Another Arizona POTN get together (2)?

[disneydork06]

Wanna go to the Wildlife World Zoo? I'll drive. Say yes...:lol: I haven't had a chance to use my camera lately. I'll loan you any lens I own. ;)
lol, no fair! lucky :-P

[TammieO]

Lens Tease ! :p

Whatever it takes! :lol:
Anybody else wanna go on Saturday? I got room in the Corolla for 2 more.

[FlyingPhotog]

Whatever it takes! :lol:
Anybody else wanna go on Saturday? I got room in the Corolla for 2 more.

Best I can do at this point is a solid possibly. Gotta get home and get caught up on things. I'll know better a bit later in the week.

[jbdavies]

Whatever it takes! :lol:
Anybody else wanna go on Saturday? I got room in the Corolla for 2 more.
Maybe. My mom wants to go so I don't know. :-P

[TammieO]

Best I can do at this point is a solid possibly. Gotta get home and get caught up on things. I'll know better a bit later in the week.

I would do the lens tease thing again, but since you got your 300, I got nothing to tempt you with :cry:.

[TammieO]

Maybe. My mom wants to go so I don't know. :-P

If you can make it and want to borrow a longer lens, let me know.

[FlyingPhotog]

I would do the lens tease thing again, but since you got your 300, I got nothing to tempt you with :cry:.

There's always your charming personality and rapier wit ! ;)

[TammieO]

There's always your charming personality and rapier wit ! ;)

Ha ha ha! I almost choked on my coffee. :lol:

[macroshooter1970]

http://bestsmileys.com/ghost/1.gif

[jbdavies]

If you can make it and want to borrow a longer lens, let me know.
What all do you have? :D

There's always your charming personality and rapier wit ! ;)

Ha ha ha! I almost choked on my coffee. :lol:
Sooo... maybe not so much wit. :p :lol:

[jbdavies]

http://bestsmileys.com/ghost/1.gif
:shock:

[macroshooter1970]

http://bestsmileys.com/peeping/5.gif

[jbdavies]

lol Found some new smilies Mike?

[macroshooter1970]

lol Found some new smilies Mike?


ya, not much else to do. can't wait to go to work already :)

[jbdavies]

ya, not much else to do. can't wait to go to work already :)
You actually want to go to work?! :shock: lol

[macroshooter1970]

You actually want to go to work?! :shock: lol


yup, i like it. http://bestsmileys.com/falling/4.gif

[jbdavies]

yup, i like it. http://bestsmileys.com/falling/4.gif
I'll trade ya jobs. :p

[TammieO]

[QUOTE=jbdavies;6953590]What all do you have? :D

Got:
70-200 f2.8 IS
100-400
300 f4 and f2.8
500 f4 (too long for WWZoo)

[macroshooter1970]

I'll trade ya jobs. :p

then i'd have to work

[jbdavies]

Got:
70-200 f2.8 IS
100-400
300 f4 and f2.8
500 f4 (too long for WWZoo)
You have TWO 300's?! You know... I can take one of those off of your hands if you'd like. ;)

Hmmmm... so very tempting. I'll let you know. :) When you going? Next Saturday?

[jbdavies]

then i'd have to work
HAHAHA!! Damn...

[macroshooter1970]

what lens will you be using Tammie?

[macroshooter1970]

hope those fish tanks are cool over there

[macroshooter1970]

I want to see it also! I think its $26.50 per adult, plus the drive out there. We are in for next weekend!


I think Jake wants to go as well.

[Rutha73]

I think Jake wants to go as well.

yes, my wife and I want to check it out. I have never been to WWZ. I do love aquariums though! how fast of a lens do you usually need for aquariums?

[TammieO]

You have TWO 300's?! You know... I can take one of those off of your hands if you'd like. ;)

Hmmmm... so very tempting. I'll let you know. :) When you going? Next Saturday?

Yup. Next Saturday. I got the 300 f4 then Russ got me the 2.8 last year for my birthday.

[macroshooter1970]

yes, my wife and I want to check it out. I have never been to WWZ. I do love aquariums though! how fast of a lens do you usually need for aquariums?


Your 2.8 should be fine. I used a tamron 2.8 at Shed Aquarium many times, just have to adjust the iso a little.

[TammieO]

what lens will you be using Tammie?
Probably the 300 f4, and the 100macro.

yes, my wife and I want to check it out. I have never been to WWZ. I do love aquariums though! how fast of a lens do you usually need for aquariums?

Yay, we get to meet Mrs. Jake. I've never tried shooting at an aquarium and I don't have anything faster than 2.8 anyway, so...:D

[macroshooter1970]

2.8 @1/15s ISO800

DANG NOW I WANT TO GO

[Rutha73]

Your 2.8 should be fine. I used a tamron 2.8 at Shed Aquarium many times, just have to adjust the iso a little.

its a 2.8-4 its only 2.8 at the wide end (28mm)
Oh, and BTW Jeremy, you aren't allowed to jump in the water at WWZ aquarium. they tend to kick you out if you do! so leave the trunks at home :lol:

[Rutha73]

Nice Turtle shot Mike! was that at Shedd? I have been there once, it was a huge aquarium!!!!

[disneydork06]

ooh, nice mr turtle you got there Mike. I might be able to go to wwz. would be nice to see since I haven't gone since 95.

[macroshooter1970]

Nice Turtle shot Mike! was that at Shedd? I have been there once, it was a huge aquarium!!!!


thanks ya from 2005 i think.

[macroshooter1970]

ooh, nice mr turtle you got there Mike. I might be able to go to wwz. would be nice to see since I haven't gone since 95.

there you go. be nice to see you in 09, might never run into you again after that lol :)

[jbdavies]

its a 2.8-4 its only 2.8 at the wide end (28mm)
Oh, and BTW Jeremy, you aren't allowed to jump in the water at WWZ aquarium. they tend to kick you out if you do! so leave the trunks at home :lol:
Ugh, that's lame. lol I wanted to go fishing... I mean snorkeling. :p lol

[Rutha73]

Ugh, that's lame. lol I wanted to go fishing... I mean snorkeling. :p lol

LOL, you getting your scuba gear and spear gun ready?

[joeb1]

Whatever it takes! :lol:
Anybody else wanna go on Saturday? I got room in the Corolla for 2 more.

What time are you planning on getting there?

I may be able to go. If I go, I'll drive my car. Gotta keep that HEMI warm. :)

[jbdavies]

LOL, you getting your scuba gear and spear gun ready?
Uhhh... I was just gonna shoot them with my shotgun.... ;)

[TammieO]

What time are you planning on getting there?

I may be able to go. If I go, I'll drive my car. Gotta keep that HEMI warm. :)

I'm thinking we meet in the parking lot at 9 (when they open) and do the aquarium before too many people show up.

