About a week ago...

[pegdragger]

I had a meetup with my photography group and I got these. What do you think?

http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/2/DSC_2536.jpg

http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/2/DSC_2471.jpg

http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/2/DSC_2511.jpg

http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/2/DSC_2529.jpg

http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/2/DSC_2549.jpg

[Diamond Lil]

Oh man Michael, through my eye that is the hardest type photography. I admire your courage in even attempting to take such pictures. I love the colors in the wind instrument shot. Did you play with various depths of field?

[pegdragger]

We were teaching people how to shoot on manual, letting them see the results they would get if they set each thing stop, ISO, or whichever on their own. DOF did come up a few times, as one lady was asking the difference between DOF thru a short (or prime) lens and a telephoto lens. We explained it to her, and she got to see the difference in person that night. It was a great exercise for the group, and they seemed to like it a lot.

Thanks for the kind words Lil. Let me ask you this. Why do you admire my courage? Do you not feel you could take these same shots and get similar results?

[Diamond Lil]

Michael, I just don't see anything taking those shots. When I do take shots like that to me they feel empty, without emotion at all.

Take your pen shot for instance. It could be a poster on a wall in Office Max, a dentist office, your den or wherever. It has feeling to it.

[pegdragger]

These were by chance Lil! I brought a few things and my co-organizer brought the rest. I just sat there and played with the camera. I don't think they are spectacular, but I do think they are something I wouldn't have thought to do on my own. Sometimes, it just takes a little push to get you do see things another way. I saw shots from some of the others and wished I had duplicated what they did.

[Diamond Lil]

See, no guts, no glory.;)
In a group like yours I'd probably give it a try.

[pegdragger]

See, no guts, no glory.;)
In a group like yours I'd probably give it a try.

And that is what we are hoping to accomplish. We want to open people's eyes and let them see the full spectrum of their ability.

[EZE RIDER]

Nice shots and good discussion!

[pegdragger]

Nice shots and good discussion!

Thanks Ed! I really enjoy talking about it, and love having people around to talk about it to.

[Diamond Lil]

I have been considering taking a digital photography course through the local community college. Another thought was an online course, but the question of credibility is very high there.

[Diamond Lil]

Oh! I forgot. Please tell us about that tripod. :)

[pegdragger]

Oh! I forgot. Please tell us about that tripod. :)

Oh, that's not mine. That was another fellow's tripod. Pretty fancy, very expensive.

[Diamond Lil]

They always are expensive, aren't they!

[tude]

Now this is the kinda stuff I am talking about!
When the weather sucks you can do so much indoors for instance Walmart sells a mini studio with black backgrounds and 2 lights for photographing say jewelry (I used it for my indoor flower shots).
Point is you can do so much creatively.
Great shots I mean really great!
This is a lame ole glass globe laying round the apartment.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc81/jeptransport/airglass016.jpg
Picture sucks but it also sucks you in

[tude]

Ok bad example but my heart was in the right place, thing is there is soo much you can shoot indoors.

[Diamond Lil]

No, it is not a bad example. It made the point completely. I'm lame indoors behind a viewfinder.

[pegdragger]

Rose caught on to my antics and ruined my fun....I was buying her flowers every week or two for a while. Then she realized that the next day or two days later I was sneaking off to the basement to shoot them. SO, she began questioning my motives. I brought them home to male her smile, but also to have a subject to shoot.

I have a 5ft x 7ft reversible blue/green Chrome key backdrop I got dirt cheap on ebay, and I had Rose pick me up a bunch of the scrap fabric at Michael's or JoAnn Fabric to hold behind flowers for a nice solid background. Most of the scraps she got me are black. My lights are from Amvona. I got a $1300+ set of two lights, stands, 8 extra bulbs and a giant suitcase for $200 on Ebay about 3 years ago. I also got a set of two strobes for about $60 bucks on eBay. I will admit that I don't totally know how to use them effectively, but I am learning slowly.

Lil, as for being lame indoors behind a viewfinder, you just have to play around and try things out. Lighting is a big issue indoors and one of my greatest challenges. I am slowly overcoming it, and using a speed light (external flash) is a big help. Mine crapped out on me a few months ago and I haven't had a chance to replace it yet. Don't be afraid to try it out.

[pegdragger]

Oh, and by the way...the pics I put up in here were taken in the meeting room at our library here in town, with lots of lights in the ceiling and my studio lights to make them that well lit.

[Diamond Lil]

Michael, you are right. I'll have to give it a go.
BTW, I love that you are using the library!