Take your best shot! [Archive] - Digital Camera Resource Page Forums

DonSchap

07-02-2008, 01:13 PM

Okay ... I know there are a few new members looking at this web site and saying ... geez, what could I post? These guys are nuts!

Well, I would like to suggest posting your very best shot.

What this can do is definitely indicate how many interested people are really looking at the SONY DSLR forum and also what the newer cameras are doing out there, in the real world.

There is a ton of good material that has been discussed in this forum. You should be getting better than average results if you've listened and acted upon only a portion of it. That's kind of the point of the entire effort.

But, like any kind of learning ... you need to post up some feedback and see where you can improve your images ... if at all!

So, if you have NOT posted in the forum ... take a few minutes and figure out how to do it. Remember, posts need to be limited to 488K for a JPEG.

You might be asking: "Well, Don, they're coming out of the camera at over 4MB per shot!"

That's very true, so you need to "resize" the image through an image editor. An image editor program is usually included in the computer's operating system. You might also make use of the SONY software, included with your camera.

A good size to reduce to is 800 x 533 ... which usually will bring the image under the 488KB limitation.

Anyway ... post the best you got ... and let's try to help one another make that shot look crackin' ... if necessary. Who knows, we may just learn something along the way? :D

DonSchap

07-02-2008, 05:07 PM

Psst ... it really is okay to post ... something. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

We will all be the judge.

37461

sparkie1263

07-02-2008, 05:34 PM

Don I will start it off. Here are two flowers I took today. I don't know what kind they are. The white flowers are the size of a nickel.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/WhiteFlower-1.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/PurpleFlower.jpg

P.S. I always post my images.

CaliGal

07-02-2008, 07:45 PM

http://www.karenengel.com/p1053075924/?photo=h359E0674#899548788

Not really my *best*, but one of my very first with the DT 18-250 lens/A300 combo. (Bummer we can't embed linked images here without reducing the file size and attaching...or am I missing something? :-)

DonSchap

07-02-2008, 11:56 PM

Hey, that's great, Karen. Good show.

The limit for images is 488KB per. Also, if they are larger than 1024 ... you get scroll bars ... so I recommend 800 x 600, just to keep it under control.

Keep them coming, folks ... we do have quite a number of SONY users, these days. More to come. Show us what you have been up to.

Scribblah

07-03-2008, 12:29 AM

CaliGal....Great photo. Sycuan? I'm in the East County out here so I know it well.

This photo was taken with my old Sony DSC-F717 Cybershot 5mp. I love that camera. It was on a 10X + digital zoom (48.5mm). I know this is SLR's but I had to post it. I was walking back to my car downtown and I look up and see three girls playing around on a ledge on top of the Ramada Hotel which is about 10 floors. I took the camera out of my car just in time to see the girl at the very ledge. The wind was blowing and with her thin body, well needless to say it wouldn't have been pretty. I have a few others but I think this one is the most dramatic out of the bunch.

Again, my apologies this was a few days before I got my a300. :)

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/Scribblah/livingontheledge.jpg

This is not my pic but I wanted to show you how high she is. CRAZY!
http://www-staff.it.uts.edu.au/~jenny/photos/2006/us2006n/slides/Ramada%20St%20James%20San%20Diego.JPG

CaliGal

07-03-2008, 04:57 PM

WOW, that's weird and scary!!!! Almost looks like a movie stunt. Yes, I would say she's very high :eek: both physically and mentally! LOL

My squirrel image at Sycuan was done while waiting on the tee of a big two day WPLGA Tournament a couple of weeks ago. It was the first time I had ever been there...I won the whole thing too!

Anyway, glad you liked, thanks!

CaliGal

07-03-2008, 05:02 PM

The limit for images is 488KB per. Also, if they are larger than 1024 ... you get scroll bars ... so I recommend 800 x 600, just to keep it under control.

