Learning Digital Photography

[cave_canem]

Hi all. Thought I might post some photo's taken with my Nikon D300 and SB-800 Speedlight. Just trying out some daylight balanced fill flash.

After using traditional camera's (Medium Format and 35mm) for years, I was a little on the slow side to try out the new technology. I have to say I'm liking it more each time I shoot some pictures.

Not sure about Photo Editing Programs at the moment as I'm only using Picasa 3. I've heard some good things about Photo Elemnts. What do you guys recommend or use to edit your digital pics.

Mick

[otis.drum]

hey Mick,
i have recently bought a Canon 7D and have been playing around with a few things. haven't got myself an ext flash as yet but it's on the wish list. i do use the built in as a fill flash at times and it is surprisingly good for a built in flash.

for PP i used to use an older version of Adobe Photoshop and really liked it, however i don't have it anymore and am now using the Digital Photo Professional that comes with the canon. it's ok, and i must say i haven't played with it enough to know it well, but i probably do prefer the Adobe Photoshop.

couple of pics

[woodie]

They are great photos you both have there. I got a new canon 1100D SLR a few weeks ago and have been playing around in the front yard.
woodie

[Stickbow Hunter]

Some good shots there fellas.

Mick, you seem to be doing a good job with your fill flash.

Otis, can the built in flash of the 7D high speed sync for daylight fill? With my 40D the built in flash won't high speed sync which is a bit of a nuisance when you are pushed for room and weight and can't carry a flash unit.

Have fun with the new camera woodie.

Jeff

[otis.drum]

Jeff, i know the flash on the 7D is pretty highly raved about for it's ability both as a standard flash and for it's ability to control something like an extra 15-20 external flash units, but i'm not sure on the day light. i would expect so but would need to have a look.

Hey Mick,
i really like the first and last pic you put up. what is the yellow background behind the heliconia?

couple of sunsets here for you too. another thing i like to photograph.

[Stickbow Hunter]

Thanks otis. I like that second sunset shot with the mangrove trees(?). What lens are you using?

Jeff

[cave_canem]

Holy smokes that is some very nice sunset pics there. Awesome colours.

Mick

[otis.drum]

thanks mick.

jeff, yeah that was just one of those luck days. just went down the beach to run the dogs and thought i'd chuck the camera in. turned out to be a great sunset, and the combination of this with high tide, no waves, and the tree right there made for a couple of great ones. i really like the reflection.

lens
i bought canon's 15-85 and am loving it. 15 is so much wider than the standard 18mm and 85 is a good amount of zoom to get from one lens. this is my everyday lens and can't speak higly enough of it. tiny bit of barrel distorion at wide open but barely noticable unless you have a straight edge or horizon right at the top, bottom or sides. the end doesn't rotate as you zoom and it allows manual focus at anytime even if not in manual. i think it's f3.5-5.6. its quick and sharp and full of colour. great lens. camera house wanted $1600 for it but i found it new on ebay from australia with warrantee and postage for $690. bargain!! i do have a couple of others (and a large wish list ) but this is what i always go back to.

[Stickbow Hunter]

It looks like that lens is a good one alright and as you say an excellent everyday lens. I run a 17-40 f4L on my crop body and a 24-70 f2.8L on the 5dII but of course the 17-40 goes on it as well.

i do have a couple of others (and a large wish list )

I have a bit of a 'white' wish list as well but don't have the money to fill it.

Jeff

[otis.drum]

ha, well i can't afford white, but canon make some excellent lenses without the fancy white finish, and most of my wish list is black. apart from the nice white 100-400 and 2x teleconverter.

i'd like (all canons);
10-22 wide angle
15 fisheye
135 soft focus
100 macro
and proably a tilt shift too

[GrahameA]

Morning.

Not sure about Photo Editing Programs at the moment as I'm only using Picasa 3. I've heard some good things about Photo Elemnts. What do you guys recommend or use to edit your digital pics.

Based on personal experience of using the applications. In preference.

Windows machines-

PaintShop Pro V7
PaintShop Pro V4

I started with Ver 1 of PaintShop Pro and have always liked for its ease of use. I will nominate V7, which is a few years old, as being my application of choice when doing usual stuff.

Adobe Photoshop. Any of the Version are good however Photoshop has a very long and initially very steep learning curve plus it is expensive.

Adobe Photoshop Elements. Great package and am more than happy with it. An even better buy is to buy a bundle which has Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements in one package - excellent Bang-for-Buck. The two packages together cover both still and video - which is handy considering that a lot of cameras also shoot video.

Whatever came with the camera/computer - rarely ever use them, know even less about them.

Mac -

Adobe Photoshop Elements. Same as the version used on the Windows machine. Learn one package only as it is effectively the same on both platforms.

Apple Aperture. A great piece of kit and an overkill for most people. If, however, you are in the land of Mac it is very good.

A number of applications that came with the camera/computer, same story as before.

...

It looks like that lens is a good one alright and as you say an excellent everyday lens. I run a 17-40 f4L on my crop body and a 24-70 f2.8L on the 5dII but of course the 17-40 goes on it as well.

i do have a couple of others (and a large wish list )

I have a bit of a 'white' wish list as well but don't have the money to fill it.

Jeff

I did have a longish white wish-list. Now I have a much shorter one and have a short wish-list of Sigma. The problem with having more lenses is carrying all of them.

[Stickbow Hunter]

Otis, my wish list is for a longer focal length lens so that is why I want a 'white' one.

Mick, I think Grahame has covered the subject of what post processing software to use. I use Photoshop and am very happy to say that as of the middle of last week I now have the latest version on my Mac. It is a big learning curve for sure and even though I have been using it for a few years I am still very much a novice with it. I shoot RAW files mostly so use Bridge (which comes with Photoshop) to convert them.

If you do intend to shoot RAW files at all make sure your editing software is compatible with your camera although I would imagine the software that came with your camera should be able to handle those no problems.

Jeff

[Nutgrass]

Great photo's all round It's inspiring to see other peoples travels with the camera Some times I get lazy & then regret not taking it

Top sunsets mate. The colours in a sunset are always so saturated & intense Being on the east coast I have an infection with Sunrises coming up over the water But certainly had a ball in Karumba a few years ago with sunsets over the water Although I wouldn't mind doing that again. I had not long picked up a digital slr back then



Top work guys...... keep them coming