Life through a Lens

[f5journal]

Originally Posted by Ladybugsmom

Some landscapes from my seventh continent, Antarctica... (still trying to decide which one to print and hang in my home...)

Wow...I remember when you posted all of those (or somebody). Everyone in the office went crazy over them

[Ladybugsmom]

Originally Posted by f5journal

Wow...I remember when you posted all of those (or somebody). Everyone in the office went crazy over them

Thanks! The natural beauty of Antarctica made the photography easy. I would love to go back again someday...

Dynamic is a good description of the second one, Dolt45! I was leaning toward that one.

[BowtieBelle]

Some pics from my trip now that I got the good camera pics off the memory card

[Okie Boom]

Originally Posted by dolt45

While the competion will be stiff they have weekly and monthly assignments. They also used to, and may still, give a prize to first place (it used to be add-ons for Photoshop but that may have changed). There are a lot of very gifted photographers there from very skilled pros to total noobs with their first digital camera and they all share tips and critique each others work (constructively). If you are serious about improving your chops there probably isn’t a better place outside of a school.

I thought it would be fun to come up with our own ideas. There are a ton of "weekly photography assignment" pages out there. Just thought it would be better to be a little more original and us our creativity to really challenge each other. I am up for whatever you all want to do though!!

You all are so talented, I am loving where this thread is heading! Keep up the good work, and most importantly....KEEP POSTING!

[Okie Boom]

Well, I think we have a good volume of images in here now. I think what I am going to start doing is posting one image at a time. Try to do it once or twice a day, spread out the material ya know. Really give us a chance to go over and enjoy the images before more get thrown up.

with that I have this...

IMG_1974 by Okie Photo, on Flickr

I captured this while running around downtown Tulsa, OK. I happened on an old baptist church with fantastic architecture. I had just started shooting the front of the church when a wedding party came out of the front doors. It was just habit to point the lens at the bride and groom! LOL

After getting a couple of shots of the festivities I looked over to my right and saw their videographer crouched IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET doing his thing. I of course had to snap a shot off!

[anglwngss]

I'm not a professional and photography isn't even my hobby, however, with that being said, I do like taking pictures and with I could get better with both my skills and the imagination/creativity I've seen in so many other photographs.

Anyway, Here's a few I took when we were in Hawaii back in 2010. They have been resized, but I don't have Photoshop, so no other editing.

[Okie Boom]

Ahhh Hawaii! I will make it there someday!

You know, now days just about everyone is a hobbiest when it comes to photography, even if they don't know it. The ability to capture a good image has become so easy with technology! I think the images are fantastic!

[anglwngss]

Thanks for the kind words. I think the idea of a weekly assignment would be kind of cool. I'm a little too intimidated to post any sort of pictures on a photography site, lol.

[cajun1le]

Originally Posted by dolt45

I personally HATE that site. There is a lot of good info there, very true, but the forums are full of whiney "I'm better than you and your gear sux" haters/trolls.
When I want a serious hardware review I go to Steve's digicams.

Just about every digital camera on the planet (for the last 10 years) has been reviewed there. You'll get information overload on each review with specs, sample pics, pros/cons and just about anything else you could want.
NOTE: For some reason a lot of folks never notice the 'jump to the next page' link at the bottom of each review's first page and never see the next 5 or 6 pages of info on the camera in question. Don't be one of them.
Go there. Now. http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/


There is even a page listing the best in each class. http://www.steves-digicams.com/best-cameras.html


EDIT: I just re-read this... sorry if it sounded preachy. I just have bad blood with dpreview.

I didn't find your comments to be preachy at all. I agree with your sentiment of dpreview but they do provide a good variety of sample images that shows both the strengths and weaknesses of any particular DSLR that is available on the market (hence the image comparison and decide comment). Thanks for the "Steve's" suggestion, I'll be sure to add the site to my bookmarks for future reference.

Oh, what lens did you use for your macro shots(excellent shots by the way)? I've been meaning to add a good macro lens to my inventory and I haven't decided on what lens to go with. Lately I've just been buying filters, lighting accessories but I definitely would like to pick-up at least 2 more lenses. So far my collection spans: 16-35 2.8L, 24-70 2.8L, 50 1.2L, 70-200 2.8L.

[lightning]

Wonderful thread. One of my favorite subjects.........
.

[Okie Boom]

Originally Posted by lightning

Wonderful thread. One of my favorite subjects.........
.

Wow, nice airbrush work!!

[dolt45]

Originally Posted by jrv2kgt-s

Oh, what lens did you use for your macro shots(excellent shots by the way)? I've been meaning to add a good macro lens to my inventory and I haven't decided on what lens to go with. Lately I've just been buying filters, lighting accessories but I definitely would like to pick-up at least 2 more lenses. So far my collection spans: 16-35 2.8L, 24-70 2.8L, 50 1.2L, 70-200 2.8L.

The only macro lens I own is a Sigma 105mm. It is a great little lens for the price. (I spent most of my lens budget on long glass)

As always, there are alternatives.

Pick up an extension tube (or a set). They go between the lens and camera body and alter the geometry of the lens so that it can focus on subjects much closer to the lens as well as cause the image projected onto the sensor/film to be magnified. You'll give up on the ability to focus on anything far away until the tube is removed but for an inexpensive macro set up it can't be beat. FWIW: Tubes have a massive effect on small focal length lenses (sub 100mm) but still work wonders on longer focal length lenses. I've used them on my 400mm lens to take pictures of small skittish critters that didn't want me closer than a few feet away.
While the brand name tubes are great, the cheapo Kenko tubes work perfectly (I've got a set that are practically worn out from use). After all, they are only a tube with mounts at either end and contacts for passing signals from the lens electronics to the camera. No glass. Why pay top dollar?

Edit: I forgot to mention: When you use equal amounts of extension and lens focal length (50mm tube on a 50mm lens) you will (in theory) be shooting at a 1:1 ratio. Which means that a 5mm bug will cover 5mm of your sensor. You can completely fill the frame with a bee. Of course, at 1:1 you'll almost be bumping the glass into his face due to the shortened focus range and of course the depth of field will be almost nil. Still, it can be fun.

Another option, and a really cool one, is to buy a super cheepo small mm lens and turn it around backwards and mount/tape/attach it somehow to the front of your primary lens. Instant super macro. Don't believe me? Do a google image search on "reverse lens macro".

BTW: That's a pretty sexy list of lenses you've got there. Premium glass! I'm a bit envious. While I've got a few "red ring" lenses too, I don't have any of the ones in your list.

[Okie Boom]

IMG_0196 by Okie Photo, on Flickr

This was taken at the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa, OK. This property was amazing, I could have spent all day here. Only problem was that is was over 100 degrees that day!

[Okie Boom]

Speaking of glass, this is going to be my next one:
http://www.tamron-usa.com/lenses/prod/1024_diII.asp

I can't wait!