L.B.A. Anon - and chatter

Ok, for all the good intentions I had of one lens per month - I couldn't help

myself - I did a little christmas shopping today - got 3 people out of the way -

and, checked my bank balance - and, did some math... and thought... well, if I

try to be really good and not go crazy with anything more than the essentials

between now and Jan. 7th - ... I should be able to...

 

and then I talked myself into buying the 21mm. (2 lenses in less than a week -

there should be a club for this...)

 

I just received the 35mm from adorama, this afternoon. For all those who

suggested it - I just did a cursory test of it - and she's SWEET. :) - I can

hardly wait for daylight, and some free time so I can take her out and see

what's she's really made of. (If only it'd stop snowing already... UGH! hate

snow.)

 

But, I guess this means I will have all the basics covered. A little wide, a

little normal, a little tele, a little macro. ...

 

next shopping event should definitely be lights, or reflectors, or both...

 

But I shouldn't think about that until January.

 

Hey - I should qualify for a rebate. Hope I remember to mail it in. :D

 

On another topic - I screwed up my courage, and asked the the old ladies below

me if they'd like portraits done - so I can practice trying to make people with

wrinkles look good. (I didn't phrase it like that to them - that would be

kinda' mean...) :)

 

Kids are fun, easy - I'm thinking old people are a whole different ball game.

So, there's one 65 year old, and a 90 year old - and I'm supposed to coordinate

a time during Xmas week.

 

It'll be interesting to see how it'll turn out - without lights - don't want to

rely on the flash - told them we'd have to choose a day with lots of daylight.

Don't know what lens to use for it. the room is tiny - 10x10 (but it has 2

windows). I don't think the 100mm will be good for such a tight space...

Suggestions?

Rose, it is comforting and cheerful to see good companions into LBA. Your LBA is on the right path getting the best of the best but my LBA path has gone very weird as I buy all the cheapest gear that I can find and now I long for something of better quality. Over the last month, I have purchased not 1 film body but various Pentax film bodies and it all come with 1, 2, 3 and 4 lens as a complete package, and nobody can imagine how I stuff my gear into two drawers. And I am blessed with a wife who has not started laughing or ridiculing at me. And I love my best friend's quote in encouraging LBA behavior -- Get what makes you happy, anything less make you less happy.

 

I also volunteer to all of my neighbors for portrait shoot and I did my first without flash and reflectors, and I learn it from others that reflectors are a necessity especially with windows lighting, and here is a folder of my first try out on FA 50 f/1.4, it may be a bit long for a small room

 

flickr slidshow:

 

 

flickr set:

 

 

and I make quite a number of mistakes in placement of the subject persons in regards to lighting source. Various helpful members in the forum has given me a lot of tips on taking portraits with windows lighting, the best come from Matthew and others on an ASCII pictorial guide in placing the person sideway to the windows with reflector on the other side. I have to look it up to pass it to you. And I am in the same boat in looking for the reflectors to use on portraits.

 

All the best to you and your next purchase. Do you mind telling us a bit more detail on your purchase as to the exact model and focal length? I like to keep that in mind.

Hin, the sales on some of the limited lenses are pretty good right now. And that's what finally convinced me that I HAD to buy the 21mm f3.2 now. Because the rebate ends on Jan. 31st. And, of course, to benefit from rebates there's the legnthy mailing process...

 

Yes, if you can remember where that pictoral guide was, please do tell. It'll help loads for trying to figure out how to place these adults - who seem to be a whole lot less flexible and fun than the natural flamboyant nature that comes with our young folk. :)

 

But, then, bending may mean aches and pains we know little of - so I guess it could make sense.

 

I found a decent looking reflector selling on Amazon for about 30$ - but it's the equipment that holds it all up and angles it - that adds on to the cost - and some of the reviews said that you have to be careful that the weight of the reflector doesn't tip the stands over if they're not well made/or balanced. So, I didn't want to buy anything until I researched what was the best option, for good price. And, truthfully, reflectors aren't half as addictive as lenses are...

 

And as far as reflectors go - I probably should check out ebay. I've heard that some people are lucky to find some good deals there. :)

 

I'm looking at the flickr pics now. The 50mm seems like a wise choice. Good lens, able to catch the light, and if I'm only doing one woman at a time - I may be able to keep it wide open, and maybe get some bokeh.

 

It should be a fun experience... but I am wondering if I should order the reflector, even if I don't get the stand to hold it yet...

 

But then, I'll ahve to worry about what light to shine on it... these shopping sprees just never end.

