Why I love my 2589th post.....
#1
Why I love my 2589th post.....
I love my 2589th post because that means that at 2am this past thursday morning,the most beautifully crafted piece of conjoined magnesium, metals, glass, and plastic finally graced my hands. It means that since Thursday, I just had one of the best weekends I have had in a long time as I was up at one of my friends ranches in the middle of nowhere just chilling while I concurrently got to play with.....
.....my new D300!!!
![Ecstatic](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/ecstatic.gif)
I am absolutely in love with it and couldn't be happier with my choice of not only the camera itself, but the fact that I decided to go for it. The quality of pictures is just beyond anything I've taken before. I know there is MUCH room for improvement, but I was hoping you guys could help be out with that.![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Here are some of the shots I took over the weekend. Please leave comments, and I am would really like any and all criticisms yall have. I tried to include all different types of pictures I took from portraits, to landscapes, to macro...a little of everything so I can get cristicisms from all sides.
Part of becoming a better photographer is having another view/perspective on your work, yea???
Well, here ya go....
A couple of Bugs. One of my first, and still one of my favorite pictures over the hundreds I took this weekend.
![](http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8616/1bugjk0.jpg)
A crop of it...
![](http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/7206/1bugcropet8.jpg)
A Flower
![](http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/4508/1flowerfa5.jpg)
An interesting building we saw on the ride up to the ranch. This is the only post processed photo I have, and it was done in camera. The original turned out really blue.
![](http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/461/2dilapidatedcf6.jpg)
Finally got there.
![](http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/4183/2windmillao5.jpg)
Pic of one of my good friends
![](http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/9046/2beccaua1.jpg)
At a creek
![](http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/7663/2donaldsplashyk1.jpg)
![](http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/8521/2shannonmv6.jpg)
On the way to pic up one of my friends after we already got there
![](http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6274/3coolbuildingoc6.jpg)
I'm not really happy with what I got as far as sunsets and sunrises. What is some advice yall have on this??
A Sunset.
![](http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/32/3sunsetlr5.jpg)
Moon before sunrise the next morning
![](http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2821/4sunriseja7.jpg)
Sunrise
![](http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8752/4sunrise2lj2.jpg)
![](http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3232/4sunrise31wm5.jpg)
Well there ya go.
Give me yalls thoughts.
.....my new D300!!!
![Ecstatic](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/ecstatic.gif)
![Ecstatic](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/ecstatic.gif)
![Ecstatic](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/ecstatic.gif)
I am absolutely in love with it and couldn't be happier with my choice of not only the camera itself, but the fact that I decided to go for it. The quality of pictures is just beyond anything I've taken before. I know there is MUCH room for improvement, but I was hoping you guys could help be out with that.
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Here are some of the shots I took over the weekend. Please leave comments, and I am would really like any and all criticisms yall have. I tried to include all different types of pictures I took from portraits, to landscapes, to macro...a little of everything so I can get cristicisms from all sides.
![Tomato](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/tomato.gif)
Well, here ya go....
A couple of Bugs. One of my first, and still one of my favorite pictures over the hundreds I took this weekend.
![](http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8616/1bugjk0.jpg)
A crop of it...
![](http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/7206/1bugcropet8.jpg)
A Flower
![](http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/4508/1flowerfa5.jpg)
An interesting building we saw on the ride up to the ranch. This is the only post processed photo I have, and it was done in camera. The original turned out really blue.
![](http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/461/2dilapidatedcf6.jpg)
Finally got there.
![](http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/4183/2windmillao5.jpg)
Pic of one of my good friends
![](http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/9046/2beccaua1.jpg)
At a creek
![](http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/7663/2donaldsplashyk1.jpg)
![](http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/8521/2shannonmv6.jpg)
On the way to pic up one of my friends after we already got there
![](http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6274/3coolbuildingoc6.jpg)
I'm not really happy with what I got as far as sunsets and sunrises. What is some advice yall have on this??
A Sunset.
![](http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/32/3sunsetlr5.jpg)
Moon before sunrise the next morning
![](http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2821/4sunriseja7.jpg)
Sunrise
![](http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8752/4sunrise2lj2.jpg)
![](http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3232/4sunrise31wm5.jpg)
Well there ya go.
Give me yalls thoughts.
#6
Senior Moderator
![Woot](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/woot.gif)
Glad you are liking it.
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I get to steal,...er borrow my friends D300 this weekend at his cottage. Hopefully I get some good shots. I have played with it a few times and drool all over it when ever I get my hands on it.
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#8
Unofficial Goat
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by West6MT
![Woot](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/woot.gif)
Glad you are liking it.
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I get to steal,...er borrow my friends D300 this weekend at his cottage. Hopefully I get some good shots. I have played with it a few times and drool all over it when ever I get my hands on it.