[TammieO]

Uhhh... I was just gonna shoot them with my shotgun.... ;)

Oooo. Jeremy is going to catch lunch for us! :lol:

[disneydork06]

there you go. be nice to see you in 09, might never run into you again after that lol :)haha...gotta make my yearly appearance :-P

[disneydork06]

Oooo. Jeremy is going to catch lunch for us! :lol:more like shoot it up...not sure much will be available when he's done with it :-P

[Kristy]

Hi....

I've been soooooo lazy for a couple of days now... just finally peeking in.

Happy 2 Days after Christmas... time to toss out the remaing junk food and resume normal healthy eating... (and I'm so enjoying having cookies for breakfast...lol).

COOL Macro shots Jeremy.. congrats on the new toy... and Jake.. got new lights, huh!! Woo Hoo. :)

Nothing exciting in Peoria.. just cleaning up the house....

[RenShots]

This is way old, and many posts behind.

Hatch, thanks for the advice. I rented at 50 1.4 and found the DOF was to short anyway, so lowered aperture and shot with bounce flash. 1.4 is looking to be more for Macro and Portraits, low light ... bah humbug...

You guys are much more experienced than I am, so IF you have to shoot low light, WITHOUT flash, what do you do -- pushing the ISO up above 1000 is too noisy for anything but news print, which was what i was doing it for, but other media is hopeless.

Jim



Couple of questions...

Are you shooting natural light only...at night? You could rent the 50mm and a STE-2 to help with the focusing. It throws a AF-assist beam...you would have to fire a flash... just use the help of the assist beam.

You could shoot f/2.8.... I think Steve was shooting F/2.8 and was successful. Which would open you up to other lens options. I have the 50 f/1.4 and it's pretty sharp... could be the copy you have used.

You could rent the 35 F/1.4 from the images I have seen on the net... it is sharp wide open.

Just some thoughts... :)

Hatch

[Kristy]

, so IF you have to shoot low light, WITHOUT flash, what do you do -- pushing the ISO up above 1000 is too noisy for anything but news print,

Perpetual problem for all photogs....

If you have to shoot low light... either you have to suck it up and use flash, or realize that you will have grain... I believe Jay said that nice light comes with a price... we have to give up something... either shutter speed, or DOF... or invite the grain to come along for the ride..

If you are shooting the kiddos as above... you need more DOF... so you'll have to stop down the aperature to get it all in focus.... IF you stop down, then you have to slow your shutter to let the light in.... which allows for motion blur... only other alternative is the increase ISO, and welcome the grain... :(

Sadly enough... I admit I am not a fan of low light shooting... ever.. I don't love flash or the look of flash... but sometimes we are forced to use it.... so I say BOUNCE is your best friend... BOUNCE against the ceiling, against a wall that is beind you, or beside you, or have a friend hold a reflector and bounce that..... it works...

Had enough of my rambling yet? Aren't you glad you asked... lol... ;)

ps..., the santa shot looks good.... his eyes are in focus.... advantage of having only one person in the frame wide open. :)

[JmprSteve]

This is way old, and many posts behind.

Hatch, thanks for the advice. I rented at 50 1.4 and found the DOF was to short anyway, so lowered aperture and shot with bounce flash. 1.4 is looking to be more for Macro and Portraits, low light ... bah humbug...

You guys are much more experienced than I am, so IF you have to shoot low light, WITHOUT flash, what do you do -- pushing the ISO up above 1000 is too noisy for anything but news print, which was what i was doing it for, but other media is hopeless.

Jim
Jim, check out the depth of field calculator here: http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html
the distance from the camera to subject will affect the depth of field:
for instance with a 40D/50mm/f1.4, if you were 5 feet from the subject (who/what ever you focused on) then anything .08 feet in front of and .08 feet behind the subject will be in focus. If you were 10 feet from the subject then anything .31 feet in front of and .3 feet behind the subject will be in focus. Basically, you're talking less than an inch at 5 feet, and about 4 inches at 10 feet.
So you need to push the iso to where it is acceptable noise, keep the shutter speed reasonable with a reasonable f-stop. For most indoor events in low light, I use a speedlite (either the 430 or 580) with a diffuser. It may look a bit flashy but at least everything is in focus that I want in focus.

[macroshooter1970]

I'm thinking we meet in the parking lot at 9 (when they open) and do the aquarium before too many people show up.


that sounds good. what time will we leave?

[Rutha73]

that sounds good. what time will we leave?

after we bail Jeremy out for shooting up the fish tanks with a shotgun :p

[macroshooter1970]

after we bail Jeremy out for shooting up the fish tanks with a shotgun :p


ment leave to get there

[Rutha73]

ment leave to get there

Oh, ha ha, i am going to give myself an hour probly since I am coming from east mesa.

[FlyingPhotog]

Ahhhhhhhhhh..............

So nice to be back in my little abode in Chandler. Also nice to be back in front of a decent sized screen. Love the iPhone but I was going blind... :rolleyes:

Truly a weird trip. When we got to Michigan back on Tuesday: single digits and some of the most treacherously icy roads I've ever driven on. Today, 60 degrees and some of the thickest fog and heaviest rain I've ever driven in. Never saw the sun for 5 days.

Really glad to be home! ;)

[jbdavies]

Ahhhhhhhhhh..............

So nice to be back in my little abode in Chandler. Also nice to be back in front of a decent sized screen. Love the iPhone but I was going blind... :rolleyes:

Truly a weird trip. When we got to Michigan back on Tuesday: single digits and some of the most treacherously icy roads I've ever driven on. Today, 60 degrees and some of the thickest fog and heaviest rain I've ever driven in. Never saw the sun for 5 days.

Really glad to be home! ;)
Welcome back!! :D

We have icy roads up here... you know, if you miss it, you could head up. :p lol

[FlyingPhotog]

Welcome back!! :D

We have icy roads up here... you know, if you miss it, you could head up. :p lol

Ummm.... No

Wish I'd have had my truck this week though.

[Rutha73]

Ahhhhhhhhhh..............

So nice to be back in my little abode in Chandler. Also nice to be back in front of a decent sized screen. Love the iPhone but I was going blind... :rolleyes:

Truly a weird trip. When we got to Michigan back on Tuesday: single digits and some of the most treacherously icy roads I've ever driven on. Today, 60 degrees and some of the thickest fog and heaviest rain I've ever driven in. Never saw the sun for 5 days.

Really glad to be home! ;)

my wife's parents got delayed coming out here for a day because of that fog. they were supposed to be here yesterday, but are now going to be flying into Tucson tonight and driving up here. So are you going with us to the aquarium Jay?

[disneydork06]

This is way old, and many posts behind.

Hatch, thanks for the advice. I rented at 50 1.4 and found the DOF was to short anyway, so lowered aperture and shot with bounce flash. 1.4 is looking to be more for Macro and Portraits, low light ... bah humbug...

You guys are much more experienced than I am, so IF you have to shoot low light, WITHOUT flash, what do you do -- pushing the ISO up above 1000 is too noisy for anything but news print, which was what i was doing it for, but other media is hopeless.

