98c43amg
07-05-2007, 08:35 PM
I say that in the sense that I really don't know what I'm doing. ;) I'm still hung up on trying to check if my lenses are "good versions"; checking if I can get super sharp pic; or just learning what fstop I want to avoid at a focal length. ...it's going, ahem, slow. <grin> I know the Tamron can take great shots, but the jury is still out on the Pentax. Can't get a sharp pic of Flowers 7 feet away as an example. ...I digress...
But then again, sometimes I have an idea of something that might look good. And when it turns out to work, I'm still left saying "well that was a surprise!" exceeding what I imagined I could achieve. Examples:
1) First, I take a pic that's underexposed; fine, it's not film so I can change settings. But then realize there's a ray of light shining through the leaves of the doogwood tree above the bloodred Lillis in my front yard moving over the lilli lighting it up; conveniently, there's an interesting bright bug inside. I say "hey, what if I set exposure and lock it, and focus to the center spot, set the apeture and exposure time to what I 'think' should be good, and let the camera pick the ISO" (Pentax's unique TAv mode) ... then wait and wait to time the shot to when the wind blows the tree's branches and lights up the center of the Lilli...
http://images26.fotki.com/v894/photos/2/296054/5131572/IMGP1777-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/m8o/memorable_images/the_natural_world/flowers/sometimes-i-surpris/imgp1777.html)
(click pic to load page and have a look @ the original)
2) I really want to make sure I can focus in on pollen of a flower, testing both my skill as well as testing my Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 vs the Pentax 12-24mm f4. I shot dozens with both; needless to say the Tamron does a much better job of it; I get one sharp pic of the pollen with the Pentax Wide-angle and countless throw-aways... but then again, that's not what it's made for. During this learning session, I think "what would it look like if I focus in on the pollen pods and frame it with a little of the blue sky between the trees in the background..." (again, the Tamron lens)
http://images25.fotki.com/v902/photos/2/296054/5131572/IMGP1848-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/m8o/memorable_images/the_natural_world/flowers/sometimes-i-surpris/imgp1848.html)
Really should have a look @ the original full rez of these two to understand my "holy f*ck" moment I had! click the image then the link to the original full rez under the image. Damn, wuz I surprised when I look @ it on my computer. (edit: this one is shot from the ground almost straight up in the air)
3) It's Friday night. Wife wants to catch up on some of the recorded TV we have. I look outside and I -know- this is going to be a hot sunset. I decide to take some shots of the 560SL in the sunset's light, and test out the Pentax 12-24mm f/4's 99 degree FOV on a sunset just down the hill from my house. I take shots from about 1/2 hour before sunset to 1 hour after. Shots of the car are pretty much a bust. Took loads of shots of the sunset's evolution after sundown in Landscape and Portrait pivoting around and keeping the horizon on the bottom of the viewfinder guide, that I plan on stitching together. Results should be very successful. Here's but one from a good many winners. Will probably post process this one for color balance to bring out the blues in the sky. But here's an un-altered example...
http://images25.fotki.com/v901/photos/2/296054/1099798/IMGP1487-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/m8o/memorable_images/the_natural_world/sunsets/other_places/imgp1487.html)
4) Shooting the July 4th parade that makes the turn to go down to the beach 3 houses away ... it's a dull, overcast, grey day. :( But I'm trying to make the best of it. Kids go nuts for the never ending stream of fire trucks, many having water fights between each other and spraying the kids. Adults (like me) really go for the classic cars. They made an enormous showing this year btw... (you can see all here (http://public.fotki.com/m8o/outdoor_adventures/2007-eatons-neck-ju/); link to just the parade of classic cars is below) So anyway, getting back to the point of this. I realize hey, the endless stream of fire trucks certainly is rather boring. But, what action is there? Ah-KHa... What a surprise when you get the timing just right. You might even catch someone getting 0wn3d ... :)
http://images26.fotki.com/v909/photos/2/296054/5062588/squirtgun_0wn3d-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/m8o/xyzzy/entries/bnzsport-entries/squirtgun0wn3d.html)
First three photos are original right from the camera... no crops and no digital correction to any. Last pic cut out some of the crowd enjoying the Pwnage of the little boy to focus in on him a bit more... <lol> Full unaltered image is in the 2007 July 4th Parade Album, along with the parade of classic cars we all got to enjoy... Have a look see, from here on forward (http://public.fotki.com/m8o/outdoor_adventures/2007-eatons-neck-ju/imgp1934.html) is worth the look for the classic car parade.
