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Forum: Photographic Technique 08-16-2009, 04:13 AM  
Photographing Larger People
Posted By deludel
Replies: 27
Views: 7,089
I was wondering how to incorporate some "writing" shots, but everything I thought of seemed too boring. This is TERRIFIC! Thanks so much. It won't be for a few weeks, but I'll post a keeper or two.

Thanks to all for their feedback on angles/positions .. will keep it all in mind.
Forum: Photographic Technique 08-14-2009, 05:05 PM  
Photographing Larger People
Posted By deludel
Replies: 27
Views: 7,089
Preface: I am someone who had the gastric bypass surgery last year, and know a thing or two about obesity. What I don't know however, are strategies for photographing other obese individuals.

I have been asked to do Senior Portraits for a lovely young girl in my church, who happens to be very obese. She is just a wonderful girl: openly gay, involved in human rights, VERY creative, into poetry and writing, and just a beautiful spirit.

I am honored to do her pictures, and wanted to do some research to see if anyone has experience photographing larger people.

Angles/Tips/Samples, anyone?

Thanks,
Lori
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 08-14-2009, 04:57 PM  
Fixing a shadow on a face
Posted By deludel
Replies: 11
Views: 5,515
In LR2 you can use the adjustment brush and adust exposure in the shadowed area. There's some terrific video tutorials online for this.
Forum: Photo Critique 08-08-2009, 06:26 PM  
Walk in the Woods
Posted By deludel
Replies: 21
Views: 3,903
Noticeable difference! Thanks for the follow up - and truly, a great final product/gift for your wife.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 08-06-2009, 04:42 PM  
focus with zoom, then change focal length?
Posted By deludel
Replies: 21
Views: 10,946
Will, I just gave it a try. My thumb needs to get used to going for that AF button (and not the +/- button) but other than that, I can see how this will be a great tool for me! That 1/2 press AF technique was causing more harm than good, I suspect.

A couple of follow-up questions regarding Custom Menu Settings. What are your settings/input on the following:

- AF Button Function:

(1) Enable AF ... this is where I have it set now
(2) Cancel AF ... this has something to do w/ the shutter button, but I am not sure what
(3) Center of AF Point .. I think it auto-sets AF point at center when the dial is on "SEL"

- AF but Press Halfway

...thanks to you, I shut this to 2/Off

- AE-L with AF locked

.. I have this set to "off", I dont think I want AE locked like this (I use the AE-L button when I need to)

- Link AF Point and AE
.. Again, I have this turned "off". I feel like this is almost the same as spot-metering,which I would rather consciously turn on when I want to
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 08-06-2009, 01:12 PM  
focus with zoom, then change focal length?
Posted By deludel
Replies: 21
Views: 10,946
Of course!! I was not thinking about changing zoon my using the 1/2 press. I've been trying to improve my focus lately, and always forget to try the AF button. I never realized I could disable the shutter/focus .. I'll try that, thanks!!
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 08-06-2009, 01:00 PM  
focus with zoom, then change focal length?
Posted By deludel
Replies: 21
Views: 10,946
Isn't using the AF button the same as letting the camera auto-focus w/ a 1/2 press of the shutter?

(I have the k10, in case it matters)

Great question overall - and thanks!
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 08-06-2009, 04:10 AM  
Non-Profit Work
Posted By deludel
Replies: 21
Views: 4,482
I think I needed to hear this. I'm on a Social Responsibility Committee at church, and this rang true with me. In the end, after reading everyone's feedback, I think it's about finding balance. The day I turn down a full-time paying gig to shoot work for charity is the day I have to think about how well I am balancing all this! ;)
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 08-03-2009, 04:53 PM  
Camera bag suggestions?
Posted By deludel
Replies: 38
Views: 7,956
Type/style is personal preference. I found my perfect fit with Crumpler's 5 Million Dollar Home for walk-around, and the 6-Million Dollar Home for traveling with all my gear.

The Crumpler Website has many options ... from the 1 Million Dollar Home to the 8 Million Dollar Home.

Happy Shopping!
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 08-03-2009, 06:00 AM  
Non-Profit Work
Posted By deludel
Replies: 21
Views: 4,482
Thanks for the honest advice, everyone. Good points all around, but I will spare you the individual quotes. ;)

I like Damn Brit's suggestion, mostly because I do actually go to several fundraising events anyway, and this is a good way to use my camera while there. (I am going to a mud-volleyball event for the Epilepsy Foundation next weekend!)

Thanks again, all.
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 07-31-2009, 11:53 AM  
Offering pritnts vs high resolution photos on disc?
Posted By deludel
Replies: 28
Views: 14,405
Quick reply, because I only havea sec ... I recently joined zenfolio.com for fulfillment/ordering/etc. Check it out, and check out their forums, too for lots of information. I signed up for the $100 plan (they have a free one too) and it's the best thing I've done. Lots of options to charge for prints/downloads/etc and set my own prices/profit. I can give my customers coupons, and more.