Jimyeah...I just flash. I usually put on my omni-bounce diffuser and just angle that according to how I shoot. but if there's some cool stage lights I'll use that instead :-) guessing you didn't see much stage lights, so I would try and use flash as much as possible. f1.4 is so shallow especially when you want group shots.

[disneydork06]

Ahhhhhhhhhh..............

So nice to be back in my little abode in Chandler. Also nice to be back in front of a decent sized screen. Love the iPhone but I was going blind... :rolleyes:

Truly a weird trip. When we got to Michigan back on Tuesday: single digits and some of the most treacherously icy roads I've ever driven on. Today, 60 degrees and some of the thickest fog and heaviest rain I've ever driven in. Never saw the sun for 5 days.

Really glad to be home! ;)hey! you missed out on the wet christmas :-) how often do you get to see that in the valley. good to hear you folks made it back just fine

[FlyingPhotog]

my wife's parents got delayed coming out here for a day because of that fog. they were supposed to be here yesterday, but are now going to be flying into Tucson tonight and driving up here. So are you going with us to the aquarium Jay?

Man that fog was really something else. Sorry your folks got bagged. Probably will make it to the WWZ. Saturday, yeah?

hey! you missed out on the wet christmas :-) how often do you get to see that in the valley. good to hear you folks made it back just fine

Thanks Ryan.

Three from the week that weren't just lame family snap shots:

"Summer On Hold"
http://www.pbase.com/flyingphotog/image/107515338/original.jpg

"Christmas Traditions" (This house is well known for going all out on the decorations)
http://www.pbase.com/flyingphotog/image/107515339/original.jpg

"Snow Bunny"
http://www.pbase.com/flyingphotog/image/107515333/original.jpg

[disneydork06]

great shots. last time I heard of people stacking picnic tables was during a senior prank when I was a jr in high school :-P and I do like the house and your snow bunny. again, great shots

[disneydork06]

bored...here's an old shot from a wedding I got to shoot at. used the guys 50 1.2 that I was working for :-D it's a bit soft but you can't expect too much from trying to hand hold a shot at 1.2 :-P

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3261/3142827151_b9a3384258.jpg?v=0

[FlyingPhotog]

great shots. last time I heard of people stacking picnic tables was during a senior prank when I was a jr in high school :-P and I do like the house and your snow bunny. again, great shots

Thanks... It's a common practice at Michigan parks. Gets them under cover so they rot less quickly. They usually chain them down too so they don't grow legs. I'm rather partial to the Snow Bunny .. it's the Mrs.

bored...here's an old shot from a wedding I got to shoot at. used the guys 50 1.2 that I was working for :-D it's a bit soft but you can't expect too much from trying to hand hold a shot at 1.2 :-P

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3261/3142827151_b9a3384258.jpg?v=0

Now that's some seriously shallow DOF... Nice!

[jbdavies]

Sweet shots Jay! :) That's a lot of white. lol

bored...here's an old shot from a wedding I got to shoot at. used the guys 50 1.2 that I was working for :-D it's a bit soft but you can't expect too much from trying to hand hold a shot at 1.2 :-P

Were you focusing on the glass? ;) :p lol

[disneydork06]

Thanks... It's a common practice at Michigan parks. Gets them under cover so they rot less quickly. They usually chain them down too so they don't grow legs. I'm rather partial to the Snow Bunny .. it's the Mrs.

so there's the better half :-)

[FlyingPhotog]

so there's the better half :-)

Yes indeed...

This is her looking more "professional"
http://www.pbase.com/flyingphotog/image/105682870/original.jpg

[disneydork06]

Sweet shots Jay! :) That's a lot of white. lol


Were you focusing on the glass? ;) :p lol
haha...no...I don't think so. this was awhile ago but I do remember that I couldn't stay still, was drifting forward and back trying to time the shot just right. was really playing with the dof. :-D oh and it was late into the wedding so my legs, I'm sure, were fairly tired at this point.

[disneydork06]

Yes indeed...

This is her looking more "professional"

very nice, I remember this shot. but aren't they adorable when they're all bundled up for the weather :-D :-P

[FlyingPhotog]

very nice, I remember this shot. but aren't they adorable when they're all bundled up for the weather :-D :-P

Yepper, they are...

[Rutha73]

Nice shots Jay! its nice to see snow, on my computer while its sunny and dry out where I am! Great shot of Mrs. FlyingPhotog! Ryan, that is an interesting shot, that would be fun to play with that shallow DOF.

[TammieO]

Jay, Glad to see you made it back safe and sound. Cute photo of your Snow Bunny!

[ScottDR]

Hi all, checking in. Jay, glad you made it back safely-love the winter shots. The portrait of your wife above is terrific. Perfectly placed catchlights and all :).

Our trip back to NW Iowa was a great time. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and it took us a couple of extra hours on the way there...and again on the way back. Oh well, it's all good :). Strange getting into the car at 55F and stepping out again at 4F!

Ryan, really cool DOF on that shot.

Jeremy-sorry to hear about your trying to drown in the house! I have tons more reading to catch up but wanted to say hello from Ohio.

[TammieO]

Hi Scott! Hope you had a great time being home for the holidays for the first time in years. I haven't caught up on all the bazillion posts I missed in the last 2 weeks. Did you get your horse moved ok?

[ScottDR]

Hi Tammie!

Was awesome surprising everyone for Christmas. Yes, the horse arrived last week and was like a little kid in a whole new world :). You should have seen him galloping all the way up the hill to the back of the pasture, was priceless. After five years of little or no pasture, this is like heaven for him!

Hope your holidays are going well also :D

[jbdavies]

Hi all, checking in. Jay, glad you made it back safely-love the winter shots. The portrait of your wife above is terrific. Perfectly placed catchlights and all :).

Our trip back to NW Iowa was a great time. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and it took us a couple of extra hours on the way there...and again on the way back. Oh well, it's all good :). Strange getting into the car at 55F and stepping out again at 4F!

Ryan, really cool DOF on that shot.

Jeremy-sorry to hear about your trying to drown in the house! I have tons more reading to catch up but wanted to say hello from Ohio.
Hey Scott! Glad to hear you had a good job and that your little horsey is happy. :D

[FlyingPhotog]

Just adding a "Hiya Scott!"

Glad Operation Iowa went as planned. :)

[BrianAZ]

Just bought myself a late Christmas present:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/314N4B614BL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

[jbdavies]

Just bought myself a late Christmas present:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/314N4B614BL._SL500_AA280_.jpg
Congrats!! :)

I thought you already had one though?

[FlyingPhotog]

Just bought myself a late Christmas present:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/314N4B614BL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

It'll make your post work sooooo much more efficient.

FWIW, you might find you will prefer to use a combo of your regular mouse and the pen. I found the Wacom mouse tough to warm up to.

[Hatch1921]

Yes indeed...

This is her looking more "professional"
http://www.pbase.com/flyingphotog/image/105682870/original.jpg


Very nice capture Jay! I haven't tried shooting someone with glasses... I would imagine it is a challenge?