This is cut & paste from original thread in

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00MysK

 

from my very admired friend Matthew McManamey:

 

---- Quoting BEGINS ----

 

A good effort. It is nice to have neighbors that can help you practice. I was at a seminar in Kansas City a couple weeks ago and one of the speakers asked, "How many of us will get together with friends on like a Tuesday night and just practice taking pictures?" Maybe 2 hands went up out of about 120 people. Photography is just like anything else, to get good and stay good, we need to practice constantly.

 

Dittos on the fill flash. With good lighting (i.e. not shooting in an extremely dark location) even the built-in flash can do a good job of providing a nice fill without flattening the shadows. Typically your subjects will be more comfortable with the light from the side or behind, as they won't be squinting in the pix. The problem with backlighting is that it leaves the entire face in shadow and looks very dull or flat. A little fill flash can add a little pop of color back into the shadows.

 

Next time you get the chance to shoot with window lighting, try this: Position your subject with the window to her side, with the light comming across her face. Then use something opposite the window to reflect some light back into the shaded side. Pop-out reflectors are pretty cheep ($20-$40), but you can use something like white poster board that is even cheeper. That reflected light will soften out the shadows and maintain a nice smooth depth to the subject. Lesse if I can make a sketch...

 

W ........................r

 

i..........subj..........e

 

n.............|............f

 

d.............|............l

 

o.............|............t

 

w .........cam...........

 

when someone stumbles upon this exchange four years from now via a Google search, they are going to say, 'I bet MM remembers when online porn was ASCII Art on a BBS...'

 

Matthew McManamey, Oct 18, 2007; 12:16 a.m.

 

---- Quoting ENDS ----

Thanks Hin,

I just went to read the old messages you gave the link to, and I may just get away with buying that cheap white poster board. I know the sheets are about 35 cents each - and if it works - hey' it'll mean I won't have to think the added $100+ to buy an actual reflector set, yet.

 

meaning... I can buy another lens in January, instead? :) I think the next one on my list is deciding between the 14mm and the 10-17 fish-eye. (both so tempting - what's an LBA' girl to do?)

 

-Rose

I also picked up a DA 21 f/3.2 Limited and the battery grip on Sunday. Haven't had too much chance to use it yet, but fairly impressed so far. Here's one of my first shots with it.

<P><a href=" title="Stella waits in the kitchen for Angela to feed her turkey by andrewg_ny, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2121/2125656075_79a834e2f4_o.jpg" width="533" height="801" alt="Stella waits in the kitchen for Angela to feed her turkey" /></a>

Why do I need a wide angle lens to shoot such a tiny dog? Who knows?!?

 

For what it's worth, Stella was shot handheld, 1/15 at ISO 1600, wide open @f/3.2 (K10D w/SR).

Ok, I'll 'fess up: 77mm f/1.8 limited (and this on the heels of the Sigma 10-20 last month.) I'm loving it.

 

I think I'm done (yeah, I know: that's what they always say.) The hard part now is going to be carrying them and, worse, making decisions about which to leave behind.

Hey, Hin! Thanks for including my tag for me! The great thing about the rebates is when you get the check, it's like getting $100 off your NEXT lens purchase. I bought 5 NEW lenses this year and the only one w/o a rebate was the 35mm. I keep saying that I'm saving for a DA*, then I buy another prime. I wasn't even jonesing for a 50mm f/2.8 Macro until I was crusing Bojidar's page and saw how much sharper it is than anything else. I've got some Tech Pan on the way that could use every bit of that Macro's resolution!

Dave, is that a film scan or a digital shot?

Rose, the only good lens I have right now is the FA 50mm, and it's what I use for portraits. I would put a few up, but my wife wouldn't be too happy with it :-) You'll just have to take my word for it: Placed at a good angle in front of a window, in a room with light-coloured walls, the 50mm can take fantastic portraits without a reflector. You are right that 100mm is too long; with the 50mm you can take a vertical shot of the head and then crop a bit at the top to make it a 8x10. Or, you can take a horizontal shot and fit *two* heads in full frame (8x12).

 

I don't think the room will be too small for this, but if it turns out to be...whip out the 35mm! (Oh the envy...)

Sounds like from what Matt was writing, that I shouldn't rush because of the Jan. 31 rebate end - there's more coming - just wait for it. This should give me time to save up a little after all the splurging I just did. (I can't believe I did it on X-mas week - and on me instead of the family/friends that could get better gifts than the small things I've picked up so far...)

 

But, 2 lenses for me... hey - I may get the 21mm in time for christmas. :) I just love how fast Adorama gets things out...

 

I left my house this morning, to walk to the train - and wished I had time for taking pictures. There's a little bit of a flurry still happening, the sky is grey/white - still from yesterday's storm - and the trees are covered with snow - the branches heavy, but holding it all up. I'm sure it won't look like that by tonight.

