General suggestion when responding

[runnah]

Try to give advice and work with the gear that the OP has rather than suggest very expensive equipment. Of course it'd be nice if everyone had super expensive glass and a tremendous studio but a lot of people can't afford it and have to work with what is given. It's lazy and counter productive.

Also don't assume that a photographer didn't get the best angle and position possible given the situation. I know when I am out and about I try to get the best locations but often roads, rivers, cliffs and trees make it difficult.

 

[pixmedic]

IBTL!
LOLZ









no, i totally agree though.

 

[amolitor]

Rivers, cliffs, roads. If YOU were not lazy, these would not be a problem!

 

[pixmedic]

I will point out though....
that sometimes people ask what they need to do a certain type of shoot, and the answer IS....expensive equipment.
sometimes you just cannot make do with the kit lens and pop up flash.
"expensive" of course, is relative. or is it, "relatives are expensive"?
something like that. you know what i mean.

 

[AlanKlein]

I agree with your first point. Content, inspiration and imagination come from the person not the camera. These are always more important than the equipment.

I disagree with your second point however. The viewer doesn't care about the problems you had getting a picture. The photo stands on its own. You can't blame that a river or cliff were in the way. Whatever the reason it doesn't work, it doesn't matter. Throw it away. There's another reason we should think like this. If we start making excuses for bad photos, pretty soon we're not trying harder and every bad shot gets an excuse. We become lazy and careless even when there are no rivers in the way.

 

[Victo]

Agree. What is the point in telling the guy with D5100 looking for a portrait lense, that the ultimate portrait lense in the 200 mm prime that costs $5,000+..

 

[Overread]

The link in my signature to the guide on how to get critique and feedback basically shouts the view that if people want the most applicable replies to their specific situation then they have to be upfront about the situation. Otherwise people will continue to post replies that are correct in a general sense but don't apply to the specific situation because the OP didn't elaborate. Often enough this tends to prompt more to elaborate than asking them to in the first place and its a lesson most learn fairly fast.

The answers might be somewhat wasted on the OP at that point in time; but stand both as replies for general readers of the site and also do give the op some idea of what might be possible were they not chained to their seat; or perhaps what might be just beyond their budget - something for tomorrow instead of today.

 

[Derrel]

Agree. What is the point in telling the guy with D5100 looking for a portrait lense, that the ultimate portrait lense in the 200 mm prime that costs $5,000+..

Yes, this was ****exactly**** the example that popped into my mind. We have a member here who often suggests that the 200mm f/2 VR-G Nikkor is "the ultimate portrait lens". He's been posting that little gem for a few years now. In fact, TODAY, this very day, I saw him post that in the thread referred to above, the D5100 owner looking for a portrait lens with good bokeh. I mean come on...the lens is $5,800 these days.

First off, it's a beautiful imager, it truly,truly does have AWESOME bokeh. But ya' know what? SO DOES the 70-200 f/2.8 VR-G, aka the first Nikkor 70-200 VR model...it too has very good bokeh--some of the best around. And it's available on the used market for a reasonable sum. In many ways, the 70-200 VR-G is a better portrait lens than the 200mm f/2 VR-G. The 70-200 is lighter, smaller, and is HAND-holdable for hours on end. The 200 f/2 is VERY fat, very stubby, very front-heavy, and poorly balanced, and it freaks people out when you take it out in public. Even for a big, strong man, the 200/VR demands a monopod, just to hold it up for anything more than a few minutes' use. I know...I've owned the 70-200 since 2003, and the 200/2 VR since 2006. One lens is emminently practical; the 200 OTOH is one of the most PITA big teles around, and it gets left BEHIND a LOT because it's unbalanced, ungainly,awkward, and draws a ton of negative attention anywhere you shoot in public with it.

 

[robbins.photo]

I agree with your first point. Content, inspiration and imagination come from the person not the camera.

Really? Geez.. no wonder I couldn't find them in my menu settings. Sigh..

Lol

 

[Derrel]

I agree with your first point. Content, inspiration and imagination come from the person not the camera.

Really? Geez.. no wonder I couldn't find them in my menu settings. Sigh..

Lol

Dude--NONE of those are in the menus! Sheesh! They are ALL contained on the "P" setting on the camera's mode dial. Do'ah!

 

[Overread]

I agree with your first point. Content, inspiration and imagination come from the person not the camera.

Really? Geez.. no wonder I couldn't find them in my menu settings. Sigh..

Lol

Dude--NONE of those are in the menus! Sheesh! They are ALL contained on the "P" setting on the camera's mode dial. Do'ah!

That's only if you activate your P mode. Most people don't and thus miss out on all its advanced features. You just have to contact Nikon/Canon and give them your business registration number and they'll send you the unlock code.

 

[robbins.photo]

I agree with your first point. Content, inspiration and imagination come from the person not the camera.

Really? Geez.. no wonder I couldn't find them in my menu settings. Sigh..

Lol

Dude--NONE of those are in the menus! Sheesh! They are ALL contained on the "P" setting on the camera's mode dial. Do'ah!

Aha! So P for PERFECTION! rotfl

{Brought to you by the letter P, and the comedy duo of Derrel and Robbins.. lol}

 

[runnah]

Agree. What is the point in telling the guy with D5100 looking for a portrait lense, that the ultimate portrait lense in the 200 mm prime that costs $5,000+..

Bingo. Exactly what I was talking about.

I always see some mom with a basic kit asking for advice on baby photos. People then suggest a FF camera, expensive primes, studio lighting setup etc... Rather than giving the person useable advice with what they have.

Oh well some folks just think expensive gear solves all problems.

 

[robbins.photo]

Really? Geez.. no wonder I couldn't find them in my menu settings. Sigh..

Lol

Dude--NONE of those are in the menus! Sheesh! They are ALL contained on the "P" setting on the camera's mode dial. Do'ah!

That's only if you activate your P mode. Most people don't and thus miss out on all its advanced features. You just have to contact Nikon/Canon and give them your business registration number and they'll send you the unlock code.

Trying that now.. the customer service lady I got swore up and down no such code exists, but she wasn't fooling me one bit. I told her I knew they had a code, she said she'd transfer me to another department. Been on hold now for 4 hours - but I'll get that code yet.. lol

 

[robbins.photo]

Agree. What is the point in telling the guy with D5100 looking for a portrait lense, that the ultimate portrait lense in the 200 mm prime that costs $5,000+..

Bingo. Exactly what I was talking about.

I always see some mom with a basic kit asking for advice on baby photos. People then suggest a FF camera, expensive primes, studio lighting setup etc... Rather than giving the person useable advice with what they have.

Oh well some folks just think expensive gear solves all problems.

Ok, devils advocate time here.. I mean if she really isn't willing to dump 10 grand into getting a few nice snapshots then she must not love the kid that much right? Rotfl