quote:

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Originally posted by churchgeek:

So anyway, I wanted to ask this question of those of you doing Project 365: I imagine you take more than one photo at least some of the days; do you find it hard to be deliberate about what you choose for your 365 focus? Is the challenge really in taking a photograph every day, or is it more in sharing it online? I suppose if you're going to share them all online, you want to be sure they're both interesting and good.

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quote:

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Originally posted by churchgeek:
NB: I'm not a real photographer.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
However, it's getting a bit tired and grumpy now, so when I received some money, I bought a Nikon D3100 digital SLR. Sort of entry level for that sort of camera but a huge jump for me. It's been a steep learning curve for me as my mind tends to blur over when faced with pages about apertures etc.

I'm getting there but I wonder if the pressure of a daily photo is going to make me reluctant to take any.

It would be a good way of getting practice in. I'll think about it.

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quote:

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Originally posted by comet:
I still really enjoy the challenge of finding just one image that day to reflect that day for me somehow. it's altering the way I look at things.

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I am hoping this exercise will do the same for me. I am also looking at it as a meditation of a sort. And a way of appreciating what is around me.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
As I am alone this morning and my morning appointment has been cancelled I had breakfast alone on the verandah and had my camera with me, then I wandered around the front yard taking a few snaps, a couple of which would easily "do" for today - and it is not 09.30 yet!
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I am another one who could easily get involved in this. I have folders and folders of photos from last week (taking pictures for the church website, which I'm yet to put up on line - it's been busy). I did take pictures every day between Wednesday (PeteC meet) and yesterday. I'll have a think about it.

How are you going to post it on Flickr? A separate set?
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I'm interested, but not sure about signing up on the website.

Lothlorien - my mind also tends to blur over when faced with a table of apertures, but it's still possible to either rely on the automatic settings or experiment and find that a photo works. Most photographers started this way. I'm getting there with the aperture/shutter thing, as I think it's a bit silly having a DSLR and not using it to its best advantage after months of having it, but agree it is something of a learning curve.

I also have a compact as backup which mostly takes better pictures than the automatic settings on the DSLR. Composition is half the key; don't be afraid to crop pictures when necessary to frame them better.
 

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Posted by AristonAstuanax (# 10894) on :
 
The idea of taking one photo a day seems . . . well, excessive. And a chore for someone like me who spends a nice bit of time traversing the same paths—I'm not sure how many photos of my bookshelf other people really want to see.

Plus, aren't there already enough hipsters out there who think photography is an easy art form and that owning a DSLR or something from Lomography makes them a Creative?

Which is why we're so much better—my toy camera is vintage. It's even more pretentious than yours could ever be. I would tell you what I use, but you've probably never heard of it.

/sarcasticpseudohipster

In all seriousness, though, I do love my old film cameras, even if medium format film for the Diana 151 gets expensive. I'm quite willing to admit that the primary reason my photos sometimes turn out so well is because of my outdated and quirky equipment—the Diana leaks light and doesn't focus at the edges, the 70-year-old Argus C3 Colormatic hasn't got a shutter speed faster than 300 (and requires you to focus it using a prism and lens system in a separate viewfinder), to say nothing of its nasty tendency to jolt when the shutter arming lever thumps against your hand when you press the red button—but it's all part of their Charm.

Actually, even my "modern" cameras have Issues—the digital point-and-shoot I carried through Europe broke its lens cover before I hit Chartres, so several of my photos taken with it have an odd shadow in the "corners" (you know, everything but a diagonal stripe running through the middle of the frame), and I think my phone's camera must have been a reject that made it to the production line anyway. Even Hipstamatic can't make it look like a "real" camera.

In my vanity, though, I actually kinda like some of my silly little photos.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
Three of my FB friends are doing 365. I really enjoy following them. I find they are endlessly inventive in their photo taking - and take some brilliant shots.

I intend to join in when I have time - which will mean when I've finished my MA.


 

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Posted by AristonAstuanax (# 10894) on :
 
DP to add:
Those of you who wear/should wear glasses and use a manual focus SLR . . . keep 'em on. Back when I was younger, we had an automatic nothing Vivitar SLR—I think the only aid you got was a rudimentary light meter off to the side of the viewfinder. No autofocus, autozoom, autolightmetering, nothing. Also, this was back in the day where film was still the rule, not the weird exception for oddball hobbyists—so no viewscreen to tell you if you'd mucked something up.
I've been pretty durn nearsighted in my right eye for most my life, but was able to ignore it, since my left one is mostly alright—farsighted, if anything. Thus, I never wore glasses regularly.

Seeing a whole roll of film focused properly for my blind-as-a-bat bad eye was what convinced my parents that the Time of No Glasses needed to end.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I'm using this site for my photo a day thing and I use Flickr for my more general photo sharing; I suppose I could use Facebook for that but it is just another task and I'm told that the resolution for Facebook pics isn't that good.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by AristonAstuanax:
The idea of taking one photo a day seems . . . well, excessive. And a chore for someone like me who spends a nice bit of time traversing the same paths—I'm not sure how many photos of my bookshelf other people really want to see.

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It's not compulsory.

The weather has been so beautiful in the past few days that I've been out each day and have nearly 200 photos. OK, some are trial photos which I'll delete, but I'll be left with a decent bank of spring and seasonal images.

I usually find something is worth looking at even in day to day surroundings: one point of photography is to take something ordinary out of context, and try to show the intrinsic beauty of it, so that you see it as if almost for the first time. That can be in the light and shadow, or in a play of colours, or in the outlines, the texture, the pattern something makes.

If you look around you, almost everything you see in your home has been designed by somebody; there's been a conscious choice to make it like "this" and not like "that". We're surrounded by minor little art creations all the time and are so saturated by them that we don't even notice most of them any more. Your bookshelf is probably full of colours and designs, logos, pictures on covers. I'm not suggesting you rush over and photograph it, just that it might be more interesting than you think.

I think the project would also tell each photographer something about themselves: what they choose to focus on over the course of a year (people? places? work settings?) as well as being good practice. Some days will be easier than others, but I'm intrigued.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Ooops - I took over 300 on Wednesday, another 200+ on Friday (children's Good Friday service, Churches Together Walk of Witness), quite a few on Thursday, Saturday I took 150 ish and 100 on Sunday. Yesterday I only took a handful and the reflections were so unhelpful I deleted all but 2 of them.

There will be photo pages on the church website out of this, and most were action pictures of people doing things, so not carefully composed and considered pictures, but desperately trying to catch something fun.

One I missed and would have loved a shot of was the children choristers all running down to the front to get their Easter eggs on Easter Sunday, but I wasn't quick enough.
 

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Posted by kingsfold (# 1726) on :
 
Jack the lass is doing project 365, if I remember correctly. The photos are on her blog.

[ 26. April 2011, 09:18: Message edited by: kingsfold ]
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I signed up on WW's link. First photo here. I was hurrying out to get to a family reunion this morning a couple of hours away and was taken by the raindrops on my bedroom window. It was very dark and I had trouble getting the setting right. Am planning on using this as a learning experience. Rain drops are fuzzy.

Thanks to those who suggested it re using P function on camera. I have done this but want to expand my knowledge. This photo was an attempt.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Loth, I think that is where manual focus comes in, if you can leave exposure and aperture on automatic and just manually focus on the raindrops that should help. Depending on how fuzzy you want stuff outside the window you could then mess with the other stuff.
 

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Posted by AristonAstuanax (# 10894) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Ariel:

quote:

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Originally posted by AristonAstuanax:
The idea of taking one photo a day seems . . . well, excessive. And a chore for someone like me who spends a nice bit of time traversing the same paths—I'm not sure how many photos of my bookshelf other people really want to see.

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It's not compulsory.

I usually find something is worth looking at even in day to day surroundings: one point of photography is to take something ordinary out of context, and try to show the intrinsic beauty of it, so that you see it as if almost for the first time. That can be in the light and shadow, or in a play of colours, or in the outlines, the texture, the pattern something makes.

If you look around you, almost everything you see in your home has been designed by somebody; there's been a conscious choice to make it like "this" and not like "that". We're surrounded by minor little art creations all the time and are so saturated by them that we don't even notice most of them any more. Your bookshelf is probably full of colours and designs, logos, pictures on covers. I'm not suggesting you rush over and photograph it, just that it might be more interesting than you think.

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quote:

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Originally posted by daisydaisy:
...For a few times this year I will have absolutely no www access, for up to 2 weeks at a time. Does anyone know what happens then? Do I post the daily ones all at once after I get back online?

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From what I understood when skimming through the guidelines yesterday the answer to that is yes, you can upload stuff later.

I must try and replicate one of my shots this morning sometime tomorrow as I think I want to post it as tomorrow's pic - or perhaps I'll keep that idea in reserve for later and see what I see in the city tomorrow.
 

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Posted by Jahlove (# 10290) on :
 
Oooh, what fun! My old Sanyo died (lens jammed in extruded position - would have cost more to fix than a new one) so I've recently bought a Fujifilm AV100 - nothing terribly special as I'm not a terribly special photographer (tho' the new camera has 14 megapixels compared to the 8.1 on the previous one and was actually cheaper in absolute terms as well!).

Thanks very much, WW, for the 365project site - my flickr's nearly full and I don't really want to pay for the pro upgrade. Looking forward to a year's photodocumenting which will, hopefully, improve my skills from the current *point and click* mode.


First effort
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Well OK. I'm in, up and running. So let's see how long it takes before I pull out.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Alright, I am up with a self-portrait.
 

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Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :
 
brill
 

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Posted by Jahlove (# 10290) on :
 
my goodness, lilbuddha, you certainly caught the sun there
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I'm up with some photos here
 

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Posted by 205 (# 206) on :
 
I recently sold this guy a handlebar bag: he comes across like a nice guy so here's a plug.

http://www.ninasbuick.com/
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Our daughter got a superior camera (don't ask me!) and did an internet-based photography course. She takes lots of photos most days, and has been doing the 365 project since early this year. We love finding them each day – the grandchildren are very photogenic and are past putting on pose or a face for the camera, but they are not her sole subjects.

On a rare day when she hasn't had her camera out she uses an earlier shot.

Having been a keen photographer in my younger days I bought an excellent camera a few years ago, but about that time I developed shaky hands, so I need something pretty solid to rest it on, and I'm not prepared to cart around a tripod. So I won't be doing the 365 project.

GG
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Well done, Welease Woderick, your chair picture is up in the new faces selection! (You may need to shuffle to find it)

Has anyone else noticed the weekly themes? This week it is remembrance, chosen by the winner last week, because ANZAC day was earlier this week, but as wide as you want it. (I took the Easter Lilies partly to see if I could take a picture to a theme, partly to refocus after an *interesting* morning.)

Is anyone manipulating their photos here? The tips on using black and white were all about how to manipulate the photographs. How do others feel about that?
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
It depends what you mean by "manipulation". I entered a photographic competition last year (and got nowhere) and one of the rules was "Images may be digitally enhanced to remove spots or scratches, but not manipulated. Entrants can enhance the picture to make it brighter, clearer etc, but not manipulate the content."

My own feelings are that some cropping is acceptable (but not airbrushing), as is a little lightening if the picture is too dark, though I draw the line at retouching different bits of the picture to different levels and think you shouldn't need to use "unsharp mask". If you have to do that, then your photographic skills need improvement.

I don't see the point in taking pics in colour then desaturating them if you have a black and white setting on your camera. If you don't have one and you want greyscale, I don't see anything wrong with using software to greyscale it, provided you're honest about it. I'm not sure this counts as manipulation as such - it's not like blending in an image from somewhere else.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Yes, for the church website I regularly crop to fit and I do occasionally lighten images if they are too dark, but then I'm taking action shots and don't often have the time to compose or reset anything and record what is happening. The other one is straightening by a degree or so.

The images on the 365 project I've put up are as I've taken them, although I think I might have straightened one. I used the black and white option on the camera, partly as a way of looking at things differently. But for me it's an exercise in composition and learning the camera functions better.

On the 365 Project site remembrance theme there are a number of black and white images with just one thing coloured - one poppy or similar. There are also two versions of the same picture with the sky photoshopped in two different ways. Looking around the site, I'd say more than half the images being put up are manipulated to a greater or lesser extent. One picture of the view through a window that is on the new faces page had the sky made bluer and additional light lines added - which seems to me more an exercise in manipulation than photography.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Thanks, CK, I was very chuffed to find my chair on New Faces, though I so wish I had swept the floor of the dead beetle before I took the shot! Perhaps folks will think it was placed artfully, or something!

