That's so hot right now!

elven

This week, I am mostly ejoying:

Printing onto different materials: I've done the handmade paper thing, fairly successfully, when my printer decides to co-operate that is . I plan to also do some silk (paper backed stuff that is made for inkjets), canvas - thinking of doing a set of smaller panels as parts of a single larger image, and I have some waterslide decals that you can use to transfer an image onto pretty much any surface. My ultimate goal is to get a photo onto glass

Looking at different kinds of photography: fashion stuff in ID magazine that I'd never have considered before, light painting using flashes with gels over them, also tried a bit of long exposure with a burst of flash for the dancing part at the wedding last weekend as well.

Photoshop: hold the contrast and shadows, I'm looking for subtle textures and tones that grow on you instead of screaming in your face - still trying to get that one down, it's difficult to resist the lure of a 'soft light' blend layer

A new angle: wide angle, specifically... I got a sigma 18-50 f2.8 and I've been trying to use it in confined spaces to distort lines and angles, and bring a bit of depth into some of my shots. The jury is still out :rolleyes:

Anyone else? What are you into just now? What's caught your imagination? What's drawing the attention of your lenses?

magicbastarder

i've been taking a lot of candids recently. lots of kids. little blighters never stay still when you want them to.

Paulw

Lately two things have really sparked my interest ... ok, 3 things.

1) my new 40D is giving me more reasons to get out. The camera is such a joy.
2) People photography, specifically models and such. People willing to pose and be photographed. It's enjoyable and fun. I did a shoot last weekend and really enjoyed it. More to be done when I get back from holidays.
3) Sport. I'm looking forward to the new rugby season, and hopefully getting some photographic access to the matches.

I've also been playing a bit more with actions in Photoshop. Enhancing the Guy Gowan action set, and suiting them more to what I'm doing.

Valentia

Nada. Too shaggin busy. 3 year plan to be finished by next week............and a million other things. HELP!!!!!

Feck, and the 40D arrived on Wednesday...............shhhhhhhhh!

Paulw

Valentia wrote:

Feck, and the 40D arrived on Wednesday...............shhhhhhhhh!

Don't worry, we won't tell anyone. :rolleyes:

Welcome to the 40D club. :cool:

odonnell

Paulw wrote:

Lately two things have really sparked my interest ... ok, 3 things.

1) my new 40D is giving me more reasons to get out. The camera is such a joy..

oh dont say thaaaaaat!!!!!!

dammit man...have you ANY idea the stress you will cause me now?

[edit] i actively went out looking for a poor or negative review of the 40D to try and cool some of this 40D-love....


....but i couldnt find one!!!!

Paulw

Pay me the right money, and I'll say that it's a horrible camera. I don't like telling lies, but for the right price ..... :eek:

In saying that, the only negative review I saw of the camera was from someone who didn't have it, and had no plans to buy it. Weird that how you can give a negative review when you've never seen it. Anyway, must have been a jealous Nikon user.

Hugh_C

elven wrote:

subtle textures and tones that grow on you instead of screaming in your face

Yeah, the whole screaming contrast thing ...

I make stuff for TV, a lot of it shot on video (as opposed to film) as predicated by tight budgets and slim margins. The final stages of making a program generally involve a process called colour correction or grading whereby a "look" can be created from the unadulterated picture. What I'm noticing more and more is that in order to compensate for the inadequacies of flimsy formats (miniDV, DC Pro etc. etc.), editors and graders are tending to crunch everything to give a very edgy, video-y, aliased look. The upshot of which is to make pretty much everything look the same. This over-abundance of contrast is not a good thing, and looks radically different from a well exposed neg.

Sadly this tendency is also alive and well in the realm of stills photography and I'm no exception to that rule. Maybe it's because we're looking at stills predominantly on LCD/CRTs as opposed to the more old stylee print medium.

So I' glad you've been fecking round with printing stuff, if we all did that maybe we'd learn to tone down the contrast and let the image breathe a little.

What am I doing this week? Lighting (mostly) with candles, a few old piano shots.

Huge

beans

This week I have been mostly trying to create stop-motion shorts with my new camera. It really tries your patience but the creative possibilities are endless and it's gratifying when you finally get to view your 12 second masterpiece

bovril

You're all putting me to shame. I haven't done anything photography related this week. Been too tired after work to do anything. Hopefully this weekend will provide me with some opportunities..

City-Exile

odonnell wrote:

[edit] i actively went out looking for a poor or negative review of the 40D to try and cool some of this 40D-love....


