment to really step it up..Sekonic Meter, Strobe Light. Also just shadowed a Pro and learned a knowledge beond what I imagine. Here is a snap shot I took over christmas. Hope your Christmas went well. And again thank you.


Still, learning that aspects of ISO, Shutter Speed with Flash (Wow) never imagined to go down to 1/30 with flash. And apeture...depth of field is a world of it's own.

Hi Wade!

Fantastic shots. You have really progressed in a very short period of time. Try recropping them a little. Remore the stairs on the left of the girl. Pull down and and remove the left section on the guy so that it is not obvious that there is a door there. A tighter crop should really make this much more impressive. I'm sure you have heard of the "Rule of thirds". I'm glad that you have also progressed to manual mode and are now using an "off camera" light. Your second shot also shows that you are now appreciating that photography is just as much about the shadows as it is about the light and its direction. Thanks for the thanks. I'm always amazed about how open to sharing ideas and techniques many photographers are. I have not come across such unselfishness in any other profession. There are a bunch of very clever people on this board and I always learn something when I get a chance to dwell here long enough.

Here is my Xmas self portrait....


I'm hoping that your Xmas was a lot better than ours. We got burgled on Thursday and lost a lot of stuff. Now we are learning all about "insurance limits".

All the best, Regards, Dave.

[trahanw]

Oh No.. Really sorry. Sending prayers your way. Great family Pic. Thanks for the Tips...