potn AUSSIE CLUB: thinks, links 'n drinks

Macro Crazy today, dunno why?:p

Bees
Caterpillar
Crab Spider

Greg_C wrote in post #3199666
@Andrew.
Lab colour mode is also very good for colour adjustments, ie colour casts, haze removal for senic stuff. A lot of the colour saturation actions that mimic Velvia film convert to Lab, do the adjustments and go back to the original colour space again. If you want to learn Lab colour there is a fantastic book by Dan Margulis called Photoshop Lab Color, while it has great info it can be a bit technical and almost imposible to read cover to cover.

@Jo-Anne, welcome.

Thankyou dave and thankyou greg for the information on that. I might do a bit of researching tonight and see what I can find out!

nice shots matt

dave, i live in raymonds hill. Let me know if you come this way, would love some macro lessons! I havn't actually seen the 180mm lens, but i have already ordered it (and paid), so i hope i made the right decision. I think i have.

welcome Jo-Anne.. Unganda? wow, we hope to see lots of photos! My personal choice for shooting is to use M mode, and using the histogram to check exposure. I don't always like the setting the camera will choose if i use av or tv, so i pick it myself. I forget off hand what it is called, but the camera tells you whether you are under/over exposed, that helps me to judge. Look for different angles, and don't be afraid to get down and dirty to get a better angle (don't always shoot at standing height). Always check your background for distracting things. Learn to use elements well, and you should have stunning shots. Don't be afraid to get in close too. This is for general shooting, i leave the macro advice to the expert!
have fun!

Jo-Anne wrote in post #3198088
Thanks Dave, this is great,
I try to use a tripod where I can and I am at present looking at buying a better tripod to the cheap one I now have as well as a monopod.
You are correct if I use flash it is the on board one, and I do use auto focus, but usually use the manual override to help sharpen the picture (may not be working).
Will start to put you tips to the test.
cheers

I don't use a tripod, find that they slow you down far too much, can't keep up with the insects and arachnids. Some people do, each to their own.

The main thing is to keep practising - the old saying that practice makes perfect is certainly true.

Dave

catsith wrote in post #3202265
dave, i live in raymonds hill. Let me know if you come this way, would love some macro lessons! I havn't actually seen the 180mm lens, but i have already ordered it (and paid), so i hope i made the right decision. I think i have.

Raymonds Hill...mmm I have no idea where that is! My parents are in Ipswich, although I only have Saturday/Sunday and no car. My parents would probably get the willies with me if I disappear off lol...I'm planning a 2nd trip up later on in the year to visit a mate, will probably hire a car as well. That'll probably be a better chance to catch up with a few of the Brissie POTNers!

Dave

_andrew wrote in post #3202475
New Photo. This was taken this morning! Processed using LAB mode - I love it now!

Andrew, that's a lovely shot. Beautiful light and subject matter, it just smacks of mood!!!

A good book on all things photoshop is Scott Kelby's "The Photoshop CS2 book for digital photographers". IMHO, it's the best Photoshop book I've EVER seen. It actually teaches you, rather than waffling on trying to sound impressive.

Dave

Thanks Tina

so is anybody heading up to Oran Park this weekend?

matt84au wrote in post #3202523
Thanks Tina

so is anybody heading up to Oran Park this weekend?

I live about 5 minutes away from Oran Park...whats on this weekend? I have work unfortunately....but I can always get out of htat

Hey guys, I've been quiet again of late as usual partially due to working 6 days a week and partially due to my internet operating at 64k because somebody went on a downloading binge too early in the month... Quick question:

Has anybody bought off http://photobuff.com.a​u/ before? That site has a particularly nice price for the 135L as far as I can see and I was thinking of picking one up this week. Locally the 24-70 is as cheap as I can get it in Sydney so that's definitely getting picked up around here but there's a few hundred difference in the 135L...

Hmmm...I'd be interested to see how that photobuff checks out as well, looks like they've got some good prices there. Grey imports?

Well they say they come with an Australian warranty - from the response to my email inquiry:

Hi Jim, we are in Melbourne , 10 Gymkhana Court ,Endeavour Hills .
All our items are brand new,never used in original packaging and come with
12 months Canon warranty .We also provide one month replacement warranty in
case you have any problems at the start.
Postage and insurance to Newcastle is $20.00 , we use Australian Air Express
, overnight delivery.All the items on web site are in stock .

I got my 30D enthusiast kit off Photobuff.

The guy down there's awesome. Nice to deal with. Yes mine is a grey import, but he has a proper physical address an ABN etc on his invoices so chaching imho!

Prices when I got my 30D were MUCH cheaper than anywhere...

I went around ebay too and emailed him direct.

edit: I got mine in August last year I think for about $2400ish incl freight (registered post to Bris). Had the item about 3 days after I deposited the money. I also got misc other things... 2x Extreme IIIs, CPL, UV(0), Hood for 17-85, E1 strap, 50mm 1.4, 580EX, and misc other bits...

edit2: oh the $2400 was for enth kit ONLY sorry...

Do any of you guys know who to contact regarding shooting local sports on a weekend? I want to shoot some local area soccer and etc, hopefully make a few extra $$ aswell...Do I contact the clubs I am going to shoot? or can I just go there and shoot?

_andrew wrote in post #3202618
I live about 5 minutes away from Oran Park...whats on this weekend? I have work unfortunately....but I can always get out of htat

it's the East Coast Series - Round 3 . I'ts my first time there I heared you can get close to the action I plan to go up for sat & the maain races on Sun as well.