Photos - no not THOSE type....

[T.J. McDon]

I noticed a comment here from someone saying they get a lot of people saying, "I'll take your pic hur hur hur" but that those people give no evidence they actually know one end of a camera from another. It seemed a pretty fair comment.

It wasn't directed at me at the time, because I've not offered to take anyone's picture, but none the less, I have implied a couple of times that I enjoy photography as an amateur, so I thought I'd put up some pics.
Not because I'm a great photographer - far from it - and not because they're great photos, but because I think it's only fair that if a person talks as though they're into photography, they should be prepared to show some of their work. Besides, even though these aren't "those" kinds of pics, and are only the work of a beginning amateur, it doesn't mean that the members here can't actually appreciate them.
So here then are a couple of my shots over the years.
There are some much better ones that I can't put up without blanking out faces etc, which kind of spoils the picture too much.
Like I said, don't be too harsh a judge, I'm still very much learning.

 

[viper]

Quite picturesque. Very nice.

 

[~Dragons_Princess~]

They are some beautiful pics, especially the field of flowers with the ferris wheel! <3

 

[T.J. McDon]

Thanks Viper.
I have a long way to go. I've only owned an SLR for two months. The earlier ones of these were taken with a P&S. I wish the first one hadn't been such a horrible overcast day. Was dreadful light to shoot in. Really have to go back there on a nice day because it was a gorgeous area (pity it's 3 hours away).

 

[T.J. McDon]

Thanks Dragon Princess. That was at Floriade in Canberra this year actually.
It was the second day I'd owned an SLR camera. So I was lucky to get any useable shots - LOL.

 

[Sherry]

Wow they are really good! They look very professional-well done

 

[T.J. McDon]

Thanks Sherry.
Not sure how I'll translate the outdoor abilities to portraiture, unless the person is really HUGE lying in the sun

 

[T.J. McDon]

Accidentally left a couple off.

 

[Happy2]

You seem lucky ,in that you have a natural eye I used to end up with the subject in the top corner or the picture would be on a weird angle.
I guess these are digital? I am running out of chemicals or developing film so I may have to use that dreaded format soon. Dread the day
And if he is still around these pages gr8tstuff would be a good bloke to get to know
Another snapper of note

 

[~Dragons_Princess~]

You have a real talent TJ, you should really do some of this professionally, some of those pics would look great on a calendar or framed on a wall

 

[Ghost Protocol]

nice lens work mate , some of my dark work , moving shots ! (on boat shot 2 & 4)
j

 

[T.J. McDon]

Happy2, I really recommend taking the step into digital. There is no better learning tool than instant feedback. Try a new setting, take the pic, see what effect it had instantly, change setting, see again the instant result.
With film, by the time you get to see the result, the light/time/place are all different, so any changes you want to try, will all have different results.
General consumer level film is argued to be roughly equivalent to 12megapixels, so a digital camera at that level or above will generally print at about equal to film. Mine is 18mp.
You honestly won't regret it and will wonder why you waited so long

Now we have this thread how about others put up their pics. We might be able to inspire each other to bigger and better things. I love seeing other people's pics. It gives me ideas and inspiration to try other things.
Post up.

 

[T.J. McDon]

Wow, thanks lateralthinker, can't wait to go have a look at those when I'm not on my mobile. That oil rig one even looks great on a phone, so they should be corkers on a computer.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[jlmiller]

Nice images, I think you have a pretty good eye for composition and the subject matter is very interesting. I especially liked the fog image, hazy range and farm images. great detail also. Keep up the good work. Look forward to seeing more.

 

[Andrea]

You Guys have an amazing Eye the pictures are magnetic they draw you towards them im inpressed xx A

 

[WRXXXR]

Nice photos!!

60 or 7D TJ? L series glass?

Many years ago i was speaking to an editor of a well known magazine about some slides I submitted for print and I was telling him how I was planning on getting a DSLR... In no uncertain terms he told me digital photos would never be of a high enough quality. Still have my first dslr, 350D with 8mp. Now a new phone has 8mp lol.