Nice present Brian :) Have fun with it.


I'm so lost on the threads... just hope everyone has had a fun 2008 and that 2009 turns out to be a great year for all.

Hatch

[Hatch1921]

This past week... I've been working on the AZ Pro site...

So... if you all would like to take a look at the..."New Look" of AZ Pro... here is the link... still updating the Blog and a few other things... lots to work on... the goal is to have everything in place/complete by the first of the year.

Good times! LOL

http://www.azproimage.com

I had to remove the music at the moment... Techno while viewing the baby photos... not cool. LOL

Let me know what you think... good/bad/ugly.
Hatch

[jbdavies]

This past week... I've been working on the AZ Pro site...

So... if you all would like to take a look at the..."New Look" of AZ Pro... here is the link... still updating the Blog and a few other things... lots to work on... the goal is to have everything in place/complete by the first of the year.

Good times! LOL

http://www.azproimage.com

I had to remove the music at the moment... Techno while viewing the baby photos... not cool. LOL

Let me know what you think... good/bad/ugly.
Hatch
You changed it! lol Looks good Hatch! :)

[Hatch1921]

You changed it! lol Looks good Hatch! :)

Thanks... the full size images were slow to load and a few felt like they were right in your face so to speak... so... reduced it down...

Glad you like it... still have much to do!


How is the 100mm working out?

[jbdavies]

Thanks... the full size images were slow to load and a few felt like they were right in your face so to speak... so... reduced it down...

Glad you like it... still have much to do!


How is the 100mm working out?
I haven't really been able to play with it much. Plus, I don't have LR or PS right now, so I can't play with the shots I have taken in there.

Maybe tomorrow? Hopefully. lol

[Az2Africa]

Looks great Hatch. What are you using to creat it? I am finally getting ready to set up a site and am looking for the right template. By the way, I hope you skip the music. Maybe it's just me though. I always turn it off because is is distracting and it's hard to find stuff that pleases everyone.

[Hatch1921]

Looks great Hatch. What are you using to creat it? I am finally getting ready to set up a site and am looking for the right template. By the way, I hope you skip the music. Maybe it's just me though. I always turn it off because is is distracting and it's hard to find stuff that pleases everyone.


Thanks Terry,

So far... after looking over ...and over... and over other template sites... I went with http://www.photobiz.com They meet almost all the needs for the site. Using the cart system... you can use a merchant account/Paypal/checks no fees for processing orders... or percentages off the top. You use your own lab...which was the most important thing to me/us.

They have 30-40 templates... all shapes and sizes... easy to use... drag and drop easy... you can tweek the CSS for your own styling...

Music... I want to at least add it to the baby photos... the issue at the moment... I had audio on a few galleries... when you switched from one to the other... the previous musi stayed. Techno music and babies... not a good combo! ROFL

Just using Wordpress for the blog.... on my own server/host. Which... you can use Photobiz as a host... I didn't as I have a ton of stuff linked out on the web.

Hope this helps... they are 50% off right now.
Hatch

[Az2Africa]

Thanks.I'll check it out.

[Rutha73]

the site is looking good Hatch. One of those models in the Precious monents looks familiar, is the 4th one down one of the shots you got at Boyce Thopson?

[Hatch1921]

the site is looking good Hatch. One of those models in the Precious monents looks familiar, is the 4th one down one of the shots you got at Boyce Thopson?

LOL Thanks... yes... that might be someone you know?

:D

[FlyingPhotog]

the site is looking good Hatch. One of those models in the Precious monents looks familiar, is the 4th one down one of the shots you got at Boyce Thopson?

Did she sign a release? :p

[Hatch1921]

Thanks.I'll check it out.


No problem.

Here are some links from another post....

I checked them out... for the $ ... Photobiz is cool for now....

Maybe in a year or so... we/I can go with something different. :)


Big Folio - http://www.bigfolio.com (http://www.bigfolio.com/)
BluDomain - http://www.bludomain.com (http://www.bludomain.com/)
FloSites - http://www.flosites.com (http://www.flosites.com/)
Darkroom - http://www.intothedarkroom.com (http://www.intothedarkroom.com/)
Flash Palette - http://www.flashpalette.com (http://www.flashpalette.com/)
LiveBooks - http://www.livebooks.com (http://www.livebooks.com/)
Photoidentities - http://www.photoidentities.com (http://www.photoidentities.com/)
Tafota - http://tafota.com (http://tafota.com/)
Winklet - http://www.winkletwebdesign.com (http://www.winkletwebdesign.com/)
Creative Motion Design - http://www.creativemotiondesign.com/
Infinet Design - http://www.infinetdesign.com (http://www.infinetdesign.com/) - They are not cheap, starting price is around $2800 (full custom design)

__________________

[Rutha73]

Did she sign a release? :p

I don't think so, i put a pen in her hand and granma and grandpas christmas card in fromt of her to get her to sign it and she just scribbled all over the card! She wouldn't cooperate at all with the card signings!

[Hatch1921]

Did she sign a release? :p

I knew that was going to come up. LOL

When she is a senior... I will donate a Senior Session! LOL

[FlyingPhotog]

I don't think so, i put a pen in her hand and granma and grandpas christmas card in fromt of her to get her to sign it and she just scribbled all over the card! She wouldn't cooperate at all with the card signings!

I knew that was going to come up. LOL

When she is a senior... I will donate a Senior Session! LOL

:lol: @ Both...

[joeb1]

I'm thinking we meet in the parking lot at 9 (when they open) and do the aquarium before too many people show up.

Sounds great. I just hope nothing else pops up.

Five kids & 13 grandkids, sometimes we babysit 8 days a week. :)

[macroshooter1970]

Sounds great. I just hope nothing else pops up.

Five kids & 13 grandkids, sometimes we babysit 8 days a week. :)


8 days a week, cool :)

[Rutha73]

I knew that was going to come up. LOL

When she is a senior... I will donate a Senior Session! LOL

LOL! Maybe by that time I will be good enough to do it myself? Maybe even be just good enough to get hired by Hatch! LOL

[Hatch1921]

LOL! Maybe by that time I will be good enough to do it myself? Maybe even be just good enough to get hired by Hatch! LOL

You crack me up! When I open up 1921 Studios... which will be in about 30-40 years... your hired! LOL

[Rutha73]

You crack me up! When I open up 1921 Studios... which will be in about 30-40 years... your hired! LOL

SWEET!!!!!!!! I hope the 'ol XTi is still running strong then! I might have some new lenses by then too!

[joeb1]

8 days a week, cool :)

Some weeks more... :)

[jbdavies]

You crack me up! When I open up 1921 Studios... which will be in about 30-40 years... your hired! LOL
Why 1921? :) If you don't mind me asking...

[Hatch1921]

Why 1921? :) If you don't mind me asking...


1921 Hatch1921

When I was looking to open a Yahoo email account... I couldn't use my name or anything close to hatch.... so... I just went with hatch1921 and it has been used ever since for all my web travels.