....but i couldnt find one!!!!

Hey, we're not allowed to talk about the 40D.
Fajitas & Rymus will only get jealous!

Elven, as insignificant as it may seem, I've been playing around with the custom white balance on my 40D.
I was taking shots, with 400 ISO, indoors with poor light & no flash.
They were coming out wonderfully bright.
I also noticed that the buffer size decreases when I up the ISO.

Anyway, I'll be testing out the new settings tomorrow.
If the weather stays like this, it will be a real challenge, but I'm quite positive about the results I can expect.

trooney

beans wrote:

This week I have been mostly trying to create stop-motion shorts with my new camera. It really tries your patience but the creative possibilities are endless and it's gratifying when you finally get to view your 12 second masterpiece

Must be in the air. I've been messing about with creating animated gifs of the vista from my living-room window, a la time-lapse. Methinks I have a lot to learn. But its another injury distraction so its all good.

Dara Robinson

I love the idea of printing on to canvas. I saw this program a few months back (that as usual I have gone and lost ) that got a picture and divided it up into smaller pictures evenly for you so you could print them (this one was disigned so you could print onto A4 paper). The idea was to print a large image onto canvas and put a 6 inch gap between them and laying them on that simple canvas that is in like blocks but not actually framed (the canvas is pulled around the edges of a wooden square). I think it would look great.

Hugh_C

Dara Robinson wrote:

I love the idea of printing on to canvas.

I did this (surprisingly cheaply) earlier in the year. A bowl of lemons onto a 32 inch square cnvas.



It's feckin' ENORMOUS and too big for the house, but it was a worthwhile experiment. The only criticism I have is that the material is treated in a certain way to receive the inks, and is a bit shiny. I bought the canvas stretchers in O'Sullivans in Dublin on Camden St, they were pretty cheap too if I remember correctly.

elven

Valentia wrote:

Feck, and the 40D arrived on Wednesday...............shhhhhhhhh!

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

!!!!!

But....but, you have a 5D already! That's just sheer greediness!!!

Seriously, why another body instead of, say, an L lens?

and... can I have a shot of it?

Valentia

elven wrote:

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

!!!!!

But....but, you have a 5D already! That's just sheer greediness!!!

Seriously, why another body instead of, say, an L lens?

and... can I have a shot of it?

You can borrow it for a few weeks, no problem!! Just don't drop it .

Well I always said that I would upgrade the 10D for another 1.6 crop camera and I think the 40D is a big enough advance to justify it. The 5d is fantastic but the 40D ticks more boxes when it comes to telephoto and high speed (as in FPS) work like birds in flight stuff. Now I have what will do me for a long long time camera wise. I have no immediate plans for new lenses. The only thing I would consider is a long wide f stop prime but that will have to wait until retirement or a lotto win.

BTW, even though I did intend getting the 40D I didn't intend getting it just yet. After a few pints last week I went exploring Albert's shop and, bejazus the next day didn't I receive a mail congratulating me on my new purchase. Rather than cancel it I said, feck it ta hell, and 'tis here now! Drink is a curse but combined with a credit card it's lethal. All true, sadly.

elven

hughchal wrote:

I did this (surprisingly cheaply) earlier in the year. A bowl of lemons onto a 32 inch square cnvas.



It's feckin' ENORMOUS and too big for the house, but it was a worthwhile experiment. The only criticism I have is that the material is treated in a certain way to receive the inks, and is a bit shiny. I bought the canvas stretchers in O'Sullivans in Dublin on Camden St, they were pretty cheap too if I remember correctly.

So you got it printed onto a sheet of canvas, and not mounted? Who did it for you, and how much?

odonnell

Valentia wrote:

You can borrow it for a few weeks, no problem!!

upon reading this, i need to point out, i had my head in my hands for a good minute or so.... cursing ye gods of imagery.

so the plasma telly and the sofa are delayed a while then jools... ?

elven

Remember I can ban you now... you're pulling my thread O/T

odonnell

how could i forget....but youll still be needing my signature for certain things in the future :P

[sorry for the OT guys]

City-Exile

elven wrote:

Remember I can ban you now... you're pulling my thread O/T

In fairness now elven, there's nothing hotter right now, than the 40D

odonnell mate, plasma is sooooo last year & sofas are lead to laziness.
God out & get a matching pair of 40Ds

odonnell

dangerous things to be touting Peadar

Can someone tell me though - what IS so good about the 40D? Jools thinks im ripping the mince when i ask that question but im really not. Seriously - can anyone explain in caveman speak why exactly its so good? The things people are saying about it, sounds like its the best thing since sliced bread. But what CAN it have thats so far beyond whats on the market currently?