I sometimes crop a shot, two of the shots I have put on the site have been cropped. I sometimes try monochrome but usually take in colour then convert on the PC though there is a very handy setting on the camera. I also straighten shots on the PC even though I usually have the lines switched on in the viewfinder, or on the screen.

I have just had the thought that one day I shall have a B&W day and leave the camera on that setting all day just to experiment, back in the 1960s colour film was way beyond the means of a poor schoolboy with a rather disgusting nicotine habit so it was all black and white.

My current frustration is that I am taking shots in the morning, liking one enough to post it then taking more shots later, some of which I like even more! One of the "problems" of living here and having a fair amount of time is that there is just so much to photograph!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I've just discovered that my camera has a Sunset* setting so I tried it and it is fab! I'm not sure that tonight's sunset will be tomorrow's photo as

a] it wasn't that wonderful as sunsets here go; and

b] we have a busy day tomorrow planned with loads of good photo opportunities

but it's an idea I can keep for the future.

*It apparently intensifies colours in the sunset spectrum so on days of spectacular sunsets it will be a boon - and with monsoon approaching we should get a fair few of them!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
CK, your Easter Lilies is on New Faces as well!

Congrats!
 

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Posted by Macgyver's Apprentice (# 603) on :
 
A photo a day seems like a great challenge. Unfortunately, not for me as I don't have the opportunity to take photos most days. Work keeps getting in the way

WW, good luck with this as it's a great way to push yourself to find great pictures among the ordinary. Also a good way to discover what your camera can do - there are so many settings to play with on modern cameras.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Ariel:
It depends what you mean by "manipulation". I entered a photographic competition last year (and got nowhere) and one of the rules was "Images may be digitally enhanced to remove spots or scratches, but not manipulated. Entrants can enhance the picture to make it brighter, clearer etc, but not manipulate the content."

My own feelings are that some cropping is acceptable (but not airbrushing), as is a little lightening if the picture is too dark, though I draw the line at retouching different bits of the picture to different levels and think you shouldn't need to use "unsharp mask". If you have to do that, then your photographic skills need improvement.

I don't see the point in taking pics in colour then desaturating them if you have a black and white setting on your camera. If you don't have one and you want greyscale, I don't see anything wrong with using software to greyscale it, provided you're honest about it. I'm not sure this counts as manipulation as such - it's not like blending in an image from somewhere else.

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Where to start.
1st: The black and white setting on your camera is using software to remove the colour data.* The only difference between doing this in camera or in computer is the level of control. And the algorithms.
2nd: Many of the great photographers of the film era manipulated their images in the darkroom. Burning, dodging, filters to increase contrast, etc. This is why an Ansel Adams print done by him, or under his direction, fetches a far greater sum than one printed from his negatives by anyone else.
Digital sensors in small format** photography have less tonal sensitivity than 35mm film. You also cannot switch sensors for a different tonal effects as you can film.
In a nutshell, to obtain equivalency with film, the digital photographer often must manipulate the image.
In terms of viewing an image, I believe any means are acceptable.
For my own photos, I attempt to do only what could have been done in a darkroom.

* Digital sensors are sensitive to blue, green or red and intensity.
** 35mm equivalent and the smaller sensored P&S cameras
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
I am finding this project a little frustrating. I am attempting to use my pocket camera, but its lack of control is difficult to adjust to. The worst is the lack of control over focus. The camera does have a manual focus mode, but is is woefully inadequate.
On my photbucket page, you can see I am fairly traditional in my approach.*
With project 360, I am attempting to be more spur of the moment, more find an opportunity anywhere. Not the way my photographic mind works for the most part. This will be good in the end, I hope. Rocky start though.

*manipulation limited to darkroom techniques for all images. Two of the moon shots are double exposure.

ETA: Ever try to edit a misspelling and end up spelling it even worse?

[ 29. April 2011, 16:54: Message edited by: lilBuddha ]
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
L'ilBuddha, I'm using a pocket camera and I know the pictures I want to achieve are mostly produced on SLR or DSLR cameras. The pocket camera doesn't have the control to produce the macro pictures, for example, or the ability to change the focus or aperture beyond what is there. You can't change lenses.

But that still leaves composition and lighting and tracking things in action shots within my control, and improving them will improve my photography

There are a couple of people on Project 365 seeing what they can achieve with the camera on their mobile phone - both the manipulation and taking of the pictures.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
This is my challenge, to see beyond the camera. I am trying. It has only been a few days, perhaps I need to work on my patience as well.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
lilBuddha, the photos on your photobucket page are amazing!
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Thank you WW!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Both my elderly Canon S3-1S and my new Fuji S1800 don't like Ni-MH batteries. The Fuji was unhappy this morning despite the brand new Ni-MH batteries being put in last night, fully charged and with the thingy being swapped over to Ni-MH; so I swapped back during the homily to Alkalines, swapped the thingy back to Alkalines and it started to behave itself and performed impeccably from then on.

The Canon was never happy on Ni-MH and they never seemed to last long.

Has anyone else had a similar problem?
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I'm using Ni-MH batteries in my Sony and it seems fine. I do carry spares and I do find that using the video or lots of flash eats them, but I don't do much of either.
 

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Posted by fletcher christian (# 13919) on :
 
I'm in.
pics
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I love the ferryman pic - where does that come from (not your back garden I suspect)?
 

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Posted by fletcher christian (# 13919) on :
 
It's from a meditation walk near Glendalough
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
I'm doing project365 (inspired by comet on fb) and am putting my photos there, on my blog and in a set on flickr - I'm just a week behind as I've been on holiday, and have to decide which of the eleventy million pictures I took to use for each day I didn't know about the project365-specific site - maybe I'll use that next year. I'll keep an eye on everyone else's though, I've loved seeing pics of Alaska and Hawaii and all over on facebook.

Meant to add: I'm generally choosing pictures that reflect the day, or the best ones if there are more than one. Sometimes it's just a picture of the dinner but that's OK (TME makes very photogenic dinners as it happens).

[ 30. April 2011, 21:26: Message edited by: Jack the Lass ]
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I had a go through the year so far, JtL - some great stuff there. I may copy my stuff over to Flickr as well, as that would give me more leeway but perhaps just choosing one shot a day as special is better, teaches me to be more discerning. I will still post loads of stuff on Flickr anyway.

I took a shot I liked today - when I saw the old lady sitting alone at an engagement function I was fascinated by her - some elderly people have the most wonderful faces to photograph! So I liked the shot but I knew it wasn't really right, I played around a bit but then tried Greyscale and that was that - I tried Sepia bit it was wrong so it's up in plain monochrome.

Constructive criticism welcomed.
 

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Posted by Jahlove (# 10290) on :
 
Can someone tell me how to enter the details of the camera I'm using please? Can't see a field for it.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Jahlove - I don't enter my camera, it does it automatically. Same with Flickr.

I had some photos I liked and didn't put up on the Project365 - mostly because they weren't encapsulating the day, so put them on Flickr last night - the link is to the May Fayre selection, there are a couple of others there too.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I like that shot, Welease Woderick - but I suspect the guys who are producing amazing shots would have adjusted the shading separately to give more tone. I'm sure LilBuddha or my daughter can tell you how.
 

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Posted by Jahlove (# 10290) on :
 
k - I guess the camera details don't show on my home page then coz it assumes I know what camera I'm using
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
If you modify the file in any way then save it, you'll probably lose the attached info about camera details. I resize all mine to a smaller size for ease of uploading which means the camera info is lost when it comes to upload, though it's all still there on the unamended originals if I need it.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
It retains my info - today's shot was converted and all sorts but still shows FinePix S1800.

Uploading software can be moody.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I took a shot I liked today - when I saw the old lady sitting alone at an engagement function I was fascinated by her - some elderly people have the most wonderful faces to photograph! So I liked the shot but I knew it wasn't really right, I played around a bit but then tried Greyscale and that was that - I tried Sepia bit it was wrong so it's up in plain monochrome.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
There's a sepia setting on my pocket camera, as well as black and white.

Ariel, I love the jousting photo - that's amazing.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ariel:
If you modify the file in any way then save it, you'll probably lose the attached info about camera details. I resize all mine to a smaller size for ease of uploading which means the camera info is lost when it comes to upload, though it's all still there on the unamended originals if I need it.

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Thanks, Ariel - that's it.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Welease Woderick - your lovely frangipani flower would fit this week's theme of nature up close, if you wanted, and added the tags to it. You can add tags by editing later. It has to be in the form that's given on the Blog page - theme-natureupclose
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
... and the frangipani's made it to New Faces! You're doing well.


 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yikes! Laziness obviously pays off - I was tired and couldn't face heading out to take some snaps so wandered round the garden instead, took a few, including that one, cropped it a bit and stuck it up there out of desperation!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
This might be either an obvious thing or a silly thing to say but then I'm no stranger to saying silly things!

I reckon I learn more from the ones I don't post than I do from the ones I do. I took a series of shots this afternoon but none were quite right, the light was good but it was a matter of angles - but if I can learn from that then tomorrow perhaps I can do it that bit better.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
My broadband connection has died I might be able to upload something by dialup later. Looking forward to catching up with everyone!
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I am learning so much from looking at the other photographs too - when I can get past the camera envy. Most of the pictures that I want to have taken are on DSLRs.

I'm currently pushing at using macro and I'm getting better at working out what I can and can't do on the camera. More are getting the right thing in focus and I've got more choice on composition than I had when I started. But I've taken so many pictures of may blossom this week. It's also doing me good, giving me an incentive to get out for a walk in greenery every day.

I'll put some of the ones that didn't make the cut up on Flickr later.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yes, that seems to be the way forward.; Flickr offers greater flexibility in so many ways - this morning I took a series of photos that might well work fine as a series for which 365 is no use at all, unless I want to go back there daily and take more.

I'm going to persevere with this one though, I am enjoying the challenge so far even though it is sometimes frustrating.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
I am learning so much from looking at the other photographs too - when I can get past the camera envy. Most of the pictures that I want to have taken are on DSLRs.

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Yes, it was this realization that pushed me into getting a (secondhand) one. It's been quite a steep learning curve but I'm beginning to get results that are more in line with what I actually intended than either happy accidents or things that have to be deleted.

I might also have to have a "spillover" directory on Flickr. If I get time this weekend I'll try to sort something out.

Looking at Project 365 it is interesting seeing the different approaches that people generally are taking. Some are doing a sort of daily photo-journal, some have gone for the photography as art approach, others seem to be trying to clock up as many followers as possible or coming up with pictures so worked on in Photoshop that they count more as computer art than photographs. But there is some really good stuff out there - and even the not-so-good stuff is often quite interesting. You can see what people are trying to come at, and you get an idea of their perspective on the project. I'm glad WW suggested this.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
I stopped to take a photo this morning, I have been remiss. While aiming my camera I heard a noise. To my right, half an arm-length way, was a hummingbird, hovering to look at me. Bold as brass, she stayed for at least 30 seconds. Seemed a bit longer. I contemplated turning the camera towards her, but thought it would frighten her away. Instead, we took each other's measure until she decided I was not interesting enough and flew away.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We have Sunbirds [local equivalent of Humming Birds] nesting in our hibiscus hedge and they will only stay still when I don't have a camera in my hands, otherwise they just flit all over the place quicker than I can react.

Temple festival today with NINE elephants! I think that might be worth a snap or two.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
OK - overspill here - some I'm still I'm not sure i made the right choice, others I know why I made the decision I did.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
OK - my own overspill is here.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Congrats CK, you're on New Faces again with those scrummy looking Eccles Cakes - and is that carrot cake with cream cheese frosting?
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
So is fletcher, that funny blank one is his, if you click on it you find out that it's his chick picture.

Yes, probably carrot cake, I've eaten some from that stall in the past. I had one of the cheese and tomato pastry things in the foreground for lunch.
 

---

Posted by Jahlove (# 10290) on :
 
Infuriatingly, my camera (Fujifilm AV150), at a month old, has developed a fault whereby it refuses to format SD cards. Returned today to the dealer who didn't have an identical model for replacement so I've paid a bit extra for an Olympus FE-5040 - currently on charge. Annoying, as I was starting to get to grips with the functions on the Fujifilm but hopefully, the Olympus won't be too advanced for me. Getting quite into this now
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

We have Sunbirds [local equivalent of Humming Birds] nesting in our hibiscus hedge and they will only stay still when I don't have a camera in my hands, otherwise they just flit all over the place quicker than I can react.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Strangely my new Fujifilm S1800 is being badly behaved as well - may have to go back for maintenance. I have really enjoyed their stuff before - or perhaps first I need to read through the instruction book to see if I am making a basic error somewhere.


