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Showing posts 1 - 20 of 248 |
| I went out and got some new shots, what lenses do I need?? |
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Noonie
260 posts
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Message posted at 09/20/2007, 11:30:08 AM by Noonie |
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Okay, I had a chance to get some cute shots last weekend. I really am trying to get this right. If I were to be able to buy some better lenses (just got a package deal) what should I get on a limited budget?
I live in a beautiful area with many opportunities for landscape shots. Would love to be able to do better with those. I know that's hard because of the competition, but I could probably sell locally if not on line. Let me know about my new pictures and soon I should have some more, if they get accepted.
The lens I use are Nikon AF Nikkor 28-80mm & 70-300mm
Are there any helpful training sites online for people who can't get to a class? I tend to just jump in and try (like I did with computers). It's trial and error that way. Thanks------------ |
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Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
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Uploaded files: 648 | Total Sales: 363
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Hamiltongraphics
2 posts
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Message posted at 09/20/2007, 12:40:15 PM by Hamiltongraphics |
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Lenses can be very subjective due to style and the effects you wish to achieve.
My suggestion is to use the highest quality glass possible, especially with high resolution cameras. This minimizes focus issues, chromatic aberations, flare, and other problems.
Use forums and online tutorials for training. Composition and lighting are extremely important.
Think of how a designer will use your image. Where will text be placed? What is the message in the photo?
Keep up the good work! |
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Uploaded files: 38 | Total Sales: 14
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Hatman12
186 posts
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Message posted at 09/20/2007, 16:37:50 PM by Hatman12 |
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I too use a D200. This camera is very sensitive to quality of lens.
Some months ago I bought a Nikkor 35mm F2 fixed lens. The difference in quality between this and zoom lenses is very obvious. So much so that I do not use zoom lenses any more.
I have recently added a Nikkor 20mm F2.8. Wonderful, and much more controlled in curvature than a zoom. You might find this lens particualrly suited to landscapes.
I always use a tripod. Note also that most lenses deteriorate below about F16. I've found the best quality on my two fixed lenses is sustained up to F14.
Your 28-80 is apparently a very good lens. The 75-300 less so. |
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Uploaded files: -4 | Total Sales: 1285
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Noonie
260 posts
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Message posted at 09/20/2007, 17:03:30 PM by Noonie |
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You're right about the 75-300! Those end up being just snapshots for the family or for work purposes. Of course, I'm having to learn settings and that doesn't help.
I would love to be able to use a tripod all the time but sometimes I take the camera out on the lake in my kayak. It makes the time out there go so much faster but I don't get the shots I want.
Thanks again for your input! |
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Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
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Uploaded files: 648 | Total Sales: 363
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Hatman12
186 posts
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Message posted at 09/21/2007, 04:11:09 AM by Hatman12 |
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Oh, I meant to mention that I buy my lenses used on eBay. The fixed focal length lenses are much less popular nowadays as everyone seems to want to get the latest zoom lenses. My excellent 35 F2 and 20 F2.8 lenses were bought very inexpensively on eBay and I am delighted with them.
Of course now that Nikon have launched a full frame camera (and presumably will launch more in the future) fixed focal lenses will become in demand again and prices will rise. |
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Uploaded files: -4 | Total Sales: 1285
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Noonie
260 posts
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Message posted at 09/21/2007, 07:05:49 AM by Noonie |
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I may look around--I'm not a good "EBayer" but my kids are. By the way, I got my Peeking Girl accepted in color as you suggested before. |
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Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
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Uploaded files: 648 | Total Sales: 363
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Freetime101
127 posts
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Message posted at 09/21/2007, 07:22:25 AM by Freetime101 |
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If youre into landscapes try a fisheye lens, used properly they produce some fantastic creative results. Also the 180 degree view allows for stunning panoramas, software can also be used to "de-fish" the image as an ultra wid-angle. As for which one I know that nikon make one, sigma make a linear fisheye and a circular fisheye, and tokina make a fisheye zoom, try them out at your local camera store and see which one suits you! |
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Currently:
Canon EOS 400D
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS
C...
