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GAF Photography Thread of 2016

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ironcreed

Banned
Managed to get a few shots in some different places.

Visiting a friend in Manchester:

These are from an aquarium. Was really tough to get good shots tho given the speed at which the animals move and the dim lighting. Good way to test the 35/1.8 though.

DSC03639-1 by Andrew Morgans, on Flickr

DSC03654-1 by Andrew Morgans, on Flickr

DSC03683-1 by Andrew Morgans, on Flickr

DSC03701-1 by Andrew Morgans, on Flickr

DSC03712-1 by Andrew Morgans, on Flickr

Finally a couple from the fields near me the other day.

DSC03785 by Andrew Morgans, on Flickr

DSC03814 by Andrew Morgans, on Flickr

C&C welcome :).

Big potential. I would love to see more landscapes from you in particular. I can't get enough of beautiful and awe inspiring landscapes. Animals as well.
 

Lender

Member
I do need a site, hopefully should have one by August. I'm doing a favor for some web designers at work. The catch is they have to design me a site. So before I have to do something regarding concert photography I should contact the venue first? I have to take pictures of a singer performing at a restaurant next month. I'm personally worried about lighting arrangements.

Not just the venue, but also the organisers. And in some cases the band as well.
Lighting in concerts is just something you have to deal with, nothing more you can do about that really. You have to work with what you get. In small gigs you can sometimes use an external flash, although I wouldn't recommend shooting straight at the band then.

These 2 pictures were taken with a flash, but it was ok since I wasn't shooting directly at the band, but more getting the whole scenery with the crowd. You can also tell that it's once more a small venue, but you can get some awesome shots at those kind of shows.


Beach Slang @ JH Joeniz 2015 by Bram Van Der Stichelen, on Flickr

Beach Slang - Zoersel 8/05/2015 by Bram Van Der Stichelen, on Flickr
 

Aurongel

Member
Experimented with some new color grading techniques and introduced some high speed strobes to my workflow. Aside from the wind shredding my favorite Westcott umbrella 6 seconds after the third photo was shot, I think the investment paid off quite well. The Godox AD600BM is maybe the best strobe I've used below a grand.
 
A couple of more shots from my first concert gig a few weeks back. Haven't had time to edit them in the past week:

IMG_2324 by Alexandre Barroqueiro, on Flickr


IMG_2321 by Alexandre Barroqueiro, on Flickr


IMG_2064 by Alexandre Barroqueiro, on Flickr


IMG_2133 by Alexandre Barroqueiro, on Flickr



IMG_1777 by Alexandre Barroqueiro, on Flickr



IMG_1671 by Alexandre Barroqueiro, on Flickr




IMG_1549 by Alexandre Barroqueiro, on Flickr


IMG_1265 by Alexandre Barroqueiro, on Flickr




IMG_1189 by Alexandre Barroqueiro, on Flickr
 
Not just the venue, but also the organisers. And in some cases the band as well.
Lighting in concerts is just something you have to deal with, nothing more you can do about that really. You have to work with what you get. In small gigs you can sometimes use an external flash, although I wouldn't recommend shooting straight at the band then.

These 2 pictures were taken with a flash, but it was ok since I wasn't shooting directly at the band, but more getting the whole scenery with the crowd. You can also tell that it's once more a small venue, but you can get some awesome shots at those kind of shows.


Beach Slang @ JH Joeniz 2015 by Bram Van Der Stichelen, on Flickr

Beach Slang - Zoersel 8/05/2015 by Bram Van Der Stichelen, on Flickr
I already have permission from the singer since she invited me to take pictures so she's fine with it. I guess I just have to inform the venue where she's singing?
 
5 pics from the last 2 weeks:







2 from Collision 2016 in NOLA(with more coming as soon as I sort through them lol) and the last three from a local park during an outing. I didn't get to take as much pics there as my hands got super duper greasy from eating some excellent fajitas lol.
 

Aurongel

Member
A couple of more shots from my first concert gig a few weeks back. Haven't had time to edit them in the past week:

...

Excellent work on those, how are you finding the IQ of the 80D so far? The improvements to the dynamic range with that camera I keep hearing about have me very interested, my 7D just doesn't cut it for concert photography above ISO 1600.
 
Excellent work on those, how are you finding the IQ of the 80D so far? The improvements to the dynamic range with that camera I keep hearing about have me very interested, my 7D just doesn't cut it for concert photography above ISO 1600.