[edited to approximate to English]

---

My Nikon D3100 manual is OK but I've just bought a Kindle and downloaded D3100 for Dummies. I'm obviously in that case as I've found the book much clearer than the manual and was only a little way into it before I found two things I had not seen in the manual. :
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I took the Fuji back today and they agree it is faulty - it is off for repair and back, they say, in no more than ten days. Do I believe them?

Went upstairs and the part for the Canon still hasn't arrived but the little Polaroid Compact is fixed, he said it was a simple contact problem which, when he found it, took seconds to fix so no charge! What a nice man!

So for the next little while it will be just the little compact, but it takes okay shots within its limitations and as I always resize before posting it makes very little difference.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I've just bought my first tripod. Woooo, I feel all professional now.

CK - thanks for your kind comments! I find, incidentally, that the little compact camera is much better for taking reflections than the DSLR, which tends to look through them.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
In theory, I'm teaching photography unit on the theme of reflections for an Art and Design qualification, which is part of the reason for the obsession currently, so I have been trying to take pictures of reflections for a while.

We are taking that group to Duxford on Monday and they should be taking photos
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Welease Woderick and Ariel, you do realise your bicycle and train pictures would fit this week's theme of transport? You would have to tag them as theme-transport to enter them.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Nah. I don't want to have to do a whole week of transport photos.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I've tagged that one and will now wait and see what happens; I have another transport one as a possible today if I can get out into town later.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I've tagged that one and will now wait and see what happens; I have another transport one as a possible today if I can get out into town later.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by St Everild:
How long should a camera battery last before it runs out?

---

Are you using the flash or taking video shots at all? That will use it up more quickly.
 

---

Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Also it depends if you are using disposable or reusable batteries. The reusable ones (particularly if they are old) do degenerate over time and don't last so well.
 

---

Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Sorry to DP: I realise that my last post wasn't so clear. Reusable batteries are still better value overall; they just degenerate over time and become less efficient and need recharging more often. I had some batteries which lasted me a good few years with my old camera, I'm a real shutterbug but I could still get a couple of days or more out of the batteries using the camera constantly (could be a couple of hundred pictures if I was on holiday). However by the time the camera died the battery performance was considerably worse; I tried the batteries in other appliances and they didn't do well there either so I do think it was battery degeneration rather than the camera.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
All batteries lose longevity over time.

More about batteries than you ever wished to know. Though you needn't read all of it.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
NiMH batteries do better than NiCads but only marginally. I tend to use Alkaline, hugely environmentally unfriendly but more reliable. My Polaroid compact still eats batteries which is why I might buy a replacement today, something pocket sized and using SD cards - there is a lovely little Olympus that is reasonably priced but I don't want to be buying other designs of card, XD in this case, as we already have quite a stock of SD cards.

The instruction booklet for my Fuji talks about the camera having a discharge circuit for NiMH batteries so they can be fully discharged as they then charge better, apparently.
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
I prefer lithium batteries. Lighter, no need to drain completely before recharging. Unfortunately, not an option for my DSLR.

WW, not saying anything bad about other brands, but I have had good luck with Canon. The Powershot G12 and S95 have a slightly larger sensor than most pocket cameras. I currently use the G12, it is a bit large though.
 

---

Posted by Boadicea Trott (# 9621) on :
 
I have a Fujifilm Finepix F30 point 'n shoot and the supplied LIon battery is amazing; even after nearly three years of heavy use, I only need to recharge the battery after taking approx 300 photos.
 

---

Posted by Boadicea Trott (# 9621) on :
 
Sorry, missed the edit window...the rechargeable battery is an NP - 95
 

---

Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
Thank you - most enlightening.

I have posted my latest set of pictures to my Facebook page, and ordered a replacement battery. It is an Olympus Lithium Ion one, the same as the original one in the camera. We'll see how I get on with that one.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I looked at an Olympus, now using SD card but it didn't feel too good in my hand. I like Canon as well but in the end I was more impressed by the Nikon L23 that I got for a pretty good price, complete with card and NiMH batteries and charger. It is easy to just slip into a pocket - very compact.


[spelling, again ]

[ 17. May 2011, 07:40: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

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Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
If this new battery isn't up to the mark I shall be changing my camera too...and will be very carefully reading to see who recommends what in the compact camera range (I keep it in my handbag at all times...you never know when you might see something worth photographing!
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Here is a mini-tutorial for taking landscape photos.
 

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Posted by badger@thesett (# 16422) on :
 
interested in the 365 photo thing, hadn't heard about it before, are those who started on it sticking with it, are they finding it a drag or enjoyable, should I do it... I have agoraphobia so don't ever go out so would be what I see in the flat or out the windows so not likely to be a great variety
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
I am finding it enjoyable, but challenging. Forcing myself to take a photo everyday* pushed me out of my comfort zones. Hopefully this will improve my skills.

*Well, almost every day.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I think you can create the variety by using different angles and approaches.

I am enjoying the 365 and hope to stick with it as I think I will learn from it, indeed I am learning from it. I agree that it is a pain, at times, to think "I've got to take photo that is presentable!" when it is evening already and the light is fading and you've run out of ideas - but then I always was a deadliner so, in a sense, nothing new there.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by badger@thesett:
interested in the 365 photo thing, hadn't heard about it before, are those who started on it sticking with it, are they finding it a drag or enjoyable, should I do it... I have agoraphobia so don't ever go out so would be what I see in the flat or out the windows so not likely to be a great variety

---

Loving it so far. I've already learnt more about my DSLR and been pushed to explore its potential. You look at the world around you in a new way - you notice more. This is true even of indoor life. Getting the settings right to take shots indoors and make the lighting natural, or get the shadow effects you want, has proved a quite interesting challenge so far.

I've found that although I generally have an idea of where I'm going to go during my spare time on any one day and what I'm going to try to look for, half the time I seem to end up with photos I never would have thought of taking, which is another enjoyable aspect of it.

It's also interesting seeing what others are coming up with and their approaches to the project. The day-to-day life, the travelogues, the art shots, even the "365 self portraits"; it's all different ways of looking at the world.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I'm enjoying it too. It's meant that I am getting out and about for a wander most days when I wouldn't normally have done so.

There are lots of different ways of finding subjects. If you look on New Faces, there are a number of people taking photographs of everyday objects from interesting angles, or bubbles, or paintings. Others on the site are taking a month's worth of self-portraits. The theme this week is fruit, and a lot of photographs are of bubbles or drips, none of which need you to go outside and take photographs. My recent picture that made new faces was the spider in the bath on Sunday morning.

There's an alphabet challenge that I'm sort of playing, but that's only because I found an entertaining jet stream picture for last week's travel theme and I've found things that would fit it. (I had an idea of E is for Evening Light last night, but left it too late - per lilBuddha's article - not enough light for landscape).
 

---

Posted by badger@thesett (# 16422) on :
 
Thank You to those who have let me know how you are doing. I will be having a go as soon as I am able to register and set myself up to start as you have inspired me to have a go.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Brilliant! Do let us know when you're on and we'll come and look at your pics.
 

---

Posted by badger@thesett (# 16422) on :
 
thank you, it may take me a little time, I have to be having a good day to start anything new but this will encourage me to start
 

---

Posted by Jahlove (# 10290) on :
 
Can someone tell me how to get an *avatar* photo onto my profile? Can't see any edit function. Thanks.
 

---

Posted by Jahlove (# 10290) on :
 
scrub that - technodummy has found it!

ETA: but thanks, Ariel

[ 21. May 2011, 17:10: Message edited by: Jahlove ]
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
It's under You -> Your Settings -> Picture.
 

---

Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 
Oooooooh! I can't believe I didn't see this sooner. I love photography. It is probably my favourite art form to view and definitely my favourite to participate in. I can't wait to see everyone's work!

My skill level currently isn't much more than snapshot, but I've recently got a few good books and plan to do a "teach yourself" unit. I was actually doing a 365 focussing on my son's second year , but have slacked off the last month - not sure why that happened. This will be great motivation to help me get going again. To really connect with my passion and to start taking learning the skills seriously. I think I'll do 2 projects at once, (they may sometimes overlap) - the one concentrating on my son and a more general one for the project site.

Last year I did a "52" project making sure I took at least one photo a week (again starring my son in his first year). I missed a couple of weeks here and there, some weeks I just got one and most weeks I took many. I did find the discipline of doing it on a regular basis, rather than just when inspiration hit, really helped me learn.

Since I can't help thinking my son is super cute (no matter the quality of the photo) and I also won't be likely to set up my 365 site for a couple of days, here are some, that I put up for family, from the second half of the afore mentioned 52 project

Thanks for starting this Welease! I'm really looking forward to following everyone's photos and talking about photography on the ship! Sorry for the uber-length of this post, just quite chuffed!
 

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Posted by cattyish (# 7829) on :
 
I have my very own pet photographer. Mr C has taken up photography as a serious hobby, with mutterings about retiring from what he's doing once we pay off the mortgage and setting up in business. At the moment he's well into portrait photography, which is handy for my Facebook pictures and was good for my brother and sister-in-law when they got hitched.

I'd like some hints on how to inspire him without making any more work for myself; currently he's the fussiest dressmaking client I've ever had, and he often only wants to use what I make once!

Cattyish, wearing my fingers to the bone.
 

---

Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
I've loved doing the 365 project this year and will definitely try to see the year through (note to self: you still need to take a pic today). I'd like to do something next year but the constant 365 thing might be a bit much. I like the idea of a 52 project nomadicgrl, and may well do something like that instead. I'm thinking of getting an account with blipfoto for that - you can only post a maximum of 1 picture a day, but with the 365 that would be a bit stressful if you are on holiday and don't have internet access. With a 52 project that would be a bit less stressful, and it would be easy to catch up. I think I also like the challenge of finding a picture to sum up the week (particularly if it was a holiday week), which I suspect will be different from finding a picture to sum up the day.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Some lovely photos there, nomadicgrl.

[ 25. May 2011, 02:20: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Anyone else having trouble uploading photos today? I've tried several times and it just won't take one.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I eventually managed it with their Basic Uploader but no idea why the other one didn't work.
 

---

Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 
Well, I've signed up and added everyone I can find from this thread (couldn't find you Jack the Lass) to follow. I've really enjoyed looking at your photos!
I've uploaded some from my last month, (which is sparse as I've had a dry spell of taking photos in the last while) and have some more on the camera that need to go on for the last couple of days. My profile, if anyway would like to take a look is, here.
I look forward to seeing everyone's projects grow.

What have people here found to be the most effective way of improving your photography? Any good recommendations of books, websites, projects?
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Thanks nomadicgirl, I'm now following you, too.

I think I've learnt a lot recently from just looking at other people's shots and thinking about the process of achieving something similar.

That and remembering the classical thirds and not centering everything - a couple of my cameras have the thirds gridlines available and that helps a lot in getting more interesting compositions - although it is useful to completely ignore the rules at times, too.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I think I've learnt a lot recently from just looking at other people's shots and thinking about the process of achieving something similar.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by fletcher christian:
I'm finding this tougher than I thought. There are days when its quite easy and is a kind of blog in pictures, but when it's blowing a gale and when there is torrential rain it gets a little hard

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by nomadicgrl:
Any good recommendations of books, websites, projects?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by lilBuddha:

---

quote:

---

Take lots of photos. No, I am serious. I took a trip with a film camera, my first SLR. My photos were better at the end than the beginning, even though I had not seen a one of them.
Examine photos you like. Try to replicate them, or the look. Take your camera to one spot. Shoot the h#!! out of it. Different angles, different lenses/zoom lengths.
Not sure why you feel you need help. Your photos are quite nice. The photo of your wee one with the radio flyer is absolutely perfect and beautiful.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by nomadicgrl:
Remembering to take different angles of the same subject is also useful advice, as sometimes you can surprise yourself with how different a subject will look just by moving the camera slightly.

---

I was thinking this morning that an interesting challenge might be to take three pictures of the same object, but make them look as different as possible. This might be something to have in hand for those days when you're stuck indoors/stuck for inspiration.

(Art shot of the washing machine, anyone? )
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I love the idea of taking the three shots, excellent - thanks for that! During the monsoon that might be a great help. I need to get better at creating collages, might give some time to that soon if I can bestir myself.

I am now more than 10% through my 365 - gosh that went quickly!
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
At the rate I am posting shots, I will not be 10% through the project in a year's time. And that is with cheating! I have posted several shots from one day as representing successive days.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
(Art shot of the washing machine, anyone? )

---

Been done!