Gotta run, but PM me if you need more info later.
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 07-31-2009, 10:38 AM  
Non-Profit Work
Posted By deludel
Replies: 21
Views: 4,482
Hi all,

I'm trying to get my name "out there" and it's been suggested a good way it to get involved with a non-profit and offer my services. To see what their need is, and figure how my camera can help. Example: Humane Society .. photograph the animals with their adoptive families to show the happy ending.

Anyone ever do this? It's been suggested I should not do it totally for free, but I don't know how to approach a non-profit, say I want to HELP them, then ask for money ...?? :eek:

Thoughts?
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 07-29-2009, 06:47 PM  
Why aren't my images sharper???
Posted By deludel
Replies: 91
Views: 17,743
That manual has all sorts of hidden gems! When you first get your camera there is so much you don't know ... that you cannot possibly absorb it all at once. After using it for 1+ years, you are reading the manual from a completely different perspective. I am someone who does NOT learn well from books, but the manual is something that should not be ignored, no matter how long you've had the camera! An online (and very search-able) version is found here



YES! YES! YES! I felt so validated when I read your post! I had these same thoughts. THANK YOU!! :)
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 07-28-2009, 05:50 PM  
Converting to Black-and-White
Posted By deludel
Replies: 16
Views: 4,262
Thanks for cross-posting this here. This forum is in my Google Reader list, and now thanks to this post, A Scenic World is now in my Google Reader List!
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 07-28-2009, 05:43 PM  
Your most basic PP method?
Posted By deludel
Replies: 31
Views: 5,654
I always used PSE5, then 6, then 7 ... I took online courses on it, and never went to full-blown PS due to cost, and I figured PSE had everything I needed.

Then, I tried Lightroom 1.1 just a few months ago. Life changed!!! Those sliders are downright addictive. What I would have needed several different tools (and layers) for in PSE7, I could tweak with a few sliders. I recently upgraded to LR2.4 and it's even better because there are adjustment brushes galore.

I now do most everything through LR, then "Edit in Elements" when I need to remove acne, clone something in, or get creative with photo collages.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 07-28-2009, 04:55 PM  
Why aren't my images sharper???
Posted By deludel
Replies: 91
Views: 17,743
No disrespect to anyone who tried to give advice within this thread, but some would have had me do that very thing!



That's pretty much what was happening. And you're welcome (to all who said so) for posting the results. Silly question, what does "OP" stand for? :o



Actually, I did have SOME shots that were keepers from that day! I tried to make the best out of them .. see attached. The effect was a Lightroom effect that they liked, so I went with it.



A few of you mentioned these selective autofocus points. I guess I don't get the concept ... my Lori-Logic (which has led me astray many times!! ;) ) says that with center-point, I have more control, 'cause it's the one point I can point my camera to and recompose. With selective focus ... it seems that your focal point can change with every single shot, so theoretically you are changing the point within the camera on every shot? Unless you are a landscape/portrait photographer, it seems like that's too much work. What am I missing?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 07-28-2009, 04:24 PM  
One day in the Big Apple - which lens?
Posted By deludel
Replies: 25
Views: 3,953
I just spent the day in NYC this past weekend. Mostly Central Park. I took a HEAVY bag .. but that's cause I knew my focus was to take pics. I took:

kit lens (18-55)
50mm manual focus f1.4
28-75 f2.8
70-300 f4-5.6

I started using my 28-75, it's my walk-around lens. I changed to the 70-300, because I was able to get better shots for what I was looking for .. people doing their thing, without having to get in their face.

I never used the kit lens or 50mm, only because I had a non-photo-friendly husband with me and was trying not to piss him off by changing things too often :)

The 50mm would have taken some cool pics (it produces the best shots arguably) but that's one where I have to think/compose/focus a lot and I wanted to walk around and grab shots as I saw them.

All this being said .. based on what you have .. I'd take the 18-55 or 28-80 (probably of those two the 28-80) and if you ARE going to take two, take the 70-210.

Have fun, don't let this stress your trip.
Forum: Photographic Technique 07-28-2009, 04:16 PM  
People, streets, & photography.
Posted By deludel
Replies: 37
Views: 6,550
I just read an interesting article today that made me think the days of street photography may be changing ...

Legal Technology - Pictures From Public Places Not Private


I, for one, have not found a comfort zone .... but am fascinated by the concept of street photography.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 07-28-2009, 04:43 AM  
Why aren't my images sharper???
Posted By deludel
Replies: 91
Views: 17,743
Wow, this thread is a clear reason why Pentax Forums are the best! Everyone who responded put a lot of thought into helping and I appreciate it.

OK, now that I've buttered you up, I hope you will not laugh too loudly when I tell you what the problem was ....

