CalevPhoto

Book review – HDRI Handbook

Recently I have begun to do quite a bit more HDR work, particularly in the area of real estate.  I currently have only hotshoe flash – the 580EX – and I can only take it off camera as far as my sync cord will let me.  With some properties, this has forced me to rely on HDR in order to get the lighting right.  In general, I like the effect of HDR on certain landscape shots but dislike it for real estate – my opinion being that it makes the light too flat and the shots lit with multiple flashes look more dramatic.  Nevertheless, I decided that it was time to learn more about HDR so I found a copy of the The HDRI Handbook: High Dynamic Range Imaging for Photographers and CG Artists +DVD at my company’s library and took it home to read.  Originally I planned to buy the book online but then decided it was better to preview it first.  To be honest, I was very glad that I did this, because overall I do not plan to purchase it.

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Happy Passover!

As some of you might know, this Saturday night began the Jewish holiday of Passover, also called Pesach.  During this time the entire family gets together on the first two nights and holds a seder.  This is a very long ritual dinner consisting of at least three hours of praying and reading and pretending to pray and pretending to read and lots of wine drinking such that those actually praying and reading don’t pay much attention to those who are pretending.

This is also the time of year that we eat things sweet and bitter, to remind us of both the good and the bad times.  It is a celebration of freedom from being slaves in Egypt that is detailed in the Exodus – or if you are a bit lazy with reading in The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston.  This year, as with every year, we celebrated Pesach at my wife’s parents’ house, and of course my mother in law made sure that food was not scarce.

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Taking panorama shots

I have decided to add to the hundreds of pages out there that detail how to take panorama shots.  Some of these descriptions are extremely good, while others are less so.  However, over time I have developed my own technique – which is very similar to many other techniques discussed on other sources but differs in a few slight ways.  For one thing, many of my panoramas are not landscapes.  For instance, take this real estate panorama I shot recently.

Panoramas like these require changes to the standard technique with landscapes.  In this post, I will discuss how I go about both.

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Learning to speak Nikonese

Recently I had the opportunity to use a friend’s Nikon D200 camera.  As most of you who know me are well aware of, I have never even held in my hands a non-Canon camera.  When I was looking to purchase a camera, Canon was the only company that made full frame cameras so the choice was obvious.  However, my friend had just received the camera and was trying to figure it out.  For most of the time he was using it, but then handed it to me to take a family portrait.

Unfortunately I had never had the chance to use a Nikon before and I was rather confused at what all of the controls do.  For those not familiar with Canon and Nikon, they seem to pride themselves in their own languages.  For instance

These are just a few examples, but the camera might as well had Japanese written all over it because I couldn’t figure out how to switch to manual mode.  I did figure out how to adjust the aperture and shutter speed, but I also couldn’t figure out how to trigger the in camera metering.  I’m sure with a few minutes in front of the instruction manual it would not have been difficult to figure out, but I wound up blowing out every picture.

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Radiopoppers vs. Pocket Wizards – my impressions so far

Recently I have spent some time debating about an off camera lighting solution.  As much as I want the Canon 180L macro lens, I am leaning towards improving my lighting possibilities as that opens more doors for me to improve as a photographer.  The following are the areas where I see myself using them.

Real estate photography

I have spent some time researching and found that most of the best photographs I have seen use hot shoe strobes.  This is the main reason that I am only considering Pocket Wizards or Radiopoppers.  The ST-E2 will not work through walls or in other situations necessary for real estate and I have heard of too many problems with the cactus triggers.  This is also the area where I expect the triggers to pay for themselves.

Kids

                                Basically I want to use off camera flash(es) to improve shots of my kids.

Experimentation

                                There are a number of experiments I would like to try such as the strobist assignments.  On a more serious note I would like to use remote flash for background lighting in macro and I would like to trigger the camera remotely.  I have tried using the MT-24EX to trigger my 580EX but found it unreliable outdoors.

So after some research, the following are how I see the two stacking up.

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Yet more photography dilemmas

Last week I blogged about whether to expand into bird photography or expand my reach in macro photography.  I have been giving this a bit more thought and right now I have ruled out buying a large telephoto, mainly because I realized that with two small children I will not be able to find the time to go out and wait for them.  Definitely in the future I plan to do this, but not right now.