I've got very frustrated by working through the alphabet - too many missed opportunities, too many shots I want to go back and do - although I have been very inventive (as in really bending my vocabulary) in how I use the letters - but as a winter project it would be fun to revisit to give inspiration.

A lot of people used May as self-portrait month - which is not something I want to do, but it's an alternative.
 

---

Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 
Ariel, I really like that idea too! I am definitely going to put it on my list of inspirations.

lilBuddha, I don't think the "rules" need to be strict or followed to the letter. From another forum that I visited doing a 365, lots of people confessed to doing the same thing, or if they missed a day, doing two shots (or 7 or however many days they missed) the next day. For me, I'm going to try and stick to it as close as possible, as I'm wanting to get more disciplined about learning, but I also don't want to feel defeated the first time I miss a day, so I'll probably do the "make up" the next day rule.
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by nomadicgrl:
I'm not great with learning and retaining technical information, but a good understanding of how exposure, aperture, and other lens settings work together would help me take it to the next level and be more intentional in getting the kind of shots I want.

---

1. giving information for paedophiles to groom children (names, addresses, ways to find children)
2. pictures being photoshopped into porn

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
two main risks:

1. giving information for paedophiles to groom children (names, addresses, ways to find children)
2. pictures being photoshopped into porn

---

Reason number one is why I do not put up shots of my nephew, niece or friend's children. OR any other children, for that matter.
Reason number two never occurred to me, naive as that may be.
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I took several different angle photos today of different things with some interesting results, it's a good discipline to learn.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by nomadicgrl:
Does anyone else find that participating in a 365 is helping them become much better about deleting shots?

---

What is this "delete" you speak of? No, for me it means I will be needing yet another external drive.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Yes, much, much better at deleting, but I'm also taking more photos!

Because I take a lot of photos of students so we can produce slide-shows of the year at the presentation day, and maybe a montage for a frame they've made, I end up keeping them until the end the student's time with us and then deleting them entirely.

And I really must go through and delete several files of every tree at every tree festival multiple times!
 

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Posted by fletcher christian (# 13919) on :
 
hehe....ummm, I'm still keeping them and thinking, yeah I'll play with the editing on that one some day
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I've never been good at deleting stuff - I suppose I may have improved a little but it is only marginal.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
As I seem to be taking about 20+ pictures a day I do have to delete. I used to think "I could edit that" but in practice I know I won't and if it requires a lot of work then it wasn't a good pic to start with.

I tend to look at mine and judge them pretty much as if I was picking my best entry for a competition. On those grounds most go straight into the recycle bin, but taking them is useful practice.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
But 35 pictures of a rainbow? Out of 131 photos I took yesterday.

I have kept 9 rainbows as worth keeping. I was taking lots of that one because it's such a fleeting opportunity and I know from past and bitter experience that they often don't work in photographs. And so the first 5 or so went because the Tesco's building is not an attractive framing, then those where what I was trying to anchor it to were out of focus, and the ones that caught a lamppost at an odd angle ...

What's left are one shot of a bug I took with the kids, because it had strayed inside, the rainbows and reflections, mostly in puddles, for something else I'm doing.
 

---

Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by fletcher christian:
hehe....ummm, I'm still keeping them and thinking, yeah I'll play with the editing on that one some day

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
But 35 pictures of a rainbow? Out of 131 photos I took yesterday.

I have kept 9 rainbows as worth keeping.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
Does anyone looks at the My Best Shot feature in the Guardian G2?

Some of them do strike me immediately as interesting or original - others I just go 'Eh?' But I always look at it to see what it is that professional photographers think is good.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Isn't it maddening when you see something that would make a great shot but you are on a bus and the camera is in your bag?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by lilBuddha:
I've only had one Escheresc photo actually work for me.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Galloping Granny:
(After I bought myself a good camera I developed a Benign Essential Tremor, which makes photography difficult – and it's not convenient to cart around a tripod. Pity – I was a keen photographer in my younger days.)

---

What a shame. Tripods make it so much easier - I just bought one and it's really useful for indoor photography (haven't felt brave enough to try it outside yet).

[ 15. June 2011, 10:57: Message edited by: Ariel ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The little mini-tripods are great! I prefer the non-bendy ones but both sorts are useful. We have a proper sized one and a monopod as well - the monopod is great for HWMBO's camcorder so I don't get the chance to use it much.

I got a call today and the old Canon S3 1S is ready to collect from the camera clinic so I will go and get that tomorrow or Saturday, sadly the Fuji will be another week. Anyway when I go and collect the Canon I may get a new mini-tripod as mine fell apart after many years service and I have been borrowing Nephew Person's one but he needed it so took it back - I'd only had it 18 months or so
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
I like the contrast of curved, shiny leaves and straight lines and boxes here. This is outside my door looking down to garden on floor below. Mid morning today on a grey day.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I'm just thinking of having a go at Project 365, I registered today; I'm an ardent taker of photos and have been since I got a Brownie 127 as a present when I was 11, over half a century ago!...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
Superb photos, Michael

---

Yes indeed.
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Very nice photos Michael!
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
lilBuddha, you were muttering that you were cheating putting up fillers, but if you look, quite a few of the shots that reach the popular page have been taken months if not years ago. The latest competition, some of the nicest shots are going to end up disqualified because the competitions usually give dates for taking and uploading the pictures. One of the recent arrivals who is being featured on New Faces a lot seems to be uploading their favourite shots from the past several years.

I'm not sure it's cheating, but it means you won't be able to look back on the year and see improvements, or get anything out of the blogging aspects
 

---

Posted by Michael Snow (# 16363) on :
 
Thanks, everyone, for the generous comments.

And thanks lilBudda for teaching me sometning today. In my sheltered world I had not heard of an
Escheresc photo. I am jealous.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
My favourites on 365 project (link in my sig) is full of Escheresc photos. I didn't favourite all of them either.
 

---

Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 
lilBuddha, I liked your question about photographic influences. I certainly haven't been able to emulate his work, but I'm very inspired by Steve McCurry. I have a book of his portraits and the intimacy with which he captures his subjects is amazing. It's funny, I didn't realize that the 365 site had an Art Theme based on his style until a post by Curiosity killed... mentioned it. I've enjoyed seeing the Escher style photos people have linked to here. Another inspiration is using photo sharing sites and forums to search for subjects and styles and see what people are doing with them.

Mikesnow, wonderful photos, thanks for sharing. I sometimes think about pulling out my old film camera, mainly to try a roll of infared - I know you can replicate the effect in Post Processing, but I like the unpredictability of the film.

If you choose to print a digital photo, what makes you choose it for that? Do you tend to print to frame and hang on the wall, or to put in an album?
 

---

Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 
Sorry, Michael Snow, I was going by memory for your name, and when I tried to correct it in editing I hit flood control
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Yay! Sunshine today for about the first time in ten or so days. It's blowing a gale but I've been out and about with the camera, trying different settings and angles for photos. The wind has blown a few cobwebs out of my head too.

There was an article in this morning's paper about a woman trying photos in a different suburb each week for a year. OK if one has a car. I don't.

A few years ago, a man in his 90s walked every street in 287 Sydney suburb and has photos and stories. Have a poke around on his site under secrets. Lots of interesting pictures.

[ 18. June 2011, 04:35: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I've got my Canon S3 back!!

The part cost two thousand rupees, including p&p from Japan and another five hundred for the fitting for a total of under 35 UK pounds so I'm a happy bunny. I also got a new mini tripod only available today in bright yellow, which just happens to be one of my favourite colours; I had to walk right across town to get it but it was worth it.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Can anyone else access the 365 site or is it just me who can't?
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Nope, I can't either - it's meant the website is up-to-date very early this week!
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Thanks for that - I have an idiosyncratic connection that won't let me access a few sites, so good to know it hasn't just added this to the list.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
Thanks for that - I have an idiosyncratic connection that won't let me access a few sites, so good to know it hasn't just added this to the list.

---

I've tried several times this afternoon but can't get through let alone upload the photo I took on way to church this morning.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
No access from here either - hopefully this afternoon or evening.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Just got through and uploaded. Just as well, it's 8:28 pm and my photo would have been a day late if uploaded tomorrow.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The software doesn't mind at all, thankfully - I uploaded a day late one day this week but the photo was from the missed day, if that makes any sort of sense.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
It's not a problem. I uploaded three days' worth yesterday and started by uploading one accidentally with tomorrow's date! People often upload a week's worth or so when they come back from holiday - you're fine.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Can someone enlighten me about lens filters please? Would you say they are generally a useful thing to have - and if you use them, what sort do you use?
 

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Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
Can someone enlighten me about lens filters please? Would you say they are generally a useful thing to have - and if you use them, what sort do you use?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:

I'm not sure it's cheating, but it means you won't be able to look back on the year and see improvements, or get anything out of the blogging aspects

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
(Art shot of the washing machine, anyone? )

---

stick the self timer on, as wide an angle as possible, and put the camera in the machine for a picture looking outwards

(obviously don't turn the washing machine on )

[ 22. June 2011, 21:06: Message edited by: Wet Kipper ]
 

---

Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
Can someone enlighten me about lens filters please? Would you say they are generally a useful thing to have - and if you use them, what sort do you use?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wet Kipper:
I neither have the time nor the self discipline to take a photo a day and upload them. Look at my Flickr stream - it's over a year since I put anything up there ! (though I have been sticking some on facebook since then)

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wet Kipper:
I neither have the time nor the self discipline to take a photo a day and upload them.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jack the Lass:
(TME did point out that this would be a good time to read the instructions and learn to use it properly, which is very true, but I'm just delighted to have it back again).

---

I have a better idea. Let him read the instructions and then he can pass on the things you really need to know.

It's how I learn to use things these days

Auntie Doris x
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
That wouldn't work, he doesn't do instructions! (he just realises that I should!).
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Fujifilm S1800 still not back from Chennai but have firm promise that if it is not there when I call on Saturday afternoon then they will give me a new one!

I really, really don't mind which as long as I have one or the other - although a little devil sitting on my shoulder is whispering in my ear that if it isn't back I could add some more money into the equation and get something a bit better.

Get thee behind me, Satan!
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
In sotto voce: Canon G12, Canon G12.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
liBuddha, you're a bad influence!



A Purple Rumped Sunbird [local hummingbird] has just had a look in the room, it perched on the security bars on the north window and stared around a bit - I reached, very slowly and gently, for a camera and then, of course , it flew away!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Actually I can get a DSLR and two lenses for the price of one of those - tempting! But I imagine they're pretty sure my camera will be back or they wouldn't have made so firm a promise - whatever happens I'll be happy.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Canon G12 looks good, but what about the superzoom Panasonic or Fuji cameras? Many of the good P&S photographers are using Canons or the Lumix or Finepix cameras.

I have had a family of magpies grow up, noisily, in the hedge near me. They often sit temptingly on the bare branches outside my bedroom window performing beautifully - and I just don't have the zoom to do anything other than watch, so I really want more zoom than 3x! And the new Panasonic Lumix compact cameras are offering 16x optical zoom. There's one version that's competing with the G12 on price that's offering 24x zoom and the Fuji equivalent is offering 30x optical zoom.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The problem with big zoom is camera shake so a tripod becomes essential unless there is a LOT of light! I was looking at the 30x Fuji online this morning - the one I should get back on Saturday has 18x, starting from a good wideangle.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
The larger zoom range the lower the overall quality. More aberration, less sharp, etc. A pocket camera is already dealing with the handicap of a tiny sensor.
I chose the G12 for the controls and the low-light performance.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
The G12 has a slightly larger sensor than the typical pocket camera. These means larger sensor sites, which should equal better image quality. I did a test today. My aps-h sensor dslr-8 megapixel vs my G12 -10 megapixel. I will link to the results when I have time to upload. While this is not exactly the same as one pocket vs. another, it should demonstrate the concept. If it does not, I think there will be tears.
 

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Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 
A professional photographer I know is getting really amazing shots with this little camera but he can also afford to fund his equipment obsession much better than I can.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
I should hope so. The sensor on the x-100 is the same size as most DSLRs. Plus having only a prime lens generally means better quality as it does not have to adjust for zoom. Also given the cost!
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Here is a link showing the comparative sizes of images sensors. Most pocket cameras are of the 38mm squared size.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Alright, here is the promised link. The password is sof123 The files are not resized so are a bit large. To be honest, the G12 fared better than I had thought it might. Though the real test would be to see how they perform blown up huge. A friend of mine creates promotional material 6 metres by 8 metres from two images from a Canon 5D. I do not think the G12 would be capable of this. Since most of us do not do this level of enlargement, the issue is really exposure range.
The G12 was released Sept. 2010. It has a 43mm sq. sensor and is 10 mega-pixels.
The 1D Mark II was released in early 2004. It has a 548mm sq. sensor and is 8 mega-pixels.
Why is this important? The 1D is operating at a handicap as far as pixels and older processing hardware and software.
The g12's handicap is sensor size.
The test is not scientific, I stood in the same place and snapped the pics. I attempted to be equal in the processing.
I uploaded one image each unprocessed. One image each processed a small bit to show more detail. And one image each cropped. ISTM there is more information available with the 1D, and it has an edge in sharpness.

