GerrySiegel
-
Posts
11,004 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
4
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Blogs
Events
Downloads
Gallery
Store
Everything posted by GerrySiegel
-
Any lighting tips for shooting nude bodyscapes with black model?
GerrySiegel replied to falcon7's topic in Beginner Questions
Just thinking. Out of the box variety. You seek to develop your own style and set up in the studio rigtht? if I needed to experiment with light effects on torsos, I might develop a style and experiment with one, two and more lights and light modifiers. And color reflectors to see how they bounce off. And how to set apertures... I might even play with some manniquins even... . Then make your notes and work with real skin at the hourly rate.. So that is the best skinny I can come up with as a non body sculptor with light. . https://www.amazon.com/Mannequin-Forms-Black-Female-Hanging/dp/B00K96MLZM -
A good strong portrait. I cannot say if I like the tonality. I might even like to see it in monochrome to compare. One of the better efforts in the line up today. Good work. -
It probably takes more fiddling than my hands and eyes want to bother with. When I have only a phone I will use the Samsung flip phone. It is a hundred dollar unlocked phone and I carry it only for a once in a while call or to be on call from home. I suppose, having spent a long time with the manuals of my more sophistcated muliple mode multiple focus pattern. multiple speed and multiple doo dad cameras I do sort of think...gee I wish that I had one of my Olympus or Panasonics with me. Because I am sure I could have knocked off a couple more shots in the time I got to punching the right buttons...that said, ask me in a year. Who knows what Sony the micro inventors of Walkman might have coming. But I am probably locked in to minimal use of the cel phone. A matter of how I think of the 2 megapixel no EVF flip phone on my belt. OTOH my wife has no hesitation in using her IPAD PRO for any old thing.. Ok by me. Fantasy Models shot with a Samsung flip phone. Turn the saying around...The best camera is the one you have with you. SO..why not take one of those super ones WITH you. Rhetorical Q.
-
Here is how I see it, Gary. If you want to buy the base plate alone you can save half the cost. That is one thing. As to the design of the two piece models by RRS, they are such that a firm locking arrangement is possible, so no weakness in the method they use. A slot which fits tight and a heavy duty bolt. I have a two piece that allows one to slide the vertical section to a desired position as well. As when one needs easier access to the panel with the jack outlets. I think also that the amount of metal to be milled ought to yield some savings by RRS or so they allege. So this is a joint that is a well regarded not a waterfront sytle Joint. Try one and see if you agree. L brackets are not for all occasions so two piece offers an entry and a choice. Seewhatimean?
-
Thanks, Michael. That has to be it. I just today got an answer from the company which kind of affirms same though I did buy them at same time actdually.... No matching stripes on the umbrella I can see to cling to nor on black fabric cover. Sokay... But the stiff velcro does add to the solidity of the front panel when bent back over the black fabric covering the umbrella. I think the Softlighter is an interesting gizmo and I will experiment more with it now that I have broken out the Stroboframe catalog 300-125 which enables a closer alignment of the Softl umbrella shaft and the axis of the light I am currently using, a Quantum T 5d triggered by a PW Plus X. Latter a new investment but I think it will do the job well enough. I use a tiny mini clamp to hold the PW to the light stand and a 1/4 spigot. Photo is a matter of never tossing out anything from the odds and end bin. But we all know that.
-
How's the Server Error issue coming?
GerrySiegel replied to Norma Desmond's topic in PhotoNet Site Help
One of those pebble in the shoe things. Eventually it will be a norm. But it still is a pebble. Or a fly in the soup. Whatever. -
yours truly and a fellowstreet bozo mugging the camera downtown. Clearly late '80s
-
no msg
-
A simple and rather charming figure study. But all the white glowing background is kind of blinding and could stand toning down. A slightly closer crop would help. Background vs Subject. Int his case the background is totally uninteresting though I am not against real life backgrounds, or neutral shade contrast...I hope this is constructive. And while we are at it, a reflector throwing some fill from front onto her face would not be bad either. -
Can't delete Photos and so much more...
