Digital Photography - Photographs from Thailand and Other Places.

Sky Watch Friday - Songkha Province Part II, Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:20:00 +0000

I still have busy time so I have not many words to say, just only show my additional sky watch photo from Songkha, Thailand. I hope you will enjoy it.

Moreover, please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to see other sky watchers around the world.

Have a nice day ^__^

Sky Watch Friday - Songkha Province, Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:26:00 +0000

Sky watch and seascape at Songkha beach, Songkha province, Thailand.

Moreover, please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to see other sky watchers around the world.

Just have my free time again

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:21:00 +0000

Last month, I was so busy about my work and my training so I have not had time enough to take photos and update my blog for awhile. Right now, my work is slow down so I have time to update my blog again.

I had chance to go to Songkha which is one of the Southern Provinces of Thailand for my traning so I brought my camera with me in order to take some photos. I woke up early and walked by the beach in front of my hotel and then I saw fisher man trying to catch fish. I think this should be a nice should so I moved myslelf into a correction position where I can get nice silhouette shots. I took some shots of him whlie he was walking around. Acutally, I would like to get the photos when he threw the new into water but he did not so I did not get that shot. Anyway, this was the best shot I could get.

I hope you will enjoy seeing my photo and I will keep update photos from Songkha as well.

Have a nice and lovely day.

Sky Watch Friday - Lan Island Part4, Chonburi Province

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Thu, 21 May 2009 23:03:00 +0000

The Sky Watch Friday from the last photo set from Lan Island.

Have a nice day.

Moreover, please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to see other sky watchers around the world.

Ps, next week, I have another nice sky watch from the Southern Part of Thailand to show you ^_^

Good Tips for Photographing in Public

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:01:00 +0000

I recently read good articles on photo.net about photographing in public and I just wanna share with you.

1. Use either a very big camera, or a very small camera. People seldom feel threatened by a tiny camera the size of the Sigma DP-1 or Panasonic LX3, but they also don’t feel very threatened by a giant, clumsy view camera on a tripod (they are also seldom aware of “the moment it clicks” with a big view camera, since you’re not looking through the camera when you take the picture). I suspect that setting up a big camera makes you less of a threat because it immobilizes you; you can’t go sneaking about with one of those. You’re also given an opportunity to confidently pretend that you have every right to be doing what you’re doing. Of course, you’re subject to tripod restrictions in very public places such as crowded city sidewalks and tourist attractions, so do your homework ahead of time and be sure you have a permit if you need one.

2. Have examples of your work with you. I heard that Joel Meyerowitz used to carry a copy of his book Cape Light with him when he was working on his book Redheads, as a way of explaining himself. In his case, it was mainly for the benefit of the people he was trying to photograph, not to get out of jams with rent-a-cops, but it might be useful for all sorts of people who might challenge you. By showing them what you do and what you’re after, they should be able to infer that you’re not after something else more sinister.

3.Carry a business card and give it away freely. If you’re stopped or threatened, a card goes a long way toward explaining who you are and implies that you have nothing to hide.

4. Have a rap and have it ready. You’ll be more prepared if you go out assuming you’ll be challenged. Be ready, don’t take it personally, and have a spiel ready to go that emphasizes that you’re a hobbyist, tourist, or shutterbug—or that most indeterminate sort of slacker, an artist!

5.When a Dwight Schrute yells at you, approach him with your hand out, and introduce yourself. Rent-a-cops and other security types aren’t used to having bad guys come toward them; they’re used to having bad guys run away or retreat. Give ‘em a little respect and act forthrightly. A little respect doesn’t always work, but it sometimes does, and it can’t hurt. It’s cheap to you.

6.Ask them for help. Asking someone for help changes your relationship to them. This works with potential thieves—you turn yourself from their prey into their beneficiary, and them from predators into good Samaritans—and it works with cops and guards too, whose job it often is to help people, after all. Have a question ready to go for when someone approaches you or hassles you.