There is a 1921 studios... already looked it up. LOL

[jbdavies]

1921 Hatch1921

When I was looking to open a Yahoo email account... I couldn't use my name or anything close to hatch.... so... I just went with hatch1921 and it has been used ever since for all my web travels.

There is a 1921 studios... already looked it up. LOL
Oh lame! lol Buy them out. :p lol

[jbdavies]

Ok, here are a couple more shots with the 100 macro. Still got lots to learn, but I'm getting there... I think. lol

Christmas Light Bulb
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/3146148851_cfe20eb3b5_b.jpg

Snowflake on drinking glass
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/3146152747_3f10787c24.jpg

Rooooaaaarrrrrr... (A bear on a Noah's Ark ornament)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/3146155741_7465e324b2.jpg

This one is for you Jay. ;) I got this ornament this year. We get a new ornament every year, family tradition. :)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/3146993436_79faf6e029_b.jpg

Yummm...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/3146168081_0ce7de1907.jpg

[disneydork06]

nice shots jeremy. the biplane one is nice :-)

[jbdavies]

nice shots jeremy. the biplane one is nice :-)
Thanks Ryan. :)

[FlyingPhotog]

Me likey the BiPlane!

Macro's fun, eh? I find it particularly challenging to find the one key thing when it's that small and the DOF is that shallow (which is why I don't shoot much macro...I suck at it...)

Try that 100 stopped down to about f/5.6 and shoot something well lit outdoors. Sharp enough to cut steel...

[macroshooter1970]

Ok, here are a couple more shots with the 100 macro. Still got lots to learn, but I'm getting there... I think. lol

Christmas Light Bulb


Snowflake on drinking glass


Rooooaaaarrrrrr... (A bear on a Noah's Ark ornament)


This one is for you Jay. ;) I got this ornament this year. We get a new ornament every year, family tradition. :)


Yummm...



where's the bugs at? glad you like the lens

[Az2Africa]

Cool macro shots! BTW I rode the new light rail yesterday. It was fun, but doesn't pass by my neighborhood.

329988

[jbdavies]

Me likey the BiPlane!

Macro's fun, eh? I find it particularly challenging to find the one key thing when it's that small and the DOF is that shallow (which is why I don't shoot much macro...I suck at it...)

Try that 100 stopped down to about f/5.6 and shoot something well lit outdoors. Sharp enough to cut steel...
:D

Yeah, I can't wait to actually play with this outside. Maybe today while I'm in beautiful mountainy Tombstone. :p lol

where's the bugs at? glad you like the lens
Ummmm... I'm hiding those... until... I actually get some. :lol:

Cool macro shots! BTW I rode the new light rail yesterday. It was fun, but doesn't pass by my neighborhood.
Hey cool shot of the thingydohillywhopper! Did you do the "Grand" Opening or just for heck of it? :)

[ScottDR]

Jeremy-nice macros :D You cracked me up with the 'this one is for Jay' LOL I'm spoiled by zoom but primes can produce incredible results. Heh, maybe I should have waited and got the heavy/expensive/ultimate in lazy EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 L IS USM! But I'm sure I would still need something wider occasionally with the crop factor, and eventually need something faster I'm sure. I guess everything is a compromise. :D

Really like your shot Terry! Great framing, foreground and leading lines.

Well, off to run some errands. I'll check in later.

[jbdavies]

Jeremy-nice macros :D You cracked me up with the 'this one is for Jay' LOL I'm spoiled by zoom but primes can produce incredible results. Heh, maybe I should have waited and got the heavy/expensive/ultimate in lazy EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 L IS USM! But I'm sure I would still need something wider occasionally with the crop factor, and eventually need something faster I'm sure. I guess everything is a compromise. :D

Really like your shot Terry! Great framing, foreground and leading lines.

Well, off to run some errands. I'll check in later.
Nah... no compromises. You just gotta get them all. :p ;) lol

And thanks! How is the weather?

[BrianAZ]

@Jay

How do you like your tablet? I'm trying to get used to this thing, but I seem to do better with a mouse. Do you prefer to use pen pressure to adjust opacity, brush size, or both?

[FlyingPhotog]

@Jay

How do you like your tablet? I'm trying to get used to this thing, but I seem to do better with a mouse. Do you prefer to use pen pressure to adjust opacity, brush size, or both?

Hey,

Like my tablet a lot...

I'm not enough of an "artist" to take advantage of pen pressure per se but I do use a couple of the custom buttons and sliders on the tablet itself for various functions.

Most important one that I'd suggest is putting the zoom level on the left vertical slider. Makes it very fast and easy to zip in, hit a spot, zip back out, repeat. As such, you can "feather" your zoom as you work to best fit the area on which you're working.

I find the pen intuitive enough that I'll often just keep using the pen and tablet even after I've closed Photochop. ;)

[FlyingPhotog]

Cool macro shots! BTW I rode the new light rail yesterday. It was fun, but doesn't pass by my neighborhood.

329988

I just hope the Light Rail doesn't turn out to be a fad that's only popular for the free week then runs empty for the rest of its exsistance.

The MSN story on the grand opening referred to Phoenix as "car crazy" and mentions that the Light Rail has a tough row to hoe Vs people wanting to drive to where they want to go.

[macroshooter1970]

the only thing that sucks is i have to take a bus or whatever to get to the train, rather drive.

[FlyingPhotog]

the only thing that sucks is i have to take a bus or whatever to get to the train, rather drive.

Light Rail means nothing to Chandler... :(

Shame too since the Elliott to Broadway curve corridor along I-10 and the 101 North from down here would benefit greatly from an alternate way to get up town.

[Hatch1921]

I thought I would share my little story from this past week. My 500gb external died... lost the power suppply. I thought I had lost everything... 400gb of data... with only about 50% burned to dvd. Not cool!!! (won't happen again) LOL

All is well...

My buddy Steve (thanks Steve) uses the Black X by Thermaltake and I thought I would post the info here if you haven't seen this product.

It allows you to plug-n-play SATA drives... just buy internal SATA drives and go to town. With storage being so cheap... this is a great option for me... and maybe you?

I couldn't spring for the DROBO... so... this was a great option for $60.
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Products.aspx?S=1268

You can pick them up at Best Buy or http://www.zipzoomfly.com for $40-$60

Just thought I would share.

Hatch

[macroshooter1970]

I thought I would share my little story from this past week. My 500gb external died... lost the power suppply. I thought I had lost everything... 400gb of data... with only about 50% burned to dvd. Not cool!!! (won't happen again) LOL

All is well...

My buddy Steve (thanks Steve) uses the Black X by Thermaltake and I thought I would post the info here if you haven't seen this product.

It allows you to plug-n-play SATA drives... just buy internal SATA drives and go to town. With storage being so cheap... this is a great option for me... and maybe you?