ETA:The B&W uploaded to my 365 project is the same from the 1D. It is processed differently; burned and dogged to enhance for B&W.

[ 01. July 2011, 02:54: Message edited by: lilBuddha ]
 

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Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 
Thanks for doing that lilBuddha, very interesting. I found the chart size for sensors informative too. I definitely noticed the difference, especially once processed - but like you said the G12 did quite well. Though I don't blow up pictures very big, if I print them at all, I find I like having the option to crop in as substantially as possible. Since I prefer working with my prime lens, it means I can't always use my feet "zoom lens" option and will need to crop in for the composition/detail I need.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
So how is learning a new camera like having a dog? Dogs need walking and I've been taking the camera out everyday when possible too.

I'm feeling better for the walking myself as well. When I moved here, three months ago to this day, I dropped a very heavy part of a bedframe on my toes. Broke a couple and obliterated a nail. It's only now that I've been able to resume what used to be a daily routine of walking and toes still ache.

I've been trying to take something daily for Project 365 so am glad to get back out, weather permitting.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Yes, Lothlorien, that's what I've found too - the getting out has been good. Even this week when I haven't been feeling wonderful and lots of the pictures have been in the work garden, just sitting outside in the sun for half an hour trying to capture insects has been good.
 

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Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
I posted this in Styx but I'll post it here too. Are there any photographer Shipmates in the Dallas, TX or Dayton, OH area? If so, we need photos snapped for MW reports on one church in each of those cities. Please PM me if you can help. Thanks.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Went to see a very good exhibition today of large-scale photos of Britain From the Air. There are some fascinating images, hope the link works for you.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Thanks Ariel, that was great! I liked the Vaughan Williams [maundering about in minor tones] in the background, too.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Yes, I meant to post thanks too
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
hope the link works for you.

---

... oh,
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
My thanks as well. Lovely.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I went to the city today and my Fuji is still not back from repair so I got a little bit assertive and after a bit of a kerfuffle now have a Nikon P100 which feels considerably more substantial than the Fuji and is certainly more sophisticated despite a small drop in pixels - I happily paid a little extra and they dated the receipt and the warranty card for today rather than when I bought the Fuji. It will take me a while to learn it but that will probably be fun anyway.
 

---

Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 
Congrats on the new camera Welease, I looked at an online review and they said it did great macro work, so with all the flowers and butterflys and bugs where you live it should be some good shots!
It always is a learning curve to switch to a different camera and manufacturer - good excuse to shoot!

[ 05. July 2011, 18:23: Message edited by: nomadicgrl ]
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
First planes and cars, now cameras. #1 son sent me this link today about a simulator for cameras. Link is on page I've linked to. USeful for those like me who are novices with DSLRs

Manipulate the settings and see instantly on screen the effects.

Here.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
That simulator is fun, thanks.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I am finding that some days the photo picks itself but other days it's quite a struggle to make a choice. Yesterday Nephew Person came over just as I was downloading shots to the PC, I already thought that the napping cats was the one and as soon as he saw it he said he didn't need to see any others!

Today, and it is only early afternoon, I think my choice is already made but I'll try it out on him and see how he feels. I am hoping top get him to join as he has access to cameras, has a good eye and takes some great shots.

One of the nice things about this Nikon is the Lithium Ion battery that recharges just when plugged into the PC - has anyone here got experience with these about how long they last and whether or not I should buy a spare? Any help or advice gratefully received.
 

---

Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 
Lothlorien,
Thanks for the simulator. It's fun and I'm going to use it to figure out ideal settings for different lighting conditions and write them down to carry with me as guidelines.

Welease, I don't have experience with the plug into computer charging, I do know that I've found a spare battery invaluable when travelling more than a weekend away and useful even when at home.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I left the camera plugged into the PC whilst I gave Vishnu his tuition and when it was over I came back upstairs and it was all charged. Way to go!!

Thanks for the advice, I shall get a spare battery next week when I am in the city.
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Tough to say how long a battery will last on any individual charge. Depends on zooming, whether the camera finds focusing difficult, image stabilization/vibration reduction etc. A spare battery is terrific to have.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
One of the nice things about this Nikon is the Lithium Ion battery that recharges just when plugged into the PC - has anyone here got experience with these about how long they last and whether or not I should buy a spare? Any help or advice gratefully received.

---

• cropping what I wanted to use as the picture (street shot)
• copying it in colour,
• cutting out the figures I wanted in colour, roughly and rubbing out to get closer,
• desaturating the full picture that's remaining as background with a bit of fiddling to soften it
• pasting back the coloured people cut out picture as a new layer

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
OK - technical question - how do people do selective colour? I've just had a go, using GIMP and ran out of time*. I did it by

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
OK - technical question - how do people do selective colour? I've just had a go, using GIMP and ran out of time*.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
I complicated things on the picture I was using, because it wasn't just one colour I used. I was trying to pick out a couple from the background of shop windows, because they got lost in the detail both in colour and black and white, so it wasn't just one colour I was selecting.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Already this year I have taken about twice as many photos as I did in the whole of last year! And that is counting AFTER I have deleted the worst of the out-of-focus or just plain awful dross.

Also I am already 23% of the way through my 366 [next year being a Leap Year] and see that CK is at 25%!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
oooh - we've sunk to the bottom of the second page - can't be having that!

Who is else is bored of taking pictures of wetness various? We had drought warnings back in May - which was enough to make it rain ever since.

---

Definitely. I took some more today.

Sydney has had wettest July in thirty years. We've already had more than twice the average amount for all of the month.

Every time I woke up last night it was raining. I woke this morning about 7:00 am and it was raining. It's eased a off a couple of times but has never really stopped all day and there has been some very heavy rain in that time. It's now 9:24 pm and it 's still raining.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I should read to end of thread before replying, I'm also up to 23%, WW. Like you, I find there are days when a subject is obvious, others when I can find something and some days when I really struggle.

It's a good discipline, I find.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
88 photos means I am now on 24%
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Yes, some folks just seem to get the angle, don't they?

Your engine shot was brilliant.

---

Thank you, means I'm learning then.

Loads of failure for every success though. Even that is a lesson; one days bad photo is the next good photo. Upon reevaluation, I sometimes find something I had overlooked initially. Good thing I delete seldom.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Not that much wetness but such a lot of grey overcast days, where the sky comes out grey or white and makes what would otherwise be a good picture look drab.

On such days, macro shots or indoor shots are sometimes the answer. The change of seasons will bring out opportunities to use the greyness but it doesn't really work in summer.

I've taken quite a lot of pictures this month, almost all of which have had to be binned on closer examination. June was a lot better than July so far. Meanwhile I've been playing around with a new lens which goes down to a 1.8 aperture and is capable of some pretty good results in dim light, but as I've discovered, needs a tripod to get the best out of it.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Afew weeks ago I bought a new mini tripod, very nice it is too. A few days ago I found the old one, one of those strange bendy leg things. I had put it somewhere not only safe but sensible, it's just that I don't often look in my 35mm camera equipment bags!



Now I have to find the monopod - I thought it was in the back of the Jeep but no sign. Oh well, if I buy a new one it is bound to turn up!
 

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Posted by TomOfTarsus (# 3053) on :
 
Pray for me. The warehouse club had a pretty nice Canon 18 MP DSLR with a 50-250mm lens for US$900. I've been without an SLR for about 5 years, after I stupidly took my Nikon canoeing. And I love to take a photograph...
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
that you make a good decision.

Remember that self-love is important, as are concrete expressions of self-love
 

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Posted by TomOfTarsus (# 3053) on :
 
Thank you! But if I REALLY love myself, I'll remember what my kind, gentle, sweet, dear loving wife would do to me if I dumped $900 into a fancy camera -I take 'way too many now with my little point & shoot, much less this beauty.

Did I mention it goes up to ASA 6400...? I could shoot black cats in a dark room without flash!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
You could always say "It's only money" - I'm sure she would understand.
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by TomOfTarsus:
Thank you! But if I REALLY love myself,

---

If you really, truly love yourself, I can advise you how to demonstrate this to yourself. Go on, ask me about lenses.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
lilBuddha, please tell us about lenses.
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Oh children gather round. Let me tell you of the Canon 70-200, f/2.8L with image stabilization. Or of the 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM True Macro with its 1 to 1 reproduction! The Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L glorious wide angle zoom!
Here tell, with a tear told, the tale of the no longer made Canon 200 mm f/1.8 One of the best lenses ever produced.
Few exist of the next beast I speak of... the Canon 1200 mm f/5.6.*
Little ones, these beauties can be had, for a price: your soul.

No, not really, just loads of dosh. 70 thousand pounds of the 1200.

*Pardon as I wipe the drool from my keyboard. Would not be surprised if I left drool on your keyboard.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
I take it these lens are manufactured by starting with a large diamond and grinding.
 

---

Posted by fletcher christian (# 13919) on :
 
I was hoping that for 70 thousand the lens would actually be a diamond
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
If I had that sort of ready dosh [I wish!] I think I'd move up to Medium Format and possibly this little baby, with some lenses to go with it, of course. The free shipping will make all the difference, of course.

Terrible weight to carry about but perfection in camera form - 60 Mega-Pixels is quite a lot.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
60 megapixels is indeed quite a lot. I'm just trying to guess what the file size of one of the top-end photos would be. It says a 4GB card would hold about 50 images...
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
mmm - and would you really want to heft that around everywhere?

Personally I'm drooling over the current offers on the Nikon P7000 and knowing that it's a new bike, a (camping) holiday or a new camera. Yes, I know the Canon G12 is wonderful, but currently it's costing £120 more. That's the downside of ethical working for charities.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
mmm - and would you really want to heft that around everywhere?...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Keep going, they're great pics!

I'm trying to do the one taken each day thing as a discipline and because, being retired, I should have the time but not everyone can be that flexible.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by fletcher christian:
I fear I'm cheating slightly. I'm posting pics that I've taken over the last few weeks; but the problem is that there are enough good ones to keep me going for another month!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
eta: translation for benefit of the Heavenly Hosts so they don't shout at me for speaking foreign

---

Ye of little faith
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Nope, I don't freak out if added to someone's follow list, not now. You got the extras from being on the popular page. But I feel mean if I check their pictures and don't want to follow them back! Because I do look at the pictures of the people I'm following.

Popular page is number of favourites pretty much - you can get there with 2 or 3 to start with, and then they snowball.

100 seems to be seen as a landmark number - which is odd, because it's 27%, lots of people plan their 100th day picture. (No, it was sunny, there were bees.)
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Posting my photobucket page here was a big step for me. Doing 365 project was huge.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
So you're no more happy with self-portraits than I am?
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Don't care for photos of me regardless who takes them. Not what I was addressing, though. I am very self-conscious about my photography. Not that I cannot bear criticism, I am fine with that. No one is more critical of my work than I in any case.

I also feel bad if someone follows me and I do not return the compliment. I also view every photo of the people I follow. I feel bad if I do not comment, but I do not always have something to say.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
I think you both look very fine - 'lilBuddha perhaps tending a little towards the anorexic, and CK perhaps a tad hirsuite, but just fine ...
 

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Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
Well if it's more POST a picture every day, and not too strict on the TAKE a picture every day, maybe I should just join, and slowly add all the favourites of the pics I have ever taken, one by one, occasionally adding something I've actually taken that day.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Wet Kipper, I could point out one or two people who are doing just that - and doing very nicely on the popular page too
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I was lent a camera bag when I bought the Nikon D3100. However, it was a tight fit, even more so when strap had to be poked in too. I've just bought a lovely red camera bag with straps and adjustable pockets, big enough for any extra lenses (yet to be bought), extra batteries and the like.

I still like the discipline of taking something to post to Project 365 every day but am gradually weaning myself from a feeling of failure if I have to use an earlier photo.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
That's a great looking bag, Loth. My new one looks just what it is, a standard black SLR type bag; nobody seems to make attractive looking camera bags for guys, just functional stuff and style can go hang.

This has just given me a thought for another shot...
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
That's a great looking bag, Loth. My new one looks just what it is, a standard black SLR type bag; nobody seems to make attractive looking camera bags for guys, just functional stuff and style can go hang.

