Photography

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  • #592123
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    As many of you know, I have a hobby — photography. It’s a hobby that I’ve had for a number of years. I’m always interested in looking at other’s people’s work and getting their criticism and critique of my work.

    So, here’s the first picture I would like to get some feedback on.

    http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6IbRyXYQLuE060NYUjl3Rg?feat=directlink

    I shot this picture using a 100mm macro lens. I must have taken about 200 shots of bees that day to come away with this one shot. However, I find that that tends to be the case. Very often I’ll go out shooting, snap a few hundred pictures only to find that there are only one or two that about which I can say “I really like that.” After talking with other photographers, I’ve confirmed that I’m not the only one who experiences this.

    So, what do you think of my picture? How could it be improved? What suggestions do you have for the next time I try for a similar shot?

    In addition, please feel free to post your own photos for feedback from myself and other members.

    The Wolf

    #704148
    bpt
    Participant

    Its a great shot! Unbelievable that it takes 200+ shots to get one good one.

    I have a handful of nice shots (not of proffesional quality, though) that might be post-worthy.

    I’ll sign up for an account, so you (and any other CR members) can see what they think

    #704149
    noitallmr
    Participant

    Hi Wolf- I’m a pretty professional photographer myself and I gotta give it you that really is a stunning shot without much chance of being able to improve it- maybe try centering the bee a bit more next time but otherwise really beautiful to see an amazing creation so clear and close up.

    My guess is that you used a Canon DSLR which model was that?

    #704150
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    My guess is that you used a Canon DSLR which model was that?

    Your guess would be correct. I own a Canon XSi.

    The Wolf

    #704151

    Great shot Wolf! I am also a photographer and I’ve taken courses on the subject, although I specialize in childrens portraits. (I actually have a studio in my house and do photgraphy for a living)

    My humble opinion on the shot is that it would look better if it was closer up. I dont know if it was possible for you to get closer to it, but just imagine the bee taking up a much bigger portion of the frame. Maybe try a longer lens or zoom in more or crop after you take the shot.

    I disagree with noitall that you should center it more, though. I think its perfectly off center the way it should be.

    Again, excellent shot!

    #704152
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    Hi Wolf- I’m a pretty professional photographer myself and I gotta give it you that really is a stunning shot without much chance of being able to improve it- maybe try centering the bee a bit more next time but otherwise really beautiful to see an amazing creation so clear and close up.

    Thanks for the kind words.

    I have a cropped version of this photo (cropped as a square) at home. I think this one looks better. 🙂

    The Wolf

    #704153
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    I have a handful of nice shots (not of proffesional quality, though) that might be post-worthy.

    I look forward to seeing them.

    The Wolf

    #704154
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    My humble opinion on the shot is that it would look better if it was closer up. I dont know if it was possible for you to get closer to it, but just imagine the bee taking up a much bigger portion of the frame.

    I’m afraid that was about as close as I could get without overly disturbing the bees.

    Maybe try a longer lens or zoom in more or crop after you take the shot.

    I considered buying the Canon 180mm macro lens but decided against it. When (not if, when…) I buy another lens for macro work it will be the MP-E 65mm. With that, I’ll definitely be able to large close-ups of subjects.

    The Wolf

    #704155
    laguy
    Member

    I’m not a photographer, I love this picture!

    #704156
    Hello Kitty
    Member

    It is very beautiful your picture, wolf.

    I love to look at nice pictures and always dream of being able to take nice ones some day.

    Anyone want to teach me?? Any tips on how I can learn the tricks? I would buy a good camera if I would know how to use it. For know I only take pics on my SD camera from my kids.

    #704157
    noitallmr
    Participant

    Whats with the photo of the red shoes in your gallery wolf???

    #704158
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    Anyone want to teach me?? Any tips on how I can learn the tricks?

    Trial and error. That’s how I learned. I never took any classes in photography.

    There’s a ton of online material available on photography. Just get out and shoot.

    The Wolf

    #704159
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    Whats with the photo of the red shoes in your gallery wolf???

    Photoshop experiment.