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Uploaded files: 11 | Total Sales: 13
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Noonie
260 posts
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Message posted at 09/21/2007, 10:55:29 AM by Noonie |
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I got one on!! A landscape was accepted! There may be hope for me during the fall leaf season. I did get out of the kayak and take that one on solid ground. I'll look into the things you are suggesting and I really appreciate it. |
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Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
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Uploaded files: 648 | Total Sales: 363
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Hatman12
186 posts
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Message posted at 09/21/2007, 20:18:55 PM by Hatman12 |
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That 'peeking girl' is a very nice picture. The light is a little flat, and next time you could try boosting the levels in the girl's face and adding some sparkly touch lights in her eyes. She's got a great happy 'look'. If she's your daughter or a friend, try a project to create another twenty shots like that one. Very commercial. Mother and daughter doing the same thing together is even more commercial.
I saw your 'bow and arrow'. If you have access to a shooting range or a target, some very commercial pictures can be made from various arrows in the bull's eye. Also, ask someone to hold the bow and arrow and get some shots of the arrow facing the camera, about to be shot etc.
Remember there are now over 1.7 million pictures on Dreamstime; one picture of a subject might get lost, so it is best to try to think of each one as a project for a whole series. |
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Uploaded files: -4 | Total Sales: 1285
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Noonie
260 posts
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Message posted at 09/24/2007, 18:26:43 PM by Noonie |
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Thanks, for the advice! I didn't really take the shot to use, so I only did the one. Next time I will try to get a lot of good ones. As my bio says, I'm not a "real photographer" (I just play at being one), so I don't always think about getting more shots. I'm also new at Photoshop. My pictures are being looked at now, that's nice.
I want to do more with the arrows, too, but it takes me a while. |
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Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
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Uploaded files: 648 | Total Sales: 363
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Danp68
169 posts
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Message edited at 09/25/2007, 05:17:13 AM by Danp68 |
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I've been reading along with this one too. I appreciate the advice Hatman has given me prior, and I like what he had to say about shooting a series rather than a single photo. I just started to get into using my family as models, and I had been doing only 1 shot per concept. Big mistake - images DO get lost in the shuffle. I also loved the look of the girl smiling, and immediately said, "The exposure is a little dull/flat." It was real close to being a winner. So keep at it!
I am a Canon 30D user myself. But I agree whole heartedly regarding fixed focal lenses. The quality of my images took a noticeable step forward when I replaced the kit zoom with 2 fixed focals: 50mm and 24mm. You really can't beat the optics of the fixed focals. The prices are drastically cheaper than the zooms in most cases too. Also, it forces you to move around and try out creative angles, rather than casually zooming inward to frame a subject. The only zoom I use now is the Canon 70-200 2.8IS, which is great for sports.
What I lack is a good macro, or perhaps a wide angle. Overall though I am very happy with my 2 main lenses.
We've got to get you your first sale, Noonie. My first one a few months ago really inspired me to up my game. Keep shooting and uploading! |
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Canon EOS 30-D
Canon 24mm f/2.8
Canon 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon...
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Uploaded files: 386 | Total Sales: 415
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Noonie
260 posts
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Message posted at 09/26/2007, 16:48:08 PM by Noonie |
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Thanks, for that input, too. Looks like I have to do some shopping to see about those lens.
I've gotten a few more shots uploaded and am waiting to see what happens. I'm too new to be able to critique myself very well.
Yep, a sale would help. It would show that I can take it seriously. |
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Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
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Uploaded files: 648 | Total Sales: 363
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Hatman12
186 posts
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Message posted at 09/27/2007, 00:10:42 AM by Hatman12 |
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My advice to you is to take as many pictures of the little girls as possible. Forget about silly things like 'looking at a worm' because all that does is restrict your market; I mean how big do you think the demand is for 'girl looking at a worm' compared to 'pretty young girl smiling and having fun, full of happiness and joy"?
