A few recent ones

[JWellman]

I've been really discouraged lately. It's been a year now with the DSLR and I feel I've made progression but not nearly as fast as I would like. I see the awesome portraits on this forum and no matter how hard I try my people photography completely sucks. The sad part is, no one wants to see landscape.

I spent three days at the lake last week and I was so discouraged over Osprey pictures that I could have thrown the 100x400 in the lake. It's all user error and I realize that fact. I feel like I need to take a short bus to photography school. I'm just not 'getting it.' :er:

I'm currently on photo 138 for my 365 Day project. Here are a few from this month. Comments are always welcome!

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

 

[iNick]

I really love #1! The rain streaks are wonderful. How did you go about this shot?

 

[Vtec44]

I really love #1! The rain streaks are wonderful. How did you go about this shot?

+1 I love the rain streaks. I'd assume slow shutter speed and a tripod....

 

[JWellman]

I really love #1! The rain streaks are wonderful. How did you go about this shot?

Thanks Nick. When I took that shot I was on page 99 of Bryan Peterson's - Understanding Exposure.
I used the sunset as my back-light and a water hose to create the rain.
Canon 100x400 (150mm) ISO 200 f5.6 1/80 - Flash was off

 

[tirediron]

So, what are you not getting? Your shots are reasonably exposed, the compositions are interesting...

 

[JWellman]

Thanks...I'm not getting why my people photography lack crisp, sharp images and I have complete and utter disappointment in the 100x400 when at 400mm. It does well as long as I'm close to the subject but everything else (like the Osprey) is total crap. As far as people, I haven't been able to master the flash. Everything is too bright so I'm going back to zero and reading the stupid manual from page one (Gawd how I hate manuals). I think I also lack lighting with portraits. I have no lighting other than the flash and I'm sure it's not helping matters.

 

[Vtec44]

I used the sunset as my back-light and a water hose to create the rain.

Now that's awesome photography right there!! Seriously, I thought it was real rain! Thanks for the tip!

 

[iNick]

I really love #1! The rain streaks are wonderful. How did you go about this shot?

Thanks Nick. When I took that shot I was on page 99 of Bryan Peterson's - Understanding Exposure.
I used the sunset as my back-light and a water hose to create the rain.
Canon 100x400 (150mm) ISO 200 f5.6 1/80 - Flash was off

Thats exactly what i was thinking of, was Understanding Exposure. If im not mistaken it's the strawberries photo you're referring to? anywhoo keep up the good work!

 

[Hardrock]

#4 is fantastic!

As far as osprey go I totally understand!!! Birds are very difficult (at leaset for me). I rented the 100-400L (I assume thats your lens) and I thought at 400 the results were good. Are you using a monopod or tripod for your birds? How much of the frame is the bird filling up?

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Jess, get the book "HotShoe Diaries", it's geared to Nikon equipment, but he explains exactly how he does the shot, and you can try to mimic them. I also have two books geared towards the Canon system, I'll get the titles to you later.

 

[tirediron]

Thanks...I'm not getting why my people photography lack crisp, sharp images and I have complete and utter disappointment in the 100x400 when at 400mm. It does well as long as I'm close to the subject but everything else (like the Osprey) is total crap. As far as people, I haven't been able to master the flash. Everything is too bright so I'm going back to zero and reading the stupid manual from page one (Gawd how I hate manuals). I think I also lack lighting with portraits. I have no lighting other than the flash and I'm sure it's not helping matters.

Okay, so there are a few areas where you're not happy with your work. Pick one and work with it. Get that sorted and move on to the next. Why not post up a couple of the osprey images you're not happy with and see if we can do some analysis as to the cause of the problem.

 

[JWellman]

Okay, so there are a few areas where you're not happy with your work. Pick one and work with it. Get that sorted and move on to the next. Why not post up a couple of the osprey images you're not happy with and see if we can do some analysis as to the cause of the problem.

Because I would die of embarrassment. I'll start taking some test shots. I've had so many discouraging moments with the 100x400. If I ever discover it's the lens and not me, I'm going postal. :er:

Jess, get the book "HotShoe Diaries", it's geared to Nikon equipment, but he explains exactly how he does the shot, and you can try to mimic them. I also have two books geared towards the Canon system, I'll get the titles to you later.

Thanks Bitter Butter. (Sorry... I couldn't help myself)

#4 is fantastic!

As far as osprey go I totally understand!!! Birds are very difficult (at leaset for me). I rented the 100-400L (I assume thats your lens) and I thought at 400 the results were good. Are you using a monopod or tripod for your birds? How much of the frame is the bird filling up?

I know I should use a tripod but I seldom do and I also know the dislike of a tripod is half my problem but rest assured, I have used a tripod on several occasions and as long as the subject is in a reasonable distance it does okay but just okay in my book.

 

[JWellman]

#4 is fantastic!

As far as osprey go I totally understand!!! Birds are very difficult (at leaset for me). I rented the 100-400L (I assume thats your lens) and I thought at 400 the results were good. Are you using a monopod or tripod for your birds? How much of the frame is the bird filling up?

Thanks Hardrock! I know many people here dislike Facebook, but the train track photo was a winner amongst friends. I wish I had captured more of the fog. We've had really hot weather lately and a brief rain shower made an awesome photo taking drive. There was instant steam everywhere!

 

[zstatus]

4 is really nice. 2 is pretty flat and its not really doing anything. Kitty is cool, who doesnt like cats! good photos overall

 

[JWellman]

No editing done on these, except cropping. All taken with the 100x400 at 400mm focal length using a tri-pod.

Sample 1 - Uncropped - 40 feet from the subject 1/250, f9, ISO 400, Flash/On

Sample 1 cropped to show detail

Sample 2 - Approx 50 feet from subject (uncropped)
f16, 1/50, ISO 200, Flash off

Sample 2 - Cropped

Sample 3 - From my backyard to the train trestle approx 1/2 a mile.
f5.6, 1/100, ISO 100, Flash off

Sample 3 - Cropped