UK South-East "Mainly Under 5'11" Gossip Thread (5)

@Matt - I have always been puzzzled about the use of an "About" page on a Pro Togs site and wonder if the majority of potential togs that could be chosen to capture those special moments the "customer" would be interested even in a potted version of how/why you 'came to the camera'. Maybe I am naive but surely the image quality is what counts for the likely clients "you" would want to invite and in a way your personality should shine through via said imagery ~ afterall if the tog is a sullen unfriendly cuss thay are unlikely to show the sitter in a good light but a warm open personality that draws folk out etc makes for good images.....doesn't it???

Box Brownie wrote in post #8312647
Ah! I had to take back my hired 100-400

Ref technique - as these are almost "head on" were you using AI Servo or had you prefocused on the optimum 'spot'???

And as you say or infer ~ "its not what you know but who you know....."

Early on in the day, I was prefocusing on the apex of a chicane and attempting to shoot riders as they passed the sweet spot. I discovered that the technique hardly ever worked out.

a) because riders wouldn't always hit the apex
b) because I'd miss the critical moment and the rider would be either beyond or in front of the focus point.

From following Rich's advice, later on I moved to using AI servo properly and tracking riders into the corner and shooting them on the move.

My trechnique failed a lot of the time with the big changes in lateral movement. Rich could follow this properly (just out of practice, I think), but I had to shoot at a longer distance, but rely on cropping to fill the frame properly.

Rich, on the other hand, filled the frame correctly most of the time.

@ Mitesh - I know diddly squat about Roller Derby but you have certainly captured these 'ladies' well

Box Brownie wrote in post #8312948
@ Mitesh - I know diddly squat about Roller Derby but you have certainly captured these 'ladies' well

Its hard to explain but easy to learn when you watch. Its very fast paced but enjoyable till the end.

elysium wrote in post #8312832
Right, it will be slow due to work work work. But i went through a few I liked. Sorry if they look a bit dull but ill get through them slowly.

Looking fab so far, Mitesh

Box Brownie wrote in post #8312938
@Matt - I have always been puzzzled about the use of an "About" page on a Pro Togs site and wonder if the majority of potential togs that could be chosen to capture those special moments the "customer" would be interested even in a potted version of how/why you 'came to the camera'. Maybe I am naive but surely the image quality is what counts for the likely clients "you" would want to invite and in a way your personality should shine through via said imagery ~ afterall if the tog is a sullen unfriendly cuss thay are unlikely to show the sitter in a good light but a warm open personality that draws folk out etc makes for good images.....doesn't it???

Would not having that page put you of tho? I still have no idea how I should word it, or even what i should include tbh ..

Pete wrote in post #8312940
Early on in the day, I was prefocusing on the apex of a chicane and attempting to shoot riders as they passed the sweet spot. I discovered that the technique hardly ever worked out.

a) because riders wouldn't always hit the apex
b) because I'd miss the critical moment and the rider would be either beyond or in front of the focus point.

From following Rich's advice, later on I moved to using AI servo properly and tracking riders into the corner and shooting them on the move.

My trechnique failed a lot of the time with the big changes in lateral movement. Rich could follow this properly (just out of practice, I think), but I had to shoot at a longer distance, but rely on cropping to fill the frame properly.

Rich, on the other hand, filled the frame correctly most of the time.

Pete

Thanks for qualifying that and I am sure practice makes perfect for getting the decisive moment full in the frame ~ were you using single shot or rapid fps groups? Talking of that, if I had a wishlist ~ if like AEB I would like fast shooting to be in selected groups i.e. 3, 5 or say 7 images max. For the record my old 350D was the pits with AI Servo and just about OK but one reason I upgraded to the 40D was for the improved AI Servo and certainly not up to the standard of the 1D but AOK in my opinion?

Oh, what aperture were you working with mostly? (NB ref aperture I could kick myself for some of the shots from my visit to the Hawk Conservancy on Sunday for not paying enough attention to aperture & maximsing DoF, a real Homer Simpson moment on some of them ~ doh!

Matt Photog Peters wrote in post #8312969
=Matt 'Photog' Peters;8312969]Would not having that page put you of tho? I still have no idea how I should word it, or even what i should include tbh ..

