DigitalCamFan

Learn By Doing – Macro

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:21:46 +0000

Assignment #12 – Macro

I am excited to see your pictures! You can post at the bottom of this post or on DigitalCamFan FaceBook wall. If you have questions about “Learn By Doing” Please refer to the guideline page. If you have no questions post away!

Macro photography is close-up photography. So it’s time to get up close and personal this week. Here is a good question if you are shooting using a 18mm-55mm lens which side would make a better macro shot? Would the wide angle of 18mm or the 55mm side? Below are two pictures I set up to show the difference!

First the 18mm lens:

this next picture is set at 55mm:

Below is a picture of where the camera was set up to get each picture. The picture on the left is using a focal length of 18mm and the picture on the right has a 55mm focal length. The interesting part I thought was both setup’s look like they are about the same position. I did have to adjust a little bit when I changed the focal length, but for the most part I think they are pretty close!

I only have one tripod so my other camera was precariously placed on top of a book which was on my camera bag that sat on a chair. I tried not to move anything between pictures but it was a bit wobbly thus the pictures aren’t identical from a tripod stance, but you get the picture!

Your turn!

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Learn By Doing – The Color Red

admin — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:39:57 +0000

Assignment #11 – The Color Red

What a week… We have been busy making Valentine boxes and Valentine cards. This year we decided to make bookmarks for the entire class. Right now the paint and glue is drying and tomorrow we will laminate my daughters bookmarks. Cade is still working on his hopefully by tomorrow night we will be able to finish them!

On to this weeks assignment! It seems so simple… take a picture of something red!

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What are Canon’s new full-frame lenses?

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:40:32 +0000

Canon recently launched three new full frame EF lenses! Included is an updated high-end 24-70mm F2.8 II USM standard zoom, and two completely redesigned semi-fast 24mm and 28mm F2.8 primes, both of which feature USM focus motors and image stabilization–features ideal for video recording on the EOS digital SLR cameras.

Canon EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens

Price $2,299.00

*Not yet released, but you can pre-order!

Canon EF24mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens

Price $849.00

*Not yet released, but you can pre-order!

Canon EF28mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens

Price $799.99

*Not yet released, but you can pre-order!

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Different types of lighting in Photography

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:29:07 +0000

I set up my camera over the weekend in the living room to play with the different directions of light. Side, front, back and above. I was initially going to just take a side light picture for this weeks challenge – Side Light Photography, but I thought it would be fun to take it a step further and look at the different types of light.

Side Lighting – Side lighting is pretty straight forward it’s when the light comes from the side. Side lighting can create contrast and shadows bringing your subject to life.

Front Lighting - Front lighting is when your light source is shining directly on your subject. So your subject has the light directly on them, but you as the photographer will have your back to the sun or light source.

Above Light Photography - Top light is when the light is directly above your subject.

Back Lighting – Back lighting is when the light is behind your subject. So you as the photographer has the sun or light source facing toward you. This is when you can get a great silhouette.

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Case Logic TBC-310 SLR Sling for Camera

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:11:05 +0000

Nice! Case Logic Camera Bag is the lightning deal for the next hour! Only $21.99 that is 63% savings!

List Price $59.99

Deal Price – $21.99

Official Technical Details

Designed to fit a SLR camera with standard zoom lens attached
Unique hammock system suspends camera inside the side-entry compartment for quick access
Hammock sides lift for additional lens, flash or accessory storage
Side straps adjust to secure your tri-pod or other bulky items
Upper compartment stores extra accessories or personal items such as a jacket, sunglasses or a snack

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Learn By Doing – Side Light Photography

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:16:33 +0000

Assignment #10 – Learn By Doing – Take a picture with side light.

Shadows can bring a picture to life making it almost feel 3D. This picture I took in my living room last night. It only stands about 6 inches high. I set it on a little table with a black sheet set up about 4 feet behind. I positioned myself about 1 foot in front. Turned all the lights off except for the one light I had on to the left.

Awhile back I took this same picture, but I set it up again because I thought it made a good example of side light plus I wanted to take the picture using monochrome as well.

I am tying to slow down as I take pictures. Instead of being just happy that my subject is in the frame. I want to see more… I want to see where the light is coming from and where the shadows fall. Next time I am at a park with the kids in the sun light I want to remember to think about side light. Think about where the sun is and where I am. Since I can’t move the sun I need to move!

Happy clicking! Hope you find the side light!

This picture was taken with the Canon 60D and the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens!

Taken on Manual
f/2.8
ISO – 100
Focal length – 50mm

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A Must See Music Documenary – U2 “From the Sky Down”

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:19:39 +0000

We watched U2 From The Sky Down the other night! What a an amazing documentary! Director Davis Guggenheim took on this project. The documentary follows the emotional ride the band was on at the time and how they transformed themselves musically during the recording session of Achtung Baby. The Edge previously worked with Davis Guggenheim on the 2008 documentary It Might Get Loud another amazing must see music documentary!

During the documentary they talk about photographer Anton Corbijn who photographed U2 in the Mojave desert for the album cover. I have always admired his work… He has photographed so many of my favorite bands! Joy Division, Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Siouxsie and the Banshees just to name a few. If you haven’t seen his work take a moment to check look, beautiful black and white photography!

I thought to myself as I watched this amazing black and white photography stream across the t.v. How impressive his photography is and how much easier as a photographer we have it now a days. When you shoot with film you don’t get to see the final outcome the moment you take the picture. Here is Anton in the middle of the desert and you wouldn’t know you got the correct exposure until you were in the dark room! Amazing!