 

I know I said I hate snow... but, this soon after the storm - it's all so pretty out there.

 

I'm glad I asked about the lenses for my first real portrait session. I don't imagine that adults have as much patience for thumb twiddling, while I'm busy changing lenses.

Andrew - I can't see your picture on my work pc - think it's some issue with the firewall. But, I'm sure I'll love stella. Dogs ROCK. :)

<center>

<img src="http://homepage.mac.com/ramarren/photo/PAW7/large/51a.jpg"><br>

Knockuskey Cottage - Niarbyl 2006<br>

<i>©2007 by Godfrey DiGiorgi<br>

Pentax *ist DS + DA21/3.2 Limited <br>

ISO 200 @ f/4 @ 1/500 sec, Av <br></i>

</center><br>

Congratuations on your new lenses, Rose. Now get out there and use them! :-)

<br><br>

Seasons Greetings to All!<br><br>

Godfrey

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I will! promise. I have a 10 day vacation starting tonight - and, intend to have my camera on me everywhere I go - choosing a lens each day will be the difficult part. I feel partial to the macro - but, then there's the 35 mm that deserves a warm welcome. And, oh - the plans I have for the 21mm...

 

after seeing all the great pics that have been put on here, using that lens - I have a feeling that will be a quick favorite.

 

The week ahead is going to be LOTS of FUN. :D

 

Happy Holidays to all my pentax buddies. :D

Rebates are a tricky thing. Pentax has been running rebates most of the year, but there was a hole this fall that kinda scared me, and this rebate period has fewer lenses on it that the previous ones. It is hard to know if they will have another rebate start in Feb...

 

As far as splurging on yourself, remember that your images are a gift that you create for everyone else to enjoy. At least that's how I rationalize it!

Matthew, I think you have a good idea there: "As far as splurging on yourself, remember that your images are a gift that you create for everyone else to enjoy". I'll see what my bank manager thinks of it :-)

ANDREW: k100d + 77mm ltd

Merry Christmas to all of you nice folks with a great passion on photography and a great spirit to share your joy and experience with others. You and all of your loved ones are in my thoughts throughout the holidays. And I have some selected songs lyrics in my blog and I don't have the music automatically turned on, you have to find the play button to play

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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2196/2122766553_0906de28cb.jpg"></img>

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<a href="http://hintheman.blogspot.com/">http://hintheman.blogspot.com</a>

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One more thing...

 

If you have a music store like Guitar Center nearby, you may be able to pick up a cheap fold up microphone stand for about $15. Spring clamps at Harbor Freight, $3. Posterboard $1.

 

For less than $20, you've just made a basic free standing reflector for portraiture!

Hin,

I'm looking forward to checking out your christmas music tonight. I've been in such a Xmas spirit - for the last 3 weeks, all I've listened to is christmas music.

 

This morning, it was Diana Krall's christmas cd. last night - Michael buble's "Let it snow" - HE's soooo good! yesterday morning - Jim Brickman's "Homecoming" cd. so beautiful - piano music. And, add to all of this - James Taylor at Christmas. Everybody must love James Taylor. :D

 

With that type of music to rise with, and sing with in the shower, and sleep with at night - ... the world seems like a much happier, and caring place.

That's a nice Christmas card, Hin. Did you print and mail those out this year?

 

OK, Mis, I've opened a can of worms with my wife and I hope you can help me out. You said, "Rose, the only good lens I have right now is the FA 50mm, and it's what I use for portraits. I would put a few up, but my wife wouldn't be too happy with it :-)"

 

I figured Mrs. Mei was just wasn't comfotable with having her likeness posted all over the internet. Perhaps she's afraid we'll start stalking her or something, I understand. My wife, on the other hand, thinks your photos of your wife may be a bit to 'revealing' for public display.

 

Do you care to clarify?

Ha ha ha, sorry for the confusion, Matthew LOL :-D Let me explain...

 

My wife is beautiful (aren't they always?) and I love to photograph her; she, however, doesn't like to pose. My solution is to take photos when she's around friends, having a good time, and not paying much attention to me. So this means she is always fully clothed :-)

 

Like I said, she doesn't want me to post photos of her on the internet, so I can't share my work with you guys. I sometimes joke with her asking if my posting photos will blow her super-agent cover.

 

Let me add that I find it amusing that you got the right idea from my post while your wife took it a little bit further :-)

Miserere - I guess I was thinking as Matt's wife was... about all those indecent pictures you've been taking - and of course, you shouldn't post them. :D

It puts a whole new spin on saying "I like to take pictures".