Any Photo Bugs Out There?

[ColColt]

Colt thanks for the tips - I am going to try taking some still shots using white posterboard so see how it changes me pictures!

I think you'll notice the difference, T-Gal. Don't get it too far away or the effect will be minimized. something like about 3 feet would be good. The two things that really make a photo is light(type, direction, quality) and composition. They make or break a good shot-notwithstanding good focus which is paramount. Try some shots with and without the reflector of the same subject, same time and direction, and you'll see the difference I'm still trying to get an attached photo I wanted to show so you can see how a reflector makes a difference but, I'm still having problems getting the Manage Attachment box to pop up.

That pic of Checkers looking out the window is superb. It don't get any better!! Soft window light, composition and expression really made that shot!! No reflector needed in this case.

I've never seen a black and white stripped Corgie with a tail, though. Where did you find him? Oh, Loool...that's no Corgi!! I love the shot with your baby with the leaf. Put some crows feet around his eyes, age him a bit more add a pair of glasses and he looks like me!!

I guess the thing I haven't quite gotten yet is how a digital camera knows what to focus on. If you want to compose a shot with someone or your dog, off center as not to "bullseye" every shot and provide better composition, seems to me it would focus on the background and through your subject out of focus. Guess I'll have to do some experimenting with this. My old Nikons had no trouble with that as they were all manual focus.

[Checkers]

Actually, I have not experienced much trouble with the camera focusing on the wrong subject. Every once in a while it does happen briefly but not too often. I'll see if I can get an example in a little bit with the subject "off center" and post for you. The best thing about the digi though is you can immediately see the results of your shot and if you don't like it, just delete it. That and the video capabilities make them lots of fun!

-Cheryl

[tandemgal]

removed by T-Gal

[ColColt]

That's one neat thing about the digital cameras from what I've heard...you can crop right in the camera. Use to, I would crop using the enlarger if I didn't like the original negative.

Next year Justin should be a CORGI - a neat still shot with Checkers on one side and Gater on the other and Justin in the middle! Look out Anne Getty

Yep-maybe that's how she got started!! I'm looking into digital video as well and haven't decided on whether I would be better served by the miniDV format or the DVD. I don't like tape so, I may go with the DVD format. I like being able to play a little 3 inch disc in any current DVD player I have. I can always make copies with the Panasonic DVD Player/Recorder as well. I have a Sony Hi-8 camera right now but, I guess it's almost archaic compared to these two.

[ColColt]

I finally figured out how to add a pic. I was using the usual post reply but decided to change to the Quick Reply/Advance...clicked on Manage Attachments and it worked!

This is one of the pics I was talking about. Notice the modeling on the faces. I used one light source-a large softbox with a 600 watt second light inside coming from their right and a satin white reflector just out of the camera's eye. Notice the one catch light in their eyes. Without the reflector, it would have been more dark with less detail in the faces. This is a good example of a one source light source and reflector fill.

[ColColt]

Another example of a one light source with reflector fill. I did add a hair light to this one.

[ZdogZ]

Beautiful photographs, ColColt!

[ColColt]

Many thanks-I get my digital tomorrow and will probably spend most of the day playing with it. The instruction manual will probably be a book!

[Jeni D]

Beautiful photos guys! I'm amazed. I really like the one of Justin with the leaf as well. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting rid of the green eye in pictures? Seems like every time I take a pic of Dudley in the house, it always has this problem, but if I don't use the flash, then it comes out blurry. I have the Canon A620 just for a reference.

[ColColt]

Jeni-While not being an expert with digital cameras, have you tried the "night scene" mode or "night snapshot" mode without flash? you may be able to get a faster speed if you go to ISO (ASA) 400-800 with a wide open aperture and then try boosting the light level in the house by turning on more lights. There is a red eye reduction feature on most (including the A620) that could help. I think all in all, dog's eyes are much different as you know, than ours which aids them in being able to see in the dark much better than we can and that may play a factor in the way the iris is made. Just grasping at straws with that last statement but, it does seem feasible. The flash position on your camera is so close to the lens which could be a factor in the red eye you see in people photos and perhaps the strange colors we see in canines as well.

BTW-That's an excellent choice of camera and one that I wish now I had gotten instead of my Kodak Z612.