I like it, but take into consideration that I was coming from a T5i, so I was amazed by the difference in performance.

A lot of these are taken at ISO 3200, which is the max I have it set for, and thus why I have most of the pics in black and white (also the red lighting in the poorly lit venue does not make for a good pic).
The way I'm able to recover shadows in post processing make the purchase worth it.
I was using a 24-70mm f2.8 Tamron as my workhorse in the photo pit, after the 3 songs I was allowed I went back to the VIP area (which is raised) to get shots with my cheapo 50-250mm f5.6-6.3. Looking into getting the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 for that matter.

One pro photographer that was also there had 2 6Ds, one with a 17-55 1.8 and the other with a 105mm 1.8. Of course his pics came out much better than mine, being he's been shooting concerts for 15 years and has huge bands under his belt, like Springsteen, GnR, Metallica, Rolling Stones, etc. Considering that, I don't think mine came out too bad for a first gig. And concert photography is damn hard, especially for a newbie.

For who was asking before, my experience with dealing with the logistics was:
- Email the headlining bands' management company to ask for a photo pass.
- The 3rd band from the top set a photo pass would be set aside for me (I was so happy)
- Got there, showmed my gear at the door, got a bracelet that would provide me access (it also gave me access to shoot all bands up front)
- 3 songs up front, the rest from wherever I wanted to.
 
Experimented with some new color grading techniques and introduced some high speed strobes to my workflow. Aside from the wind shredding my favorite Westcott umbrella 6 seconds after the third photo was shot, I think the investment paid off quite well. The Godox AD600BM is maybe the best strobe I've used below a grand.

I like the bokeh here. What lens is this?
 
Big potential. I would love to see more landscapes from you in particular. I can't get enough of beautiful and awe inspiring landscapes. Animals as well.
Thanks very much.
Ideally I need a wider lens. Those landscapes were just with the 35. I've heard good things about the Rokinon 12 but I think id be murdered by the other half if i spent any more money on lenses atm ha ha.

New attempt at taking photographs from my SO's baking miracles:

Molten lava cake with honeycombe with strawberries by Kevin de Jong, on Flickr
Molten lava cake with honeycombe and strawberries by Kevin de Jong, on Flickr

However; eating them was more fun than taking the pictures :D
Yum!

I got a A6000 a few days ago and took a picture of a seagull today:
In Flight by Carl Sim, on Flickr

I haven't posted too many of my photos in this thread lately :(
Good capture.
 

Laieon

Member
My a6000 has a few sensor spots showing up in pictures. What's the best way to clean it? Do I just need to pick up something like this?
 

Aurongel

Member
My bad, I meant the 16-35mm 2.8L.

Long day at the office...
I was about to say...

If there was an EF 17-55mm f1.8 then I'd be the first one in line for it, lol.
I like the bokeh here. What lens is this?

I shoot wider angle portraiture because I like the added context and confidence it gives. Every one of those was taken with the Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART for EF. Most of these were shot around f1.8-ish to eliminate as much of the awful vignetting as possible. I'm surprised you dig the bokeh so much, Sigma lense have notoriously busy bokeh characteristics. Canon, Zeiss and Leica tend to accel in that regard.

My a6000 has a few sensor spots showing up in pictures. What's the best way to clean it? Do I just need to pick up something like this?

Have you tried using the sensor cleaning function yet? I'd try that first and if that doesn't work then I'd try using a cheapo rocket blower on it. It's a mirrorless body so it should be easier to clean than your typical DSLR. They're also more prone to getting dirty because there's no mirror box in the way when you swap lenses.
 

Fuser

Member
Tried out the Lee Small Stopper today for the first time. Probably could have done with using the Big Stopper but it's quite nice to use anyway.



Not been able to use the camera for about a month, nice to get out again!
 

Monkaii

Member
I haven't posted anything in quite a while, but I recently had an opportunity to photograph captive, tethered birds at a local Maryland nature center. These are an Eastern Screech Owl, a Great Horned Owl, and a Red-Tailed Hawk.

IMG_8671 by Lucky Forward, on Flickr

IMG_8163 by Lucky Forward, on Flickr

IMG_7948 by Lucky Forward, on Flickr

IMG_8021 by Lucky Forward, on Flickr

Really like these shots (especially the first one).
Makes me want you to post more often :)
 
I love birds. Is that lens that pump action telephoto thing that Canon makes?

