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Forum: Photo Critique
08-20-2009, 09:59 AM
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He don't look too pleased to see you. Rather surprised in fact.
Rich
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
07-19-2009, 08:52 AM
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Well I just got my Manfrotto 679B Monopod and Domke F-804. First impressions are WOW that's one heavy duty monopod and one honking big bag.
I'm a bit disappointed with Domke marketing. Most of the images I saw while shopping for this bag showed an insert, but it appears it does not come with one. However, none of the ads states that inserts are optional. The little card attached shows their product line, including a mess of inserts, but with the blurb for the F-804 it only says "accepts most inserts". That sucks, at least tell me which one's it doesn't accept.
For straight camera gear the bag is actually way too big. I have, at the moment, a K20D, with the kit standard zoom and the Pentax 55-300 DA ED. In future I would like to add one fast lens and perhaps some macro capability. Even with cables, chargers, and the like, the gear is lost in this bag.
However, the reason I got it is because I also like to draw and paint. The rear pocket nicely holds a sketchpad and a block of watercolor paper. There is room in the bag for a folding palette, a small box of sketching pencils, charcoals, erasers, etc. and probably a bottle or two of water. The problem now is going to be figuring out just how to arrange things. Do I divide down the middle or put art supplies on the bottom and use another baseboard to put the camera gear on top? Which insert I get will depend on the final arrangement and with my luck I'll probably want to change it, meaning another insert.
I'm also trying to decide if I want to sew a set of straps somewhere on the bag to hold either the monopod or a small tripod. Sewing is no problem, I can use the machine I use for canvas work and sail repair.
Anyway, it all appears to be primo gear with my only real complaint being not able to tell which inserts fit which bags.
Rich
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Forum: Photo Critique
07-15-2009, 01:41 PM
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I'm going to go for the B&W. In color the range of hue's is very small IMO and doesn't do much. In the B&W the value range becomes stronger?.... more noticeable?... it enforces the composition and value range. At least for me, but hey, I have a preference for good B&W. As an ol'fart I grew up on it.
Rich
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Forum: Photo Critique
07-15-2009, 01:35 PM
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Was there a strobe somewhere in that equation? The light source appears to be off to the right and fairly strong.
Rich
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-12-2009, 09:15 AM
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I too am a new K20D owner and so far I've been really impressed. I'm a bit jealous of the price since mine was around $750.
I bought mine with the kit lens but since I like to shoot some pets, and wildlife I debated for a long time on a second lens. After much deliberation I ended up ordering a Pentax 55-300 mm zoom. It was $350 from B&H. I thought this the best compromise in quality and cost. Once my wallet has recovered from all of this I'll be looking for something for macro.
I've heard some complaints on the AF and the shutter noise of the K20 but I don't think they are all that bad. I've used some Nikon film cameras with much louder shutter noise and the AF speed has not been a factor at all.
Regards,
Rich
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
07-04-2009, 03:28 PM
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Thank you Frédéric,
I had searched for Paintshop Pro tutorials but for some reason I never specifically searched for layers. Needless to say the results of the two searches are completely different. While I haven't gone into any in detail, the titles I see are apparently just what I needed.
Thanks again,
Rich
Also, thanks for the tip on the tiff files.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
07-04-2009, 09:06 AM
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I recently received my new K20D and upgraded my Paint Shop Pro to Ultimate. There are a number of online tutorials and I also picked up their book on retouching. However, I can't find any reference or tutorial on basics such as layers and their use. Even the tutorials which show all the intermediate steps of masking layers, adjustment layers, etc. don't finish the job and show you what you need to do the save the bloody thing correctly.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Rich
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-21-2009, 08:34 AM
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I live and work in a marine environment so I really want to get this weather resistant lens. However, I haven't found any available in the US. Does anyone know where or when they will become available?