Thanks Don!
But to clarify, they cannot be linkable images of that size (which are readily available to me through my photo hosting service) - they actually have to be sized to fit, then attached, correct?

Panda Bear

07-03-2008, 09:03 PM

(These are all reduced images)

This made several papers:

http://www.oregonprepsports.net/images/stories/2008_Softball/NMCascade/4_VanHessW.JPG

This was a game saving, over the shoulder catch:

http://www.oregonprepsports.net/images/stories/2008_Softball/WaldportRegis/WR_Gescher_CatchW.JPG

And a basketball shot:

http://cmsimg.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=J0&Date=20080618&Category=COMMUNITIES&ArtNo=806180436&Ref=V1&Profile=1139&MaxW=318&Border=0

Panda Bear

07-03-2008, 09:14 PM

Classic Fast Pitch delivery:

http://www.oregonprepsports.net/images/stories/2008_Softball/080531/HM_8_WedanW.JPG

Clearly, not an out (notice the ball loose on the runner's shoulder):

http://www.oregonprepsports.net/images/stories/2008_Softball/080531/GlC_3_GillespieW.JPG

While this time, we have control of the ball, and the out!

http://www.oregonprepsports.net/images/stories/2008_Softball/080531/RGP_2_HarrisOutI6W.JPG

DonSchap

07-03-2008, 10:16 PM

Thanks Don!
But to clarify, they cannot be linkable images of that size (which are readily available to me through my photo hosting service) - they actually have to be sized to fit, then attached, correct?

I did not consider links ... sorry. I figure posting them was a more permanent solution ... and flexible to the poster ... as posting websites change/come and go.

sparkie1263

07-04-2008, 05:14 AM

Butterfly

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/Mothcopy.jpg

sparkie1263

07-04-2008, 07:14 AM

Ocean during a storm with 40 MPH winds.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2487361496_0855917578.jpg

DonSchap

07-05-2008, 01:01 PM

Any other SONY fans ... dying to show us your ... imaging?

C'mon .... let's see where this can go ... while there is still some summer left to improve on it.

sparkie1263

07-08-2008, 05:29 PM

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/SeagulinflightPS.jpg

dr4gon

07-08-2008, 06:08 PM

Wow that is with the Tamron? That's a killer shot!

dr4gon

07-08-2008, 06:09 PM

http://www.dr4gon.net/lightroom/KaboomTown2008/bin/images/medium/DSC01936.jpg

besides the dust, which is easily removed and has already been removed from the camera, what can be improved?

sparkie1263

07-08-2008, 06:19 PM

Yes that is with my Tamaron.
Thanks
Frank

DonSchap

07-08-2008, 06:48 PM

@dr4gon - you could adjust for White Balance, using the bright base lighting of the building as the main & brightest "white" lighting. It may lift the blue a bit ... removing the yellow cast. The sky will brighten, noticeably, too. Just a thought.

@Frank - nice capture, Frank.

SpecialK

07-08-2008, 08:28 PM

besides the dust, which is easily removed and has already been removed from the camera, what can be improved?

I realize there are lines going every which way, but the whole image seem to be listing to the right a hair, especially the horizontal building. I would try a couple clicks of counter-clockwise.

A nit-pick, but I just noticed the streak (from an airplane?). Not bothersome at all, but not big enough to be an actual element of the image, so I might try to remove it.

Very nice, however.

dr4gon

07-08-2008, 11:03 PM

I realize there are lines going every which way, but the whole image seem to be listing to the right a hair, especially the horizontal building. I would try a couple clicks of counter-clockwise.

A nit-pick, but I just noticed the streak (from an airplane?). Not bothersome at all, but not big enough to be an actual element of the image, so I might try to remove it.

Very nice, however.

Actually this is my wallpaper right now and those were some of the first things I noticed too. I have since rotated it and it's now parallel with the horizon, the spot is gone, and the airplane streak is removed as well.

Don, I will try to mess with the white balance and see.