I've been using my camera for almost 2 years now. I've been using these lenses for about 5 months. The 28-75mm is clearly slower to focus. Wellllll ... turns out, I always thought/ASS-U-MED that the red AF-point light in the VF was letting me know my subject was in focus!!

With a faster lens, not so much of an issue. With a slower lens .. clearly an issue, and I was pressing the shutter way too soon. After reading the manual AGAIN .. I realized that the green indicator at the bottom of my VF was actually my AF indicator.

:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

That being said - here are three quick unedited shots from my AH-HA day in NYC this weekend! That last one is me, reading my camera's manual. ;) J/K!
(it is me, though)
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 07-27-2009, 12:05 PM  
Got an M 50mm 1.7 coming! What to expect??
Posted By deludel
Replies: 32
Views: 4,458
Ahh, ok - I have the same one then :) LOVE IT! It was my father-in-law's. I was hoping for an AF one, just cause I'm lazy!
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 07-27-2009, 11:53 AM  
Got an M 50mm 1.7 coming! What to expect??
Posted By deludel
Replies: 32
Views: 4,458
Do you mind if I ask how much you paid? And, is it auto-focus?
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 07-24-2009, 12:17 PM  
Why aren't my images sharper???
Posted By deludel
Replies: 91
Views: 17,743
WOW, I am blessed for the magnitude of responses here! Although there are conflicting opinions in some areas (soft images at wide open apertures), it’s all good stuff because I clearly need to do several experiments to eliminate different possibilities.
I’ve noticed this problem more and more recently, then of course it’s only recently that I started to get paid for my work .. so of course when I have a paying client, I get even more frustrated when I have lost shots!

This weekend, I will be going to Central Park for the day (I live in CT) and will do lots of experimenting while taking careful notes.



It has not “just started”, but lately has seemed to have gotten worse. I only use these two lenses, but do have the kit lens and a 50mm/f1.8 manual focus .. I will try them ALL this weekend to see if I get different results. I also need to go through my recent series of images and look to see when it has/hasn’t happened (comparing EXIF data)


Hmm, do you mean the lever on the front .. the AFS/AFC/M lever?



Good points. I didn’t even notice that hand icon!! Lots of things to pay attention to this weekend .. I plan to jot down the image #s with the settings.



I do get SOME sharp ones, relatively speaking. Never sharp enough, compared to many other’s images I study. Either I have the wrong settings, or I have a shaking syndrome I do not know of, or my camera is focusing on the wrong place … or … ??



Will try that, and more. FYI – I always have SR on (I forget about it, embarrassingly) … but will experiment with it on/off. Sounds like I have to lug the tripod to NYC this weekend! I’ll use my remote cable, and/or a 2-sec timer just to be sure. Thanks, everyone. I’ll post my findings!
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 07-23-2009, 05:43 PM  
Recommended reading
Posted By deludel
Replies: 13
Views: 2,034
My K10 was my first DSLR (and only!) and I did not even know was ISO was when I started! Besides this forum, BetterPhoto.com was my #1 saving grace. (These forums were unspeakably terrific, too!)

Check out the BetterPhoto Bookstore: I reccommend their general book on Digital Photography. It's got assignments and is very user-friendly.

I swear I am not working for them, they literally changed my photographic life, so here is one more reccomendation: check out the BP courses. Their free/sample course alone helped me tremendously. It is not interactive/you dont get to upload assignments, but the lessons are invaluable and FREE.

Good luck on this exciting journey!
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 07-23-2009, 09:30 AM  
Why aren't my images sharper???
Posted By deludel
Replies: 91
Views: 17,743
What does "de-couple autofocus" mean? I should tell you that I had it on Single Focus, rather than Continuous.



UV filter on both.



I will have to test this. OK, so tonight I'll test this, plus the battery idea suggested above and get back for more feedback. Thanks, all.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 07-23-2009, 08:40 AM  
Why aren't my images sharper???
Posted By deludel
Replies: 91
Views: 17,743
I really, really need help with focus/sharpness. I did not post this in the "critique" forum, because I think it's due to overall technique.

Attached are three horrid examples which highlight my inability to focus.
My K10 was on "Center Focus" (the right-hand option, where it centers in the middle .. I started using that when I had issues with the auto-option) ... my style is to half-press to lock focus then recompose. This is CLEARLY not working.

First Image:
lens used: Tamron 28-75 /1:2.8
63mm focal length
1/180sec at f/2.8
ISO 200
Pattern Metering
EV 0

Second Image:
lens used: Tamron AD 70-300/1:4-5.6
110mm focal length
1/125 sec at f/4
ISO 200
Pattern
EV 0

Third Image:
lens used: Tamron AD 70-300/1:4-5.6
100mm focal length
1/125 sec at f/4
ISO 200
Pattern
EV 0


Overall, most of my images in all different settings suffer from terrible focus. Who can share insight as to what I can do differently?
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