-= T2i / 550D users UNITE! (1) =-

dshort4597 wrote in post #11912255
I have to say everyone has posted some great shots. I try to check everyday to see what is new. I am very new to taking photos without the green box. Started with an XTI then traded up to the T2i. The kindness of everyone on here makes me want to post some pictures. Hopefully, I will have time this weekend to do so. I am not strong in PP so i'm sure that will come with time.

I'm just trying to read as much as I can to truly understand the relationship between exposure, aperture.

Not sure but I hope the equipment that I currently have will allow me to (with time) take quality photos as has been shown on this thread so far.

I've been lurking so long I feel like I already know most of you.

Welcome Aboard!! By all means, get out and shoot and show us your photos. Photography is an ongoing learning process, and I've found in just a few short months that the people on this forum in particular, are the friendliest and most helpful I've ever come across. When they do give criticism, it's done so gently that it doesn't hurt a bit, and that's how we all learn.

Looking forward to seeing your photos soon.

Vectoria wrote in post #11912294
Come to Ohio there is plenty of snow here lol...I would rather have your view I am jealous!

Snow is a four letter word, and thankfully, we don't get any here in South Florida.

Vectoria, where abouts are you in Ohio? I used to live in Trotwood (just outside of Dayton). Loved it (except for leaf raking in the fall).

Mookalafalas wrote in post #11910635
Holy cow! You've got teenage kids!? Well, she is certainly a lovely young lady.
When new people post I tend to figure they are about 22. If it turns out they are married or have a BMW I add a few years...
Over in the 5D thread this really prolific (and heavily praised) poster who is generally shooting models, let out that he went to a shooting job and couldn't rent a car because he was only 20. I figured he was a seasoned professional. Another guy who posts some really impressive high-tech stuff did a portrait of his photography teacher. He's in high school.
The internet is a truly democratic sphere! If you have access to a computer and can type, the rest isn't important.

Vectoria wrote in post #11912269
I will be 30 this year:/

How funny!! I guess you can tell by my avatar that I haven't seen 22 in more than three times that. In fact, I will turn 69 years YOUNG on March 17th.

Createsean wrote in post #11910225
Walking around today and I took the following shot. I've always wanted to shoot homeless people, but have never gotten up the nerve to in case they make a scene or someone says something. This time though I saw this man in a spot where there are normally no homeless people and he was clearly sleeping or passed out. I waited for the light to change so I could cross the street (to where I was going) turned around quickly and took two shots - this was the best one.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/createsean/5475​303207/
Homeless by Create Sean, on Flickr

Well done Sean. I used to know a guy online whose speciality was street people, and this shot ranks right up there with his. And his were EXCELLENT!!

A Random shot from around town, i swear the bottle was already there =p

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/teh_viking/5477​131904/

David, I thought the Telephone booth was a clever and nicely done image. You made it to weld nicely into the background, and you nailed the harsh light exposure which tends to yield underexposed images. As usual, my only gripe is that you cut half an inch of its base ... I am truly obsessed with that sort of issues! LOL.

Also, beautiful portrait of your daughter! She is quite lovely and you captured a tender smile. Did you chose the cool WB on purpose? I find it that, while for landscapes or urban pictures the cool look is very appealing, for people it is not always so. I did some warming up on the color, hope you don't mind (I also slightly tilted the image).

Welcome once more to the newcomers! Welcome dshort4597 and teh_Viking! Its nice to see so many additions to our 'family'. Could it be that, with the release of the T3i, there are people jumping into the T2i wagon since the price is right? Would love to hear your stories!

Tymeframe, you have added some interesting looking images with the frezebee. I like your color grading on those, that sepia hue and desaturation is interesting. Gives the pictures and oldish look, like film or slides from the 80s, but I quite like it.

Sean, making homeless people's shots is difficult, and I think you did very wel. Your option to use black and white is appropriate for the mood and setting, otherwise it could have been an 'in-your-face' type of image. Nicely done.

Al, I had more or less the same tendency you describe, but precisely forums like this one have helped me know that age has little to do with skills or even knowledge. When I was about 22 I was hired by a huge local construction and design company to teach 3D modeling and rendering to the already seasoned architects of the firm. At the beginning, it was really hard for them to coupe with the notion that a kid was teaching THEM, the great architects, something. It took a while, but they soon realized they could make the most out of it and the workshop was a success. Later on I was the one thinking less of younger folks until a 16 year old gave me some great advice on a miniature painting forum. I believe I told this story here already? At any rate, I'm leaving 'Christ's age' this year and will be turning 34 on July!

dirkkristen! Really nice gif of the lizard, and I love the slight shift of the foreground leaves in relationship to the tree... it only adds to the depth perception of the shot! Really cool series!