Currently our budget is locked down, but with the real estate market getting better here (my wife had two sales this week) it looks like somewhere at the beginning of May the funds will be released from my stock photography sales and I can go ahead and make some purchases.  However, again it comes down to what things I want to focus on.  With bird and wildlife photography removed, the following are the avenues I can take.

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My current dilemma in photography

While last year I spent a good portion of the year worrying about purchasing new equipment, this year I have vowed to instead concentrate on improving my skills as a photographer.  To that end I have changed around my master plan significantly from last year.  In particular I have started this blog, last week I purchased a photography notebook, and I have vowed not to specifically take pictures for stock.  In other words, though I will still submit pictures to the stock web sites, I will no longer do isolation pictures of mundane things in my light tent, with the hopes that the microstock sites will accept them and I will make money.

However, while I do think I am gradually improving, I have recently been debating on which direction I will take in my equipment purchases.  The reason is, my next purchase will have a significant impact on which types of photographs I take in the future.  The question has become less, “what lens should I buy” and more “what types of pictures do I want to take in the nearer future”.

I would appreciate any opinions on the possible choices before me.

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An evening with the eclipse

Last Thursday, as many of you know, we had a full lunar eclipse throughout most of North America and South America.  At work, a group of us decided to go out and photograph it.  Key among our fears was the infamous Seattle weather would cause it to be too cloudy to get a shot.  Therefore three of us decided to head to Alki Beach, famous for its views of Seattle.  Therefore if the weather did not cooperate we would at least get some pretty shots of the city.  Admittedly I had a hidden agenda as I knew 200mm on a full frame body wouldn’t cut it for the eclipse.  My hope was to get some nice city shots – the eclipse was a bonus if it decided to show.  Luckily, both worked out for us.

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Four shots that have shaped me as a photographer

I’m sure all of us have fond memories of some picture we took that we are particularly proud of. Those of us who are photographers can probably further pick out the shots that shaped you as you are today. Today, I will discuss perhaps the four most important shots for me thus far. Without further ado, I present the shots in chronological order.

Those of you who know me well will also know this shot well, as I use it on all of my screensavers and as my Flickr avatar. This shot was taken on perhaps the most exhilarating trip I have ever been on – a trip to Manu National Park in Peru. This park is well known as having perhaps the highest diversity on the planet. More bird species live within the park than in all of the United States and Canada alone and 10% of the bird species in the world can be found within the park. Professional birders who spend a good deal of time in the park have bird counts exceeding 500 – just within the park. In the 10 days that I was in the park, I saw six species of monkey, 14 total species of mammals, 13 species of reptiles and amphibians, myriad insects, and over 100 species of birds. The park is most famous for its macaw clay lick and for being one of the few places in the world that giant otters are still common. Next to the birth of my two children and getting married, perhaps the most memorable moment of my life came there when I came across a jaguar in the jungle.

Despite all the wondrous scenery and wildlife though, my camera was a relatively simple point and shoot. One morning, when we woke up early to raft on an oxbow lake, I thought the effect of the mist on the lake was quite pretty so I took a shot. Upon coming home and flipping through my photos, a number of people asked me to stop on this photo. My brother in law used it as a screensaver and it scored 98/100 on a very tough Flickr critique group. What this photo taught me was that I did have the talent to take good pictures. Unbeknownst to my wife, Nelya, at the time, this picture is what launched me into photography as a hobby and the endless expenditures since then. Eventually someday I plan to return to Manu with the proper skills and equipment to get some truly amazing wildlife pictures.

The next shot might at first seem rather plain until you learn the history of it.

