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GAF Photography Thread of 2016

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J

JadedWriter

Member
BlueTsunami said:
This right here can also be very important. Involves a certain level of self critique. You'd be surprised how many unusable or uninteresting photos even well seasoned photographers take. A lot of magic can happen in the (digital) darkroom and the photos you present.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a photographer never really out grows this, thought it was just me.
 
A

Astral/H3X

Member
JadedWriter said:
Thanks. I guess there's just so much technique that goes into what everybody does. Sometimes I just think my stuff is just boring by comparison I guess.
Click to expand...
See, I kinda sorta have the same thing outside of figure and bug photos. My portraits are plain, my landscapes are dull, and my astrophotos, while okay, aren't exactly as amazing as I'd like them to be, so whenever I have a long stretch of taking those I can feel a bit down about the photos I take. It's all about your niche, you've got an eye for random street photos, and a lot of them are really good IMO. I don't comment much on them directly because I don't know too much about how you can improve them, but they're good!

JadedWriter said:
Sounds like a photographer never really out grows this, thought it was just me.
Click to expand...

What you grow out of is the part where you share the crappy ones haha.
But even then, there's not even a specific line on that -- a photo you might really like might be kinda crap to people who don't know the context of it, or just have different tastes. It's really up to the eye of the beholder, after all.

vern said:
I'm glad we are all having this discussion. So many times in here we just post and don't really get feedback besides a pat on the back. Some of the guys and gals in here are really amazing and it's hard to find anything more to say than "good work," but I'd love it if we can get some more critical eyes in here and pointing out ways we can improve. I always appreciate it when I get it.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I kinda wish I knew more people that did figure photos/bug photos. >_>* No one else here really does that so I don't get a lot of ideas for those.
 
J

JadedWriter

Member
I actually wouldn't mind doing bug or figure stuff, but I have no money to invest in figures or macro lenses currently so I don't even bother. Nice to know I actually have an eye for people. I really do need to learn to just junk my shit pics though. I kind of feel like it's a waste if I don't at least get 15-20 pics out of it though. Like "two hours for four pics? waste of time." I guess it is quality over quantity though.
 
T

thespot84

Member
JadedWriter said:
I actually wouldn't mind doing bug or figure stuff, but I have no money to invest in figures or macro lenses currently so I don't even bother. Nice to know I actually have an eye for people. I really do need to learn to just junk my shit pics though. I kind of feel like it's a waste if I don't at least get 15-20 pics out of it though. Like "two hours for four pics? waste of time." I guess it is quality over quantity though.
Click to expand...

You could start cheap with extension tubes ($10). macro-like focus except the depth of filed is incredibly shallow. Here is a shitty test I took (no post yet):


r923B5KIaiz1MK6UAVL75ByhXE4OIBMSOxvEkqlkysbHaYhFV6EQctcd0UXeMF3WnxAAwvUf5nhuZreNm1hRQeMBJeQlDmQlmWO_pXiDkd94_fUAd2AMdveCtxH6Krh5gNgEpEqFSbNkzjTqrC4lFg-x6M134xkmMHdDShPER_xJBuZRP2QnKnlY1S3aHbXUeOU4hrgscM56yHrmWtIZm8_hnuibPk_YJ6VCutjBqNGlTDocscqQeNilI6Y-oScKr2atZww6108iZ1hvJ5Zd43n0PGjNgNeEZ8usbl63K2DDj2GO-R-aoI7ovtqTPBGZr0_2ea80nJupwfhv1fYqOHgoHuAQnCMDmSYMzb7QvsCRI5mP3HHlOS2hdJfijM9zMu4ygfg9Qrj5gNnCrrV36XWechyfGSiBbl98zkJ-hT_PzAsP6o7puIwoRR2wwHqTsofb3l0uBxDE3hVUxkx0OgS4I7J537k8tH2E6u19W71hBzGtmSujnUlf4Lz4WFw8-ncjuVhtu3Nw4v3h1E6bD2RPmLY_dHd5R0nie4kZQ6zsb1X_ay5QiLOBZkoBAF-SqvfW5hH7Wx9qCrQVgBnP7UYoxhna2Q8R=w1306-h979-no
 
B

BlueTsunami

there is joy in sucking dick
The amazing thing about macro photography in general is it greatly expands the amount of possible subject. You can take your basic flower that has a couple of angles that you could snap, but with a macro setup you could really explore its form, go abstract with it. Now I want to bust out my tubes again lol although shooting handheld can be a huge pain.

