-= T2i / 550D users UNITE! (2) =-

As we had had a glorious day, in anticipation of a glorious evening, I drove over to high area (the Long Mynd) this evening. Sadly, there was still evidence of light polution, even so:

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Hello people, i ordered my t2i a couple of days ago, and i am looking very forward to getting it As soon as i get it, i am going to go out to take pictures and then show you all! This is going to be my first dslr (or actually just camera), so i am looking forward to playing with it!

Createsean wrote in post #12184936
Rafa, I like it. Am also interested in the process you used. How do you achieve the tilt on the lens?

Thanks Sean. The process is purely Post Processed. I created several layers on top of the original image with different effects all using the previous layer (not the original image).
- The first 'pass' was a radial (zoomed) blur to create the basic effect of the tilt. I thought it best to is the radial as a simple Gaussian will probably not achieve that perspective shift effect which I though was characteristic of the tilt.
- Since the results of the effect blur a bit even the unwanted parts, I added a soft-cropped layer with the area I wanted sharp
- I then added a high-pass blurred halo... don't know how to explain this better, its a selection of the image's luminosity, copied and blurred to achieve the first and basic glow.
- On top of that I added my normal white-only-glow I apply to most images
- Some vignetting (to white though in this case!)
- Some de-saturation and tinting
- Final review of curves to achieve natural exposure.

I always try to make the result as natural as possible (or not-fake), which, for me, usually requires great amount of layers with very subtle changes one from the other as opposed to big changes over few steps. All of this procedures I do I tend to repeat, so, for instance, my white-glow procedure I have evolved into what I like best. Still, some folks here apply versions of the 'glow' effect that I envy. Wolfy is such case and he said he uses off-the-shelf products.

Hope this explains a bit my procedure, but its not a step by step tutorial by any means!

Createsean wrote in post #12184951
... Curious about what makes a 17 minute exposure at dusk better than a 35 second exposure.
Also how do you figure out the timing? Anything over 30 seconds and the camera switches to bulb. Is there some sort of formula for this?

That's whats interesting of this type of photography for me. A 17 minute exposure is no necessarily better than a 35 second exposure... but imagine how far the clouds will travel (and how many shapes they will get) in 17 minutes! Any water in the image will transform into cotton-candy. Also, if you catch the early morning or sunset the colors in the sky during that period will change while you capture them, so the resulting color is almost surreal! That's what is so appealing about 10 f-stop ND filters for most people. Check out the link I posted and you will see in pictures what I just have described.

Exposure is measured without the filter on, and then calculated... doubling the time for each f-stop of ND filter. That you can do with tables, with a calculator or on your head . As you figured it out you HAVE to use bulb and have a remote (wired or wireless) trigger. The camera shows a clock that tells you how long the image has been exposed.

For me, its fascinating!

This a composite image of a 12 minute span of time (2 images as my ND filter was good only for 3 f-stops). As you can see, the time of the image allowed for blue sky, orange sky, purple clouds, and they have movement and it looks like daylight, but the city is lit for night:

VFVhho wrote in post #12185482
Hello people, i ordered my t2i a couple of days ago...

Welcome VFVhho to POTN and to the T2i owners corner!!! You will enjoy the camera, and if its your first camera ever, you'll have your hands full with learning all the different possibilities and options!

We look forward to seeing your pictures! Welcome again,
Rafa.

RafaPolit wrote in post #12185501
Welcome VFVhho to POTN and to the T2i owners corner!!! You will enjoy the camera, and if its your first camera ever, you'll have your hands full with learning all the different possibilities and options!

We look forward to seeing your pictures! Welcome again,
Rafa.

Thank you for this lovely welcome reply! i look forward too seeing your pictures as well!

abuha wrote in post #12183749
first image post here


hope to get some creative criticism from the potn experts that would hopefully improve my photography.


the sun was so bright I had to use 1/1250 to limit the amount of light going in to the camera. despite using exposure compensation the image still seemed over exposed .

VFVhho wrote in post #12185482
Hello people, i ordered my t2i a couple of days ago, and i am looking very forward to getting it As soon as i get it, i am going to go out to take pictures and then show you all! This is going to be my first dslr (or actually just camera), so i am looking forward to playing with it!

Hello, and WELCOME ABOARD to you both.

I've been sort of coma toasted all day. Was sneezing non stop so took a generic Zirtec and that did it. Now I can't seem to do anything but sleep, so pleae forgive me for not commenting on the amazing photos posted so far today.

Me being me of course, before the coma set in, I did go out to see what I could find to shoot, and Mr. Double Crested Cormorant was back, and in his breeding "plumage," which is actually kind of silly looking. Now at least, I know why he's called a Double Crested Cormorant.

