norfolk_nsfw_maybee

<p>My brother started bird photography a couple months ago, so I broke out the 300mm MF lens, stuck it on my D7000 yesterday.<br>

This was my third pic.<br>

<img src="http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h332/sweetmk22/Birds/nuthatchphoto_zps65a338c3.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="526" /></p>

<p>He said it would take me two weeks to get another spread wing pic.</p>

<p>OK, birders, is that true!?</p>

<p>There must be a correct technique for doing a photograph slide show on a HDTV.<br>

If I attach my laptop with a HDMI cable to my HDTV the pics are all washed out.<br>

Do I need to;<br>

"Photoshop" the pics to a certain size,<br>

Use a specific program to produce the slide show on the HDTV,<br>

or something else?<br>

This seems like a no-brainer, but, Googling the technique just gives results like I have gotten. There is even a YouTube video showing similar horrible results. AND they are bragging about it!!<br>

Help me get pics on my TV that do not look like the display of a Kodak Carousel projector being used with too much light in the room.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>The reason for lamps being better than flash in a tent is the modeling capability. Why would you bother to use a flash, which gives no indication of lighting until AFTER the pic is taken?<br>

The tent will bounce the light everywhere, with totally unpredictable first-time results.<br>

With lamps it is WYSIWYG. With flash it is "How did that happen?"</p>

<p>You did not say what camera it is on. The camera makes lots of difference.<br>

I am 63, considered it for a D7000 as I hope to "FX" soon.<br>

I decided on a 18-200mm VR as a better choice for now, only 19oz (versus 32oz).<br>

I think I made the right decision.<br>

2 pounds is not a walk around lens, IMHO, it is a "<strong>get it out of the trunk for a wedding</strong>" lens.<br>

I would loose interest in carrying it soon.<br>

A monopod is just more to carry.<br>

Heck, I took the extra credit cards out of my wallet.</p>

<p>I have never had an idea for a picture, I just push the button, then take it home and see what I got!!<br>

Artists have such ideas, and use the right side of their brain, heck, I do not think my body even wastes any blood on that side of my brain.<br>

Now, if you want to talk f-stops and shutter speed, I am your man!!</p>

<p>Luckily, I realized my virtually unused 18-70mm works pretty good and I have been enjoying it on the D7000 for a couple days.<br /><br />From what I read about that lens, it will soon start to wobble or something

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Anyway, at least I got something to occupy me for 48 hours!</p>

<p>I bought a Marumi based upon this test;</p>

<p>http://www.lenstip.com/115.23-article-Polarizing_filters_test_Marumi_DHG_Circular_P.L.D_72_mm.html</p>

<p>I am happy.</p>

<p>You can find anything you want at that site, regarding polarizers.</p>

<p>I have been interested in OCF for a while. Using manual flash per Barrys recommendation is something I hope to learn in the future.<br>

I feel my limitation of going to manual is photographing moving subjects. 'til I learn that I will stay auto TTL.<br>

I bought two Larson soft boxes used, one from KEH, the other off ebay. They are heavy, but bulletproof. All the lesser ones look like they will work, but, I have heard the stories about the silver lining falling off, etc...<br>

Here is a link to the explanation of how I powered them with a speedlight;<br>

http://www.sweetmk.com/2012/12/diy-how-to-mount-speedlight-to-a-softbox/</p>

<p>I have found the bean bag that is right for me!<br>

http://www.lighting-academy.com/index.php?id=805&L=1<br>

This is the way to go to try out the concept!</p>

<blockquote>

<p>The usual problem is reflections of the camera and yourself in the glass.</p>

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<blockquote>

<p><img src="http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h332/sweetmk22/Photography/2012-10-14124622766x800_zps3aaba1ac.jpg" alt="" width="766" height="800" /></p>

<p>I never have problems with reflections off of glass! LOL<br>

Notice how the camera focused on me via reflection? I was photographing an insect on the window.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I never thought of using shipping peanuts, that would make a bag weigh almost 0.0 pounds.<br>

I still have a box from Crutchfields that has 2 cubic feet of that stuff in the box, they sent a camera bag in the box, I guess they were worried about shipping damage!! LOL<br>

Time to start finding fabric for a new one, any recommended dimensions? SEW!, SEW!</p>

<p>When a tripod is too much (I hate them outside of the house)<br>

and <br>

a beanbag is not enough,<br>

I use this (a lot!)<br>

<img src="http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h332/sweetmk22/Photography/tripod3_zps1a45de35.jpg" alt="" width="647" height="960" /><br>

It is not a carry around, but, incredible for landscape near the car, or other smooth surface.<br>

I bought it on a fluke to make "moving car video", but, haven't used it for that.<br>

It is kind of specialty, but, if you do that specialty, it gets lots of use.</p>

<p>I can see the light source in the "pink" box, but, not in the lower pic.<br>

A BIG light source will do what you want, soft box first, then try an umbrella.<br>

Not the sun, not a direct flash, big and soft light. IMHO</p>

<p>When you get to be my age, you find the monopod is not just for photography! LOL<br>

I use a beanbag for the unmentionable (here) sport with excellent results.</p>

<p>Compared to a tripod, especially a light weight tripod, I find a bean bag to be even more stable.<br>

A lightweight tripod can allow movement, the beanbag will tie your camera into the mass of what it is sitting on and really stabilize the camera.<br>

WOOT! my car is a 3000 pound tripod, that is stable.</p>

<p>Reshoot the pic @ ISO6400, but, move the object to a distance of at least 4 feet away.<br>

It looks like you were so close, the lens could not auto focus.<br>

Possibly either;<br>

The distance is so small the electronics can not interpolate the flash data/timing correctly<br>

or<br>

The flash is going OVER the object.<br>

This is a great use for a SC-17 cord and an off camera flash. You can move the flash away and at the same time aim it at the object.<br>

D7000 pic;</p>

<p><img src="http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h332/sweetmk22/Photography/tripod3_zps1a45de35.jpg" alt="" width="647" height="960" /></p>

<p>Oh, yea, this is a forced underexposure!<br>

I think the off camera flash makes the pics of the object look more three dimensional, like you could reach out and grab it.</p>

<p>I agree with the statement "There are softboxes, and there are softboxes"<br>

You get what you pay for in this area. The shape, the lining and the diffuser(s) have a lot to do with the results.<br>

My research found you can not just hack any shape into a box and get results. (i.e. , offshore import knockoffs)<br>

Luckily, I ended up with a Larson Soffbox, and a DIY bracket that does not risk damage to the foot of the flash.<br>

The DIY is detailed here - http://www.sweetmk.com/2012/12/diy-how-to-mount-speedlight-to-a-softbox/<br>

Sometimes you get great results with DIY, I did!<br>

</p>

<blockquote>

<p>This required consumers to pay taxes on out of state purchases</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I live in Virginia. We bought $10,000 of furniture out of state in the 1980's (stupid DINK newly weds! LOL). Virginia researched our purchase and sent us a bill for the tax!</p>