*confusing*

City-Exile

Give me a shout some evening & I'll let you have a go.
You'll know why it's so popular, just by using it.

odonnell

woo, im not a photographer - im already encroaching on julies turf, but im sure shed love a go (a shot) of the 40D in my stead. then she can explain it to me in terms id understand....

Hugh_C

elven wrote:

So you got it printed onto a sheet of canvas, and not mounted? Who did it for you, and how much?

Ermmmmmmm, my immaculate filing system is letting me down...

Susan Mc Grath,
Geometrics Ltd,
14 Elgin Road,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4,
Ireland

Tel: +353 1 6601414
Fax: +353 1 6606221


I think it was about 32 euro ex VAT, unmounted. They outsource a service for mounting on MDF I think, but it was too rich for me.

City-Exile

odonnell wrote:

woo, im not a photographer - im already encroaching on julies turf, but im sure shed love a go (a shot) of the 40D in my stead. then she can explain it to me in terms id understand....

bovril has a 40D too, so I'm sure elven will get a go off hers someday.
Basically, it's a camera that acts like a pro model, but is very affordable.

hughchal wrote:

They outsource a service for mounting on MDF I think, but it was too rich for me.

MDF would make it very heavy.
I'm looking at getting a few nice landscape shots, to give as gifts.
Canvas could be an option.
Need to get up early some morning though.

bovril

City-Exile wrote:

bovril has a 40D too, so I'm sure elven will get a go off hers someday.

He's a great PA.

Sorry for yet again O/T this is my last post for the weekend, but Elven you're more than welcome to try mine out anytime.

Paulw

odonnell wrote:

Can someone tell me though - what IS so good about the 40D? Seriously - can anyone explain in caveman speak why exactly its so good?

In simple terms - it's got a bigger screen on the back to see the pictures clearer. You can take quicker pictures (more per second), it is better for dealing with low light, it has brighter, more colourful and clearer photos. It can focus on a subject quicker and better. for what you get, it's not THAT expensive.

How's that? I didn't think the Scots had that many caves. :eek:

Fenster

Would that I had the time or money to do any of the above!

It's been frustrating - I haven't had any kind of opportunity to do any kind of shooting on my own time since I've arrived here, save for shooting the kids. When I manage to do paid work, I inevitably wind up in some kind of spat, as the person hiring me decides to try and not to pay me, on some or another kind of technicality, and then try and steal the works.

All in all, add in a broken flash gun and you wind up with someone who's seriously thinking of giving up photography.

sineadw

Ah crap Mark - sorry to hear it. I thought you were working for an agency? Do they not give you cover for stuff like that? (the not getting paid I mean)

I'm bloody swamped. Have had about three minutes to myself since I started college so no new stuff here I have to photograph walls to use as textures for 3D animations. Does that count? :rolleyes:

Oh and congrats on all the 40Ds! I want one. I think I might have to treat myself after christmas...

Valentia

Fenster wrote:

Would that I had the time or money to do any of the above!

It's been frustrating - I haven't had any kind of opportunity to do any kind of shooting on my own time since I've arrived here, save for shooting the kids. When I manage to do paid work, I inevitably wind up in some kind of spat, as the person hiring me decides to try and not to pay me, on some or another kind of technicality, and then try and steal the works.

All in all, add in a broken flash gun and you wind up with someone who's seriously thinking of giving up photography.

Unfortunately, that is an all too common story Mark. Especially coming from a hobby to a profession. Money is all that matters when you go pro. I mean to survive, you need money so the fun quickly disappears. Getting paid is the single biggest problem for most self employed. Keep at it though. You are too good at it not to make ac oomfortable living from it....eventually.

Now sorry, this tread should be renamed misc.........

Fenster

It's not even sales, business is a little slow, but it suits me fine.

Photography isn't the big bill payer - I (hopefully) start a very well paid and benfitted job on Tuesday as an inventory controller. No, what really gets to me is that on the few jobs I've had working under or with someone else, they've tried to screw me out of due money/rights/whatever. As it is, I'm about to take one person to court.

Ho hum, situation normal?

I've had a chance to do one real IR shoot since arriving, and for all that I love shooting people and animals, my real love is infrared.

If and when we move, I know I'll have the know-how to set up my own studio, but Las Vegas just isn't a great place to do business.

Fajitas!

I want to be getting more into printing, but hopefully will drag Elven into the darkrooms in college to help me with that (by the way, Jools, fancy doing some odd printing?)