But then again, sometimes I have an idea of something that might look good. And when it turns out to work, I'm still left saying "well that was a surprise!" exceeding what I imagined I could achieve. Examples:
1) First, I take a pic that's underexposed; fine, it's not film so I can change settings. But then realize there's a ray of light shining through the leaves of the doogwood tree above the bloodred Lillis in my front yard moving over the lilli lighting it up; conveniently, there's an interesting bright bug inside. I say "hey, what if I set exposure and lock it, and focus to the center spot, set the apeture and exposure time to what I 'think' should be good, and let the camera pick the ISO" (Pentax's unique TAv mode) ... then wait and wait to time the shot to when the wind blows the tree's branches and lights up the center of the Lilli...
http://images26.fotki.com/v894/photos/2/296054/5131572/IMGP1777-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/m8o/memorable_images/the_natural_world/flowers/sometimes-i-surpris/imgp1777.html)
(click pic to load page and have a look @ the original)
2) I really want to make sure I can focus in on pollen of a flower, testing both my skill as well as testing my Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 vs the Pentax 12-24mm f4. I shot dozens with both; needless to say the Tamron does a much better job of it; I get one sharp pic of the pollen with the Pentax Wide-angle and countless throw-aways... but then again, that's not what it's made for. During this learning session, I think "what would it look like if I focus in on the pollen pods and frame it with a little of the blue sky between the trees in the background..." (again, the Tamron lens)
http://images25.fotki.com/v902/photos/2/296054/5131572/IMGP1848-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/m8o/memorable_images/the_natural_world/flowers/sometimes-i-surpris/imgp1848.html)
Really should have a look @ the original full rez of these two to understand my "holy f*ck" moment I had! click the image then the link to the original full rez under the image. Damn, wuz I surprised when I look @ it on my computer. (edit: this one is shot from the ground almost straight up in the air)
3) It's Friday night. Wife wants to catch up on some of the recorded TV we have. I look outside and I -know- this is going to be a hot sunset. I decide to take some shots of the 560SL in the sunset's light, and test out the Pentax 12-24mm f/4's 99 degree FOV on a sunset just down the hill from my house. I take shots from about 1/2 hour before sunset to 1 hour after. Shots of the car are pretty much a bust. Took loads of shots of the sunset's evolution after sundown in Landscape and Portrait pivoting around and keeping the horizon on the bottom of the viewfinder guide, that I plan on stitching together. Results should be very successful. Here's but one from a good many winners. Will probably post process this one for color balance to bring out the blues in the sky. But here's an un-altered example...
http://images25.fotki.com/v901/photos/2/296054/1099798/IMGP1487-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/m8o/memorable_images/the_natural_world/sunsets/other_places/imgp1487.html)
4) Shooting the July 4th parade that makes the turn to go down to the beach 3 houses away ... it's a dull, overcast, grey day. :( But I'm trying to make the best of it. Kids go nuts for the never ending stream of fire trucks, many having water fights between each other and spraying the kids. Adults (like me) really go for the classic cars. They made an enormous showing this year btw... (you can see all here (http://public.fotki.com/m8o/outdoor_adventures/2007-eatons-neck-ju/); link to just the parade of classic cars is below) So anyway, getting back to the point of this. I realize hey, the endless stream of fire trucks certainly is rather boring. But, what action is there? Ah-KHa... What a surprise when you get the timing just right. You might even catch someone getting 0wn3d ... :)
http://images26.fotki.com/v909/photos/2/296054/5062588/squirtgun_0wn3d-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/m8o/xyzzy/entries/bnzsport-entries/squirtgun0wn3d.html)
First three photos are original right from the camera... no crops and no digital correction to any. Last pic cut out some of the crowd enjoying the Pwnage of the little boy to focus in on him a bit more... <lol> Full unaltered image is in the 2007 July 4th Parade Album, along with the parade of classic cars we all got to enjoy... Have a look see, from here on forward (http://public.fotki.com/m8o/outdoor_adventures/2007-eatons-neck-ju/imgp1934.html) is worth the look for the classic car parade.