Thanks,
Rich
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Forum: Photo Critique
06-19-2009, 02:24 PM
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I sympathize Gaelen,
I have about 50 years of film photography behind me and I just got my first DSLR, so in some respects we're both in the same boat. At this rate I'll have my first 2000 mistakes accomplished by the end of the week. :lol:
Rich
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-19-2009, 05:33 AM
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I just received my first DSLR, a K20D, after 50 years of film. While involved most of the manual is pretty straight forward but lacking a bit in background hence I have a few questions (for now):
1. It recommends using AF-S but I don't see why AF-C would not be just as good and more versatile. Is it damaging to the camera to leave it in AF-C? If shooting fast moving action with continuous shooting, i.e., 3 fps, should use AF-C or AF-S?
2. I would have thought that one would leave the anti-shake function on all the time but the manual recommends it only for low shutter speed relative to focal length. What's the harm in leaving it on and why do they insist on it being off if using a tripod? Also, as above, for continuous shooting should it be on or off?
If the answers relate simply to photo quality I'll soon figure it out but I don't want to do anything damaging to the camera.
Thanks,
Rich
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Forum: Photo Critique
06-16-2009, 06:12 PM
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Gaelen,
I was just watching a DVD by a wildlife artist. His work is phenomenal. In the DVD he states that an artist needs to make at least 2000 mistakes to learn their craft. He then proceeded to say "Alright, lets go out and start making those mistakes so we can get them out of the way".
You're doing just that. That's how you'll learn, congrats and any small help I can contribute will be my pleasure. I suspect that if you keep after it, you'll be helping others sooner than you think.
Best wishes,
Rich
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Forum: Photo Critique
06-16-2009, 09:34 AM
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OK Gaelen,
There's a bunch of things. Some have already been touched upon and while they represent my opinion, feel free to take only what you find useful.
1. The limited tonal range. It's usually more interesting to see the entire gray scale from white to black in a photo. There doesn't need to be lot but at least a bit. I think your problem here is in using the internal meter on the camera. Remember, the exposure you are given by the camera is to reproduce a neutral gray (Zone V). For all your sake I hope neutral gray is not the color of the young ladies skin. You would either have to spot meter an area that you wish to have gray or else adjust your exposure. In the good old days I would take several light readings of where I wanted white, black and gray and try to come up with a compromise exposure.
2. There is no real center of interest. That is nothing is leading the eye anywhere. This could be achieved with either composition or contrast. An area of contrast in an otherwise neutral background would always draw the eye.
3. As others have noted, chopping off limbs actually leads eyes out of the picture frame. So that is a compositional issue. As well the photo is bisected vertically. Think of it as a landscape shot with the horizon dead center, not too interesting to the eye.
4. I notice you use a wide angle lens and mention using an even wider angle next time. Unless you are trying to distort the young ladies 'assets' intentionally, I wouldn't recommend that. You can easily see what I mean if you ask her to extend and point her hand and arm at the lens and have you take a picture from say 2-3 feet away with a wide angle lens. Use a high f-stop to ensure depth of field and see the distortion. Most portraiture is done with a mildly telephoto lens to help eliminate or reduce distortion. In 35mm terms a focal length of around 80 to 110mm is commonly refered to as a portrait lens.
I guess that's enough but I do applaud your efforts in b&w. I believe that b&w forces one to learn tonal values and composition much more forcefully than in color. Watch a modern movie in color and then get an old time movie such as one of the Bogart or John Wayne movies and watch the lighting. Fascinating. Shots of the guy are done with lots of contrast and sharp shadows, the scene switches to the leading lady and the light is now soft, with low contrast. They're standing right next to each other in the same room but the light is completely different!!
Good luck and keep up the effort, anyone who says they've learned all they need is someone to avoid. I'm constantly reading art and photography books as well as going to the museums.
Rich
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Forum: Photo Critique
06-15-2009, 12:23 PM
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Gaelen,
After re-reading your post I was wondering if you could tell me what you were trying to achieve with this shot. You mention it being the first time with lights. Are we talking practice with light balance and exposure? I'd hate to start commenting on composition and such if the photo was just to become familiar with a new piece of equipment.
Regards,
Rich
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Forum: Photo Critique
06-15-2009, 08:21 AM
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I agree with Kevin,
The picture only has a limited range of values, all from midrange. IMO a good image has at least a little something from Zone 0 to 10.
Rich
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