The official Random Discussion For TPBM Photo's and Photographers Thread (1)

Hi Folks.

I finally finished pp'ing the images from New Years Eve in Newquay. I'd value any feedback you have, so here's the < link >

I try to put these up for those who were around to try to find themselves, so several shots are posted that would not normally pass the quality check Oh, and Lonnie - you should have told me you were coming over

One thing I found which I'm sure you'll all be able to explain to me (and bear in mind I still consider myself on a learning curve as far as the operation of the camera is concerned). Some shots I tried, particularly in the portrait format (built in flash only at the mo) the flash would fire several small bursts and then the camera refuse to take the shot - left me looking a bit silly Any ideas? General inability to focus? (No, the camera, not me. I had not been drinking. Still had to drive home to welcome the New Year with Lorinda.)

I was waiting for the behind shot of the gentlemen with the chef outfits...

A few of the group shots are REALLY nice. Looks like a lot of fun, what is the tradition? why do folks dress like that? is it a parade?

Those are great pics, Mark.
Ditto Crissa's question.... why does everyone dress up?? And did you mingle, or stand in one spot just taking pics of the people who walked past?

Hey.... now if anyone ever requests a 'polka dot dress' in TPBM, you have one.

oh... and, Lonnie: You are HOT

oh... I don't know too much about the flash question you have. It happens to me too, and I'm not sure how to use it or abuse it. Maybe post the question to Curtis N, AKA 'Becky's in-house flash instructor'. He has a great "flash photography 101" I wonder if there is a topic in that about the nighttime onboard flash?

Mgdh wrote in post #2474263
Some shots I tried, particularly in the portrait format (built in flash only at the mo) the flash would fire several small bursts and then the camera refuse to take the shot - left me looking a bit silly Any ideas? General inability to focus?

You hit the nail on the head, those small bursts light up enough to try and get something to focus on, if it can't focus, no pic's. If you have a tripod, then set the focus manually, hope this helps.

Skrim17 wrote in post #2474419
I was waiting for the behind shot of the gentlemen with the chef outfits...

A few of the group shots are REALLY nice. Looks like a lot of fun, what is the tradition? why do folks dress like that? is it a parade?

ROFL - They had teatowels hanging over their apron strings

Thanks. It's good fun and there's a fantastic atmosphere there - everybody is just out to have fun, show off their costumes, see others costumes. Not everyone dresses up - some just go to see the show. Most people have cameras. There's no parade, people are just walking though town between the bars and clubs

The fancy dress thing has just sort of developed over time. Certainly for the last few years it's been pretty general with some people working for months on their costume plans. Some are more erm - risque - than others, as you can see. Others go for crude so I'm careful what I shoot and I check the shots quickly before I post and crop or delete if needed.

It was fun shooting with the 350D instead of the P&S for the first time. There's a 1hr photo printers in town and they normally have someone out taking shots which they then sell the next day. I had lots of people ask if I was the guy from there, others asked if I was from the local press. When I mentioned the website they all asked for the address. Some even wrote it down or entered it into their cellphones so they -might- remember it

Pp took longer though - resizing for the web particularly. My old P&S was only 1.3mpx, shooting jpeg I could unload the card, check the pics, add the site name and upload straight away. Shooting raw meant I needed to convert, process and resize them all too. It resulted in a LOT more useable shots though

I hear you about the PPing Mark, I hope to record some actions some day (not that I really kow what that means) to streamline the process.

cfpackerfan wrote in post #2474569
Those are great pics, Mark.
Ditto Crissa's question.... why does everyone dress up?? And did you mingle, or stand in one spot just taking pics of the people who walked past?

Hey.... now if anyone ever requests a 'polka dot dress' in TPBM, you have one.

oh... and, Lonnie: You are HOT

oh... I don't know too much about the flash question you have. It happens to me too, and I'm not sure how to use it or abuse it. Maybe post the question to Curtis N, AKA 'Becky's in-house flash instructor'. He has a great "flash photography 101" I wonder if there is a topic in that about the nighttime onboard flash?

webcrawlur wrote in post #2474599
You hit the nail on the head, those small bursts light up enough to try and get something to focus on, if it can't focus, no pic's. If you have a tripod, then set the focus manually, hope this helps.

Eek. I take too long to write answers!

I mostly mingled this year. Previous years have been wet so I found shelter and stayed put. May have been better off to do that this time, but I was looking to see if I could find 'Lonnie' somewhere

Thanks for the answer on the flash, Steve. I rather thought that might have been the case once I thought about it calmly. In the heat of shooting, I was just getting frustrated. I realise I need a 'proper' flash soon. I don't want to try the flash of my film SLR as I don't know how to check the voltages - Hmm. Better head over to the flash 101 and check with Curtis N. Won't have much compatibility, but it would give me more power.

Well, better reprocess some into POTN sizes in case of strange TPBM requests That might take a couple of days though. I can't seem to keep caught up with all I need to do.

Oh, Steve, unfortunately because I was mingling - and because many of the people were just walking past without stopping, a tripod and MF was really out of the question. I did consider my monopod but I thought even that would have got in the way (and in some of the crowds, it would have done) It was in the car, not too far away had I found I needed it. These are more just grab shots and candids, though, trying to catch some of the fun of the event.

And Cat, I just realised you popped over too < link > Thunder - thunder - THUNDERCATS!

Cheetara hangin with Mr. Incredible?? Is it possible??

I would say my favorites are the traffic cones. Why is it so many men like to dress as women?

Skrim17 wrote in post #2474752
I would say my favorites are the traffic cones. Why is it so many men like to dress as women?

Yeah, they were pretty good, as were the daleks. The Flintstones meeting the Flintstones was fun

Dunno why so many men dress as women for it. The flippant answer is 'because they can' . I saw some a few years ago and the work they had put into it was amazing. Doesn't appeal to me though. I don't think this year was actually as busy as others. The weather was pretty bad - rain was forecast and held off but it was pretty windy still.

Well, it's late here again. Time for me to get some sleep before I need to be awake and alert for work tomorrow

:waves:

Night Mark. Sleep well.

Thanks for sharing your pics!

cfpackerfan wrote in post #2474569
oh... and, Lonnie: You are HOT

Mgdh wrote in post #2474669
but I was looking to see if I could find 'Lonnie' somewhere

Uh....... What are you two talking about?!?

Mark's New Years photos. Look around #40 (somewhere close to there)

Edit: it's #44