I couldn't spring for the DROBO... so... this was a great option for $60.
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Products.aspx?S=1268

You can pick them up at Best Buy or http://www.zipzoomfly.com for $40-$60

Just thought I would share.

Hatch

sucks yep. i learned my lesson years ago.

[BrianAZ]

Hey,
snip...

Most important one that I'd suggest is putting the zoom level on the left vertical slider. Makes it very fast and easy to zip in, hit a spot, zip back out, repeat. As such, you can "feather" your zoom as you work to best fit the area on which you're working.

;)


Thanks. And how do I set the zoom to the left vertical slider? :)

[JmprSteve]

Just remember that having an external drive (be it a My Book or using the BLACX) is not a substitute for doing backups. I plan to gut my MYBOOK as it's beginning to act up like Franks, buy another BLACX, and some spare hard drives. My backup plan will be: use one drive for all projects for AZPROIMAGE (another for my Stuff) these drives will be used when I'm working on stuff and contain my raw images/lightroom catalog/lightroom edits/photoshop psd/and output jpeg files. When I'm done I'll copy the drive to a second hard drive in the other BlacX (my backup drive). The backup drive will then be removed and placed in a hermedically sealed pickle jar - just in case. Not a perfect solution but I can't stand using DVD/CD's as backups (never can find them or which dvd contains the files I want).
Basically, all images/edits for AZ PRO IMAGE will be on two separate hard drives, one drive will be available if I need to re-visit a project, the other hard drive is strictly for backup (only on the system when I'm backing up my on-line drive).
Since the BLACX is using a usb-2 (some use firewire as well) on my system 7200 rpm drives really aren't neccessary. But if I wanted to mount the drive internally to my pc case then I can use the speed of the 7200 drive (plus it keeps the room nice and warm and toasty!).

[FlyingPhotog]

Just remember that having an external drive (be it a My Book or using the BLACX) is not a substitute for doing backups. I plan to gut my MYBOOK as it's beginning to act up like Franks, buy another BLACX, and some spare hard drives. My backup plan will be: use one drive for all projects for AZPROIMAGE (another for my Stuff) these drives will be used when I'm working on stuff and contain my raw images/lightroom catalog/lightroom edits/photoshop psd/and output jpeg files. When I'm done I'll copy the drive to a second hard drive in the other BlacX (my backup drive). The backup drive will then be removed and placed in a hermedically sealed pickle jar - just in case. Not a perfect solution but I can't stand using DVD/CD's as backups (never can find them or which dvd contains the files I want).
Basically, all images/edits for AZ PRO IMAGE will be on two separate hard drives, one drive will be available if I need to re-visit a project, the other hard drive is strictly for backup (only on the system when I'm backing up my on-line drive).
Since the BLACX is using a usb-2 (some use firewire as well) on my system 7200 rpm drives really aren't neccessary. But if I wanted to mount the drive internally to my pc case then I can use the speed of the 7200 drive (plus it keeps the room nice and warm and toasty!).

Sounds like a plan but let me ask you this...

Which end of your workflow do you backup? The editworthy RAW files before doing anything with them, the finished (but not flattened I hope) PSD files, both or somewhere else along the line?

This is my quandry. I shot it, I like it but it may be a while before I post process it so do I back it up right out of the camera or is it "safe" until I back it up once it's a finished image?

[FlyingPhotog]

Thanks. And how do I set the zoom to the left vertical slider? :)

The Wacom software should allow you customize the tablet controls...

[FlyingPhotog]

@ Hatch: So this thingy allows you to just plug in an off the shelf internal drive as though it were an external drive?

[Hatch1921]

@ Hatch: So this thingy allows you to just plug in an off the shelf internal drive as though it were an external drive?
Yes :) Like a big card reader. So... you could pick up a couple of these... for cheap and have tons of space...

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005939

Link from Steve :)

[macroshooter1970]

Yes :) Like a big card reader. So... you could pick up a couple of these... for cheap and have tons of space...

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005939

Link from Steve :)


thats a nice price there.

[ScottDR]

Nah... no compromises. You just gotta get them all. :p ;) lol

And thanks! How is the weather?

You are welcome. The weather is awesome. Was 53 and sunny today, pretty much the same tomorrow. I'm finding the weather people here are as accurate as Denver (add 5-10 degrees to the official NWS forecast and you are much more accurate). :D

[FlyingPhotog]

Yes :) Like a big card reader. So... you could pick up a couple of these... for cheap and have tons of space...

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005939

Link from Steve :)

So you'd have to maintain each drive as a separate catalog in LR?

Doable obviously but man what a potential PITA keeping track of updates to each and remembering to back up each catalog in a timely fashion.

Not against the idea, just tossing out potential pitfalls as they come to mind.

[ScottDR]

Wow, that is a good price for that HD. In the past I got a used laptop HD and bought a cheap-o Fry's external box. But I got an awesome gift of a 500GB Seagate FreeAgent Pro for Christmas. Woohoo!

I'm very curious to see how Steve responds to Jay's question on when etc :).

[ScottDR]

How much does it cost to set up an array??? I'd think it'd be more reasonable nowadays, hmmm.

[Hatch1921]

So you'd have to maintain each drive as a separate catalog in LR?

Doable obviously but man what a potential PITA keeping track of updates to each and remembering to back up each catalog in a timely fashion.

Not against the idea, just tossing out potential pitfalls as they come to mind.


This is how Steve explained the system to me...


Steve... if I'm wrong... please post the correct info :)


1. Import RAW files to storage drive (this drive is only used to store files...not to work off of)
2. On another drive(for me...an internal) Import to same named folder and folder structure
3. Import in to LR as a new catalog>stored in the same folder*New catalog for every new import*
4. Edit photos on second drive... this is the working drive.
5. PP all your images...etc.
6. When finished with the edits and you know you are not going to work the shots... copy the folder to the main storage drive with the catalogs and everything else in the folder. You overwrite the files... then you have your backup. I will then burn to DVD as well. Store the backup disc and that is it.... I think?

Keep in mind... I'm not a heavy LR user... I will be using it from here on out.... as part of my workflow. Minor edits and adjustments/organization/then exporting the jpegs to be worked on in Photoshop.

So... Steve... did I get the workflow right? :)


Did any of this make any sense?
LOL
Hatch

[Hatch1921]

Just found Steve's example he sent me this morning... using 2x Black X drives



Process:
1.
Create folder on RAID –for this
example called “Project”
2.
Download images to folder “Project”
3.
Copy “Project” to BlacX-1
4.
Open Lightroom
create new catalog in “Project” Raid
send images to be edited to Photoshop
-LR creates a PSD file with the Raw images
save output of Photoshop to appropriate
folders in “PROJECT” folder
5.
When the project is complete, copy the
“Project” folder on the Raid to BLACX-1
6.
Insert the AZPI Backup Drive into
BLACX-2
7.
Copy Folder “Project” to BLACX-2
8.
Dismount AZPI Backup from BLACX-2
9.
Remove folder “Project” from Raid

[Hatch1921]

Attached is the workflow diagram from Steve. :)

[disneydork06]

Yes :) Like a big card reader. So... you could pick up a couple of these... for cheap and have tons of space...