    The Wolf

    #704160
    Sister Bear
    Member

    All your pictures are stunning!!!!!!! How on earth did you take some of them??

    #704163
    feivel
    Participant

    heres some of my favorites. not sure if they belong in a photography thread. more photoshop than photography

    http://www.pbase.com/feivel/favorites

    #704164
    SJSinNYC
    Member

    Wolf, you really have a great eye. Its impressive.

    How did you get started?

    #704165
    smile66
    Member

    the picture is beautiful! and i’ll join in on that thought that you can take 100 pictures and only get one or two great ones… i’m an amateur photographer, its just a hobby but sometimes i do get really beutiful pictures, and when my friends see the pictures theyre always complimenting me but it’s so funny because i don’t feel like what pictures i’ve taken are because of ME, like my “talent” or any of that. i feel like, at least for me, good pictures come by accident. i could take so many pictures and none of them turns out good, but when one does, i just smile and wonder at the beauties of the world and Hashem’s invention the camera, you know? it’s definitely not because of what anything i do – i just point and click!

    but anyway, your picture is gorgeous – and the subject is cool too – i’d be way too scared of being bitten to try taking pictures of bees!

    #704166
    telegrok
    Member

    Wow. I usually log-on to be a koch-lefel, but Wolf, and Feivel, awesome shots. I found when using film that I would usually get only one “winner” shot off a roll; with digital, it’s easier to be more liberal with hitting the shutter. But, a friend of mine who is a photographer advised me to think like I am using film, and to continue to focus (no pun intended) on framing, composition, lighting, etc. I am still learning the tricks of my new camera (Rebel Xs) – a crazy amount of features – currently working with shutting down the camera’s auto functions to focus on using natural light –

    #704167
    Hello Kitty
    Member

    What camera should I buy if I love to take pics but I want to learn how to take more proffesionel shots?

    Wolf, could you advise me which sight would be the most helpful as a starter?

    #704168
    #704169
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    All your pictures are stunning!!!!!!!

    Thank you for the kind words.

    How on earth did you take some of them??

    Future posts.

    The Wolf

    #704170
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    How did you get started?

    Believe it or not, it’s all trial-and-error.

    I always had a minor interest in photography, but with film cameras I was afraid to experiment. Every shot costs money both in terms of purchasing and then developing film.

    I bought my first digital camera (Canon A20) in December 2001 before I went on a trip to Eretz Yisroel. It was on that trip that I really began developing (get it? Developing?) an interest in the field.

    I played around with my little point-and-shoot for about four years, taking it everywhere and taking pictures of almost anything that was willing to be shot at. After a while, I came to what I felt were the limits of that camera, so I purchased a Canon S3 IS in 2005. This camera had a fixed 10x lens, allowed me to control the shutter and aperture and other more advanced features. I did quite a bit of shooting on that camera for about three years until I finally purchased my first (and so far, only) DSLR camera (a Canon XSi) in April 2008.

    I have never taken a class in photography. Everything I know is from practice, trial-and-error and reading.

    Just to give you an indication of how far I’ve come…. I used to work in customer service for a major electronics retailer back in the mid 1990s. Whenever I opened up the catalog and saw that they had cameras for sale that did not come with the lenses, I could not, for the life of me, figure out why anyone would purchase a camera without a lens attached. Now I know a bit better. 🙂

    The Wolf

    #704171
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    I am still learning the tricks of my new camera (Rebel Xs) – a crazy amount of features – currently working with shutting down the camera’s auto functions to focus on using natural light –

    Practice shooting in Av (Aperture priority) and Tv (Shutter priority) modes. By shooting mainly in those modes, I’ve learned a great deal about shutter speed and apertures.

    The Wolf

    #704172
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    Wolf, could you advise me which sight would be the most helpful as a starter?

    DPReview is a good site for help in picking out a camera. As for the actual “art” of photography, there are any number of books and websites out there that can help you.

    I subscribe to various photography RSS feeds. Probably the most useful one that I’ve found (IMHO) is from Digital Photography School (http://digital-photography-school.com/).