Here's an example of tubes on a 50mm lens (aps-c)


u7IAa0F.jpg
 
T

thespot84

Member
BlueTsunami said:
The amazing thing about macro photography in general is it greatly expands the amount of possible subject. You can take your basic flower that has a couple of angles that you could snap, but with a macro setup you could really explore its form, go abstract with it. Now I want to bust out my tubes again lol although shooting handheld can be a huge pain.
Click to expand...

It is, I would definitely start in bright sunlight so you can shoot fast to avoid the blur.
 
J

JadedWriter

Member
BlueTsunami said:
The amazing thing about macro photography in general is it greatly expands the amount of possible subject. You can take your basic flower that has a couple of angles that you could snap, but with a macro setup you could really explore its form, go abstract with it. Now I want to bust out my tubes again lol although shooting handheld can be a huge pain.
Click to expand...
Yeah that's why I wouldn't mind a dedicated macro lens. I've taken some decent flower shots, but they'd be insane with a macro lens I bet.
 
V

vern

Member
H3XAntiStyle said:
Yeah, I kinda wish I knew more people that did figure photos/bug photos. >_>* No one else here really does that so I don't get a lot of ideas for those.
Click to expand...

I wish I was into bug photos or figure photos. I don't really know what to think besides "yep those are some bugs/tits." Usually. I'll try to get you with a more critical eye next time you post.
 
G

Groof

Junior Member
H3XAntiStyle said:
Yeah, I kinda wish I knew more people that did figure photos/bug photos. >_>* No one else here really does that so I don't get a lot of ideas for those.
Click to expand...

I'm trying to get into figure photography! But with work I haven't had enough time to give it enough attention. But that also goes for any type of photography right now. Hopefully soon I can cook something new up.
 
M

Media

Member
I am JUST getting into photography, like, I started a month ago. I need to save up for a nifty 50, but here are two I liked that I took:

I like the fiery sky:
Vfgz4L4.jpg
Click to expand...

For some weird reason I like the heck out of this one:
BiCcGBB.jpg
Click to expand...

Took a few amazing ones of my kids, but I didn't want to post those here :)

Totally amateur compared to everyone else in this thread but hopefully I can learn.
 
V

vern

Member
Groof said:
I'm trying to get into figure photography! But with work I haven't had enough time to give it enough attention. But that also goes for any type of photography right now. Hopefully soon I can cook something new up.
Click to expand...


Quit your job. It worked for me.
 
G

Groof

Junior Member
vern said:
Quit your job. It worked for me.
Click to expand...

It sure seems to have! I guess that's the ideal if you don't really feel at home with what you do.

But I like what I do currently, and if all goes well it will provide enough freedom in the future. Unfortunately that means that hobbies have to take a back seat at the moment.
 
V

vern

Member
Groof said:
It sure seems to have! I guess that's the ideal if you don't really feel at home with what you do.

But I like what I do currently, and if all goes well it will provide enough freedom in the future. Unfortunately that means that hobbies have to take a back seat at the moment.
Click to expand...


The only part that sucks is not having any money. Hope I can earn a bit soon lol. I don't have time for hobbies either. Need to get income, a stable location and a ps4 in time for shenmue. 😵
 
G

Groof

Junior Member
vern said:
The only part that sucks is not having any money. Hope I can earn a bit soon lol. I don't have time for hobbies either. Need to get income, a stable location and a ps4 in time for shenmue. 😵
Click to expand...
Clutch!!

I'm sure there are ways you can monetise your Crossing China series. I don't know what type of plans you have for it or how much you've shared, but it seems like an interesting enough concept to garner attention.
 
V

vern

Member
Groof said:
Clutch!!

I'm sure there are ways you can monetise your Crossing China series. I don't know what type of plans you have for it or how much you've shared, but it seems like an interesting enough concept to garner attention.
Click to expand...

Yeah I've got a few plans. See what pans out. My friend is proper editor for video and been sending him bunch of stuff. We will have episode one done soon, so far it's really good (I'm biased). I'm writing a bunch. Been in contact with a media group in Beijing that wants to promote some stuff and split ad revenue, meeting them next week... Umm what else? Some other shit maybe I can pull off. Just gotta keep pushing.
 