This picture, which I have reduced due to soon to be obvious reasons, was taken of the famous Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai. We stayed there for two nights, a truly unforgettable experience. I had just purchased my Canon 5D and this was the first real chance to use it. I wandered around the hotel for some time, taking pictures. Some time after returning, I decided to try out this thing called Microstock. I signed up for several sites, eventually joining IStockPhoto, Shutterstock, and Fotolia. To my amazement, this photo sold extremely well. I estimate that to date I have earned over $500 for this one photo. Sure, for a professional photographer this isn’t very much. However for me this is a good chunk towards a new lens. This one photo taught me that I do have the ability to create photos that sell and since then I have become ever more active on the Microstock sites. Today, my hobby is almost completely self sufficient and I buy new equipment with the proceeds from my stock sales and small jobs that I get. While the first photo got me into photography, this photo allowed me to get the equipment I truly needed to progress.

This next photo is nothing special in terms of subject or skill, but it is very symbolic to me.

This is one of the earliest shots that I took with my then new MP-E 65. I knew before I bought it that this was going to be a fun lens, but something funny happened as I started to take pictures of insects. I have always had empathy towards animals like birds and mammals, which I suspect our much more intelligent than we make them out to be. However, when I started entering into the insect world I noticed that insects are amazing creatures as well. I strove more and more to find interesting subjects to photograph and photos like this set me off on a path of finding even more interesting pictures of insects. This is a process still ongoing – but when I am not on vacation I usually spend my photographing time getting shots of insects like these. (OK, I know spiders aren’t insects but you get the point)

The final picture is a recent one that I have already displayed on this blog.

What has since changed me with this shot is that people have really liked this. At the photo alias at Microsoft I received more positive feedback than I have for any other shot. Granted, this shot has some ways to go before someone would hang a print of it on their wall, but it signifies that I am continuing to improve. If I keep working and striving to improve, eventually I will reach a point where I can make fine art prints of my photos. I hope within this year this photo has been supplanted by another even better photo, signifying that as I try harder my skills are improving.

What should I expect to spend on camera equipment?

I don’t know how many times I have heard the following question.

I have a point and shoot right now and I want to buy an SLR. What type should I buy?

This question is usually followed by several models – such as the Canon Digital Rebel models or the Nikon D40 or D80. What most beginners do not realize is that the camera is only a small part of the equation. I have decided, as an interesting exercise, to look at my own equipment. I would not expect new photographers to buy the same equipment that I have, nor would I expect you to spend as much as I did. However, I would expect that anyone getting into photography will wind up spending the same ratios on equipment that I have.

I will not list the prices I paid, as many of these fluctuate and that drifts away from the point I am trying to make. In addition, I expect if my wife saw the numbers she might have heart failure. In general, there are six areas of expenditure for digital SLR photography. Also, I will calculate things at the original price that I paid and I will not include items I have since sold (which reduces the lenses percentage).

Cameras – most people realize this and this is where beginners put most of their thoughts

Lenses – this is perhaps the most important area as the lens typically determines what type of shots you can take, not the camera. Note that I also include filters in this category.

Accessories – all the little do dads that add up

Lighting – this includes flashes and studio lighting

Support – this includes tripods, ball heads, and miscellaneous brackets

Software/Hardware – this includes your computer and any necessary software

The following is a graph of what I wound up paying for each area as a percentage.

I will now break down the areas and list what equipment I use, for those who are interested.

Camera equipment

    I currently use the Canon 5D. The main reason I went for the 5D was the relatively high megapixel count (at the time) and the fact that it is full frame.

Lenses

    Lenses should be the largest expense of any photographer. I currently use the following lenses.

    Canon 70-200 4.0L IS – This is currently my walk around lens. It is incredibly sharp and the IS is amazing.

    Canon 16-35 2.8L II – This is still my favorite “normal” lens. It rivals the 70-200 in sharpness and was on my camera constantly in the canyons of Petra and through most of Israel and Jordan.

    Canon 50mm 1.4 – I don’t use this lens very often. However it is great for taking pictures indoors without flash and when I use it there’s really nothing else I have that can do what it does.

    Canon MP-E 65 – This is the main lens I use when not on vacation and is used for most of my macros.

    Canon 180 3.5L – I haven’t actually bought this lens yet, but I already have the funds for it and am just waiting for the final OK from the financial controller.

    B&W Circular Polarizer – Basically a required filter in my book.

Accessories

    Simple diffuser – I have a simple diffuser for my 580 EX flash. I forget the name of it.

    Canon remote switch – This is also a basic, required, accessory. I really wish Canon would just include it in the box with the camera.