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005939

Link from Steve :)
nice find. good to know everything is getting cheaper. I usually just get an already set up external and use that to store my stuff. I stopped using CDs and DVDs as backups cause I already have old discs that are not readable. and these are fairly old discs...at least over 4 years old now. sad I can't use them. or maybe it's just my mac :-/ but yeah, I'm just using hard drives...although i need another hard drive to backup my backup stuff....but that price for the hard drives are getting nice and low. if only I would order online :-P I just get my stuff from Fry's Electronics. usually has some good deals. maybe they have some of those items that is shown on the website you shared. :-)

[Hatch1921]

nice find. good to know everything is getting cheaper. I usually just get an already set up external and use that to store my stuff. I stopped using CDs and DVDs as backups cause I already have old discs that are not readable. and these are fairly old discs...at least over 4 years old now. sad I can't use them. or maybe it's just my mac :-/ but yeah, I'm just using hard drives...although i need another hard drive to backup my backup stuff....but that price for the hard drives are getting nice and low. if only I would order online :-P I just get my stuff from Fry's Electronics. usually has some good deals. maybe they have some of those items that is shown on the website you shared. :-)


But... do you have redundant storage? My issue is that I didn't have a backup... I was working off the external only and when it died.... I thought 400GB of info to include a couple of clients data was lost. So... with the help of Steve... I now have a couple drves to back things up to...and of course DVD's as well. I need to store the DVD copies in another physical location to really be safe.

If you have something like the Black X ( not saying this is the answer to everyones prayers) you can use internal drives just like gieant compact flash cards to back up your work... then store. As you mentioned... drives are cheap. I think the Seagate link has a 500GB drive for $57 I was paying that for a 4gb CF card last year. ROFL

[fivehole91]

How much does it cost to set up an array??? I'd think it'd be more reasonable nowadays, hmmm.

to me, the raid array is the best way to go. i have been running two separate mirrored arrays in my pc for a couple years now, after a catastrophic loss. if you picked up a couple of those drives mentioned above, and provided that you have a mobo that can support raid, then the only cost is the drives themselves...

[Hatch1921]

Another option is services like http://www.carbonite.com/ which might not be bad... but... if the company dies... then what? It just happened to Photoshelter... I think? This was a couple months back... they died and gave customers only hours to remove all the files from the servers... not cool.

But... it is an option. LOL

[disneydork06]

But... do you have redundant storage? My issue is that I didn't have a backup... I was working off the external only and when it died.... I thought 400GB of info to include a couple of clients data was lost. So... with the help of Steve... I now have a couple drves to back things up to...and of course DVD's as well. I need to store the DVD copies in another physical location to really be safe.

If you have something like the Black X ( not saying this is the answer to everyones prayers) you can use internal drives just like gieant compact flash cards to back up your work... then store. As you mentioned... drives are cheap. I think the Seagate link has a 500GB drive for $57 I was paying that for a 4gb CF card last year. ROFLum, yes and no. I use my external as a backup. once i download my photos onto my laptop I usually get to my external and just drag and drop my photos. so in a way it's my backup...but then I run out of room here on the laptop and so since I've dropped it onto my external I delete here so that ends up being my only copy...so I need another external to backup the "backup" :-)

[BrianAZ]

You don't need to worry about a mobo supporting raid in hardware. If you are running Windows 2000 or later, you can set up mirrored drives/Raid configurations (1-5) in software. It just isn't as fast.


Jay,

I think I'm starting to get the hang of this tablet. I'm liking it. You can make extremely precise selections, and it sure makes cloning easier. However, when I get tired, it's more fun to just watch the cursor dance over the screen as I start to shake. :)

[JmprSteve]

Sounds like a plan but let me ask you this...

Which end of your workflow do you backup? The editworthy RAW files before doing anything with them, the finished (but not flattened I hope) PSD files, both or somewhere else along the line?

This is my quandry. I shot it, I like it but it may be a while before I post process it so do I back it up right out of the camera or is it "safe" until I back it up once it's a finished image?

This is what I'm doing:
1. create folder on my internal RAID
2. dump images to the folder
3. copy folder to AZPI drive in the BLACX (now I have 2 copies of the camera raw files)
4. Open lightroom and create a new catalog in the same folder as the raw files on the RAID
5. select images to edit and from within lightroom edit in Photoshop (PSD beginning is saved with raw files)
6. within Photoshop do whatever edits required save PSD (or I may do a save as and save to a new PSD file)
7. when ready to output image then create new sub-folders (WEB, PRINT, whatever) and save the jpeg to the appropriate folder.

When I'm done with the project or start getting nervous, I copy the Folder on the RAID(now contains the RAW, PSD, folder for Web versions, and folder for Print versions) to the drive in the BlacX.

When I get the second BlacX, I then copy the folder to that drive as well.

I only work on folders on the RAID in my PC. The BlacX will contain all projects in case I need to grab an image to use in a collage or something later.

So copying to the BlacX can be done at any time.
So why would I want a second BLACX? Anything on the RAID is work in progress, folders on the first BlacX will be the on-line archive of all projects, copying the on-line archive to a drive on the second BlacX will be my backup (immediately remove from the device and store it away when the copy is finished).

Like any backup routine there are hazards, the BlacX can fail (buy a new one), the hard drive could take the big dirt nap (you're hosed unless you have a backup), my Raid may fail either the controller (major problems it's built into my mother board) or one of the hard drives could fail (I have 1 spare unused drive that I could install).

I am using a removable hard drive as a backup, because I can mount it start the restore process and go get some coffee and not have to swap DVD's or CD's. I will have a pair of hard drives (on-line archive and backup) for my work with AZ PRO IMAGE, another pair for my images from my day job, another pair for my personal stuff. So that will be a total of 6 hard drives. SEAGATE Barracuda 7200.11 ST3320613AS 320GB SATA 7200 RPM 16MB Buffer Hard Drive Bulk for $50 (out of stock). 250GB for $44 or 500GB for $58.
This may be overkill but I feel comfortable with this scheme.

FORGOT TO ADD:
My PC uses SATA drives internally, with the BlacX and a spare Hard drive and NORTON Ghost, I've mirrored my C: drive (bit by bit copy). If my C: drive crashes, I remove it install the mirrored hard drive and power up and in theory should be good to go. Oh yea forgot, will need to get another drive to Mirror the new C: drive (here is where I'd use Fry's - I'll need a hard drive now!)

[JmprSteve]

So you'd have to maintain each drive as a separate catalog in LR?

Doable obviously but man what a potential PITA keeping track of updates to each and remembering to back up each catalog in a timely fashion.

Not against the idea, just tossing out potential pitfalls as they come to mind.