7.Be aware that many civilians who hassle you are exhibiting guilty consciences. They’re nervous about something and they’re worried you’re getting the scoop on them. Try photographing around active private construction and see if you don’t find this out lightning-fast! Ordinary citizens break all kinds of laws all the time. A snoop with a camera represents a threat to a guy who is hiding a car from the repo man or has recently burned a pile of branches and leaves in violation of village ordinances. This sort of thing, in infinite variety, is more widespread than you might think. So just try to be aware of what might be motivating the other person, and you’ll know better how to defuse them.
8. Have an escape plan when you trespass! And be aware that you’re the one breaking the law.

9.Use a disguise. I’m sort of kidding, but from what I hear, Elliott Erwitt often dresses rather extravagantly like the stereotype of a tourist. Your photo vest and Nikon cap and your big bag chock-full of never-used lenses might make you feel all like the big pro, but this can backfire. If you want to be taken for no threat, look the part.

10.Use a decoy. Speaking of Erwitt, he would often pretend to photograph a family member posing in front of him while he was actually photographing past them with a telephoto lens. Also speaking of Erwitt, take a look through his books sometime and think about how many of the pictures would have to put him in a position where he really shouldn’t be taking pictures. It’s a knack, folks.

11.Hang around. You’ll look like a threat if you stop suddenly, stare at a stranger, and take ten pictures. But if you stop and hang out in a spot for twenty minutes, everyone who’s curious will have already checked you out, and you’ll become background. Then you can take your ten pictures and nobody will pay any attention. I used to do this on boardwalks on the East Coast. It works. You could also try paying a few local loiterers to be escorts or tour-guides. I never tried this because I never had enough extra money, but I always wanted to.

12.Lie. For years I carried a simple piece of paper in an envelope that said something like, “To Whom It May Concern, Mike Johnston has permission to photograph here. Please offer him every assistance.” You’d be amazed. I also once convinced a citizen that I was an official from Washington by holding up my open wallet at him, police-style, as I approached, putting it away before he had a chance to see what it was. This might not seem very ethical, but look, a lot of the people who are hassling you have utterly no right or authority to hassle you. It’s not the worst sin in the world to return the favor. You could also consider trying to get real credentials from some official or quasi-official organization.

13.Work on your camera skills! Good shooters work fast. Cartier-Bresson could reportedly get his Leica to his eye and back almost literally faster than people could notice. If you want to avoid attracting attention, don’t stand there like a big dork futzing endlessly with your camera controls and staring through the viewfinder for minutes on end. Waist-level finders help with this too, because when you look through an eye-level finder, people feel like you’re looking at them, whereas when you look down at some device you’re apparently fiddling with, people assume you’re looking at the device and not at them.

14.Adjust the camera while looking in a different direction. Then take the picture you want to take as though it were an afterthought, and do it quickly. A bored bouncer at a bar doesn’t have an excuse to stride across the street and hassle you if you’re pointing the camera down the street and not at his bar; and if you take one shot in his direction and then turn and leave, you remove his opportunity to challenge you.

Hope you will enjoy reading this article.

http://photo.net/columns/mjohnston/14-tips-for-photographing-in-public/

Sky Watch Friday - Lan Island Part4, Chonburi Province

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:54:00 +0000

Nice and clear blue sky again from Lan Island^_^

Have a nice day.

Moreover, please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to see other sky watchers around the world.

Sky Watch Friday - Lan Island Part3, Chonburi Province

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:00:00 +0000

For this Sky Watch Friday, I decided to post photos from Lan Island again. Nice and clear blue sky is my theme for this post. When I was there, the weather was also nice and clear so I took several shots from many beaches on this Island.

1. I used life rigs as my foreground and blue sky/nice beach is my background. Moreover, I used CPL to increase contrast of photo especially the sky.
2. This shot I decide to use yellow beach umbrellas as a frame for this shot.

3. Jet ski is one of the most favorite activities on this Island.

4. I took this shot when I was on the port. There are so many speed boat servicing tourists every day.

Moreover, please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to see other sky watchers around the world.

Cheers,
DSM

Sky Watch Friday - Lan Island Part 2, Chonburi Province,

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:27:00 +0000

I just have my free time again after long day working. So today I wanna show my sky watch photos taken from the Lan Isand (this is the same set as previous post).

In early morning, the sun just rose from the east so I used my telephoto lens to get this shot.