    But the best way to learn is to simply go out and shoot. You don’t need to have a fancy camera to learn about composition, lighting and perspective — even the cheapest point-and-shoot can help you to learn those concepts.

    Don’t be afraid to experiment. If you take a bad picture, so what? It’s digital — erase it and shoot again! Some of my best shots came about as a result of experimentation.

    The Wolf

    #704173
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    Feivel,

    I like the flame shot. It’s very nice. However, I’m wondering if it might not be better without the plastic container at the bottom. It almost seems to take away from the mystique of the flame.

    Even so, it’s still a very nice shot.

    The Wolf

    #704174
    Yanky55
    Participant

    Wolf-

    Gorgeous pictures!

    EDITED

    #704175
    Hello Kitty
    Member

    I own a very good SD Camera and use it all the time. I get lots of compliments of the pics I take. I know all features but I find that I need to move on to something more.

    What is my best option?

    #704176
    Blintzes
    Participant

    Wow! beautiful pics Wolf – my favorite is the llama! Where was that?

    I made an album of some of my own pics I took over the past year or so.

    http://picasaweb.google.com/109280426874676959077/Blintzs?feat=directlink

    enjoy,

    Blintz

    #704177
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    Blintz,

    They’re all nice shots but that first sunset shot is simply stunning. Everything from the lighting to the reflection in the water (I LOVE the reflections of the flying birds) to the surreal feeling that you get from the colors and the uneven way they are laid out in the water.

    The Wolf

    #704178
    ZachKessin
    Member

    One thing that is a good idea for learning is to keep notes, that way when you are looking at a photo later you can know what you did right or wrong.

    #704181
    Blintzes
    Participant

    Thanks Wolf,

    I took that shot in Miami in the early hours of January 1 this past year. I think there was a lot of unnatural haze in the air from all the fireworks the night before that added to the “surreal-ness”.

    Blintz

    #704182
    chofetzchaim
    Member

    Is that an alligator shaped blintz? Is it cheese or blueberry?

    #704183

    Hey Wolf-

    I have that same shot of the cars zooming down the brooklyn bridge! Did you have a tripod when you took that picture? Because I think my shot can be greatly improved if I used my professional equipment. I took that picture with my 5 year old half broken point and shoot because I never feel like shlepping my Canon 40d and tripod when I go out. (I mainly use it in my studio or in my outdoor portrait location)

    #704184
    SJSinNYC
    Member

    Was there something wrong with my link?

    Yes, it has your name in it. Even the new link had your name on the page after you click it

    #704186
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    I have that same shot of the cars zooming down the brooklyn bridge! Did you have a tripod when you took that picture?

    No, I did not. I rested the camera against the railing that hung over the highway for support.

    I haven’t yet brought my tripod (I have a cheap, lousy tripod — I want to get a better one someday) onto the Brooklyn Bridge, but then again, I’m not sure how much it would help if I did. One thing I notice every time I walk on the bridge is how much the floor shakes due to the vibrations of the moving cars.

    The Wolf

    #704187
    SJSinNYC
    Member

    OK, I’ll change it. Thanks!

    #704188
    SJSinNYC
    Member
    #704189
    bpt
    Participant

    Ok, seeing the truly great photos you all have, I’m a bit humbled, but in for a penny, in for a pound!

    I posted two shots that I thougt were good: (link below)

    The 1st shot is a “self portrait” of my son (it was his idea, and I thought it was a creative one

    The 2nd one was a lucky shot, as the reflection in the puddle was pure chance, and I did’nt even see it when I took the shot (obviously, I missed the trees in the foreground, too ;(

    Boy, wolf, you really started a good thread!

    http://picasaweb.google.com/117659108854434852424/UntitledAlbum#

    #704190
    oomis
    Participant

    ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! More, please. And just as an aside – did you run for cover after the bee discovered you invaded its privacy?????? I would NEVER have been brave enough to take such a photo.

    #704191
    blinky
    Participant

    Im not into photography but some of these pictures are really stunning-its a beautiful talent to be able to capture something and make it look so lifelike. Keep it going!