Jay,
I create the catalog in the same folder as the raw images for these reasons:

1. If you use the default catalog it gets huge fast and really slows down lightroom.
2. If I unarchive a folder, all the lightroom edits come with it. You might have to tell lightroom where to find the original raw files (guess what, they are in the folder the catalog is).
3. Also when I copy the project folder to the archive disk, all the lightroom edits (in the catalog) get copied as well.

I admit that when you change catalogs in Lightroom it takes a very short while to load, but that's a small price to pay.

[ScottDR]

Wow, great info once again. Thanks all! Food for thought. *note to self, buy another 30D to save HD space* LOL

PS Stupid old school P4 IDE system :P

[JmprSteve]

Wow, great info once again. Thanks all! Food for thought. *note to self, buy another 30D to save HD space* LOL

PS Stupid old school P4 IDE system :P

My INTERNET tower is an old dual cpu P3 with 1 gig of memory. It's good enough for what I use it for. Too old to upgrade, so I'll wait till it dies (my it live a very long time) then get another PC.
My Photo editing tower is a AMD (sorry Tammie) dual core 2 gigs of memory and is the one that I have mirrored the C: drive.

[RenShots]

Thanks for the feedback Kristy, no magic... and I agree, low light sucks, unless its staged in a studio environment.

Perpetual problem for all photogs....

If you have to shoot low light... either you have to suck it up and use flash, or realize that you will have grain... I believe Jay said that nice light comes with a price... we have to give up something... either shutter speed, or DOF... or invite the grain to come along for the ride..

If you are shooting the kiddos as above... you need more DOF... so you'll have to stop down the aperature to get it all in focus.... IF you stop down, then you have to slow your shutter to let the light in.... which allows for motion blur... only other alternative is the increase ISO, and welcome the grain... :(

Sadly enough... I admit I am not a fan of low light shooting... ever.. I don't love flash or the look of flash... but sometimes we are forced to use it.... so I say BOUNCE is your best friend... BOUNCE against the ceiling, against a wall that is beind you, or beside you, or have a friend hold a reflector and bounce that..... it works...

Had enough of my rambling yet? Aren't you glad you asked... lol... ;)

ps..., the santa shot looks good.... his eyes are in focus.... advantage of having only one person in the frame wide open. :)

[RenShots]

Steve,

Thanks for the link, and as I tested DOF earlier I knew it was going to be short, but did not have the calculator.

Well fast lens was not the right fix for low light.... there must be better use for a 50mm prime than just portraits ??

Great piece on processing and storage of files too... looks like a New Years resolution... get better organized with the photos:mrgreen:

All, Great posts lately, lots of helpful information.

Jim

Jim, check out the depth of field calculator here: http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html
the distance from the camera to subject will affect the depth of field:
for instance with a 40D/50mm/f1.4, if you were 5 feet from the subject (who/what ever you focused on) then anything .08 feet in front of and .08 feet behind the subject will be in focus. If you were 10 feet from the subject then anything .31 feet in front of and .3 feet behind the subject will be in focus. Basically, you're talking less than an inch at 5 feet, and about 4 inches at 10 feet.
So you need to push the iso to where it is acceptable noise, keep the shutter speed reasonable with a reasonable f-stop. For most indoor events in low light, I use a speedlite (either the 430 or 580) with a diffuser. It may look a bit flashy but at least everything is in focus that I want in focus.

[JmprSteve]

Steve,

Thanks for the link, and as I tested DOF earlier I knew it was going to be short, but did not have the calculator.

Well fast lens was not the right fix for low light.... there must be better use for a 50mm prime than just portraits ??

Great piece on processing and storage of files too... looks like a New Years resolution... get better organized with the photos:mrgreen:

All, Great posts lately, lots of helpful information.

Jim

Jim, fast lens for low light are about as good as it gets. You just need to remember the depth of field and keep enough distance from you to the subject(s). I've been burned on the DOF a bunch of times, and still have a few issues with the 85 1.8. One day I'll get it wired in.

[Hatch1921]

Jim, fast lens for low light are about as good as it gets. You just need to remember the depth of field and keep enough distance from you to the subject(s). I've been burned on the DOF a bunch of times, and still have a few issues with the 85 1.8. One day I'll get it wired in.

Same here... walk closer...stop down...move back...open up... repeat process... LOL Burned many times myself.



Terry... the new ProPhoto2 blog template is out if you are looking to add one to your future site. http://www.prophotoblogs.com/

Hatch

[FlyingPhotog]

Anyone heard from Jeremey since he was "headed out into the cold" the other night? :shock:

[Kristy]

Sounds like a plan but let me ask you this...

Which end of your workflow do you backup? The editworthy RAW files before doing anything with them, the finished (but not flattened I hope) PSD files, both or somewhere else along the line?

This is my quandry. I shot it, I like it but it may be a while before I post process it so do I back it up right out of the camera or is it "safe" until I back it up once it's a finished image?

I may be jumping the gun.... and I'm still reading on the posts from tonight... but... here's what I do..

Copy my Memory Card to the PC in a folder called Memory Card... (lol). Delete the junk, and then burn a DVD of the RAW Files...

Move the PC file to a working folder titled appropriately... Work the images, and then I save PSD not flattened, and a 5x7 jpeg for proofs. Copy these to the DVD... label it and catalog it in my happy DVD binder....

If it's a client session.. it stays on my hard drive until I complete their order... when order is complete.. I move it to my external... When the external gets full....?? Hmmmm..... I'm at that point right now... buy another one?

I'm thinking this.... buy one little "my book"... the small ones... around 300gb... and create a "storage library" annually by month and then by event... for easy finding of shots?

What's everyone else doing? There has to be a better solution.

[Kristy]

okay... i just finished reading.... YIKES!!! **duck and run for cover...**

Great info on storage and back up options... but overwhelming at the same time...

I have but ONE QUESTION.... What is RAID??? DUH>>>

[FlyingPhotog]

okay... i just finished reading.... YIKES!!! **duck and run for cover...**

Great info on storage and back up options... but overwhelming at the same time...

I have but ONE QUESTION.... What is RAID??? DUH>>>

RAID is a way to make multiple drives work at one time.

They can be "Mirrored" where two drives record the exact same thing making a copy on each as you go or "Striped" where multiple drives become one big drive.

Mirrored is safer, Striped is faster.

[Kristy]

RAID is a way to make multiple drives work at one time.

They can be "Mirrored" where two drives record the exact same thing making a copy on each as you go or "Striped" where multiple drives become one big drive.

Mirrored is safer, Striped is faster.


Sounds like "Mirrored" is more my speed.... So do you have to BUY a RAID.. or is it just the process of setting it up.. and why do they call it RAID?

So.... POTN MEET UP... Teach computer challenged people the ropes.... lol...

[disneydork06]

Sounds like "Mirrored" is more my speed.... So do you have to BUY a RAID.. or is it just the process of setting it up.. and why do they call it RAID?

So.... POTN MEET UP... Teach computer challenged people the ropes.... lol...[slash]photo editing LOL...gotta add that since jeremy isn't around :-P