Before sun rising, twilight from the sky created dramatic color so I decided to use the old wooden bridge to be a foreground in this shot. I also used Graduate ND to balance light between sky and the wooden bridge as well so I could see the detail of the bridge and I was able to maintain dramatic color of the sky as well.
Moreover, please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to see other sky watchers around the world.

Cheers,
DSM

Sky Watch Friday - Lan Island, Chonburi Province, Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:02:00 +0000

My friends and I went to Lan Island in Chonburi Province, Thailand. I took several photos from this island. So, I would like to share you my sky watch photos. Moreover, please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to see other sky watchers around the world.

Cheers,
DSM

Sky Watch Friday - Rama 9 Park Bangkok

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:43:00 +0000

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Rama 9 park is the one of beautiful parks in Bangkok and my home is close to it as well. So I have been shooting photos of this park many period of time from sun set to sun rise. I would like to share these for you in this Sky Watch Friday this week.

Please visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ and say hi to our sky watcher as well.

Have fun.
DSM

Sky Watch Friday - Twilight Time on Makha Bucha Day in Bangkok

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:53:00 +0000

I shot those photos on 21 Feb 09 which is Makha Bucha Day for buddhism people.

I went to Suthut Wararam Temple in BKK and I waited for twilight time to the temple shots with dark blue twilight sky. Moreover, I also added people into my frame in order to have a story in the photos.

I wish you enjoy seeing my sky watch photos and also please visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/. You will be amazed how nice of our sky is from many places in the world.

Cheers,
DSM

Sky Watch Friday - Phukradueng Nationl Park III

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Sky Watch Friday - Phukradueng Nationl Park III

These sky watch photos are from Phukadueng, Thailand again (Part III_.
Please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ and see how wonderful of our sky photos from our friends around the world.
Have a nice day.
DSM

Comparison Sigma APO DG Macro 70-300 vs Canon EF-S 55-250 IS

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:40:00 +0000

I tested 2 budget lenses, Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro and Canon EFS 55-250 IS, against each other for awhile. I just have a time to post the result of my testing.

For the beginners, they may looking for the budget telephoto lens for Canon DSLR in the market and 2 famous lens that people always discuss about are Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro and Canon EFS 55-250 IS so I arranged my test in order to see how well they are.

The first section of my testing is image sharpness in comparison to two lenses. I tested my 2 lens at following focal length: 70 mm, 100 mm, 135 mm and 200 mm. There is no result at 250 mm because I lost my files. I used Canon EOS 400D mounted on my Tripod, Mantrotto 055XPROB with Ball head 486RC2 and I also used mirror lock up with a shutter release cable in order to get the sharpest images that each lens can produce.

For the last test, I tested Image Stabilizer (IS) of Canon EFS 55-250 IS. So you can see how good of IS of Canon EFS 55-250 IS is.

Ps, please click each image in order to enlarge each photo. All photos were saved for website at 70%. Therefore, the result is good for comparison between 2 lens.

First test, Image Quality, let’s get started at 70 mm of SIGMA 70-300 APO DG Macro. I have labels (A, B, C) at different locations (See the photo below).

70 mm of Canon EFS 55-250 IS is below

You can see that at 70 mm Canon EFS 55-250 IS gives you wider perspective than Sigma 70-300. Therefore, the test at 70 mm is not 100% apple to apple but I think it should be good enough for comparison.

Location A at 70 mm comparison (See an image below)

Location B at 70 mm comparison (See an image below)

Location C at 70 mm comparison (See an image below)

At 70 mm, Canon EFS 55-250 IS gives better image quality than Sigma 70-300.

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Let's see the next test. At 100 mm, the perspective of both lenses is not different. F stop of Sigma 70-300 starts at F 4 but F stop of Canon EFS 55-250 IS start at F 5 (See photo below).

Location A at 100 mm comparison (See an image below)

Location B at 100 mm comparison (See an image below)

Location C at 100 mm comparison (See an image below)

At 100 mm, Canon EFS 55-250 IS gives better image quality at the edge than Sigma 70-300.

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At 135 mm, the perspective of both lenses is not different. F stop of Sigma 70-300 starts at F 4.5 but F stop of Canon EFS 55-250 IS starts at F 5 (See photo below).