![Woot](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/woot.gif)
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Edit: maybe I should pick up a ND filter for the sunsets too, I'm wondering if my Circular polarizer will be enough.
Edit #2: I see jupiter lurking, you think my plan will work?
Last edited by The Dougler; 07-27-2008 at 09:36 PM.
#9
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by The Dougler
![Woot](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/woot.gif)
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Edit: maybe I should pick up a ND filter for the sunsets too, I'm wondering if my Circular polarizer will be enough.
Edit #2: I see jupiter lurking, you think my plan will work?
![Woot](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/woot.gif)
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#10
Originally Posted by The Dougler
![Woot](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/woot.gif)
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Edit: maybe I should pick up a ND filter for the sunsets too, I'm wondering if my Circular polarizer will be enough.
Edit #2: I see jupiter lurking, you think my plan will work?
Just saw your edit, a GND is a great item to have in your bag. I could have used one this morning. I'll be ordering one soon, I bought three ND filters a while back, thought I had order a GND.
![Doh](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/doh.gif)
A CPL is good for all around soothing or warmer of the shot but a GND is what's need for landscapes and bright skies.
edit, What's this thing with Canadians and cottages, is it given to you at birth?
#11
Unofficial Goat
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by jupitersolo
Just saw your edit, a GND is a great item to have in your bag. I could have used one this morning. I'll be ordering one soon, I bought three ND filters a while back, thought I had order a GND. ![Doh](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/doh.gif)
A CPL is good for all around soothing or warmer of the shot but a GND is what's need for landscapes and bright skies.
edit, What's this thing with Canadians and cottages, is it given to you at birth?
![Doh](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/doh.gif)
A CPL is good for all around soothing or warmer of the shot but a GND is what's need for landscapes and bright skies.
edit, What's this thing with Canadians and cottages, is it given to you at birth?
Looks like I'll have to stop at the camera shop and pick up a GND.
#12
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Originally Posted by jupitersolo
Just saw your edit, a GND is a great item to have in your bag. I could have used one this morning. I'll be ordering one soon, I bought three ND filters a while back, thought I had order a GND. ![Doh](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/doh.gif)
A CPL is good for all around soothing or warmer of the shot but a GND is what's need for landscapes and bright skies.
edit, What's this thing with Canadians and cottages, is it given to you at birth?
![Doh](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/doh.gif)
A CPL is good for all around soothing or warmer of the shot but a GND is what's need for landscapes and bright skies.
edit, What's this thing with Canadians and cottages, is it given to you at birth?
I guess I just don't see myself using a GND for a "day at the beach" type thing, although that would be a great application with the straight horizon defiing the two regions.
Defiitely looks more complicated than a CPL.
#13
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NIce man i'm up in maine this whole week my d300 is really showing some great pixs. Last year only had the d80 =P
have fun man now don't forget to keep a 2nd battery for running it out lol.
have fun man now don't forget to keep a 2nd battery for running it out lol.
#14
Unofficial Goat
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by stogie1020
I just did about 30 minutes of reading online about GND filters, etc... and boy do they seem slow to use. Certainly not somehting I would quickly capture an image with. Now, if I was setting up a particular landscape shot, sure, but I think I might try to simply expose for the foreground and then take a single shot of the sky exposed properly and layer them in CS3.
I guess I just don't see myself using a GND for a "day at the beach" type thing, although that would be a great application with the straight horizon defiing the two regions.
Defiitely looks more complicated than a CPL.
I guess I just don't see myself using a GND for a "day at the beach" type thing, although that would be a great application with the straight horizon defiing the two regions.
Defiitely looks more complicated than a CPL.
![Doh](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/doh.gif)
#15
Needs more Lemon Pledge
I would love to get a Lee or Conkin ND filter set, but it seems like if you use the screw-on round type, you will get your horizon right inthe middle of the image, which looks bad IMO. I think if Iwas going to use the tripod, the Lee or Conkin .3 or .6 would be easy to use, as you have time to set it up, etc... but if you just happen to be walking and decid to take a picture, it would be a PITA I think.
Maybe someone (Jup, Dan) who has used these can chime in on their effectiveness versus doing the layer in PS.
Maybe someone (Jup, Dan) who has used these can chime in on their effectiveness versus doing the layer in PS.
#16
Unofficial Goat
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by stogie1020
I would love to get a Lee or Conkin ND filter set, but it seems like if you use the screw-on round type, you will get your horizon right inthe middle of the image, which looks bad IMO. I think if Iwas going to use the tripod, the Lee or Conkin .3 or .6 would be easy to use, as you have time to set it up, etc... but if you just happen to be walking and decid to take a picture, it would be a PITA I think.
Maybe someone (Jup, Dan) who has used these can chime in on their effectiveness versus doing the layer in PS.