M

mooksoup

Member
JadedWriter said:
There are times where I honestly just feel like the worst photographer on here. That's pretty much how I felt during the shoot and like the last week and a half oddly enough. I get like that every so often, but at least we're critiquing in this thread again. I felt like I learned so much during the early days of you guys tearing my shit up.
Click to expand...

nah mannnn. It's all good. Taking photos, thinking about it, and taking some more is the only way any of us get better.

critiques sometimes are great to get you take a step back and reassess your work from a new angle, and see things you didn't.
Other times with critiques i'm like... "NOPE you are all wrong, this is great!" haha, but still makes me think about what i'm seeing in my work that isn't coming across to others.
Either way it's more fun than being ignored.
 
J

JadedWriter

Member
mooksoup said:
Last few shots from that drag in a forest thing i was doing, plus a bonus glitchy gif to go with her witchy persona.
Pretty happy with how they turned out as seeing on the day i was mainly swearing at the sun for being difficult.

Untitled by Bodie Strain, on Flickr

Untitled by Bodie Strain, on Flickr

giphy.gif
Click to expand...
I like the use of lighting in these. The environment seems to be every bit as important as the model in creating a mood here. The white dress looks like it's almost blown out in the second shot though.
 
V

vern

Member
Media said:
I am JUST getting into photography, like, I started a month ago. I need to save up for a nifty 50, but here are two I liked that I took:

I like the fiery sky:


For some weird reason I like the heck out of this one:


Took a few amazing ones of my kids, but I didn't want to post those here :)

Totally amateur compared to everyone else in this thread but hopefully I can learn.
Click to expand...

Seems you like silhouettes 😜

Keep shooting. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Edit: mook love that first one.
Edit again: that gif loaded... Wtf man.
 
M

mooksoup

Member
JadedWriter said:
I like the use of lighting in these. The environment seems to be every bit as important as the model in creating a mood here. The white dress looks like it's almost blown out in the second shot though.
Click to expand...

vern said:
Edit: mook love that first one.
Edit again: that gif loaded... Wtf man.
Click to expand...

Haha thanks both,I have to make everything dark and moody and glitched. I have no idea how to handle happy sunny colours in the unedited photos.
 
A

Astral/H3X

Member
I pretty much always shoot to have a balanced spread from darks to lights on my histogram unless it's supposed to be a dark photo, so shoot for that and see how that works.
 
T

thespot84

Member
If it's sunny enough I'll bracket 0.7 or 1 ev up and down and then use lightrooms HDR merge. With that much light it'll shoot fast enough that you don't get much ghosting from shake or wind, especially on a tripod. When it's dark though it's much more difficult.

EDIT: i probably misunderstood what you were going for. I would think messing with the luminance of the sunny colors (yellows etc) might get you what you're looking for.
 
M

mooksoup

Member
H3XAntiStyle said:
I pretty much always shoot to have a balanced spread from darks to lights on my histogram unless it's supposed to be a dark photo, so shoot for that and see how that works.
Click to expand...

thespot84 said:
If it's sunny enough I'll bracket 0.7 or 1 ev up and down and then use lightrooms HDR merge. With that much light it'll shoot fast enough that you don't get much ghosting from shake or wind, especially on a tripod. When it's dark though it's much more difficult.

EDIT: i probably misunderstood what you were going for. I would think messing with the luminance of the sunny colors (yellows etc) might get you what you're looking for.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the tips, landscape work is something i definitely need to practice and figure out what works for me.
I think when i started taking photos the photographers that excited me were harsh, stark portrait stuff from people like Helmut Newton and Guy Bourdin. Trying to push towards that kinda style for so long, and it doesn't really apply to well to landscapes, at least for me.

have to stop being lazy and go play outside. Ugh nature.
 
B

BlueTsunami

there is joy in sucking dick
Put like 10mm worth tubes on my 28mm lens, on Full Frame. The working distance is ridiculously short lol but I love the look of wide angle macro shots.
 
J

jongkookie

Member
Went on a little vacation earlier this week visiting Austin and Houston, unfortunately I was driving most of the time so I couldn't take a lot of pics but here's a few of my faves:


Meat Lovers from Michi Ramen in Austin.


