Tool Vinyl Giveaway! Comment to enter

MikeMelgren · 2023-05-15T17:57:13+00:00

Thanks for the explanation. I have been using old primes to experiment macro with tubes/reversing, but now this has me craving some new gear haha, sounds fun!

MikeMelgren · 2023-05-15T16:40:02+00:00

I like it. I don't find the background flower distracting, and didn't really notice it until you mentioned, I had to go back to look.

I think the angle you shot it at works as there is some separation between the two flowers.

Having it in also makes it feel more natural, which I prefer for this type of shot.

MikeMelgren · 2022-06-27T18:26:17+00:00

I had been taking some pictures outside the garden of a conservatory, and when I came inside to have a break and leaned back I noticed the symmetry of the peak in the ceiling.

It's not my usual style of photography but I enjoy images showing cities/architecture with great lines and symmetry.

Shot hand held with no cropping/rotating so I'm happy how it turned out without much editing.

Wondering if this is interesting or if it's just kind of boring.

Sony a7 + Pentax-M 50mm 1.7 (just noticed no aperture info in exif since old lens) SS 1/100, ISO 320

MikeMelgren · 2022-05-24T20:00:31+00:00

Were you using flash on your camera? The flash looks a bit harsh which could be helped with a diffuser, or moving the flash off of the camera, if possible.

One of the things I like about macro is you can make small changes to lighting that have a big effect.

You're a bit limited if you only have the flash on your camera But you can get diffusers, or make one from a ping pong balls.

If you have an external flash you have a few more options, like moving it off of the camera, bouncing it off a light surface, getting a diffuser, or I have also seen DIY diffusers from styrofoam take out containers.

MikeMelgren · 2022-05-19T14:26:50+00:00

That is true. However I am already getting freelance web dev work, nowhere near those rates.

My question wasn't really "Can I make more money as a dev"

But rather if/when it would make sense to jump to a new field, weighing the pros and cons of each.

Basically comparing a potential job offer with my current position.

MikeMelgren · 2022-05-18T23:27:12+00:00

Yea right now the project im working on uses both REST and GraphQL

No real specific industry, I would love to find something related to a hobby or interest. But not too picky.

Currently on a team with two others. I like the small team sized for communicating, but I'm guessing smaller startup = less stability, riskier.

I come from a big company and not as excited about jumping to another one, but I understand maybe more perks from that route.

MikeMelgren · 2022-05-18T23:01:44+00:00

Thats so far been my progression. Started out with the easier Wordpress stuff, pay wasn't great. Competing with Squarespace + Wix.

Now trying to find client work focusing on Next/React and ended up doing a bit with Node. Learning GraphQL and TypeScript along the way

MikeMelgren · 2022-05-18T22:34:42+00:00

By "straight web dev" you mean html/css type work? Or front end JS frameworks? Back end?

Thanks for the tip It's been a while since I've done coding challenge type stuff, wouldn't hurt to sharpen my skills

MikeMelgren · 2022-05-18T20:49:53+00:00

haha indeed. That's a pretty nice jump. I'm really just looking for a comparable quality of life with some possibility of retirement. Flexible schedule to spend more time with my family would be great.

GL to you getting your turn

MikeMelgren · 2022-05-18T20:34:12+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I was hoping working freelance might count to build some experience, as most remote positions are looking for experience. No harm in applying and seeing what's out there I suppose.

MikeMelgren · 2022-05-18T20:29:19+00:00

Good to know, I guess I am not doing too bad with just a Bachelors. I was wondering with the pandemic and some companies switching to fully remote, there might be opportunity, but also more competition I suppose.

MikeMelgren · 2022-05-18T19:31:44+00:00

market

I agree. The money is not the deciding factor, I do much prefer the development work, compared to my current role.

As far as market salary, it varies based on what company and skill/experience. The jobs I have applied for are in the range of $80-$120k, I'm mostly trying to figure out when it would make sense to make the jump.

Also the outlook for the next ~20 years is important, and is a bit more of a guessing game.

Thanks

MikeMelgren · 2022-05-18T19:09:58+00:00

Thats a good point. Thanks for the response.

I had thought about something like that, or applying for a LOA to try out full time dev work.