Location A at 135 mm comparison (See an image below)

Location B at 135 mm comparison (See an image below)

Location C at 135 mm comparison (See an image below)

At 135 mm, Canon EFS 55-250 IS gives better image quality at the edge than Sigma 70-300.

---

At 200 mm, the perspective of both lenses is not different. F stop of Sigma 70-300 starts at F 5 but F stop of Canon EFS 55-250 IS start at F 5.6.

Location A at 200 mm comparison (See an image below)

Location C at 200 mm comparison (See an image below)

At 200 mm, Canon EFS 55-250 IS gives better image quality than Sigma 70-300.

---

Second test, Image Stabilizer of Canon EFS 55-250 IS.

I use hand held to test the Image Stabilizer (IS). I used the focal length of 250 mm, F 20, shutter speed 1/50 sec which is equivalent to 4 stops compensation. This shows me that the IS of Canon EFS 55-250 IS is working excellent.

My friend used this lens for life photography and the Image Stabilizer (IS) worked very good. The shutter speed at 1/30 sec gives him the nice and acceptable sharp image.

Conclusion:

According to my testing, the Canon EFS 55-250 IS gives slightly better image quality than Sigma 70-300. Moreover, Image Stabilizer (IS) of Canon EFS 55-250 IS works very good.

Any comments are welcome.
DSM

Sky Watch Friday - Phukradueng Nationl Park II

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:53:00 +0000

These sky watch photos are from Phukadueng, Thailand again.
Please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ and see how wonderful of our sky photos from our friends around the world.

Have a nice day.
DSM

Phukradueng National Park Thailand Series Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:54:00 +0000

After my first posting, I just have free time to post my photos from Phukradueng.
I will keep continue posting this series ^_^

Have a nice day
DSM

Phukradueng National Park Thailand Series Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:11:00 +0000

I went to Phukradueng Nationl Park in the Northen Park of Thailand, Leoi Provice.
I captured some photos and I would like to share with you : )

I will keep posting photos from Phukradueng Nationl Park... To be continue ^_^

Sky Watch Friday - Phokadueng Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:12:00 +0000

These sky watch photos are from Phukadueng, Thailand.

Please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ and see how wonderful of our sky photos from our friends over the world.

Have a nice day.

DSM

Sky Watch Friday - Blue Sky in Stoneheaven, UK

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:08:00 +0000

Sky Watch Friday - Blue Sky in Stoneheaven, UK

Please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ and see how wonderful of our sky photos from our friends over the world.

Sky Watch Friday - Watching the Sky in Aberdeen

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:25:00 +0000

These Sky Watch Photos are special because I took from Aberdeen, Scotland.

Please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ and see how wonderful of our sky photos from our friends over the world.

Have a nice day.

DSM

Special Post Walking in London Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:20:00 +0000

Just adding some photos from London.

Special Post Walking in London Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:04:00 +0000

Continue posting some photos from London.

I will post other photos tomorrow... to be continue : )

Special Photo Post - Walking in London Part I

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:53:00 +0000

I had a chance to visit London, one of the most beautiful towns in the world. So this is a special post because they are not photo from Thailand.

I was pretty lucky at that time because the weather was bright and sunny which rarely in London, so I have a lot of photos to show you and I will continue posting photos from London.

Have a nice day.

Sky Watch Friday - Dramatic Sky from Chaopraya River

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:22:00 +0000

Dramatic Sky from Chaopraya River : )

Please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ and see our Sky Watch photos from our friends around the world.

Have a nice day

ABC Wednesday - Q = Quickly Moving

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:39:00 +0000

I captured the moving light from the fun park at night time.
This is my Q post, Q = Quickly Moving, for this ABC Wednesday : )

Please visit http://wednesdayabc.blogspot.com/ and see other ABC Wednesday post.

Cheers,
DSM

Sky Watch Friday - View from Chopraya River

noreply@blogger.com (DigitalShutterMania) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:13:00 +0000

This Sky Watch Friday photos were taken last month. My friends and I went to the park nearby Chopraya river, BKK and took some stunning Sky Watch shots.

Please also visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ and see our Sky Watch photos from our friends around the world.

Have a nice day