Family photos I took 2 years ago vs recently

[kathyt]

It's threads like this that give people gear lust.. stop it.. i've spent enough already!! LOL

Yeah, don't EVER rent the Canon 135L, or it is a done deal.

 

[amolitor]

The newer ones look a little better, and a lot more "styled" than the previous ones. You've developed some clear ideas of what your work should look like, and that's a good thing.

The older ones look less professional, but mainly because there is no clear and consistent "look" to them, I think.

 

[Robin_Usagani]

Trust me folks, the gear has a little thing to do with it. I just have more clear understanding with how to use the sun and the background to my advantage plus sometimes adding off camera flash to the mix. All of this conversation makes me really itch wanting to try shooting my kids with a rebel and 55-200 or 55-300 lens. I dont think it matters that much. I will try to borrow a rebel and kit lens very soon and do this experiment.

 

[paigew]

Trust me folks, the gear has a little thing to do with it. I just have more clear understanding with how to use the sun and the background to my advantage plus sometimes adding off camera flash to the mix. All of this conversation makes me really itch wanting to try shooting my kids with a rebel and 55-200 or 55-300 lens. I dont think it matters that much. I will try to borrow a rebel and kit lens very soon and do this experiment.

Idk, I disagree. Of course gear matters or you would be shooting with your rebel and 50 1.8! I agree though much of it is learning to use your locations.

ETA: Obviously the difference between these two shoots is experience and knowledge, not arguing that. But I do think gear matters once you get to a certain level of skill.

 

[John27]

Trust me folks, the gear has a little thing to do with it. I just have more clear understanding with how to use the sun and the background to my advantage plus sometimes adding off camera flash to the mix. All of this conversation makes me really itch wanting to try shooting my kids with a rebel and 55-200 or 55-300 lens. I dont think it matters that much. I will try to borrow a rebel and kit lens very soon and do this experiment.

Idk, I disagree. Of course gear matters or you would be shooting with your rebel and 50 1.8! I agree though much of it is learning to use your locations.

ETA: Obviously the difference between these two shoots is experience and knowledge, not arguing that. But I do think gear matters once you get to a certain level of skill.

It certainly has to be a mix of both. The first shots have tons of CA, and as I said WEIRD bokeh, and really washed out alien faces. The pleasing bokeh in the second pictures comes from a better lens. The CA disappears as well. The better skin tone comes from the photographer though!

 

[paigew]

It certainly has to be a mix of both. The first shots have tons of CA, and as I said WEIRD bokeh, and really washed out alien faces. The pleasing bokeh in the second pictures comes from a better lens. The CA disappears as well. The better skin tone comes from the photographer though!

yes use of light, pp skills, etc. There is no denying experience plays a huge (if not the hugest) role. But to say gear doesn't matter doesn't make sense...if that was true everyone would shoot with entry level gear.

 

[Xavieous]

I find that what is most striking is the use of lighting-Come to think of it, you could probably age a photographers career by how they use light.

Well done on the second set, I enjoyed the picks and they gave me an idea or two.....

 

[Vtec44]

But to say gear doesn't matter doesn't make sense...if that was true everyone would shoot with entry level gear.

Well that depends on what type of photography you do. If you're family portraits, or something similar, where you have the time to setup and manipulate the lighting then gear may not be a big role. If you're doing wildlife or professional sports, then it's a whole different ball game.

 

[Robin_Usagani]

Trust me folks, the gear has a little thing to do with it. I just have more clear understanding with how to use the sun and the background to my advantage plus sometimes adding off camera flash to the mix. All of this conversation makes me really itch wanting to try shooting my kids with a rebel and 55-200 or 55-300 lens. I dont think it matters that much. I will try to borrow a rebel and kit lens very soon and do this experiment.

Idk, I disagree. Of course gear matters or you would be shooting with your rebel and 50 1.8! I agree though much of it is learning to use your locations.

ETA: Obviously the difference between these two shoots is experience and knowledge, not arguing that. But I do think gear matters once you get to a certain level of skill.

Well, if I was shooting ISO1600 .. sure. .thats why I upgraded to a full frame and buy fast lenses so I can shoot in low light condition such as weddings. All I was saying is, when I was shooting with a rebel and 50 1.4 or kit lens, I did not use them to it's full potential. Not even close! I wish I can find the thread here but someone was shooting a high fashion studio shots with a rebel and kit lens + studio light, the results are amazing.


Here is the thing, most people that shoot with entry level DSLRs usually are beginners. Sadly, the bad photos are usually associated with the equipment also instead of putting 100% blame on the shooter. I am going to borrow someone's rebel and long zoom lens and try to shoot it like any other professional session I have done. I will show you the results.

 

[paigew]

But to say gear doesn't matter doesn't make sense...if that was true everyone would shoot with entry level gear.

Well that depends on what type of photography you do. If you're family portraits, or something similar, where you have the time to setup and manipulate the lighting then gear may not be a big role. If you're doing wildlife or professional sports, then it's a whole different ball game.

hmmm yeah still not buying that. I primarily shoot families/kids. When I upgraded from the 50 1.8 to the 50 1.4 I noticed a huge difference in image quality (sharpness/bokeh). I suspect when I upgrade from my rebel to the 5d mk111 I will notice another huge change.I guess it depends on how close you look at your photos.

 

[Robin_Usagani]

But to say gear doesn't matter doesn't make sense...if that was true everyone would shoot with entry level gear.

Well that depends on what type of photography you do. If you're family portraits, or something similar, where you have the time to setup and manipulate the lighting then gear may not be a big role. If you're doing wildlife or professional sports, then it's a whole different ball game.

Exactly! Took everything out of my brain.

 

[ronlane]

Love the location of the second set. At first I thought it was really dark but after looking again, they are awesome.

 

[paigew]

Here is the thing, most people that shoot with entry level DSLRs usually are beginners. Sadly, the bad photos are usually associated with the equipment also instead of putting 100% blame on the shooter. I am going to borrow someone's rebel and long zoom lens and try to shoot it like any other professional session I have done. I will show you the results.

Trust me I know it isn't gear only. I still shoot with a rebel and I think I get pretty darn nice results.

 

[Vtec44]

hmmm yeah still not buying that. I primarily shoot families/kids. When I upgraded from the 50 1.8 to the 50 1.4 I noticed a huge difference in image quality (sharpness/bokeh).

Pix or that didn't happen!

 

[dhris]

Color balance is all over the place and the direct ambient wasn't really controlled that well for many shots of the old set (I think I even see a DOF issue in the shot with the kids on the shoulders). Huge improvement.