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@kwongphotography Thank you for always pointing me in new directions with helpful links. I’ll take a look and see what I can do – after I get the focus technique with my new macro lens under my belt. You are right, the autofocus is very slow. Manual gives me a new set of problems (handshake), so I’m getting in more practice with my tripod which is a good thing. It’s been very windy here lately which is a real challenge, but I’m going to stay focused on the arboretum and wildflower blooms as long as they last. I may at least try a piece of black cardboard for now, I should be able to pick one up a a dollar store somewhere. 😀
Thanks you so much for your kind comments & support for my attempts using my new lens, my friend! You make me feel like I can master this with practice lol. I also appreciate your picking out #3 for composition, it helps to know what stood out for you as being most successful 😀
Fantastic pick and checklist to consider, thanks to Federico for this pick! Congratulations to @timothy-a for this wonderfully executed shot. I love its serenity and how it leads my eye off into the mystery of the unknown. Great for soothing contemplation.
Thanks to Federico for this pick of this great POTW & congratulations to Beth for this sublimely serene & beautifully composed shot! Well-deserved
@admin-2 I feel like I’ve gone from a Kia Optima to a Ferrari I don’t know how to control yet lol 😀 😀 😀 But I’ll get there, I just need to learn to practice a new macro skill- and mind-set. Thanks for your encouragement!
First attempts with new lens:
f/2.8, 100mm
f/8, 100mm
@kwongphotography Wow, what an interesting life you’ve had with so many diverse experiences. Thank you for sharing more about your perspective which makes perfect and necessary sense for journalistic endeavors. I’m reminded of how wonderful it is that LS welcomes all perspectives in our search for photographic excellence.
I can appreciate the strategy of using a piece of black cardboard behind flowers. I plan to try that indoors, but am not sure if it’s practical outdoors since I don’t have an assistant and travel as light as I can. I haven’t experimented with fill flash before, so I’ll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks for sharing this beautiful rose against the black background.
My pleasure, Patrick! A bit of fun with that one 😀
@kwongphotography Thanks for your suggestions on ways to a dark/black background, I’ll keep them in mind. Your cormorant example is stunning, thanks for sharing! I’m still in experimental/learning mode, so appreciate your pointers on different techniques.
As for “ethical threshold of heavily manipulating photos,” you got me to research detail on that concept. I do understand that it’s been an ongoing debate in photography for a long time, and also on this forum – for example, on whether vignettes are allowable or not. I readily admit my emotional and sentimental influence on my work. My father who was a dentist also became an avid impressionist oil painter in the last half of his long life. He was devoted to learning and growing to perfect his technique during his whole lifetime as an artist, so I proudly follow his footsteps digitally through photography instead of oil paint. I fully disclose edits I make to my own work, which BTW are required by the contests I participate in. Advanced edits are allowed as long as you name the techniques and software used. I recently have been enjoying a digital painting software called Krita suggested to me on this forum. Instead of using Lightroom presets, I prefer to do my own edits with PS Elements to maximize my learning with different techniques. I’m playing around a bit with free presets but am still largely focused on exploring my own tastes.
Thanks very much @valeryp
My lens arrived today, I can’t wait to try it out!
If it’s fast and accurate and sharp as a Japanese chef knife, does that make me dangerous? 😀
@kwongphotography Thanks for your thoughts and continued support on the brightness and colors on my laptop. As for the Mpix processing, I made sure to indicate NOT to auto-correct anything on my shots. I actually was thrilled with the results and would use them again. I had a local print shop enlarge one of my winning photos that came out on the blue side – they did not ask me if it was okay to auto-correct. I had the local print shop mat and frame a few pieces, and had to have 2 out of 3 redone (black spots on the matting and one frame dented). I will not be using them again.
As for the color calibration, I seem to recall that my spouse selected this laptop for me because of the graphics and color representation. I think I need to revisit my settings to brighten things up before I take my shots. I’m learning about how to use the histogram to find the sweet spot, but still have more to learn. My shots seemed to have better focus when I underexposed, but when I tried to brighten them, some highlights became blown out. I noticed that there are many “color profiles” that I could try, and I’ve set the original 1518 as my default as it looks good to me. But I’m open to trying new things!
Always a work in progress. I’m looking forward to my new (used) macro lens to try out and will keep you comment about a “little too dark” in my mind. I appreciate your honest feedback – that’s the best kind. 😀
This is fantastic, creative, and moody, Patrick! Your humorous shots always shock me and make me laugh. How did you come up with this idea? There’s got to be a story in it somewhere. Now you have me wondering about how the hole got in the door… Was it Patrick, the biscuit thief? My money’s on Patrick lol 😀
@kwongphotography Good question. I sent the jpgs to mpix.com and was very pleased with the print colors that matched my display
Hi @annehornsby Thanks for your comment! I’m just starting to learn about finessing saturation and color. Photography is definitely a work in progress with lots of moving parts! 🙂
@kwongphotography Thank you again for your recommendation and link, my friend. I’ll be sure to test the lens out on macro as well as portraits and small landscapes. I’ll also make sure I check out the glass for any flaws. It’s nice to know they have a 6-month warranty and a 14-day return policy with no questions asked if I’m not completely satisfied.Their customer service seems impressive so far, the lens has already shipped.
This lens will be give me a new way for me to think about photography, because I didn’t have the ability to shoot f/2.8 before. I’m looking forward to the challenge and appreciate your kindness in finding this affordable lens for me!
@kwongphotography I tried calibrating again today but am confused about where to find the “brightness menu” for my display. I tried adjusting my display brightness up or down with my keyboard shortcuts F6 and F7, but then couldn’t do the contrast. Any result I end up with is less than the display setting I already have. I will mention that my settings worked well enough to win several awards when printed for my last local contest. Doesn’t that indicate something positive?
