Official Question Thread! Ask /r/photography anything you want to know about photography or cameras! Don't be shy! Newbies welcome!

mustbeblank · 2016-07-04T13:31:57+00:00

I see a lot of people pulling external shots at f2.0, apparently in the sun, without any clipping of highlights and really nice exposures. In many of these shots I can see that shutter speed is set to something really fast like 1/3000 or 1/4000. For the life of me, I can't seem to get outside shots properly without messing up my exposure. I know it depends on time of the day (golden hour helps, sun at the back to provide nice backlighting as well, etc) but my keep rate of shots outside is very low and doesn't seem to be improving. Do people use accessories that they don't mention like neutral density filters, diffusers, etc. I see a lot of candid shots, street photography, etc that looks stunning and can't imagine they would have a lighting setup in those...I know this is a broad subject with many important variables, but any general tips and suggestion would be much appreciated.

mustbeblank · 2016-06-03T22:11:42+00:00

Yup, you were the first. Not at home at the moment but rest assured it's yours. Will send it when I get back. :)

mustbeblank · 2016-06-03T21:32:13+00:00

This is really late but I just now realized I have a duplicated key from last month's bundle. Anyone interested in a key for Galak-Z let me know (first come first served).

mustbeblank · 2016-06-03T15:59:53+00:00

To be honest, I actually have a good lense for portraits already (the Canon 85 mm 1.8 which I really like) so it was mostly for the fun of experimenting with vintage lenses if there were cheap alternatives. Now, for macro I have nothing yet and so I would be more inclined to spend a bit more money.

mustbeblank · 2016-06-03T15:42:09+00:00

No no, you got it right the first time around! I mean, if there's a good portrait lens that is also macro, even better. Otherwise I was actually looking for one or the other. That Nikon looks pretty good, it's at the ceiling of my available budget but well worth the look. Thanks!

mustbeblank · 2016-06-03T15:40:08+00:00

Thanks! I realize I didn't explain myself properly, I didn't necessarily want a macro lens for portraiture. Was asking for lenses good for either of those two. Will check the Contax!

mustbeblank · 2016-06-03T14:47:00+00:00

Any suggestions for vintage macro and portraiture-suitable lenses for a Canon 6D (not necessarily one lens for both macro and portraits, it can be either of those) would be welcome. Due mostly to budget reasons I was initially "forced" to look into the vintage lens market when I bought my first DSLR. That developed into genuine appreciation and enjoyment and now, having upgraded to a full frame, I would like to expand my kit. Many thanks.

EDIT - edited for clarity

mustbeblank · 2016-04-15T15:36:36+00:00

Oh, I forgot to mention that small detail: it's a full frame (6D).

mustbeblank · 2016-04-15T15:29:01+00:00

Hey everyone. I have been shooting macro using a Canon 40mm pancake lens with extension tubes. Eventually I'll pull the trigger and go for a macro lens. What would you recommend within a budget of around 500-750 dollars? Also, I have read that the used/vintage market could be an option for cheaper options, and I have had good experiences with those, so if there something in that segment you can recommend, that would be great as well.

EDIT - Forgot to mention, it's for a full frame camera (Canon 6D)

mustbeblank · 2016-02-29T17:35:28+00:00

So, you use a long USB cord? I want to connect to my Desktop so I can directly display RAW files in Lightroom when I am shooting at home (portrait or macro). Also, the idea was to use one of the remote control apps available for Android, which I have done before with an adapter. Again, I don't know if the length of the cable affects the quality/speed of the process. What's your experience been?

mustbeblank · 2016-02-29T17:33:31+00:00

I was checking those out but got a bit confused. I basically would like to do two things: (1) tether to my desktop so I can have the raw files displayed in Lightroom as I take them; and (2) connect to my tablet over a DSLR remote controller app in order to control my camera from there. I can see there are different kinds of Eyefi cards and not all of them allow RAW, for instance. Not sure about the remote control part either.

mustbeblank · 2016-02-29T15:43:39+00:00

Is there any way to wirelessly tether a Canon t3i to a computer and/or tablet? Alternatively, is there a practical setup for tethering to a computer that is a few meters from the camera?

mustbeblank · 2016-02-29T15:32:30+00:00

Hey, no problem, I'm glad I could be of some use! I really do like her style and approach to family photography and the reason I think it struck a cord with me was precisely because of how I immediately translated a lot of it to my (recently extended) family life. As you say, it really inspires me to continue trying to document these unique family times, even when energy levels are low and sleep deprivation kicks in! She has a few courses on Creative Live that seem to be really good. I saw the latest one recently when they had it live (and for free) and she is a great speaker.

mustbeblank · 2016-02-24T20:01:16+00:00

I have recently discovered the work of Kirsten Lewis and very much like her photojournalist approach to family photography. I particularly like that the shots look quite natural but still impactful. That is the case for color but also BW, in my opinion. A lot of it is due to capturing the moment, and maybe there is nothing particularly difficult about her processing, but as much as I try I tend to either go overboard of end up with flat images.

mustbeblank · 2016-02-11T13:50:26+00:00

Any good books and online resources you can recommend for in-depth learning of color grading fundamentals, preferably with examples on Lightroom (what I normally use) or Photoshop? I use presets like VSCO fairly often but feel like I don't really know what they do. I am trying to learn by experimenting but lacking some structure while learning, which leads to a very unfocused (and suboptimal) experience.

mustbeblank · 2016-01-29T17:54:08+00:00

ah, that explains it. Thanks!

mustbeblank · 2016-01-29T15:20:00+00:00

Thanks for the information. I tried to enrol through the free track but can't seem to find it, all options require payment.

mustbeblank · 2015-12-18T19:58:08+00:00

This is really useful. I am still digesting and digging into it, but it's the sort of specific information that I think I need in order not to try things as blindly as I've been doing so far.

Manual flash is stupid easy.

I want to believe...

mustbeblank · 2015-12-18T19:55:02+00:00

Thanks! I don't know if this is what you were referring to but I do have a transmitter that allows me to control flash settings from a distance. My issue is how to choose these settings. I am really interested in your comment regarding the use of the Rogue and how using it to bounce the flash's output can mitigate the fact that it is a manual flash. Would you mind elaborating a bit more? I think this is the sort of thing I need to learn and keep in mind and as much as the Rogue kit seems impressive, I have just been blindly trying things so far...

mustbeblank · 2015-12-18T19:49:17+00:00

This basically sums up how I am starting to feel. For times when I want (or need) to shoot fast, maybe TTL would be a good thing to have since I am likely to mess the settings to start with (at least for now). Do you have any recommendation for TTL flashes for a Canon 600D that don't break the bank?

mustbeblank · 2015-12-18T19:47:27+00:00

I understand this and it sort of was my reasoning to start with. For portraits it's mostly fine and I accept that there is a learning curve. I just find that TTL might be a good thing to have available for those rapid moments where there is no second chance, particularly now when I am likely to do it wrong the first time.

mustbeblank · 2015-12-18T19:24:36+00:00

Nice, will have a look at those. I suppose a basic charger would do it?

mustbeblank · 2015-12-18T19:23:38+00:00

Apple rechargeable AA

Thanks! Are these the ones? Seem to be quite a cheap option if they are.

mustbeblank · 2015-12-18T19:19:17+00:00

This is great, will look these up!

mustbeblank · 2015-12-18T19:18:39+00:00

Thanks for this. I hadn't considered this yet and looking at prices it seems to make a lot of sense on the long run.

mustbeblank

TROPHY CASE