The Waterwall park in Houston.




The Texas State Capitol in Austin.


Looking up inside of the dome.

And my favorite one out of all:

Looking over Lavaca St from the balcony of my hotel. The awesome thing is that I somehow managed to keep a steady hand for 4 seconds while the shutter was open to get this shot lol.

Got some more here too: https://www.flickr.com/photos/27432612@N04/albums/72157668195123204
 
D

dhlt25

Member
question for you guys, do you bring tripod with you when you travel? If so do you bring it as carry on or luggage? I always want to carry a tripod with me on trips but don't want to risk not being able to bring it as carry on and have to pay to check it.
 
V

vern

Member
dhlt25 said:
question for you guys, do you bring tripod with you when you travel? If so do you bring it as carry on or luggage? I always want to carry a tripod with me on trips but don't want to risk not being able to bring it as carry on and have to pay to check it.
Click to expand...

Always carry it on. A few times I've had to pack it because security is random at times. I use a cheap ass tripod when I travel though so if I lose it or need to pay a bunch to ship it or whatever I can just leave it behind. Can get decent knock off tripods for cheap out here in Asia ($15 bucks or less usuallt) so if I need to pay 30 bucks to check it I can just grab a new one later (if I am going somewhere im familiar with anyway). Otherwise just pay the fee to check it and value my time on the other end. It's usually not a problem to carry it on tough. Just don't bring a huge one.
 
G

Groof

Junior Member
dhlt25 said:
question for you guys, do you bring tripod with you when you travel? If so do you bring it as carry on or luggage? I always want to carry a tripod with me on trips but don't want to risk not being able to bring it as carry on and have to pay to check it.
Click to expand...

I have a teensy travel tripod that fits perfectly in my backpack. It's enough for me but if you're in need of a full size one others probably have better ideas.
 
B

BlueTsunami

there is joy in sucking dick
A

Astral/H3X

Member
RuGalz said:
It's internet. Charts are the only thing that matters...

Maybe I came off wrong in the other thread but personally I really despise the sole focus on edge to edge sharpness of a lens from manufactures and reviewers nowadays because that's the only thing that seems to matter for a lens to be considered good/superb.
Click to expand...

It's okay, I understand. Just kinda came off as rude when I'm basking in the first few test shots to come in and say it's below average. I was pixel peeping and I can't see how it could be any sharper so it kinda put me off a bit. But, it's the equipment thread, it's all about comparisons in there lol, so I understand. You're fine.

That being said, I'd welcome any critique, I love to hear feedback.
 
R

RuGalz

Member
H3XAntiStyle said:
It's okay, I understand. Just kinda came off as rude when I'm basking in the first few test shots to come in and say it's below average. I was pixel peeping and I can't see how it could be any sharper so it kinda put me off a bit. But, it's the equipment thread, it's all about comparisons in there lol, so I understand. You're fine.

That being said, I'd welcome any critique, I love to hear feedback.
Click to expand...

I think they look good and I remember the first days when I got my 100mm macro I had the same feelings you do. I just need to stop posting when I'm taking a break from solving problems because my brain is analytical as shit. My wife knows not to talk to me until I have time to wind down lol.

edit: and they don't really get that much sharper despite what the mtf says unless you are hardcore pixel peeper imo, which I am always trying to avoid doing...
 
A

Astral/H3X

Member
Übermatik;210210594 said:
You might wanna look at some CA correction tutorials for Photoshop Leeroy310. Nicely framed photos though!
Click to expand...

Or just let Lightroom take care of it. >_>

I thought the photos were very good, and given that a lot of them were purple and green anyway, I didn't even notice the CA until you mentioned it. I think they look fantastic!
 
L

Leeroy3101

Banned
Haven't bought Photoshop, yet. Mainly been using Lightroom the last few months to process photos.

My biggest challenge with the Tokina lens is the flare. I like starbursts, but the flare can get annoying. I'm learning to work with it, and try to use it to add to the composition.

Edit: Maybe part of it comes in how I dial the sliders? I avoid clipping in this histogram, but not too adept at identifying CA.

I like vivid photos, and hard to achieve a nice balance between vivid and real life; the humidity and haze negate a lot of the eye popping opportunities.
 
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