Here are a couple (I need to go back to bed, but hopefully will go through all 79 of the "keepers) tomorrow and get that number down to what are really the keepers.

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Great job rafa I heard about the lensbaby pro (muse model) but never really thought about it, I was in their website checking them out yesterday because someone in craiglist is trading his lensbaby for 50mm f1.8, again great job on your dad, he must be so proud of you as you share the same passion.

@Maru nice shots on those flowers.
to everyone great pictures I love the guitar series too,

@ Annie Love it.

Vectoria wrote in post #12185416
Very interesting thanks fro sharing and the picture of you dad is great

Thanks Vectoria, always so sweet... I'll let my dad know you said so.

Peter2516 wrote in post #12185523
...he must be so proud of you as you share the same passion...

Thanks... well, I believe he is proud, but I can also tell you that he said about the picture: "You are going to have to find a new model for yous pictures, I am now the most featured member on that thread! " LOL!

Thanks guys, everyone who posted on the image, thanks a lot,
Rafa.

Allan.L wrote in post #12184801
Just as I was going to call it a day a chickadee presented me with a shot. I used a fill flash (yn560) on its 3rd lowest setting, shutter speed was 1/250 hand held @ 500mm.

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08042011 172 by A-L-L-A-N, on Flickr

Wonderful shot! I have to quit agonizing over this and just buy the dang lens

Hello everyone, There are just too many spectacular photographers on this forum to mention everyone, but I just want to say I'm in awe of all the beautiful pictures I get to review every evening.
Annie- your wildlife pics are great- I especially love some of the dragonfly pics you've posted lately
Rafa- I've been watching your pics on this forum and other POTN links for awhile now- your pics are amazing. We are all blessed to have your expert advice as well
Ofwiah- I love your landscape pics
Peter- love the plane shots
Wolfy- your guitars are awesome
Flores, Marabozo,Vectoria and everyone else that are to many to name- Thank you all for sharing your beautiful wildlife, nature, pets, family,cars, and other cool pictures and knowledge. It is such a treat!

I've been too busy with work and school to post much, but I try and catch up with the posts every day. I can't believe how many pages there are each time I check in.

I'm heading out for a much needed cruise next week and hope to post some pics when I come back, but in the meantime, I'll keep enjoying everyone elses. I need a lot more practice before I can begin to compare with most of the shots I see every day here.

wolfy317 wrote in post #12184614
Ok. I haven't actually posted any pics lately, so I'm gonna take this chance to do so. Big Al's Daily round up will come later tonight.

I am entering a photo contest hosted by my local music store, and I need help choosing an image. I pretty much love each one of these, so I need help!!

I'd have to say number 1 or 3, but they are all great.

wolfy317 wrote in post #12184614
...I am entering a photo contest hosted by my local music store, and I need help choosing an image

Wolfy, I think all 4 images are top notch! That said, I prefer #2 and #3 the best.
- #1 is nice, but I bet a few others will come with the same angle / idea, and I find it lacks a dramatic touch to it.
- #2 has that dramatic effect in the perspective and the color, though I see the body is a tad solarized. Not sure if that was intentional or not.
- #3 Again, a lot of drama in the perspective and the colors are more pleasing. Also the break of wall against ground is fantastic. Maybe I would have placed the focus point on the Gibson logo instead of the first fret (is that what they are called in English?)
- #4 On this one I like the PP a lot! and I like the angle and balance between wall and ground. What I don't like is the distracting cable or twisted bar on the left which draws attention away from the subject.

I it were me judging this 4, I'd pick #3 as the winner for me. Can you place more than one submission?

Rafa.

T2iMdSue wrote in post #12185651
...I'm heading out for a much needed cruise next week and hope to post some pics when I come back...

Sue, you have been missed here. You posted a fantastic moon back on the moon frenzy and then disappeared! It good to know you are still reading and keeping up with the thread.

Thanks for you very kind words, they are most appreciated!

Hope to see pictures from your cruise soon, and don't be shy on posting photos. We are all learning at one stage or the other, and I have found that actually posting here and analyzing my pictures and making my best to post good images for you guys, my picture taking experience has improved as well as my photographs.