    Flash extension cord – If you buy a flash, this is also a very important accessory. Very often I remove the flash from the camera. I do not yet have the strobists setup.

    Angle Viewfinder C – I’ll probably use this more often with the 180L. With the MP-E 65 the viewfinder is too dark and it’s too difficult to track things. I suspect I will find some interesting uses for it though.

    Hot shoe leveler – This is critical if you are taking panorama pictures

    Canon CP-E 4 – This extends the battery life of both of my flashes significantly and decreases the recycle time. I use it whenever I am using either the 580 EX or the MT-24EX and it is always in my bag. I can’t imagine what life was like before it with my MT-24EX, as flash recycle time is critical when photographing moving insects.

    Extra battery – Always get one. When one battery runs out I replace it with the other one and charge the first one.

    Giotto rocket blower – This is essential for keeping the sensor clear. It may be less necessary with the newer dust removing cameras.

    Eclipse cleaning solution and swabs – Always remember to clean your sensor. The rocket blower helps for the big dust spots but at times you need a more thorough cleaning.

    Eneloop rechargeable AA batteries – Necessary for the flashes

    Travel hard drive card readers – I bought a simple device called the Digimate III for about $30 and put a 60GB laptop hard drive in it. When I travel, I take two of these units so I can backup my photos as well as for when my memory cards are full. I always place them in different places to reduce the risk of loss.

    Memory cards – These have gotten cheaper it seems each day. I currently have an 4 GB card and an 8 GB card and do not see the need to increase them until I upgrade my camera.

    Flash card reader – This is very helpful for getting pictures on the computer and is much better and faster than hooking the camera itself up to the computer.

    Tamrac camera bag – I forgot the model number, but a camera bag is a basic necessity. I am currently able to fit my camera, all lenses except for the 180L, my filters, extra battery, cords, 580EX and CP-E 4 in my bag. I will likely need to look at a bigger bag soon, though I’ve never had airport issues with my current bag.

Lighting

    Canon 580 EX – This is the workhorse flash when I am not taking macro shots. I have found no reason to upgrade to the newer II model. An external flash is a basic necessity for starting out, though there are cheaper models than the 580 EX. I do not yet have any studio lights or a strobist configuration as I am not very interested in taking shots of people. Perhaps someday.

    Canon MT-24EX – As I mentioned before, this is a requirement when you purchase the MP-E 65. I use this flash for all of my macro photography.

    Medium and small light tents – I bought a jewelry light box kit some time ago that contains two different sized light tents, two constant 5000K lights, and one “sparkle light”. I now use this setup (sans sparkle light) for my isolation shots.

Support

    Gitzo 1348 tripod – A good tripod is essential and Gitzo is basically the best out there. I am quite tall (6’5″) so this tripod works well for me. I also like that it doesn’t have a center column because those tripods are less stable.

    Markins M20 ball head – Expensive, but I have no complaints about it.

    Lens plates – both the MP-E 65 and the 180L require lens plates. I use ones from Kirk, though Really Right Stuff I’m sure is just as good

    Really Right Stuff L bracket – The L bracket lets you take both horizontal and vertical shots on the tripod. I liked Really Right Stuff’s version the best and I am very happy with it.

    Kirk macro rail – To take macros on a tripod you need a macro rail. Mine also does double duty for panoramas – so I can adjust for the nodal point of the lens (though for single layer horizontal panoramas only). When used with the MP-E 65, the vast majority of macro rails out there simply aren’t precise enough. The only two good ones out there are Kirk and Really Right Stuff. The RRS macro rail is more precise, but the Kirk rail is significantly cheaper due to a smarter design. I have no complaints about the Kirk macro rail.

Software/Hardware

    This one is hard to quantify, as I use my computer for many purposes other than photography. Basically, though, you will need a good size monitor for editing and a relatively fast computer. I currently use a duo core 64 bit system with 4 GB of RAM and a 24″ monitor. I expect in the near future to get hit with more expenses here as I upgrade my software, buy a monitor calibration unit, and perhaps buy a Wacom unit. As this area is rather fuzzy I will not include it in the ratios.