Scribblah

07-09-2008, 09:36 AM

dr4gon.....I'd love to see the photo after you've tweaked it. I thought the first was awesome. I'm really into night photography and liked how it came out. After some of the comments I noticed what was said, however still a nice pic. I'm curious to see what the white balance does. Let us know how it goes.

dr4gon

07-09-2008, 11:44 AM

http://www.dr4gon.net/lightroom/KaboomTown2008/bin/images/medium/DSC01936.jpg

besides the dust, which is easily removed and has already been removed from the camera, what can be improved?

Before and after :D

http://www.dr4gon.net/lightroom/KaboomTown2008/buildingsmall.jpg

Added blue to the skies, red to the building, and a touch of green to the trees :).

DonSchap

07-09-2008, 12:32 PM

Pretty good effort ... the image improves

Scribblah

07-09-2008, 05:09 PM

Please excuse the question but , were you able to tweak the colors because you shot it in RAW? Or were you able to do that in JPG also?

Panda Bear

07-09-2008, 10:41 PM

Handheld halfmoon shot tonight.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/2654193649_3d9f0c1ce9.jpg?v=0

A bit too bright, but it's an exceptionally clear night here in Oregon; it actually looks that bright tonight.

(Sony A200 w/ Sony 70-200)

dr4gon

07-10-2008, 12:10 AM

Please excuse the question but , were you able to tweak the colors because you shot it in RAW? Or were you able to do that in JPG also?

well initially in lightroom I did a bit of white balance and then took it to photoshop to "add" color using layers. So it's a combination of both, but JPEGs should be just fine.

JonathanJ

07-10-2008, 08:58 AM

Nice photo dr4gon - the colours in the second one are great. It really 'pops' :)

JJ

CaliGal

07-12-2008, 06:28 PM

what can be improved?

Well, since you asked, the horizon does not appear to be level. Other than that I like it....even better than the "editied" version... :-)

sparkie1263

07-12-2008, 06:32 PM

Another try at black and white with some color. I think I got it now.LOL
Frank

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/Seagulinflight1BW.jpg

DonSchap

07-13-2008, 03:58 PM

I figured I'd offer up a recent building shot of my own.

The Gallagher Building in Itasca, IL.

37895

EXIF: A700 w/ TAMRON 17-50
@ 30mm - f/22 - 1/8 sec - ISO-100 - Spot Metering - M - Natural light - WB:5600K - tripod
corrected for parallax error

CaliGal might like this, it is almost in the middle of a golf course. Talk about an "hazard."

DonSchap

07-13-2008, 08:11 PM

Well, upon suggestion from a complete different photo board ... I went back to image and made some corrections to it ... to improve it's ... appearance, because ... in photography ... appearances are everything.

So ... here we go, again!

37896

... minus one reflected building. Well, most of it, anyway. :rolleyes: Roos should really like this ... bit of Photoshop fun.

sparkie1263

07-13-2008, 08:46 PM

First Quarter Moon For some reason I like the moon against the blue sky.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/Moon.jpg

This was shot hand held with my Tamaron lens
iso 200
Speed 1/60
f/8
300 mm

DonSchap

07-13-2008, 08:54 PM

I'm anxious to see what I can get with the new TAMRON 200-500mm f/5-6.3. I have got my fingers crossed that it is sharp as hell ... but, I may just run it by the LENS tuning station, if the moon comes out ... less than perfect. 6-year warranty ... I love you. LOL

That crop bothers me, Frank ... do you have a little more of the dark side to hang off it?

And, hello, does the building look worth a darn?

sparkie1263

07-13-2008, 09:04 PM

The building looks great. I think it would make a great HDR with the right sky. I can crop it again. I am glad you told me about this lens. I get alot of complements on the sharpness of my images.
Thanks
Frank

sparkie1263

07-13-2008, 09:14 PM

How is this Don?