Here is the trailer for U2 “From the Sky Down” trailer!

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Nikon 1 J1 10.1 MP

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:33:11 +0000

O.k. this camera kind of rocks! Don’t get me wrong I still love my Canon, but the compact size of this Nikon is pretty amazing! Through February 25th, 2012 there is an instant $50.00 savings bringing the Nikon 1 J1 price down to $599.00 compared to the list price of $649.00! Always great to buy when the price is down!

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe there are only 3 lenses that go with this camera the 10-30mm, 30-110mm and 10mm fixed. The one that comes with the price listed above is the 10-30mm!

I read this quote in a review from Dpreview ” The system is spearheaded by two cameras – the Nikon 1 J1 and 1 V1. The J1 is the entry-level model, and the V1 is aimed at a slightly more advanced user, but both cameras are intended essentially for beginners upgrading from compact cameras or cameraphones, and who find the size and complexity of a DSLR intimidating.” If you don’t want the DSLR because of the size I get it… having the Nikon 1 J1 is pretty amazing in size and what it’s capable of doing. But if you’re reason not to buy a DSLR is the complexity and intimidation don’t let that be the reason! There is a learning curve, but a very fun learning curve! Not to mention most of the DSLR cameras I have seen have the little green box you can use if you’re intimidated the first day you turn on your camera. (Little green box equals camera will decide what is best you just push the shutter button) If you want to read the entire review by Dpreview.com be sure to check it out it’s very informative!

After reading up on this camera for a bit it feels like it fits right in between a point and shoot and a DSLR camera!

Official Product Description:

For your very mobile lifestyle comes a completely new imaging system with freedom to create and express as never before. Highly compact and portable, the Nikon 1 J1 goes everywhere you go. Moments from your amazing world are captured using a highly responsive autofocus and super fast shooting speed. In one touch you can work in Full HD (1080p) movie record mode. A camera so versatile you can even snap photos while recording movies. Unleash your creativity with Nikon 1—offering a balance of high performance, advanced features, portability and a newly designed interchangeable lens system. Infuse your world with photos from every moment and connect as never before.

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Deciding on a style… color or monochrome today!

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:17:25 +0000

As you may know I am taking a night time class “intro to black and white”! Because of this my posts might be consumed with black and white. The assignment I was given was to take 2 pictures of everything (one in color and one in black and white) Find set of pictures you like the color better and the other set is where you think black and white brought your picture to life. This was a great exercise!

What I learned… I looked in complete opposite directions for both pictures! When I was looking for color I was looking for bold, bright beautiful colors. When I was trying to find a picture in black and white I was looking for shadows, contrast different angles of light.

Here are my two pictures. This first one I picked the color photo I thought the colors jumped out too much to go black and white on this one.

On this next one I choose the black and white because I thought it added more depth and interest to the to picture!

Pick up your camera and try it! I learned a lot in fact I am still taking pictures and looking at both to see which I like better and why!

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Do you ever wish your lens had a wider angle?

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:44:46 +0000

Here is a good one for today! The Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLR’s. List price for this one is $1,400.00… crazy! Today it’s on sale for 48% bringing the price down on this Canon wide angle to $735.00 which is much better!

The widest angle I have is an 18mm and sometimes I want just a touch more. I wish I could go to 10mm that would be great! With a wider angle you can stretch your perspective even more make, make your subject that is close to the lens look much bigger and the opposition make your subject in the back look much smaller. You can make it look like the distance between two subjects has extended stretching your perspective!

Official Features:

Excellent optical quality and true wide-angle coverage with select digital SLRs
Superior AF performance and speed, with full-time manual focus by simply turning ring
Close-focusing to 9.5 inches — fill the frame with subjects as small as 3.6 x 5.4 inches
Relatively compact size and light weight for an ultra-wide zoom lens
Inner focusing system (no front element rotation); length doesn’t change if zoomed
Circular aperture design — natural highlights, even stopped down two stops
Electronic diaphragm — manually-set apertures stay constant from f/4.5 thru f/22
EF-S lens mount — exclusively for EOS 20D and Digital Rebel bodies

The Official Product Description:

With its effective focal length range of approximately 16-35mm in 35mm format, the EF-S 10-22mm f/3. 5-4. 5 USM is a remarkable lens with outstanding image quality that will take your photography into new dimensions and areas of dramatic expression. The super-wide zoom not only gives you the freedom to get exactly what you want in the shot, it dramatically alters perspective to allow for dynamic expression. The lens allows you to get extremely close to subjects, exaggerating the difference in size between a near object and its background. Creative photographers can use this phenomenon to create excellent separation between subject and background for a strong sense of presence, or for a pan-focus effect with everything from foreground to background sharply in focus. Exceptionally light and compact for its focal length range, the EF-S 10-22mm f/3. 5-4. 5 USM also has an incredibly close minimum focusing distance of just 24cm. A ring-type USM works in concert with the camera to provide super-fast, precision auto focusing and predictive tracking – with full manual override available at any time. Designed specifically for digital photography, the lens has specially shaped lens elements and Super Spectra coatings to suppress ghosting and flare, which can be caused by reflections off digital camera sensors. An exclusive optional lens hood can further reduce the incidence of flare. A circular aperture provides a pleasing background blur when shooting with a wide aperture; ideal for creating a sense of depth and getting your subject or model to stand out from the background.

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