Photos - any tips?

[fatfreddy]

How do you do it?

There are some amazing photos on the forum, much better than my efforts to date. Would anyone like to share what equipment they use (camera, lenses, lighting etc.) with possible examples and any tips.

I'll post some before and after pics, see if I improve with the advice!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by fatfreddy

How do you do it?

There are some amazing photos on the forum, much better than my efforts to date. Would anyone like to share what equipment they use (camera, lenses, lighting etc.) with possible examples and any tips.

I'll post some before and after pics, see if I improve with the advice!

With any camera especially in todays digital age its 40% camera plus lens, and 60% the guy composing the picture and clicking the shutter and image computer softeware.

[George Ab]

There are some incredible photographers. I'm not one of them. For quick and dirty shots this is what I do. Daylight outside in the shade, use the macro button on your point and shoot. Don't get too close as you zoom and crop in later. I actually go full auto and just make sure the auto focus spotter is on what I want in focus as the depth of field is going to be quite narrow.

Most of the really good photos use a macro lens on a SLR and they have a light box setup.

[RolexWatcher]

If you want to shoot macro, try to use the timer and use a tripod.

Make sure lightning is good.

Do some processing afterwards on photoshop :)

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by RolexWatcher

If you want to shoot macro, try to use the timer and use a tripod.

Make sure lightning is good.

Do some processing afterwards on photoshop :)

Why a timer?

[RolexWatcher]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Why a timer?

Oh so your hands doesn't shake the watch when you press the shutter :)

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by RolexWatcher

Oh so your hands doesn't shake the watch when you press the shutter :)

That's what I thought the tripod was for?

[RolexWatcher]

Originally Posted by MonBK

That's what I thought the tripod was for?

If you press the shutter on the camera, you might move it a little and that's why, even with a tripod, people usually put it on a timer or use a remote to press the shutter :)

Well that's how I do it anyways for slow shutter speed shots :)

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by RolexWatcher

If you press the shutter on the camera, you might move it a little and that's why, even with a tripod, people usually put it on a timer or use a remote to press the shutter :)

Well that's how I do it anyways for slow shutter speed shots :)

Well, if your hand shakes the watch it doesn't really help anyway.

[RolexWatcher]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Well, if your hand shakes the watch it doesn't really help anyway.

Haha

[cedargrove]

...and then how is the best way to post them here? I just upload mine but always have to reduce the resolution significantly to make the file size smaller.

[Pix]

Same way you get to Carnegie Hall...practice j/k look and study at what you like and try to copy that shot

[dysondiver]

must add once again , some of the macro pics on this site would put the brochure stuff to shame . it really is the place for outstanding pics.

[Dan Pierce]

Lots of natural light, a tripod, camera w/ macro feature, and tons of experimentation.
dP

[Langleyz]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

...and then how is the best way to post them here? I just upload mine but always have to reduce the resolution significantly to make the file size smaller.

Upload the pics to flickr or imageshack and then paste the direct link to the image in the 'insert image' button in the advanced 'post reply' bit.

[Langleyz]

lol. Reading that back, it sounds confusing... it isn't.

[SLRdude]

Equipment makes it easier to get the photo you want but it is not very important.
You can take a camera phone shot and impress people because it's all up to the person holding the camera.
Master the light and the art of composition, show the camera something worth seeing.

[cedargrove]

Originally Posted by Langleyz

lol. Reading that back, it sounds confusing... it isn't.

Thanks for the reply. I sort of knew this was an option, but was hoping there was some much easier answer that I had just missed. I guess I just need to stop procrastinating and set up a Flickr account and try it out.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Why a timer?

Because then you don't get your hands reflected in the crystal. A modern DSLR camera need a very stable tripod
so the timer will help to get the camera stand still.

[SLRdude]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Because then you don't get your hands reflected in the crystal. A modern DSLR camera need a very stable tripod
so the timer will help to get the camera stand still.

Or a remote.
I am too impatient to wait for the damn timer.

Lately I have been too lazy to even mess with a lightbox or tripod.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by SLRdude

Or a remote.
I am too impatient to wait for the damn timer.

Lately I have been too lazy to even mess with a lightbox or tripod.

A 2 second timer is percet IMHO because then you have time to get away.

[capote]

Originally Posted by SLRdude

Equipment makes it easier to get the photo you want but it is not very important.
You can take a camera phone shot and impress people because it's all up to the person holding the camera.
Master the light and the art of composition, show the camera something worth seeing.

+1 The photographer is everything. A Hasselblad in amateur hands is nothing compared to somebody with a sense for photographing holding a point and shoot camera.