Annie and Vectoria, I think we all long for the things we cannot get, but usually forget (or not know) what they are when 'inside' those situations. I, like Dirkkristen, long to have a snowy season and be able to take pictures of those snowy trees, or fall for that matter, as we mostly have evergreen trees. Of course, I'm not contemplating staying 2 weeks inside cause the weather won't allow me out! Just as I am envying Dirk's on-the-wild conditions while I would probably won't have the estate of mind to withstand the conditions of such a place were I not near a populated city. At any rate, I would love to take pictures in those conditions nonetheless!

Best regards,
Rafa.

RafaPolit wrote in post #11913234
Annie and Vectoria, I think we all long for the things we cannot get, but usually forget (or not know) what they are when 'inside' those situations. I, like Dirkkristen, long to have a snowy season and be able to take pictures of those snowy trees, or fall for that matter, as we mostly have evergreen trees. Of course, I'm not contemplating staying 2 weeks inside cause the weather won't allow me out! Just as I am envying Dirk's on-the-wild conditions while I would probably won't have the estate of mind to withstand the conditions of such a place were I not near a populated city. At any rate, I would love to take pictures in those conditions nonetheless!

Best regards,
Rafa.

I understand what you're saying completely Rafa, but having been born and raised in NYC, and having lived in Ohio for awhile, I think I've had enough of snow to last me. BTW, I've also lived in high mountain desert, and out of all the climates I've resided in, I think if I had a choice, that's where I'd be living now. Unfortunately, I didn't get to shoot many photos while I lived there (long, boring story).

I think that basically, we all have somewhere else we'd rather be at one time or another. You know... the grass is always greener!!

RafaPolit wrote in post #11913234
Welcome once more to the newcomers! Welcome dshort4597 and teh_Viking! Its nice to see so many additions to our 'family'. Could it be that, with the release of the T3i, there are people jumping into the T2i wagon since the price is right? Would love to hear your stories!

Thanks for the warm welcome. Well, Here is my story (not sure how interesting though). Upgraded to the XTI in 2008 from an old Sony P&S. Then upraded to the T2i in Nov 2010. I guess i'm sorta the type that likes the newest technology (when I can afford it at least) so with the rebate on the Pixma printer thought it would be worthwhile as we have been looking at the printe for quite a while.

I had the Canon 75-300 from the XTI. I know its not the best but was at the veterans day ceremony in DC and needed a longer zoom than the kit lens and it was inexpensive.

Bought the Sigma when I bought the T2i Body. Thought it would be a good all around lens to supplement the longer 75-300. The kit lens just couldn't zoom in as much as I would have liked.

Okay enough writing. Next time I post I promise it will be with pictures.

BTW do I need to host the picture online or can I upload straight from my hard drive?

Thanks
Dan

dshort4597 wrote in post #11913296
Thanks for the warm welcome. Well, Here is my story (not sure how interesting though). Upgraded to the XTI in 2008 from an old Sony P&S. Then upraded to the T2i in Nov 2010. I guess i'm sorta the type that likes the newest technology (when I can afford it at least) so with the rebate on the Pixma printer thought it would be worthwhile as we have been looking at the printe for quite a while.

I had the Canon 75-300 from the XTI. I know its not the best but was at the veterans day ceremony in DC and needed a longer zoom than the kit lens and it was inexpensive.

Bought the Sigma when I bought the T2i Body. Thought it would be a good all around lens to supplement the longer 75-300. The kit lens just couldn't zoom in as much as I would have liked.

Okay enough writing. Next time I post I promise it will be with pictures.

BTW do I need to host the picture online or can I upload straight from my hard drive?

Thanks
Dan

Dan. You can upload directly from your hard drive. Just keep the photos sized to 1024 on the longest side. Just use that little paper clip icon. It the photos are too large, it will tell you. And on upload, you're limited to 2 shots per post.

Somehwere there's a sticky on posting photos. I'll go find it and post the link for you.

UPDATE: here's the link: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=194511

Annie and Rafa,

thanks for your comments.

dirkkristen wrote in post #11911524
agreed.

After review - I see the day of work got the better of me, cencored is of course spelt censored.. not that anyone seemed to notice.. or comment - *doh*.

Rafa - thanks again!