GerrySiegel replied to charles_birks's topic in PhotoNet Site Help
A casual comment in category of ease of use. Seems the No Words forum has gained popularity. I still get into some rabbit holes with the menus for uploading an image. 1) server errors that are a pain in the buttsky 2) if the posting winds up with two images, it is creepy hard to delete or modify and get rid of one. One winds up going back and starting again, and 2) seems the menu choices for edit and delete and add a small caption should be shall we say user friendly. When you get time, Glen, have a shot at these items. 3) the sizes come out at seemingly random ways, or else I ken not the pixel input and pixel output. Anyway, have a nice day. -
Alternatives to large softboxes?
GerrySiegel replied to denise_unsworth's topic in Lighting Equipment
I am not selling the Softlighter 60" as a space saver when opened fully, but then, the bigger the source, the softer the light. ( they come in smaller sizes. ) That said, got to give the Photek credit for how small they fold down and the neat slip in bags that come with them. What I disliked is having the sock not fit my little light aa Quantum Q flash which 1) does not have a hole in the reflector and 2) which places the axes of the two far apart. I found a workaround with a Stroboframe swinging L frame that seems to help a lot. Anyway, for me, for fooling around with some lanai portraits i think it will work. If I were a commercial shooter I think I would peruse the Chimera and Lastolite pages. Likely I would play around with more than one light modifier depending on the job. Oh yes, hire some Sherpa helpers to schlep and tote:-) i do not know how this test I did would stack up but it worked in the instance.
-
[ATTACH=full]1216946[/ATTACH]
-
Not so old. Not so common. But full of memories. Fuji scout jamboree.
-
Photography is not a low cost hobby. Whichever way you go, don't forget to add in shipping costs. At least with KEH you get a warranty and opportunity to look at the lens with a small flashlight. Me, I would wait until the one you got is kaput. But I shoot with several lenses that have spots. If spots do not get to be threads then seek a replacement. Labor of optical repair will crush you I suspect Vincent. Caps are caps. But then lot of lenses come in without them. And too bad you do not deal with Nikon USA. Bad web site deters. Ah so. But that is best I have to say, and I am well versed in yeast and fungi. Bummers. As to KEH, their rating and prices are going to be the best out there. compare with the other used dealers. Ask around.
-
Pleasingly colorful profile. A wee more blush maybe, but I like the eye treatment. -
Superb coloration and contrast. -
If it were me I might call KEH in Atlanta ( www.keh.com) which takes in a lot of lenses and get their opinion and even an over the phone estimate. I would not fear that such a spot is going to necessarily spread like a virus, but it will of course do more damage. Look into past threads on storage ( too too too long to recapture those ideas and options and speculations) I do not get too alarmed about a small spot until it shows in the image making. What does Nikon USA have to say? I expect all of my lenses here to get some fungus eventually. And I will replace them. Cost of living in a temperate latitude. Today is hot and muggy. My lenses are not happy. Especially my Swift binoculars which are not WP.
-
SLR/dSLR + 1 prime lens or a compact?
GerrySiegel replied to RaymondC's topic in Casual Photo Conversations
GX 7 with 20mm 1.7 pancake. And for a bigger thrill throw in a 45mm 1.8 on Sundays. ( Beats me, but that is what I use so I recommend it until something cooler comes my way.) Both bought used from KEH with waranty no less. -
Alternatives to large softboxes?
GerrySiegel replied to denise_unsworth's topic in Lighting Equipment
Hi Denise, You may be interested to know Annie Liebovitz favors the low cost Softlighter 60 inch umbrella softbox combo that Rodeo Joe decribes. I cannot compare to a regular softbox with speed ring and so on, but I think it might be worth a try. Softlighter folds up like an umbrella and snugly fits in its own nylon pouch. Very compact. Takes maybe five minutes to assemble, but I could likely do it faster if I were pushed. I will attach photo that will give you an idea.
-
Alternatives to large softboxes?
GerrySiegel replied to denise_unsworth's topic in Lighting Equipment
I guess this Interfit umbrella is comparable to the US brand Softlighter marketed under the Photek brand. Mine has a white interior vice silver so can be used for shoot through with black cover off. Folds very compact and no speed ring needed. Worth a try for modest outlay. Could be the 60" one might do the trick. they fold really small but I do not commercial work so am only surmising what would work for you.