    #704193
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    SJS,

    Nice shot! I like that butterfly (or is it a moth?)

    The Wolf

    #704194
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    BP,

    Interesting shots. The shadow shot is cute, but I think a better angle (if possible) might have made it better. Perhaps as a side-view silhouette?

    Second shot… at a girl’s camp in upstate NY?

    The Wolf

    #704195
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! More, please. And just as an aside – did you run for cover after the bee discovered you invaded its privacy?????? I would NEVER have been brave enough to take such a photo.

    Thanks for the kind words.

    I was actually lying on the ground for about an hour shooting those bees. After a minute or so, they get used to having you there (provided you don’t do anything silly).

    The Wolf

    #704196
    oomis
    Participant

    I love ALL the pictures, but I am partial to sunsets over the ocean.

    #704197
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    whatrutalkingabt,

    You’ve got some nice shots there. I like the sunset shots — they’re very nice and the color is excellent. However, if I may make a recommendation, google the term “Rule of Thirds.” By not having the sun smack-dab in the center of the photo, it might be more visually stunning. (As for these pics, all is not lost… try a crop to do the same thing and see how it looks.) The same thing goes for the bird in picture 6.

    For the longer-exposure pics, you need a tripod. The waterfall pic is a good example — 1/8 of a second is just too long for a hand-held shot.

    The Wolf

    #704198
    Sister Bear
    Member

    Wow, all these pictures are gorgeous!!!!!!

    Blintzes – they’re all amazing, but I love the second one!!! The colors are great!!!

    SJS – that is a really good one!!!!! How did you get so close without the butterfly flying away??

    BP Totty – the first one is really cute. We always tried to do that in the water on boats when we went on class trips. Sometimes they came out 🙂 The other one is cool too.

    whatrutalkingabt – the grapes is really cool!!!!! And I love the ones of the leaves in the water!!!!!

    WolfishMusings – you say everything is trial and error but you must also have a really good eye to be able to tell others how to make their pictures better.

    I thought I took some good pictures, but compared to all of yours…they’re really nothing to call home about 🙂

    #704199

    Wolf-

    Thanks for the compliments and critique. I actually know all about the rule of thirds- I took a comprehensive course from New York Institute of Photography. And I can find room for improvement in most of those photos that I posted. (Hey, at least I know my weaknesses!) The pictures of the sunsets, though, were all taken before I had any interest in photography. And like I told you I focus on portraiture. (I dont know if you saw the other album in my gallery)

    As for the tripod, some of those night pictures have exposures of 1 second, and I didnt use a tripod there either- I took a couple of those from a shaky boat. I know they wouldve been much better with a tripod, I just have too much busha to shlepp it around. Its also pretty heavy- I have the Manfrotto-Bogen 190XB with the 488RC2 ballhead.

    #704200
    noitallmr
    Participant

    What a fantastic thread this has become- well done Wolf.

    Here’s a collection of random shots I’ve done over the years.

    Would love your feedback (make sure to see the lion shot- one of my all time favorites- pretty lucky!!!).

    http://picasaweb.google.com/102419955020094390948/Noitallmr?authkey=Gv1sRgCIfwi_bvi7Hhdg&feat=directlink

    #704201
    SJSinNYC
    Member

    What, I love the alleyway picture! That is fantastic!

    BP, I love shadow and reflection shots.Good job.

    Thank you for the compliments. I think its a butterfly (but I don’t actually know the difference LOL). We have a butterfly bush in our backyard, so we get frequent butterflies. I don’t really take credit for the picture because G-d provided the nature and Canon provided the camera settings LOL. I use a nice Canon point and shoot as I am not responsible enough to handle a dSLR. I break electronics too easily.

    Hopefully this weekend I’ll be able to put up some more. I have an amazing picture from the Great Barrier reef of the coral above the water. And some beautiful Iceland pictures and some other great ones.

    This is a really great thread Wolf!

    #704202

    noitallmr-

    The picture above the clouds and the one of the rainbow are both unreal!

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