However, I have been:

Sending invoices

Moving house

Dying of a cold

And am currently:

Watching the match.

elven

odd printing as in bizarre? Heh.

Should have some holga shots to print soon enough anyway... that's on the to do list.

Fajitas!

Bizarre gum based and egg based.

With lots of smelly chems.

Muineach

hmm I actually managed to get a few minutes to try out a diopter (front of lens)
I tried a +1+2+4, not bad but the viewfinder was killing me, you need to look through it dead straight or you end up taking shot's that look find in the viewfinder and out of focus crap on the lcd of the camera, and vice versa.

But in the last two months I had to contend with:

• First Holy Communion & Party (10am-2am, yes AM, the next day) 650 RAW files
• Baptism, Dinner, Party (Where I was also the godfather) 650 RAW files
• 1st Birthday Party (2pm-2am), 450 RAW files
• 5th Birthday Party (12am-10pm), 550 RAW files
• Trip to the zoo (just for me , 5 hours) 550 RAW files

With each of them taking an age to process due to lighting (dark inside with it beaming sun outside) / fake tans / mad colors on dresses / white fur etc..
The first 3 are done, ended up ordering 295 6x4's off pixmania (thats 1 copy of each).
Oh yea, all family jobs, no pay, damn xmas babies :rolleyes:

Cabaal

Had a wedding on Tuesday last and have another tomorrow, around 400 shots from the wedding on Tuesday..luckily light was decent althoough I;'m ashamed of the indoor shots

shepthedog

Mine is a bit of an up and downer..
- Got a 30D few weeks ago (big up)
- Went out to test and discovered dust on the sensor but rymus is sorting me out so thats not too bad.
- Played soccer match last sunday, went in for a tackle ,heard a huge crack and a split second later realised it was actually my leg which has buckled in the tackle. (major downer)
- Spent Sunday to Wednesday in hospital having all sorts of lovely pins and plates inserted...
- Gotta start college in Aungier street for a masters on October 1st and at the moment have no accommodation..
Bad week all in all really..
No photography for a while!
By the way if anyone has a spare room in Dublin city or knows of one.. Would love to live with some photo people..Please give me a shout..

Fajitas!

shepthedog wrote:

By the way if anyone has a spare room in Dublin city or knows of one.. Would love to live with some photo people..Please give me a shout..

I think my house is all full up, but will keep an ear out with my mates.

Nothing better than spending a year with some arty chicks to get your (photographic) mojo flowing.

sineadw

Hmmm.. PM sending Shep...

And ouch!

And Muineach - what sort of 1 yr olds are in your family? Partying till 2am???!

Muineach

sineadw wrote:

And Muineach - what sort of 1 yr olds are in your family? Partying till 2am???!

we start em' young :cool:

ThOnda

You are tempting me! That would be nice to go back to college. Art School Dublin-mental :-)

Calina

Yesterday I had an indepth conversation about just how good the 50mm 1.8 is with a photographer in France. Seeing as I don't have one I think that's quite some achievement.

I'm considering stealing julie's ideas about printing on odd things. two people have asked me if I took the photographs on birthday cards I handed to two other people (no, but I'm interested by the idea) and I also am considering setting up a Dublin boards.ie photography meet sometime soon to get me away from watersports for 24 whole hours. If anyone is around Saturday coming, I could be tempted by a trip to the zoo or botanic gardens or something. I have to stay in the Dublin area.

I also learned - again - that it is very, very hard to take good photographs when you haven't had any sleep at all.

minikin

yay, I can finally get back into photography again... got the new wheels on saturday (no-car day, sorry!) Finally got a boot that'll take the studio lights etc comfortably.

rymus

elven wrote:

My ultimate goal is to get a photo onto glass

Given I haven't read the rest of the thread but.. I've made enquiries about the possibility of becoming interested in maybe doing this. I had a chat with a framer last week who gave me a contact that he said to the best of his knowledge prints onto glass. Best news is they're only 5 mins down the road from where I live. As soon as I get details and/or get a photo done I'll post some results. Also have to find an electrician to put in some low voltage backlighting for the glass print but we'll work on that

City-Exile

How long would the print last, with a dedicated light source shining on it!?
While I like the idea, I'd have to see the quality before I'd consider it.

rymus

it wouldnt be a bright light source, probably not much stronger than a candle or two... I guess the how long would it last question will be best addressed to the printer once I locate them.

Either that or I'll get the print engraved into the glass and hand coloured