This has just given me a thought for another shot...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by lilBuddha:
Nice bag, lothlorian. I like that it does not appear to be a camera bag.

Congrats on the 100th, WW.

---

Exactly what was intended. I did not even know there were bags which didn't look like a camera bag till i read the blog of a friend in NZ. On searching I found quite few.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Congrats to you, WW and I've made that number myself this morning. Line upon line, precept upon precept, as it is put elsewhere. Every photo posted reinforces the discipline of posting.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I won't be posting snaps for a while but am still taking some each day, currently mostly of my plaster covered limbs! Hopefully I will be able to catch up later with all the posting. At the moment most of the snaps are taken upside down using my left hand with thumb on the trigger so I'll have to spin them on the computer.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Congratulations on the 100th the Welease Woderick and Lothlorien

Just in case you've missed it, this week's theme is TV shows (WW - Casualty?) and there is an August abstract theme going on. Tags are theme-tvshows and augustabstract

And I'm useless, I set this up to post before work this morning and have only just rolled in to realise I didn't
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
...And I'm useless, I set this up to post before work this morning and have only just rolled in to realise I didn't

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I won't be posting snaps for a while but am still taking some each day, currently mostly of my plaster covered limbs! Hopefully I will be able to catch up later with all the posting. At the moment most of the snaps are taken upside down using my left hand with thumb on the trigger so I'll have to spin them on the computer.

---

Sorry to hear about your predicament. No excuse though, still expect brilliant photos.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Just how many limbs are covered with plaster? What a mystery. Hope all heals well.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
And I'm useless, I set this up to post before work this morning and have only just rolled in to realise I didn't

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by lilBuddha:
Any of you shoot to convey your love, angst or message?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by lilBuddha:
Do not get an SLR, ck. I'll then be completely ashamed to post.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
Canon G12 is £400, Nikon P7000 is £300 and the Panasonic Lumix is available at £350

---

The canon and the Nikon both have lots of external control, which I like. Also a viewfinder. Not sure which lumix you are referencing.
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Here is a canon v Nikon comparison.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
That was actually this one because there are several really good point and shoot photographers on 365 using variations on this camera, for example this one which was the one that's the next down in price that does a lot more than I can do now. I was being dragged out last night as I was trying to post
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
The panasonic cameras are fine. The issue I have with them are the lack of external controls.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
hmm - I'm losing any conscience on processing, because I can't do most of what can be done in camera by most of the cameras being used - even i-phones, and it's the only way I can get the balances right on some things, so any more functions on a camera would be wonderful. My daughter's Samsung does a lot more than my camera does!
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
I think all the cameras you have referenced would do the job. Easy enough to see which have the features most important to you. I like external dials and buttons as opposed to menu driven controls. Easier and faster to change settings, for me in any case.
However the best thing is to try them first, if you can.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Sorry for all the rather obvious "advice"
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
My Nikon Prosumer has a BIG object lens, almost as big as a DSLR, and gives lots of different program[me]s and controls but it also does point and shoot - and it has a viewfinder. I like the theory of a DSLR but know that what I have is enough...


...until I can afford that Hasselblad
 

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Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Curiosity Killed..

Wondered if you had looked at this camera or this one which both won awards this year from Technical Image Press Association this year. I had to look them up on the web.

Jengie
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I'm dreaming, there are a lot of other things need to be done before I buy a new camera to replace a functioning one. But I get camera envy on 365
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Ah, on 365 it's the people with sets of antique china and furniture, seemingly unlimited wardrobes stuffed full of period clothes, a variety of relations willing to be photographed leaping into technicolour sunsets, and the ability to take shots of themselves in four different poses simultaneously that I envy.

I'm not saying anything about the water splashes, but my kitchen sink would make a horrible setting and I don't have an interesting bowl.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
well the four poses is all about tripods and timers or remotes and photoshop / GIMP ability
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Question about favourites on 365.
I generally only click Fav on a photo I really like from a photog who I do not wish to follow or who I am still considering.
While I have noticed some 365ers Fav almost compulsively, I might be a bit on the spare side.
I've reasons for not doing favs for those I follow, but the net result may be unfair for those I would otherwise Fav.
As I am quite aware my thought process is, um, unique, thought I might enquire as to your opinions.
Am I being unfair to those who's photos I would favourite if I were not following them?

[ 18. August 2011, 10:33: Message edited by: lilBuddha ]
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I figured that favouriting things wasn't costing me anything, so that being generous with them was a way of saying something was good. I do favourite a lot. On my homepage stream, I'll sometimes find I'll favourite three pictures in succession, then nothing for ages, but I'll often find the stuff I've favourited is on the Popular Page so I'm obviously not the only person.

The Popular Page is odd, it seems to be triggered by views and favourites, but it ain't necessarily so. Yesterday, because I knew those windmills had something like 70 views and 4 favourites, I did look at a few pictures on the PP, and there were some up with 3 favourites and 24 views, including one or two that I really didn't think were all that special. (I'm actually not that convinced the windmills is the best thing I've done either, so not that bothered, but was trying to work it out).

There's a little group of 12 year old girls I'm following - they started following me and I followed them back, figuring they'd get bored soon, and they are all favouriting each other like mad and trying to encourage the others to favourite them. One of them is actually very good, and deserves the boost, however, the others aren't so much.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I only favourite pictures I'm particularly impressed by and will want to see again; ones that strike me as being really beautiful or else have an interesting effect that I want to try to reproduce myself. Periodically I review them and delete the ones I'm no longer interested in. I keep it to a minimum.

I don't look at the Popular page regularly, partly because I don't have as much time as I used to, though when I do I always find something fascinating on there (the page is something I can never look at briefly). I also won’t follow anyone who has a huge amount of followers already – I'd rather give my support and some encouragement to someone who is clearly good but going largely unnoticed rather than just echo what the previous 40 or 50 people have just said.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
On the other hand I'm a mean old thing and I don't thing I've favourited anything yet.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Welease Woderick, one of the very good and popular guys has just finished and started at thread saying why he didn't favourite anything.

Ariel, that's all very well, but some of the people I started following when it was just me and two others who never commented are beginning to get followers now! I do often start following people with a very few followers.

That popular page, if you look, tends to get pictures from the New Faces page, new people whose pictures get featured, and people who are established and have loads of followers. It's rare something gets picked up and boosted out of nowhere. There are some fantastic photographers out there, but a lot of brilliant stuff gets missed and mediocre stuff from someone established goes up. Why does this or this make the popular page, for example, and not this
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
On the other hand I'm a mean old thing and I don't thing I've favourited anything yet.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
The Popular Page is odd, it seems to be triggered by views and favourites, but it ain't necessarily so.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
There are some fantastic photographers out there, but a lot of brilliant stuff gets missed and mediocre stuff from someone established goes up. Why does this or this make the popular page, for example, and not this

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by nomadicgrl:
I definetly get lens envy. I drool over the Canon L lenses and if I thought I could ever afford them I'd have a Canon body. I can't decide now if my next purchase (many moons from now) will be a new prime lens or an external flash. I would love to have a more telephoto or macro lens, but I also know that external flash can take photography to a whole new level. However EF does intimidate me too.

---

Nikon have good glass as well, though it was for the lenses I went Canon...
External flash is a different skill, but one well worth acquiring.
As far as affordability, it is a matter of priority then, isn't it?
For example, your husband really doesn't need new clothing, second hand and patched can be tres chic. Buy clothes several sizes too large for your little one and let him grow into them. Food can be another savings. Nutrition is a bit over-rated, buy cheap take away. More calories for less money = more camera equipment. I've tons more tips, if you are interested.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I've missed a few days shooting recently, when I come to post not sure whether to leave the days blank or use fillers - decisions, decisions!

I think I will be limited to the compact until the pins are out of my arm, the P100 is just too unwieldy for singlehanded use.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Welease Woderick, you could leave them blank because you might want those spaces for fillers another day?

The walk we did on Friday, my daughter put her extras back in gaps
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I prepped some stuff last night and so far have gaps on just four days so that isn't disastrous and I easily have enough from some of recent days to fill it all up. I have thus decided not to panic but just see how things go - hopefully I will get to posting some photos later today - but first a post-breakfast nap!

Priorities, you know!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Photos posted and up to date - I used some fillers a bit but all recent stuff. I am now just over a third of the way through, time flies!
 

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Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by lilBuddha:
Nikon have good glass as well, though it was for the lenses I went Canon...
External flash is a different skill, but one well worth acquiring.
As far as affordability, it is a matter of priority then, isn't it?
For example, your husband really doesn't need new clothing, second hand and patched can be tres chic. Buy clothes several sizes too large for your little one and let him grow into them. Food can be another savings. Nutrition is a bit over-rated, buy cheap take away. More calories for less money = more camera equipment. I've tons more tips, if you are interested.

---

Excellent suggestions. I already have long since sacrificed the few fashion sensibilities I had for camera gear. My husband and I could both stand to loose a few pounds, so maybe save up some money by skipping a meal every day..... hmmmm, extra sweaters in the winter and an au natural policy in the summer can keep heating and electrical bills down.... I'm open to other ways in which I and my entire family can sacrifice for my passion

There was an earlier topic on this thread about Escher like photos and reflections, and I've finally found my files with the "Water Droplets Experiments" photos in them. Here.

Great to have you back on the 365 site Welease! I've had to do some filling for Aug too, but I think most were at least taken IN Aug or the last week of July, if not on the date posted. My goal for Sept is a true picture every day posted every day. I've come within one day missing so far, so I'm sure I can do it. Oct will be a write off for a photo a day posted as that's when Nomadic-child 2 is due to arrive, however since I can take the camera to the hospital with me, I will still try to TAKE a photo a day.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Wow!! Gorgeous drop photos!
I applaud your dedication in bringing your camera to hospital. Remember while having a child is indeed a beautiful thing, not all of the physical process is photogenic. Or suitable for 365 or here.
 

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Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by lilBuddha:
Wow!! Gorgeous drop photos!
I applaud your dedication in bringing your camera to hospital. Remember while having a child is indeed a beautiful thing, not all of the physical process is photogenic. Or suitable for 365 or here.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariel:
Any thoughts on the distortion that can sometimes happen at the sides of pictures when taking photos? You'll know what I mean, e.g. the sides of a building or windowframe will lean towards the centre of the picture. I suppose the answer is to use a lens you don't have to zoom?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
Those are the people who don't say anything in their profile!

---

 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Just noticed when I uploaded that I'm now 125 photos done and34% through. The discipline has been good for me and while still very much a novice, I am learning heaps.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I've not taken any photos for over a week - I must try and get out and about this week and get snapping. The pin and cast won't come off for another 4 weeks but hopefully I can still manage something.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
nomadicgrl, thanks for all your comments on my shots the other day.

I'm trying to stop fussing over dropping behind - 3 more weeks of attachments and then some physio before I can use the bigger camera, I can't even open my hand wide enough to hold it at the moment to say nothing of the weight. Later I may sort out some old favourites to use as fillers.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
I am enjoying the fillers you just put up. Keep them coming! Though I am looking forward to you being whole and hale again.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
OMG. I think I've just photographed Mars.

It's not a brilliant photo and it's hard to tell which planet it is, or whether it's even a satellite, but the fact that extra-terrestrial photography can be done at all by someone in their own home with an ordinary DSLR is what I find really amazing.

(Really have to get a more powerful lens.)
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I got so behind this week, although I've taken photos every day - 6 full days working (and Sunday is 100% taken) plus two evening meetings, one of which I still have to write the minutes for - and that's a normal week ...
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Trying to hold my compact in both hands and operate the zoom and shutter with the right index finger is good physiotherapy - and like most physiotherapy is ******* hard work!
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
It is Mars. It's got the markings.

That's going to be my next ongoing photographic project - to get a better photo.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Do any of you good people* know anything about this little baby? It is mighty cute. I always fancied the old half frame film PEN series way back when.

*the bad people can answer as well if they have any information.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Do any of you good people* know anything about this little baby? It is mighty cute. I always fancied the old half frame film PEN series way back when.

*the bad people can answer as well if they have any information.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jengie Jon:
They have just made a smaller version. However I thought you weren't into interchangeable lenses Welease Woderwick.

Jengie

---

I'm not really but that is just sooooo cute - and the opposite end of the scale from the 60 MP Hasselblad that weighs in around 5 kgs!
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Love the photos TD, especially Pyongyang at night.
 

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Posted by ToujoursDan (# 10578) on :
 
Thanks! I'm still learning about aperture, metering and when to use auto focus or manual. So far it's been trial and error but I'd like to take a class or two.
 