I think its a judgement call and perhaps the question to ask yourself is who would you choose??? If the image quality was equal of two togs then the chatty "About" page could swing it but KIV just maybe someone knowing that you have only been using a dSLR for two years may put some folk off i.e. too inexperienced....as I said IMO its a personal choice and perhaps you need to run with one way for a few months and then see if removing/adding it helps or hinders???

Maybe you need more a Mission Statement ~ With my eye and a camera I will create your perfect picture.

Sorry if that confues the matter but as noted with my first contribution to the 'debate' we all have own "right" views on all of these matters :lool:

Box Brownie wrote in post #8312981
Pete

Thanks for qualifying that and I am sure practice makes perfect for getting the decisive moment full in the frame ~ were you using single shot or rapid fps groups? Talking of that, if I had a wishlist ~ if like AEB I would like fast shooting to be in selected groups i.e. 3, 5 or say 7 images max. For the record my old 350D was the pits with AI Servo and just about OK but one reason I upgraded to the 40D was for the improved AI Servo and certainly not up to the standard of the 1D but AOK in my opinion?

Oh, what aperture were you working with mostly? (NB ref aperture I could kick myself for some of the shots from my visit to the Hawk Conservancy on Sunday for not paying enough attention to aperture & maximsing DoF, a real Homer Simpson moment on some of them ~ doh!

I was working on the high shutter speed, but trying not to over use it. I was aiming for a single shot but with the option of taking more if something interesting happen (rear wheel wobble, etc).

As for aperture, it was variable. I was working in Tv mode at about 1/400 or so (depending on how fast the bikes were going). I was using changes in ISO to keep the aperture in the middle of the range (maximise sharpness and depth of field)

Here's a totally random selection from my shots. There is probably alot better but I'm too lazy to look through all those shots .

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

Good timing on those shoulder blocks. Its easy to spot when a big block is coming after a few laps and you pick out all the butch ones.

Nice work on the roller gals, guys.

Looks like tough work.

Box Brownie wrote in post #8313036
I think its a judgement call and perhaps the question to ask yourself is who would you choose??? If the image quality was equal of two togs then the chatty "About" page could swing it but KIV just maybe someone knowing that you have only been using a dSLR for two years may put some folk off i.e. too inexperienced....as I said IMO its a personal choice and perhaps you need to run with one way for a few months and then see if removing/adding it helps or hinders???

Maybe you need more a Mission Statement ~ With my eye and a camera I will create your perfect picture.

Sorry if that confues the matter but as noted with my first contribution to the 'debate' we all have own "right" views on all of these matters :lool:

Yes, I totally understand and think I will change the '2 years' bit ..

Matt Photog Peters wrote in post #8312837
=Matt 'Photog' Peters;8312837]About me page, I'm not saying everyone here knows my life story, but would you be inclined to contact me?

I like it, but its slightely too casual for my taste- it doesn't exude the correct amount of proficiency or professionalism. I think it is very much selling you short.

In all "about" sections, i personally never like the " i found my calling to the camera X-number of years ago and have been going ever since" type comments. It gives the impression that this is a hobby that sits secondary to your life.
You want it to seem that you live, eat and breathe for the perfect picture.

I don't have any examples for this one (not feeling very creative this evening), but i would make its less friendly and more assertive.

State your name and a bit of background. Dont put things like "i guess by now", it sounds like you are nervous.

Generalising a bit (a lot :lol people think of photographers in stereotypes that revolve around the "brilliant creative" - someone who is a bit arrogant, beleives in his ability above all else and will do what he wants to bring his vision to life. Either that or the stereotype of the perv, which we definitely want to steer clear of lol!

Now im not saying that you have to sound like an arsehole, but you should sound assertive so that you at least hit on a bit of the stereotype so that they will subconciously think you know what you are doing.

EDIT: just read though this again - i don't mean to sound so attacking Matt! I just wrote this as the thoughts came from my head, obviously without engaging the part of my brain which controls being nice!

So I ordered this and they sent me this. It's frickin huge! Comes with it's own sand bags to weigh your flash stand down. Unfortunately, it's too big for anything I have to handle (and it's not as versitile as what I wanted) so it's definitely going back.

Too bad though, it could've been a nice upgrade