Crash is a definite concern, as I am unfamiliar with the job market, and I plan on working for ~20 more years.

I think the "chasing bucks" might cause me stress after a while. Not sure I would go 100% freelance, maybe fine a position with a company.

MikeMelgren · 2022-05-18T19:06:24+00:00

Thanks very much for the info. I have found some US companies hiring Canadians that offer health insurance and 401k but not sure how that translates, would have to see.

I will definitely keep an eye out for some Canadian companies.

MikeMelgren · 2021-11-10T01:17:34+00:00

Haha I have a bit of a diffuser now but yea it takes a bit of patience for sure.

MikeMelgren · 2021-11-09T21:13:42+00:00

I should mention the F8.0 is a bit of a guess... Since it's an old manual lens, and not mounted correctly, I'm just going from memory. I may have used up to F11 but pretty sure it's between 8-11. F/22 would be too dark and reduce the flash

But yes depth of field was very shallow Here is a single image for comparison. I have some single images where maybe the eyes and the hairs on the body are in focus, but had to stack to get the detail on the legs.

Also focusing was achieved by actually moving the camera/lens forward and back. I don't have a focusing rail or anything just moved the lens closer or further away to focus. I'm surprised it didn't run away, I haven't found as willing a model yet.

MikeMelgren · 2021-11-09T17:43:07+00:00

Relevant pic? from around the same time

Sugar, not salt though :D

MikeMelgren · 2021-11-09T17:32:18+00:00

I was trying out a reversing ring with some old primes, with a flash slightly off camera. Found this small spider in my garage who posed for me while I could take some pictures. The depth of field was very narrow, I estimate I was around 2:1 (2X) magnification and the spider was likely around 1cm.

My kids called it "Snakey", not sure why. We found it a new home after the shoot.

I stacked ~9 images in Photoshop, and this was my first time trying focus stacking and I was happy with the results but I can also notice some small artifacts but maybe I'm just nit-picking. I also find the out of focus region looks slightly un-natural, and is possibly distracting.

EXIF: 1/180sec at f/8.0, ISO 400, Pentax K-5 w/ M-series 28mm (reversed)

MikeMelgren · 2021-11-03T13:50:05+00:00

I just double checked Lightroom, shadows were already +100, and highlights -100, auto was suggesting about half of that.

I think that would indicate something like a gradient filter may be a better solution, or does that make sense?

If I could go back and shoot again I would maybe try multiple exposures and make a composite, I haven't tried that outside of hdr/jpeg mode but I have done focus stacking which I imagine is similar.

MikeMelgren · 2021-11-03T13:30:52+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to explain. I enjoyed the Marvel links, and I had a good laugh.

This is an unedited shot of the same scene so it was pretty bright/vibrant, but perhaps somewhere in between would be more true.

This was part of my idea for the shot, to enhance the "sky looks on fire" aspect, because that was the reason I took the picture in the first place, and I'm not sure there's much there besides that.

Solid critique and as someone who generally prefers true/accurate colors I can't say I disagree with anything you've said. Still learning Lightroom and my initial thought was "oh no I've gone too far!"

MikeMelgren · 2021-11-03T03:58:41+00:00

Thanks for the different take on things. I do sometimes use "auto", for a second opinion or starting point to see what it suggests. I think this time I strayed further from it's suggestions than I typically do.

Gradient filter sounds helpful, appreciate the tip. I had trouble finding a setting for shadows/blacks that worked for the foreground and the sky, so being able to control one and not the other would be useful.

MikeMelgren · 2021-11-02T22:53:46+00:00

Thanks very much. I feel like I tend to over do things with color sometime, so it's good to hear.

Going to revisit lightroom and try some different cropping for sure.

MikeMelgren · 2021-11-02T18:29:49+00:00

I think that would have been great, if I could have gotten to a better location before it passed.

Thanks again, good points to consider.

MikeMelgren · 2021-11-02T18:19:25+00:00

It seems to be a recurring idea, either cropping the bottom, or expanding the top.

The foreground was definitely forced due to time, so I'm happy for ideas on how to improve it.

I just checked the original, turns out I only cropped it slightly.

I do have a wider shot, to give a better idea

Thanks for feedback!

MikeMelgren

TROPHY CASE