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Posted by ToujoursDan (# 10578) on :
 
Or, if anyone can suggest a good "Intro to serious digital photography" book, I'd be all ears.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
I'll look. Though, any of the traditional books will do for shooting. The biggest change is in editing. The digital darkroom is far easier, more flexible and more powerful.
The fundamentals are the same.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Alright TD, here is my advice. I've many books on photography, and have barely read a fraction of the contents. There are loads of books, most have far too much filler.

Here are a few decent books.

Ansel Adams: The Camera
Ansel Adams: The Negative
Ansel Adams: The Print
Yes, he was talking about film cameras, but most of the advice will apply.

The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression
Bruce Barnbaum

Go to a bookstore if you can, everyone learns differently. Read almost enough to be booted from the store, make certain the author's approach is accessible to you before buying.
Look at photos you like, try to emulate them.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Plus many of the photography magazines have excellent articles although some use a lot of jargon which can be confusing.

I must stop looking at still cameras - I have already bought 2 this year, we have lots of things we need to do in and around the house AND HWMBO needs a new camcorder, which will probably not be a cheap one.

Every time my bank account begins to look a little less unhealthy a nice large expense, or lots of smaller ones, crawls out of the woodwork!
 

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Posted by ToujoursDan (# 10578) on :
 
Thank you both very much!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I found an old notebook the other day - a very old one from 2005 when I bought my Canon A400 and found I paid, in Indian money, Rs 9000 for it. That was a 3.2 MP compact. This year I bought a 10 MP Nikon L23 compact with all sorts of facilities unheard of in 2005 and paid just Rs 4000! I knew prices had gone down but hadn't realised quite how much.

Food prices, meanwhile, have gone the other way!

I'm up to 41% now on the 365 thing, doesn't time fly?
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
I have paid less for more with my last few computers, but cameras I've not been so lucky. There I have got more, but paid more.
I just found this one. I love the nostalgic look and the large sensor. But I shall not purchase, too much a one- trick pony for such a high price.
I am at 36%. I am both amazed I got this far and daunted by road ahead.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
That Fuji is certainly cute but limited considering the price - if I had one it would never be a main camera, just a fancy toy to use sometimes - a nice idea but I can't really see the point.

Earlier I was thinking that once I hit 50% in the 365 it will be downhill all the way, but I'm not sure it will really work like that. I have a couple of trips I need to do once I am free of all this hardware and they will supply lots of opportunities then Pete arrives mid-December and that always increases my productivity - I think he leaves about a week before my 100% is due, sometime in April.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
If that means lots of shots of Pete, I may have to unfollow you.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Fear not, I would not inflict that upon the world!

When he is here we walk locally twice a day, weather permitting, plus we're almost certain to do a couple of trips away as well as some day trips - bags of photo opportunities!
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Fear not, I would not inflict that upon the world!

When he is here we walk locally twice a day, weather permitting, plus we're almost certain to do a couple of trips away as well as some day trips - bags of photo opportunities!

---

It's bit hard to take photos while pushing. Just don't leave him in the middle of the road.

Hope you're healing well.

I'm just a bit behind you, I reached 40% a few days ago.

A new lens is calling to me. Must not succumb to temptation till I can use this one to my satisfaction more often.

[ 23. September 2011, 00:07: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Perhaps WW could build a hat for Pete with a tripod mount. In the interest of safety, of course.

Quick google and found someone already has!

[ 23. September 2011, 00:11: Message edited by: lilBuddha ]
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Ah, but I very rarely push him, only at dangerous or seriously uneven bits - the whole point is for him to get exercise and for me to get a bit of exercise at the same time.

lilbuddha, he'd wear it, after all he wears this!
 

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Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 
Thanks for the photos TougoursDan, really got my travel itch going again. Mongolia seems especially appealing.

Is anyone going to participate in this ?
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Sadly the nearest one is quite a distance away, if it wasn't the day after my plaster comes off I might try it but...
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I hadn't noticed the photowalks - there are a few near me, as in a hour's travel away, but they are night walks, pretty much looking at the times. The day time one through Camden market is full
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Sydney ones are full but Newcastle appears open. However, I don't have a car, it's a fair step from station and 2 hours in train. Finishes at 5:30 pm means I wouldn't be home till probably 9:00. trains run hourly at weekends, I think. Probably not for me and rain is forecast all weekend too after two glorious spring days.

I might just try a walk by myself tomorrow if weather is reasonable.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
There are several within travel distance. The walks I am interested in are full.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Thinking about it I reckon a walk with lots of other snappers would just get my camera-envy going!
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
I've just purchased a gorillapod on CK's recommend. It is brilliant! I was shooting a low angle on a tiny waterfall and used it as a tripod. Worked as expected. The model I purchased does not have a quick disconnect, so I left it attached as I walked looking for another shot. A lizard darted across my path, I tucked the gorillapod against my abdomen and shot. Made a fantastic brace. So I used it for my next macro shot and it worked better than a monopod. With a monopod, I noticed a tendency to sway forward during a macro shot, not with the gorillapod though. A tripod is still the most stable, of course, but not always an option. Just watch the legs, the extra points of contact are wonderful, but can poke parts of your anatomy you did not intend. Wow, long post for me! Think I'll go have a lie down.
Thank you, CK!
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
My daughter likes the Gorillapod too. It's quick release for one camera, not switching between! So I have to prise it from her fingers to use it more often than not. I like the way I can wrap it round railings.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Any recommendations for what to clean a DSLR camera sensor with? I've just realized that there are spots on mine, and am not sure how to tackle this.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
I have taken mine to an authorized Canon repair shop in the past. Mine is sorely overdue at the moment.
You can do it yourself, there are plenty of products. I would suggest against using any of the cheap products. Scratches are worse than dust. There is a product that is cheap and will not harm your camera. Bulbs like this, used properly, present little risk.
Look in your manual and find the procedure for locking the mirror up. Remove the lens and hold the camera over your head, pointed at the ground. Use the bulb to blow off the specs on the sensor, being careful not to touch the sensor.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I reckon having things cleaned professionally is money well spent as I'm so nervous about wrecking things if I do it myself. The place we use is the one most of the professional photographers round here use, so if they can manage the big stuff okay then I reckon my little stuff will be okay, too.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
If this has been discussed here before, please forgive me.
I would like to discuss the ethics of street photography. Is anyone interested in this?
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Yes. I'd been thinking of starting a thread or posting here about it. Over to you.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I think it's an important topic though I'm not sure how much I'll join in with the discussion.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Here goes. I have the desire to add street photography to my skill set. I like the stories that can be told and I think it can help make the normally invisible visible. Thing is some shots are useless if the subject is asked prior. Asked after, the answer may well be no.
I have the biggest quandary in regards to the homeless and less fortunate. They are often the most amazing subjects and the more people see the human rather than the condition, the more likely they are to stop ignoring. The other side is privacy, which I full well understand and sympathize.
One can ask, but the resultant image is different than the unobserved shot. And, an affirmative response does not always indicate a willingness. Sometimes it is resignation.
In regards to the housed and fortunate, I hate having my photo taken. How fair is it that I wish to take that of others, unaware? My photo has been taken by people who did not wish to ask me. I ignore it, I do not hide. But I do not like it.
Privacy is becoming more difficult, with CCTV and cameras built into everything. Even google is chasing us. Does this make the point moot?
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
OK – I've "unfollowed" someone who diverged into street photography. There were several reasons for this. Firstly, I think it's intrusive when the subject has no idea that they're being photographed, haven't consented, and their picture is being posted on the internet for strangers to comment and speculate on. People have to go shopping, it doesn't mean they are fair game when just going about their normal lives.

Secondly, a number of the pictures I was seeing weren't interesting or exceptional. They were random strangers just out shopping, completely unremarkable. Street photography can be done well, but I didn't feel this was.

Thirdly, I'd hate to be on the receiving end. I also hate having my photo taken, but not least of all, I don't want someone possibly making money out of using me as a free model, thank you very much.

It's often impossible, obviously, to take a shot in public without getting people in it, but singling out random strangers to make a portrait of them, unless they're public entertainers or celebrities of some kind is something I wouldn't want to do. Yes, we are often all on CCTV, sometimes indoors (at work or in shops) as well as outdoors – there are increasingly fewer places that you can actually be unobserved – but that doesn't mean it's right to feature unwitting people on it as entertainment, IMO. YMMV.

And yes, I did read some of the thread on 365 including one post where someone said that if you felt uncomfortable with it you really needed to do it. Well no, you don't.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I have mixed views on street photography - and I do quite a bit, but I also feel uncomfortable about privacy. I like having people in street shots or scenes to give them life, but I also would hate to have someone made uncomfortable from a photograph I've put up. I haven't unfollowed but I no longer comment or often look at one 365er's photography whose street photography verges on the unkind - and his shots can make the popular page.

Having said all that, today's shots were all street photography - but it was the job (and the machine) not the people that I was interested in. I'm also very happy to talk to people to explain what I'm doing and if I couldn't look someone in the eye to explain and show them the photograph, I wouldn't want to put it up. This is also after one shot from June that I really regret taking and wouldn't again, and that's the portrait of the lady at the bus stop - which feels too intrusive and too personal.

It's hard - I pulled a shot I liked of a teenager (13/14) I know stunt-biking at the skate park, which he'd seen and was happy for me to use, but because he was under 16 I wasn't prepared to post it, and I got unfollowed by someone from doing that, because they really couldn't understand the reasoning.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
There is another aspect of street photography; the documenting of our times. Imagine if there had been cameras with the legions of Rome or the building of the pyramids in the Americas and Egypt. Or the streets of Carthage.
Might one weigh the desire for privacy with the weight of history? The everyday tells as much of a culture as the momentous occasions.
Granted, much of street photography does not meet these criteria.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Last night I was looking on Amazon for some books of photos of Victorian London. I already have a few and am building up a collection. Pictures range from (some quite extraordinarily good, clear and sharp) shots of streets and buildings, where nobody is singled out, although those that are in the picture seem happy to be so, to what's definitely street photography and features the characters of Victorian London - the crossing-sweeper boy, the cats'-meat-man and so on.

Where these differ from the modern approach is that the technology of the day simply didn't permit the quick, covert use of a digital camera with the photographer pretending to look elsewhere, or a snap on an iPhone. They had to go out with a tripod and box camera, and exposure times were so long that the subjects had the choice to walk away, or were asked to pose for the picture. And consequently we get, which we do not usually get in today's photos, the stories and interviews that went with them, from people who were interested in having their picture taken.

These pictures and the stories that go with them are a fascinating record of social history. I don't have any qualms about them - this is legitimate and the subjects consented (as often as not for cash or the small boys might get a free lemonade or something). But the approach used to get them was different. Today it's the quick snap, as often as not without permission, and afterwards, speculation by the photographer and their friends/followers.

I know there's a project going on at the moment which aims to get 100 strangers' photos with people who've consented and are happy to give their stories. That's fine with me, though I won't be doing it - that would be interesting and useful, not just for us but for future generations.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
It's the speculation that turns my stomach too. It's why I stopped doing any street photography for a while and I'm getting more and more wary what I put up with people in. But I was really pleased to get the policeman walking past the police station and cars when I took that shot (not that you can see more than he is a policeman) And I was extremely obviously trying to line up the buildings when I took it.

I was surprised by the reaction to this shot and the speculation that went on about the couple - and if you look, since then, there are hardly any recognisable faces in my shots - I could tell you who certain people are, but they are just figures in a scene, backs usually, to scale or animate a street scape. The only exception was the British Museum when there was no choice about having people in shot, and the poor street cleaner from yesterday, where I really wasn't trying to get his face (in fact those shots where his face is clearer I haven't put up) and I was being very obvious about taking pictures.

I have wondered about asking and taking portraits of the homeless guys who come to the church asking for food and money, but I'm not sure I'd be happy with broadcasting their stories, and if you asked and didn't use the picture, that would put you in a difficult situation too - you'd have to be very sure the picture was usable. Whereas I was making that sort of commentary with this shot but you can't see their faces well enough to be more than figures.
 

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Posted by nomadicgrl (# 7623) on :
 
I can see both sides of this issue. I enjoy street photography, the glimpse into other places and people, even if it's them doing "mundane" tasks - because this is where a lot of life is lived. But I also understand the concern about violating people's privacy and as a person who doesn't like their picture taken, I too wonder when and where the line is drawn. Legally, as long as you are taking in a public place, you are free to snap as you'd like - (there are some exceptions to this in using photos in advertisements, but as far as personal or art photos -this is very legal), but legality isn't the only issue of course.