Would be interested in knowing too, I assumed it was the newer 100-400 without the push\pull action as it is so sharp!

It's the older 100-400L Mk I with the push-pull zoom. I've used it a lot for airshow photos, but of course these were all taken at or near the minimum focusing distance of the lens (and with a tripod.)

Really like these shots (especially the first one).
Makes me want you to post more often :)

Thanks!
 
It's the older 100-400L Mk I with the push-pull zoom. I've used it a lot for airshow photos, but of course these were all taken at or near the minimum focusing distance of the lens (and with a tripod.)
I knew it, good photos. That focal length is so specialized I'd probably never use it unless I was a sports photographer.
 
No, it's an EF mount. It's going for $1,299 at B&H, I bought mine in 2005 for about that price. The newer 100-400L Mk II is going for $2,099, I assume that at some point they will phase out the Mk I.

Just to show the versatility of the lens, here's one of my airshow pics I shot with it.

IMG_3244 by Lucky Forward, on Flickr
Darn. I'll have to see if there's an FD version. Camt afford $1200 haha.
 

brerwolfe

Member
Great shot, Fuser!

I know this isn't the equipment thread but I gotta say something. I'm all hot and bothered over the new Canon 1dx mkII, more for the video capabilities (the photos are gonna be awesome at that level, no question). I love the idea of shooting hd at 120fps, super silky smooth slo-mo, ugh. And then it shoots 4k at 60fps which is nothing to sneeze at.

Anyhow, the point of my posting: I'm working this week's PGA Tour stop (The Players Championship) and started talking to one of the Getty Images photographers I know, asked him if they get any discounts on Canon equipment. He asked what I was looking for, I told him, he said he has two coming in tomorrow and asked if I'd wanna test it out. Ho-ly shit.

So I'm gonna play with a big ass camera that I have no real business playing with, but I know I'm gonna wanna buy it immediately. He said the price he could get with Canon was $500 less than msrp, so $5500. That's a lotta scratch, but it would pay for itself with about six weeks of work.

So pumped right now.
 
I doubt you'd even want an FF version. A lens that long without AF or IS sounds like a giant headache.

A7II has IBIS, and I use 200mm no issues. My only issue with what I have is that it was the cheap FD 200mm, and it's rather.... not sharp. Could definitely use an upgrade.
EDIT: Use 200mm handheld. 400mm end I'd be using a tripod of course. Also I do not own any AF lenses, so....

My ideal lens series would just be Samyang's lenses with an EXIF chip that told my camera what focal length that they were at. I don't particularly feel the need for AF, but if I could just get a zoom that just told the camera the focal length so I didn't need to manually set the IBIS, I'd be set.
 
Great shot, Fuser!

I know this isn't the equipment thread but I gotta say something. I'm all hot and bothered over the new Canon 1dx mkII, more for the video capabilities (the photos are gonna be awesome at that level, no question). I love the idea of shooting hd at 120fps, super silky smooth slo-mo, ugh. And then it shoots 4k at 60fps which is nothing to sneeze at.

Anyhow, the point of my posting: I'm working this week's PGA Tour stop (The Players Championship) and started talking to one of the Getty Images photographers I know, asked him if they get any discounts on Canon equipment. He asked what I was looking for, I told him, he said he has two coming in tomorrow and asked if I'd wanna test it out. Ho-ly shit.

So I'm gonna play with a big ass camera that I have no real business playing with, but I know I'm gonna wanna buy it immediately. He said the price he could get with Canon was $500 less than msrp, so $5500. That's a lotta scratch, but it would pay for itself with about six weeks of work.

So pumped right now.
The feel of dreaming about charging people for work. I attended an awards ceremony to assist the photographer that my boss hired to cover it and my boss told me not to step on the man's toes.
 

vern

Member
Chinese internet and VPN usage has been worse than usual, so here is basically all I've managed to upload from the past week or so in Beijing. Took me like 2 days to upload 7 pics lol.

天安门广场 by Eric, on Flickr

天安门广场 by Eric, on Flickr

Beijing by Eric, on Flickr

Tsinghua Uni by Eric, on Flickr

Beijing by Eric, on Flickr

Of course as soon as I complain a bit the internet picks up. Able to upload some pics from today at the Bird's Nest in Beijing. Was experimenting a bit. Have some "normal" photos too on my flickr, but I thought these were fun.