You need to get the light right. The boy relaxing after the game won't sell because he is in shadow and the unattractive background is in full sunlight, so the viewer's eye is drawn to the sunlight instead of the boy. It needs to be the other way round. You had the same problem with 'girl peeking'. For an image to be attractive and appealing, the light needs to light the main subject and fill it full of colour.
But, some nice new images. Well done.
Keep an eye on your keywords and categories. Always try to include 'concepts' in the words and categories, such as 'happiness', 'love', 'romance' etc. You've got lots of potential words missing for the children shots. I won't tell you what they are because you need to learn how to do it yourself (!). Remember that keywords allow customers to find your pictures - the keywords are just as important as the image. |
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Uploaded files: -4 | Total Sales: 1285
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Noonie
260 posts
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Message posted at 09/27/2007, 10:58:33 AM by Noonie |
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Gotcha-
No snapshots, move around and make the light work. |
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Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
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Uploaded files: 648 | Total Sales: 363
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Hatman12
186 posts
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Message posted at 09/28/2007, 03:12:18 AM by Hatman12 |
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Ummm.... I didn't intend that last note to sound so blunt....
Just trying to help put you on the right track. |
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Uploaded files: -4 | Total Sales: 1285
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Noonie
260 posts
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Message posted at 09/28/2007, 08:25:14 AM by Noonie |
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Don't worry--I have thick skin! I'm an athletic person and train hard and expect people to tell me what to do to get better. And when I train someone else, I can be blunt!
I tend to think outside the box sometimes and it doesn't always work. See, where I live lots of women fish so-----
I did some more to the Peeking Girl, is it better and should I take the other one off? What about the boy reclining-is it better to take it off?
I've spent my life trying to find the right track--I'm still looking!
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Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
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Uploaded files: 648 | Total Sales: 363
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Hatman12
186 posts
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Message posted at 09/29/2007, 16:41:14 PM by Hatman12 |
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Well I'm also trying to find the right track; I worked for twenty five years in the financial markets in the City of London, then a year ago I emigrated here to Australia and started a new life in the sun. I don't miss England, but I do miss the times I spent in Europe, particularly France and Italy. Life in the sun is great, but Southern Europe has that depth of history and culture...
So next month I'm off to Korea and China.......
I like your new version of the girl. What you need of course is many, many more pictures. |
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Uploaded files: -4 | Total Sales: 1285
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Noonie
260 posts
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Message posted at 09/29/2007, 20:24:22 PM by Noonie |
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Thought I detected an accent! Ah, France--as in the Tour de--I'm an avid cyclist.
I really appreciate the interest you take in the newbies and I need a lot of help. I keep shooting and trying, don't really know why, except that I love to look at things and enjoy all of the sights. Even if the shots don't turn out, I have the memories etched into my brain for me to enjoy!
Maybe when I'm a little better, I can hook up with someone locally who KNOWS what the heck they are doing and pick up some pointers, This is a very artsy area. I've been jealous for a while wanting to try my hand at it.
Keep helping, we all need it! And travel a lot. I'll be running around shooting the fall colors if we have any. |
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Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
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Uploaded files: 648 | Total Sales: 363
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Danp68
169 posts
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Message posted at 09/30/2007, 23:02:11 PM by Danp68 |
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Got your first sale Noonie! Congratulations! Keep plugging away. |
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Canon EOS 30-D
Canon 24mm f/2.8
Canon 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon...
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Uploaded files: 386 | Total Sales: 415
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Noonie
260 posts
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Message posted at 10/01/2007, 10:53:46 AM by Noonie |
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Yeah, thanks! I got some more accepted and that's nice, too! This really takes WORK. |
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Nikon D200, Olympus C5060
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Uploaded files: 648 | Total Sales: 363
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