In reality, where I live is a concrete jungle extraordinaire, I was just lucky to be treated away on that weekend with by my mom visiting from my home (and very beautiful!) city, Cape Town..

Day-to-day, the most interesting subjects I have are either the odd spider on my patio, or a cityscape of Sandton city, Johannesburg. I moved here (somewhat 'involuntarily') shortly after my girlfriend was offered a position at the JSE (Johannesburg Stock Exchange), which she couldn't turn down... If not for that, I'd almost definitely still be living in the extremely green suburb of Newlands in Cape Town - fortunate enough to grow up on my dads properties (two highest on against the mountain), nestled against the slopes of Table Mountain.

I have some awesome shots from home.. just sadly not taken with my 550D.. ;/

Anyway, enough blurbing for one night Time to hit the shower and get to bed...

Sleep tight all!

Dirk
------
Lightening Over Sandton City - 10/13 second exposures. (NOT SHOT WITH THE 550D / T2i!) (But rather the Canon Powershot SX10is - still part of the family? ;p)

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/dirkkristen/5​375214130/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/dirkkristen/5​374615565/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/dirkkristen/5​374615929/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/dirkkristen/5​375214930/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/dirkkristen/5​374615033/

HOSTED PHOTO
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55-250 cropped

RafaPolit wrote in post #11913114
David, I thought the Telephone booth was a clever and nicely done image. You made it to weld nicely into the background, and you nailed the harsh light exposure which tends to yield underexposed images. As usual, my only gripe is that you cut half an inch of its base ... I am truly obsessed with that sort of issues! LOL.

Also, beautiful portrait of your daughter! She is quite lovely and you captured a tender smile. Did you chose the cool WB on purpose? I find it that, while for landscapes or urban pictures the cool look is very appealing, for people it is not always so. I did some warming up on the color, hope you don't mind (I also slightly tilted the image).

Best regards,
Rafa.

Thanks for the complement to Serena. Of course I'm bias and beleive she is the most beautiful and smartest in the world! Wouldn't be a good father otherwise.

As to the white balance; if I remember correctly, it is just set on automatic. So, if the camera chose "cool" then yes

If you have pointers on choosing good white balance, I would greatly appreciate your input. As I'm being completely honnest, I usually keep WB on auto.

Oh, one thing comes to mind. Serena, like my wife, has very white skin, so there isn't a lot of 'color'. Maybe that helps??

Daivd,

You bring an interesting point! I do have some pointers about choosing WB just recently acquired. I'll try to be brief, but we all now that has not happened often in the past! . During our last job, I shot a single image with the 50mm f1.8 because conditions allowed for a controlled environment, and, upon reviewing those images, that particular shot had some characteristics all the images with the Kit lens lacked. It had a particular feel I loved.

I commented this to my father and he agreed. In our last family gathering he used the 50mm (which by the way is his!) for all the shots while I kept the kit lens on for the family pictures. He uses a Rebel XT. Upon reviewing the images, I was blown away by what he had produced and seriously disappointed with my own pictures. Certainly the T2i is the better camera against the XT, so what was at hand? (besides photographer skills, which, of course, are the most important factor! ).

For one, the lens was clearly better! Focus may be lacking, range is not ideal, but when range is wide enough and focus clicks, the rendition is superb! But, also, I had used Auto White Balance while my father had set his camera to Daylight.

For me, each picture had a different WB, both in temperature and tint, while he had a consistent look and warmth to all the images. Since that day I have not set the camera to Auto White Balance again. I always shoot RAW, so this can be changed in LR, but, I now think that it is better to have a consistent measurable WB setting. So, I set it as close as the conditions I am allow: outside either Daylight or Cloudy (Shade is too much for almost all the conditions I shoot at), and indoors I set it to either Tungsten or Fluorescent. If I am shooting flash, I set it to flash.

Now, since this is very new to me, the first image is always off, as I am not yet accustomed to changing the WB, but the second image is always certain to have a good WB.

Now, the ideal would be to custom set the WB for each shooting scenario, and I have my eye set on those Lastolite EzyBalance charts, but only for work related issues. For everyday shoots, setting the WB as close as possible should be enough.

Rafa.
ps. You are not too biased regarding your kid, she is really pretty!

Rafa, thanks! I was playing around with some curves. In retrospect, I think I overcooked a few of those. It's a long road of learning. Nice edit of the portrait btw.

dirkkristen, very cool lightening shots! and what in tarnation is pine boarding?

WARAT those are lovely shots. I'm digging on the cross hatch bokeh pattern going on in the bird's shot.