For those who are opposed to it, what do you do when you travel? Don't most travel photos include scenes of people walking in their markets, lanes, and streets of whatever country? Is this somehow seen as different? I know that I snap a lot when I travel, if I'm focussing on one person in particular as the main subject of the photo, I do find a way to ask permission first, but if I'm taking a shot of a colourful market, I don't worry about it.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
ISTM, the ethics issue does not apply in an area known to have tourism. Cameras there are a given. Perhaps targeting an individual in such a location might still carry issues, but certainly not crowd shots.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by nomadicgrl:
For those who are opposed to it, what do you do when you travel? Don't most travel photos include scenes of people walking in their markets, lanes, and streets of whatever country? Is this somehow seen as different?

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quote:

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Originally posted by jedijudy:
Hosting

Please, let's not post about what is legal and what is not!

jedijudy
Not a lawyer, but a Heavenly Host instead

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quote:

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Originally posted by nomadicgrl:
[also a tangent]

I found this to be a cool expression of photogrpahy art.

[/end also a tangent]

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Yes, they're great!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
This morning I have taken some photos using my bigger camera! I am very chuffed. It still isn't easy but if I keep practicing it will become easier. I am hoping to use one of them as today's 365 project snap.


eta: this morning I also managed to drop my compact on a tile floor! It seems to have survived the ordeal.

[ 15. October 2011, 06:25: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Yes, luckily they're a bit more robust than they look. I knocked my entire camera bag off a tall chair yesterday, DSLR and all inside but mercifully it all still works OK.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
50%!!

It feels really good to be halfway there.

I can now use my right hand [still strapped] to mostly control the big camera as long as I take the weight in my left hand.

We have guests with us the next few days so are taking them about a bit hence the trip to the Handloom Weavers Co-operative today - gosh it was noisy with all those looms working away!
 

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Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
I'm getting a bit nervous.
Although i'm not doing the 365, I have joined the local Camera Club, and i've just submitted my first set of images for their latest "open theme" competitions.
Tomorrow night is the competition night where we look at everyone's pictures and submit our scores, and then next week is the critique night when we find out who won, and chat about what does or doesn't work in the photos.
I've submitted slightly adapted versions of the following, which I think some of you have seen/commented on in flickr:
Chemical Towers

Arrows Line-up

A is for...

[ 24. October 2011, 15:06: Message edited by: Wet Kipper ]
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
All three are really good, WK, and my favourite is the chemical towers one but I'm lousy at trying to explain why.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
The chemical towers shot is brilliant! Nice composition and use of negative space. Love the exposure, structures visible without the lights being overexposed. Very nicely done!
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
The chemical towers shot is great (I love the glow) but my favourite is the Arrows. Everything in it works so well, and what an opportunity to be able to take a shot from that range!

WW - 50% here too. Looking back on the start of my project there are photos I definitely wouldn't take now, or would have done more with. I have learnt a few things in the past six months (is it really six months?), still plenty of room for improvement.

I'm sort of experimenting with HDR but can't get the effects I want that some of the more seasoned pros on 365 have got - I think I need to upgrade my software or get a plug-in, as I can't seem to recreate the effect manually. I'll keep on trying though.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Ariel,

I have been doing the HDR thing before I'd ever heard of the process.
One can use multiple exposures, place them on different layers on the same image and blend and erase for the best effects. Playing with levels and exposure, etc, with different parts of the image.
For the most, I use one exposure and "expose" it differently in Photoshop. This image and this one were single exposures. In order to get the rocks and church, the skies were dull and leaden. I masked out the skies and adjusted the exposure separately. I will also play with burning and dodging.
The human eye sees so differently than a digital sensor it is frustrating at times. These are attempts to rectify this.

ETA: The software packages may it a bit easier for the main part of the job, but likely the best results will require some mucking about in an image editor afterward.
And careful the package you choose, some will lean towards creating a realistic image, some less so.

Here are some HDR tutorials.

Stuck in Customs
Speckboy
Blame the Monkey

[ 24. October 2011, 19:37: Message edited by: lilBuddha ]
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Sorry, here is a review of several packages using the same set of images. While I think the author could have generated a more realistic image, it does show the differences.
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
I am feeling really chuffed - on Thursday this week I hit day 300 of my 365! I have taken at least one picture on all but one of those days since January 1st(the one I didn't, I had a long old train journey, and thought to myself "If I can't think of anything else I'll take a pic of the books", and then I was so tired I forgot until the next morning! So I took the picture of the books, but was cross with myself that I didn't manage to do it on the day, because I'm a bit neurotic like that). I'm determined to see it through to December 31st, although I'm running out of inspiration for the more random pictures. At the moment I'm moving house, so boxes are featuring quite a lot it has to be said!

WK, I really like all of those photos. I don't think you need worry about the feedback at your camera club somehow.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Thanks for these links LB, they look really interesting. I'll carry on browsing through tomorrow and hopefully I'll get some tips I can put to good use!

Thanks also for sharing your photos and what you've been doing. I've tried the Photoshop method but mine always seem to look no different when merged, so will work on that.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Alright, had charge of the nephew all day, so only time for a quick and dirty demo.
Go to this folder (password:sof)and look at the trees series.
Trees_Plain is the shot straight out of my iPhone. I used levels to adjust this photo for the trees and then for the sky. Then, with all on separate levels in the same file with the image adjusted for sky on the top layer, I selected the trees and deleted them from that level. The result is less than perfect, if the image were worth the effort, I would refine the selection and clean up the edges better.
Gives you an idea, I hope.
You can do the same thing on one layer with selections, but for me multiple layers is easier.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Ooops, password is sof123. Sorry.
 

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Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
thanks for all your kind comments.
The thing I like best about the Arrows shot is that I've managed to catch the moment in their drill/routine where they all look at the guy in the middle to check they're all lined up before moving on to the next bit, so looking at the line from either end draws you back into the middle of the picture, instead of following a line from one edge of the picture all the way trhough to the other side and out again.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Am having fun trying out new lens I bought yesterday 18-270mm Tamron. would be having more fun if I could get out. Lots of thick fine rain here which is blurring everything.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Yeah, new lens Lothlorien! Too bad about the weather.
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
After much research and deliberation, I purchased a camera for my nephew. He loves my G12, but I did not wish to get him one for several reasons, not the least that he is only 9!
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
After much research and deliberation, I purchased a camera for my nephew. He loves my G12, but I did not wish to get him one for several reasons, not the least that he is only 9!
Problem is, he likes to experiment with the controls. He plays with exposure compensation and DOF. He is learning about ISO, he is interested in the whole process. So a camera with manual control it had to be. Not that many around and they tend to be pricey. And, the control tends to be trough menus rather than dials. To shorten the story, I found a used G11 On ebay. They tend not to be cheap as they are in demand still.
He will get it late December.
 

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Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
well, last week was the competition night, and tonight was the critique.
My chemical towers picture came 3rd !! This was despite some people criticising the lack of focus or point to draw you into the image, whilst some thought the sky was too dark. The standard of the other images was really good, so I am very pleased. I got some hints about improving the other pictures, am not sure how much I'll take them to heart though.

you can see the ones that beat me (and pictures from other competitions) here
 

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Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Yay, Wet Kipper! Well done!
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Congrats, WK!
Though I'd have scored you first. Any competition is part personal taste, all art is to a point. After all, someone likes Dogs playing Poker and Black Velvet Elvis. I found the criticisms odd, though. The sky's too dark? It is a night shot. No focal point? Amateur comment. No, seriously. There needn't be one point to which the eye is drawn. Anyway, rules are guidelines for beginners, not laws for anyone. Your image is really good, which of the three is "better" is personal taste. (though the correct answer is yours)

[ 02. November 2011, 03:20: Message edited by: lilBuddha ]
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Well done indeed!

I agree with lilbuddha's critique, as well.
 

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Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
thanks everyone.
The next theme is "view from the top of a hill", so I'll have to have a root around in the archives.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I should have asked this earlier! Any tips on photographing fireworks?
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Sorry this is late. And I have rarely got a good firework shot. For next occasion.
Try this link.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Thanks, lilBuddha - I did actually find that link yesterday and tried his advice but it didn't work for me. I found by trial and error (halfway through the evening) that it seemed to work better if I used something like ISO 800 and a slowish exposure.

I'll keep on trying. Getting a decent photo of Mars is an ongoing project, as well, though you can focus on that for longer periods so a brighter setting works better here.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
My Nikon has a fireworks setting, as did the shortlived FujiFilm, but I have no idea of the effect - we had a few fireworks at Diwali but I forgot to try it out - DUH!!
 

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Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
My Nikon has a fireworks setting, as did the shortlived FujiFilm, but I have no idea of the effect - we had a few fireworks at Diwali but I forgot to try it out - DUH!!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ariel:
Ooh, those are good, Marvin - I'd be very happy to get photos like that. What setting did you say you used?

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quote:

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Originally posted by lilBuddha:
So, what new skill have you learned since starting 365? Or in the last year, if you do not do the project.
I'd never done real macro photography prior. It is a challenge for me, the limitations force me to think differently. And the limited DOF can drive me insane as the slightest movement ruins the shot. Progressing though.

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quote:

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Originally posted by nomadicgrl:
I'm impressed that you're new to Macro lilBuddha, your shots are great.

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quote:

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Originally posted by nomadicgrl:
I think the biggest things the 365 has taught me is to look for new things to shoot I wouldn't normally,.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Some days my best shot is not as good as yesterday's not so good - I've a way to go to get that bit right.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I think arrogant is a better term than conceited - what an ass!

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Well, indeed. How ungrateful.

Experimented with light trails tonight, and FWIW I'm passing on the benefits of my experience to you.

1) Don't try a long slow camera exposure on a wobbly bridge, especially when joggers are pounding past.

2) You won't get good light trails from cyclists.

3) Whenever you think you're about to clinch it, a bus will heave into sight and stop there.

4) Beware of enthusiastic, interested small dogs who want to know what you're doing.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I presume you used a tripod?

I'm looking around for good places to trial this. Have one of the necessities - lots of traffic. Have large hood on lens but there is still possibly too much ambient light in any of the places where I would feel safe by myself at night with an expensive camera.

This feeling is strange. I normally have no worries about walking at night and used to horrify my mum by using train at night when by myself.

Think it's probably coming from son's recent mugging and injury from nasty bashing. And that was broad daylight.

[ 16. November 2011, 22:37: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
The bigger the vehicle the better - a nice big double decker is the only one I've managed to get to work and I've been trying light trails for a bit. I can't handhold to get decent light trails but I can rest the camera on the bridge or piece of street furniture. The other thing that helped was to point the camera at something dark when you start taking the shot, so that the light trails show up better.

I've also tried taking light trails on one of the bridges over the motorways, but my camera isn't really up to it.

Popular Page on 365 is odd - heavy processing is really favoured (that pseudo Victorian newspaper murder shot has made it).
 

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Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 
I think trains are good for light trails. See this or this, for example.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Marvin the Martian:
this

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quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

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Originally posted by Marvin the Martian:
this

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'fess up. Who owns the red car?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
I presume you used a tripod?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
Well done Welease Woderick for the barbet.

I've got a Gorillapod. It's small enough to slip in a bag, but it's not always that stable to set up, better round a railing or fence post than free-standing, although that's what I used for the water shot. It is reliant on finding something to wind it on to.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
That's a great website, Loth, duly bookmarked. Loads of features and advice.

Thanks.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Curly:
Ooo, I got a DSLR for Christmas. Or bought it for myself in late December, if truth be known.

I've been doing some food shots for my blog, and here's the first I took with the new gear - very pleased with it!

mr curly

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
What did you buy or rather what were you given?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Curly:

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
What did you buy or rather what were you given?

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A friend works for Canon, and they had a great deal on the 600D, so that tipped me over in terms of actually getting it.

mr curly

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Sounds like a great gift!


Are you up to Project 365 ? I found it a good way to learn.

[ 30. December 2011, 23:53: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Hosting

It's mid evening New Year's Eve in the easternmost nations (now including Samoa) so one of us may wind this up in the next few hours, and kick off a new thread.

Keep on clickin', though.

Oh, and Happy New Year.
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
In the absence of an obvious new thread, here is my completed 365. There is one photo missing (I had 2nd thoughts about one, but hadn't taken any other that day), and there were 3 days where I forgot and took 2 photos the next day to make up. I'm rather chuffed with myself
 

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Congrats, JtL!
Among my favourites are the Fallkirk wheel and the RMS Discovery.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Well done for making it - are you going to join 365 this year?
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Another 365 deserves a new thread.

Firenze
Heaven Host
 

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