Hope to see you around more often, best regards
Rafa.

itzmered wrote in post #12185646
Wonderful shot! I have to quit agonizing over this and just buy the dang lens

Thanks! So far every aspect of this lens has come in handy and worked perfectly. I would say ~75% of the time it has been at or very close to 500mm but there has been instances where i have needed to zoom out to ~250-300mm to get the shot. The manual focus ring is SO smooth and has a very nice weighted feel to it. And of course, the IS (or OS) is fantastic. I have yet to try IS mode 2 for birds in flight/panning shots, maybe tomorrow i'll get out. (exams start monday :S) People keep saying 'the lens is really slow' (aperture) but keep in mind its only 1/3 stop 'slower' then the f5.6 of the 100-400mmL! I'll keep posting photo's, hopefully it will make the decision easier

Ooo, i'll add one more thing, the tripod foot is REALLY handy for lugging this kit around in the bush!

VFVhho wrote in post #12185482
Hello people, i ordered my t2i a couple of days ago, and i am looking very forward to getting it As soon as i get it, i am going to go out to take pictures and then show you all! This is going to be my first dslr (or actually just camera), so i am looking forward to playing with it!

Welcome you will learn lots of new things about your new camera and everyone here is very helpful if you ever need to know anything can't wait to see your pictures.

RafaPolit wrote in post #12185491
Thanks Sean. The process is purely Post Processed. I created several layers on top of the original image with different effects all using the previous layer (not the original image).
- The first 'pass' was a radial (zoomed) blur to create the basic effect of the tilt. I thought it best to is the radial as a simple Gaussian will probably not achieve that perspective shift effect which I though was characteristic of the tilt.
- Since the results of the effect blur a bit even the unwanted parts, I added a soft-cropped layer with the area I wanted sharp
- I then added a high-pass blurred halo... don't know how to explain this better, its a selection of the image's luminosity, copied and blurred to achieve the first and basic glow.
- On top of that I added my normal white-only-glow I apply to most images
- Some vignetting (to white though in this case!)
- Some de-saturation and tinting
- Final review of curves to achieve natural exposure.

I always try to make the result as natural as possible (or not-fake), which, for me, usually requires great amount of layers with very subtle changes one from the other as opposed to big changes over few steps. All of this procedures I do I tend to repeat, so, for instance, my white-glow procedure I have evolved into what I like best. Still, some folks here apply versions of the 'glow' effect that I envy. Wolfy is such case and he said he uses off-the-shelf products.

Hope this explains a bit my procedure, but its not a step by step tutorial by any means!


That's whats interesting of this type of photography for me. A 17 minute exposure is no necessarily better than a 35 second exposure... but imagine how far the clouds will travel (and how many shapes they will get) in 17 minutes! Any water in the image will transform into cotton-candy. Also, if you catch the early morning or sunset the colors in the sky during that period will change while you capture them, so the resulting color is almost surreal! That's what is so appealing about 10 f-stop ND filters for most people. Check out the link I posted and you will see in pictures what I just have described.

Exposure is measured without the filter on, and then calculated... doubling the time for each f-stop of ND filter. That you can do with tables, with a calculator or on your head . As you figured it out you HAVE to use bulb and have a remote (wired or wireless) trigger. The camera shows a clock that tells you how long the image has been exposed.

For me, its fascinating!

This a composite image of a 12 minute span of time (2 images as my ND filter was good only for 3 f-stops). As you can see, the time of the image allowed for blue sky, orange sky, purple clouds, and they have movement and it looks like daylight, but the city is lit for night:


Some think this looks unnatural, and that is precisely what is interesting of this long exposure images to me.

Best regards,
Rafa.

Dang Rafa you keep adding stuff I want to buy for my camera LOL my husband is going to band me from this forums LOL J/K The sky looks awesome in that picture and your pictures are breath taking as always

T2iMdSue wrote in post #12185651
Hello everyone, There are just too many spectacular photographers on this forum to mention everyone, but I just want to say I'm in awe of all the beautiful pictures I get to review every evening.
Annie- your wildlife pics are great- I especially love some of the dragonfly pics you've posted lately
Rafa- I've been watching your pics on this forum and other POTN links for awhile now- your pics are amazing. We are all blessed to have your expert advice as well
Ofwiah- I love your landscape pics
Peter- love the plane shots
Wolfy- your guitars are awesome
Flores, Marabozo,Vectoria and everyone else that are to many to name- Thank you all for sharing your beautiful wildlife, nature, pets, family,cars, and other cool pictures and knowledge. It is such a treat!

I've been too busy with work and school to post much, but I try and catch up with the posts every day. I can't believe how many pages there are each time I check in.

I'm heading out for a much needed cruise next week and hope to post some pics when I come back, but in the meantime, I'll keep enjoying everyone elses. I need a lot more practice before I can begin to compare with most of the shots I see every day here.

Thanks I know how it is being too busy, I don't have time on weekdays to take play with my camera only weekends. Have fun on your cruise and can't wait to see your pictures

Annie those eyes are crazy looking, looks awesome