Maybe someone (Jup, Dan) who has used these can chime in on their effectiveness versus doing the layer in PS.
#17
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i personally keep my .6 (4x) B+W ND filter on 90% of the time...i find it very useful in reducing the strength of the sun or any other bright highlights that might get into my picture.
i use it all the time at my son's baseball games and pictures come out awesome! i figure it's better to shoot slightly darker anyways because i can always brighten up the photo later in photoshop or something...
i think shooting without an ND filter and then blending your layers in photoshop to achieve the same result isn't as accurate...photoshop (or probably any graphics program) will usually overdo what you're looking for whereas the ND filter is pretty subtle...but most people who look at your image probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyways, so its just a personal choice in the end...
i use it all the time at my son's baseball games and pictures come out awesome! i figure it's better to shoot slightly darker anyways because i can always brighten up the photo later in photoshop or something...
i think shooting without an ND filter and then blending your layers in photoshop to achieve the same result isn't as accurate...photoshop (or probably any graphics program) will usually overdo what you're looking for whereas the ND filter is pretty subtle...but most people who look at your image probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyways, so its just a personal choice in the end...
![2 Cents](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/2cents.gif)
#18
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Rimz, would you mind posting a pic or two from the baseball game? I would love to see how the ciurcular ND filter works on "other than landscape" pics.
#20
Just a guess but, 14 bit??
#23
Originally Posted by waTSX
Congrats on the new rig. ![Cheers](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/cheers.gif)
![Cheers](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/cheers.gif)
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Thanks!!
To everyone: No more criticism??
![Sad](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif)
lol
I know I still have quite a ways to go in my skills, and any input yall have would be awesome!!!
#25
Drifting
Originally Posted by TS_eXpeed
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Thanks!!
To everyone: No more criticism??
![Sad](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif)
lol
I know I still have quite a ways to go in my skills, and any input yall have would be awesome!!!
Practice, practice, practice. Work on creative compositions, look for interesting lighting because in those pics it looks kinda flat. Remember the rule of 3rds. You can add depth by looking for convergence in the frame, look for interesting patterns. Play with exposure, it doesn't always have to be technically perfect, use it to change the mood of your photos. You want the subject to be the first thing your eye goes to. Playing with the aperture to get the look you want too.
Also get to know Photoshop, and don't go crazy with post processing like a lot of people do. Have fun
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#26
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Originally Posted by TS_eXpeed
![Doh](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/doh.gif)
Thanks jupity!
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#31
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Originally Posted by The Dougler
I like PS because its free.
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#32
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Originally Posted by TS_eXpeed
Does anyone else dod RAW + jpeg??
If so, what are the advantages??
If so, what are the advantages??
But you might as well just do your own.
#33
Drifting
Originally Posted by lcrazyaznl
Its incase you want an actual jpeg saved.
But you might as well just do your own.
But you might as well just do your own.
#34
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Originally Posted by zguy95135
It would be a lot easier to review your pictures on the computer before you post process them too.
#35
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Originally Posted by TS_eXpeed
Does anyone else dod RAW + jpeg??
If so, what are the advantages??
If so, what are the advantages??
I think raw+jpeg is good for those who want that jpeg for quick down-and-dirty posting of the image, without having to deal with the raw conversion, yet they still have the raw file for more "serious" use.
#36
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I just shoot stuff in raw when I know i'm going to take the time to edit them.
Jpeg for more minor stuff like a trip or something.
I would shoot all raw but i think i'd kill my poor computer at the rate i'm shooting haha..., which requires me to delete alot raw after editing them into jpeg and sizes haha.
Jpeg for more minor stuff like a trip or something.
I would shoot all raw but i think i'd kill my poor computer at the rate i'm shooting haha..., which requires me to delete alot raw after editing them into jpeg and sizes haha.
#37
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Found this site pretty neat
http://www.markallenphotography.co.u...aphy_d300.html
gives a bunch of little pointers what you can and should try.
Damn lazy wb checker haha... is neat!
http://www.markallenphotography.co.u...aphy_d300.html
gives a bunch of little pointers what you can and should try.
Damn lazy wb checker haha... is neat!
#39
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Not really, it's just two-thirds of a stop, but, IMO, faster is always better, everything else being equal. Having that f/2.8 as a constant aperture throughout the focal range is even better. It does mean, however, that the lens will be bulkier and heavier.
#40
^^
Thanks!
The reason I ask is cause I'm looking for a fairly fast macro lens (Nikon if possible; I usually like to stay within the same company/brand). Zoom would be nice but it wouldn't bother me to have a prime if it was faster and had noticeably better optics.
Thanks!
The reason I ask is cause I'm looking for a fairly fast macro lens (Nikon if possible; I usually like to stay within the same company/brand). Zoom would be nice but it wouldn't bother me to have a prime if it was faster and had noticeably better optics.