But now with decent bodies so cheap, glass being affordable and Photoshop readily available everyone is now a pro..

 

[Ghost Protocol]

Wow, thanks lateralthinker, can't wait to go have a look at those when I'm not on my mobile. That oil rig one even looks great on a phone, so they should be corkers on a computer.
Thanks for sharing.

SORRY , im only allowed enough bandwith to support 4 tiny pics
these are at 10% of their original size
j

 

[Naughty Thoughts]

I was the one that made the original comment and yes, very good shots there that you've taken. I especially like the shot of the flowers with the ferris wheel in the background - because it shows you put some thought into it. So many people just grab the camera and push the button. But something so easy like getting a bit higher or a bit lower can change the tone of a photo.

I've only owned an SLR for two months. The earlier ones of these were taken with a P&S.

My favourite photographer quote is "the best camera is the one that you have in your hands".

 

[T.J. McDon]

Thanks Lone Road. That picture was helped heaps by the the fact that the 60D is Canon's first DSLR with a foldout and tiltable viewing screen on the back of the camera. 99% of what I shoot I shoot through the viewfinder, but creative shots like that sure help when you can hold the camera a mm from the ground, tilt it upwards, and still see what you're pointing it at without having to lie flat on the ground under it.

The camera is the 60D, and the lens is just the 18-200 IS that you can choose instead of the twin lens kit. I do a lot of 4wd tracks, and don't want to change lenses in a dusty environment, so I chose the 18-200mm instead of the twin lenses, so that I could photograph both the mate bogged on the track ahead of me, and also the great view from the top of the track, with the same glass. It's a compromise, as any glass being asked to cover that kind of range, won't do any of it spectacularly, but it was a balance that I felt was worth the loss of some quality.
It's not L series, and I can only dream of owning any L series glass. I'd have to start working as a W/L at $450 an hour to afford that kind of equipment (*pokes out tongue*). Being a guy could seriously restrict my opportunities in that regard though heheh.

I've had a lot of trouble with the 60D since I bought it a month and a half or so ago, way too many of my shots have been out of focus a little, so today I sat down with the focus chart off the net, and followed the complex system of using it to check the focus on the camera, and found it's about 10-14mm back focussing (the rear 10-14mm line is in focus, when it is supposed to be the central focus line). Looks like it's going back to have the problem fixed. Looks like it's manual focus for me on the majority of stuff till it comes back. Not very happy with it from that point of view. I'm pretty sure the extended warranty I took out included a loan camera in the event of a repair, so maybe I'll be ok after all (provided the loaner doesn't have the same problem of course).

LateralThinker,
I'm on the laptop now, and just had a look at those pics of yours. That first one intriques me. Where is that taken? It looks like some kind of lights on a rocky outcrop in the sea. Really interesting shot.

 

[~Dragons_Princess~]

Can i ask a dumb question? Whats the difference between a SLR camera n a normal camera? I hear ppl say SLR cameras a lot but have no idea what it means, lol.

 

[T.J. McDon]

An SLR and a DSLR are both a "Single Lense Reflex" (DSLR is Digital).
This means that a mirror diverts the image from the lens to the viewfinder, so the tog is seeing what the lens sees (more or less). As the photograph is taken, the mirror flips up out of the way so the image goes through to the film (or to the sensor in a digital).
That's my understanding of it anyway. With advances in digital cameras, many of the new pocket digitals, aren't actually SLR's, - especially the ones with no viewfinder and only a colour screen on the back - but the view you see is still often the same as the lens sees, but without a mirror. This is because the image is being handled electronically rather than optically (using a mirror).

In an SLR, the mirror flicking up out of the way and back, is what gives the stereotypical "clack" sound, as it's often much louder than the actual shutter opening and closing.

At least, that's pretty much my understanding of it. I may be wrong on some of the exact technicalities, but that's probably enough of an answer to give you the general idea, even if I'm slightly out on the exact workings.