Beijing Birdnest by Eric, on Flickr

Beijing Birdnest by Eric, on Flickr

Beijing Birdnest by Eric, on Flickr

Beijing Birdnest by Eric, on Flickr

Beijing Birdnest by Eric, on Flickr

Beijing Birdnest by Eric, on Flickr
 
can you go over your setup? particularly lighting?

This was a really simple setup. One light with a big reflective umbrella in front from above at about a 60 degree angle (think butterfly lighting). One light from behind with a shoot through umbrella at a similar angle. I also bounced a small fill light off a wall on camera left to get some highlights on the internals.

The whole thing was laid on a piece of white construction paper while someone held the back part up to make a seamless backdrop.
 

thespot84

Member
This was a really simple setup. One light with a big reflective umbrella in front from above at about a 60 degree angle (think butterfly lighting). One light from behind with a shoot through umbrella at a similar angle. I also bounced a small fill light off a wall on camera left to get some highlights on the internals.

The whole thing was laid on a piece of white construction paper while someone held the back part up to make a seamless backdrop.

Thanks, looks great. Can't find the settings in the exif, do you remember what they were?
 
Those spiders are so cute. Nice shots.

Thank you! I think I'm finally getting the hang of macro photography that doesn't dissolve into ISO noise. I still made some mistakes (And ending up scaring off a wolf spider, not that I could've photographed him with what I had anyway), but overall I'm very happy with what I got today. :D
 
Something I just shot just now:



Yeah, it's a little terrible without context but basically I'm trying to replicate this idea:

things-travel-wooden-table-top-view-modern-collection-background-autumn-mood-concept-60660931.jpg

My table unfortunately isn't wide enough and I was thinking that I could just photoshop it out or whatever but it would be too much work to photoshop so I'll try again next time.

I also did this to learn how to set up indoor lighting gear, especially with speedflashes and light kits since I've got an in-studio gig this weekend. And while I've shadowed a studio photog before, I never really have taken the lead and I also needed to figure out how I'm supposed to use a wireless flash trigger lolol. So I'm experimenting and learning for the moment.

And now that I've kinda figured some stuff out, I wanna start experimenting with lights/colors and stuff. Anybody have a recommendation for a cheap but portable and durable light kit?
 
Something I just shot just now:



Yeah, it's a little terrible without context but basically I'm trying to replicate this idea:



My table unfortunately isn't wide enough and I was thinking that I could just photoshop it out or whatever but it would be too much work to photoshop so I'll try again next time.

I also did this to learn how to set up indoor lighting gear, especially with speedflashes and light kits since I've got an in-studio gig this weekend. And while I've shadowed a studio photog before, I never really have taken the lead and I also needed to figure out how I'm supposed to use a wireless flash trigger lolol. So I'm experimenting and learning for the moment.

And now that I've kinda figured some stuff out, I wanna start experimenting with lights/colors and stuff. Anybody have a recommendation for a cheap but portable and durable light kit?

First thing that I'm noticing is that the light seems really harsh in your photo. It doesn't look like you shot the flash straight onto the table, but seems like it could use a little more diffusing. Other than that it looks good tbh, small table or no.

Taking photos in a poorly lit burlesque theater can pretty much fuck the shit out of itself.

Yeah that sounds awful. And you use those sigma zooms don't you? Prime lenses brah, they can save your life.
 
I like the idea, I think not having as interesting a texture on your table hurts it a little compared to the one you were looking at.

That's a good point. I wanted to use a cleaner background for the objects but I agree that it's a little plain. I'm gonna try it out on another table and see if that works better.

First thing that I'm noticing is that the light seems really harsh in your photo. It doesn't look like you shot the flash straight onto the table, but seems like it could use a little more diffusing. Other than that it looks good tbh, small table or no.

Yeah the harsh light is due to a couple of things. My speedlight was directly pointing up since I don't have a diffuser/softbox for it. The other thing I've got is my video LED light kit that's facing down directly over the notebook and iPhone, that too doesn't have a softbox so that's definitely contributing to it. I've learned from it and I'll be picking up diffusers/softboxes today so hopefully that'll fix the harsh lighting for the next time.

Anyway, this is why I like Photo-GAF, offering some good criticisms I can actually learn from, so thanks guys!
 
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