 

[sexnut]

Can i ask a dumb question? Whats the difference between a SLR camera n a normal camera? I hear ppl say SLR cameras a lot but have no idea what it means, lol.

You would make the best subject for a photo shoot:love10:

 

[T.J. McDon]

Hey Sexnut, you've got all the lovely ladies on the West Coast to take pics of, if Dragon's Princess ever wants to become a subject for a photo shoot, I think I should get the chance - I'm on her side of the continent
(and yes, we are only joking Dragon's Princess. No offence intended)

 

[~Dragons_Princess~]

Haha, thanks for explaining , I don't know why but I always assumed it was something to do with the speed the camera could take photos or something, but it's just the way the image is aligned in the viewfinder thingy?

And lol, I've never been the subject of a photo shoot, would be interesting

 

[jlmiller]

This may answer that question better:
Compact digital cameras and digital SLR cameras | DigicamGuides.com
After 30 yrs of being a photographer there is a lot of differences between S(D)LR and the normal compact camera.
Interchangeability is a major one, quality of the image is another, cost, weight, and how it functions are just some of the main points.
I can only point you to some of my work at:
| jLorenzo Photography and the social group I have on this forum.

 

[Demon]

Very impressive portfolio.

 

[AmyMonroe]

You do have a good eye, I would just suggest to watch the composition, keeping in mind the rule of thirds, as sometimes photos with the main subject dead centre are a lot more interesting if they are placed on one of the imaginary thirds.

Your images have great focus, and a very pleasing depth of field, manual focusing does have its benefits Its clear that you have a good understanding of those aspects.

A good set of filters would be invaluable as well. They can help cut some of the harshness out of some of the full daylight images, giving a more difused even light effect, and give better colouration to the image.

I particually like the 2nd image, the raindrops/dew on the fence really add to the mood of the image.

Most photographic shops also run courses for people with digital cameras, typically they are for a few hours during the evening or weekend, and cover a wide range of topics, from basic use to lighting, portraits, landscapes etc. They have a wealth of information and I highly recommend. I did a few with my local camera store then did a diploma in digital photography which I found a huge help.

All the best

Ps a great photo service for storing your images online (and with a printing service attached and also with pro features such as selling your images) is SMUG MUG (www.smugmug.com)

Amy

 

[T.J. McDon]

Thanks for that Amy,
Filters are definitely part of my near future plans (like before the weekend when I'm off on a photography trip with a bunch of others).
I have a good CPL, but then a lot of those early photos above were with the old Finepix point & shoot, and couldn't really have taken a filter anyway, but I definitely want some ND filters, plus better lenses, better equipment, better .... gee ... no wonder I can't afford W/L's - I keep spending my money on camera stuff

Funny how often an instinctive shot you just grabbed on your way to something else, ends up one of your better ones. That dewy fence in the mist, was just an instinctive shot, taken without even trying to think it out, I was just headed from the campsite to the vehicle to go do the farmhouse shots, saw the mist and the fence, and grabbed the shot. It's turned out to not just be my favourite, but one of my photos that gets the most comments from others as well.

My avatar was playing around trying to get the depth of field just right to blur myself and the lens, but have the EOS 60D logo in focus. With the 18-200 it was damned hard work - LOL. It's too big and too long (gee, bet you ladies don't hear that too often) and it has a rather limited F/stop range. Of course, shrunk down to avatar size it's just pointless anyway, as you're never going to read the logo at that size anyway, but thought it was about time you got a hint of what I look like. Probably way more hint than I'm comfortable putting out there actually, but it's done now.

 

[sexnut]

Hey Sexnut, you've got all the lovely ladies on the West Coast to take pics of, if Dragon's Princess ever wants to become a subject for a photo shoot, I think I should get the chance - I'm on her side of the continent
(and yes, we are only joking Dragon's Princess. No offence intended)

All? Where are they then? Checks under rock find nothing. She can fly her dragon over

It would be very interesting and sexy for sure:love10:

 

[Mrs Langtrees]

Very much enjoyed the photos...keep more coming.