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn219/sparkie1263/Sony%20A100/FirstQuarterMoon.jpg

DonSchap

07-13-2008, 09:22 PM

Yeah ... what do you think? Do you see the balance ... ? I think you pushed a little too hard with the sharpening, though. Check out that halo the moon now has ... uh, that "five-o'clock shadow."

About the building ... honestly, it was such a terrific, well-balance exposure in the direct sunlight ... probably one of my best ... I am hesitant to say HDR would offer anything of real value to the image. Perhaps I'm wrong, but the contrast seems very liberal ... not harsh ... which is usually where HDR excels at correcting.

sparkie1263

07-13-2008, 09:30 PM

I didn't touch the sharpening I used curves and Noise Ninja auto settings. Would that make it look sharper?
Frank

DonSchap

07-13-2008, 09:37 PM

The soft blue sky does not normally lend itself to sharp, contrasty images ... so you are pushing something that is, well, not natural. Your first shot was good ... a slight adjustment, perhaps ... but, the relocating was key in the image framing. Obviously, a whole separate issue from sharpening.

My 400mm moonshot over the Red Rocks was with a blue-tinted, early evening sky. Again, the moon was not sharp, like it is in the night sky. It still made the image look astounding. You are also blowing up a 300mm crop, which inherently softens the image.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r289/donschap/vacation%20art/Moonshot-Red-Rocks.jpg

sparkie1263

07-13-2008, 09:42 PM

Is there a way to copy the settings from the first image? If I open it up again in PS will the settings show in curves and levels?

Thanks
Frank

I still don't have an eye for this yet. LOL

DonSchap

07-13-2008, 09:47 PM

It would have, if you left it as a .PSD file ... but once it goes to JPEG ... all displayed layers are merged (squished together) to form the jpeg image ... which can only be manipulated all over again ... causing image degredation.

You could download the "original" image, again, from you camera's memory card ... and then begin ... only save your work as a .PSD (so you can go back) ... and then again as a JPEG, so you can post. Sorry. :(

sparkie1263

07-13-2008, 09:51 PM

I read that somewhere but I didn't want to save everything 3 times. I do save the original but I would never be able to get the image back the same way from the original. I am lucky if I get it right the first time.
Thanks
Frank

I think we just hijacked your thread. LOL

DonSchap

07-13-2008, 10:03 PM

Hey, if someone learns something along the way ... so it goes.

We can always start another image follies. :D

dr4gon

07-13-2008, 10:26 PM

I have my RAWs imported with lightroom and pick out the ones from their to export to a gallery (just some automatic sharpening for PP) and I hand select a few for more PP in photoshop which gets saved as a PSD and also as a JPG for uploading to the interenets.

DonSchap

07-13-2008, 10:31 PM

Maybe it is just me ... (it usually is) but, I am find RAW rather useless outdoors.

I know it is very powerful for dealing with indoor lighting issues, but I rarely find myself screwing around with the White Balance in sunlight. Set to 5600K ... I seem to be getting good results without having to tweak it. You can go right from JPEG and save time.

What about you folks? Oh oh ... hijacked, again.

re.ac.tor

07-14-2008, 12:24 AM

OK Don,

These were not taken with a DSLR but rather my old MVC-CD300:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/wdavidsharp/TennesseeThanksgiving2007068.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/wdavidsharp/006.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/wdavidsharp/CaliforniaVacationSummer2007063.jpg

I know, I know - turn off the date stamp.

re.ac.tor :eek:

DonSchap

07-14-2008, 08:08 AM

seanhoxx

07-14-2008, 10:13 AM

Nice photos guys. Don That is a neat shot of the building with the Tamron 17 - 50, wow thats what I want my building pics to look like:( and speaking of learning something you say the photo is "corrected for parallax error" please explain, is that like the wave or ripple effect from a repeated patteren windows etc. or is that "moire" is that right?
nice moon sparkie even hand held, I need to work on my grip and being way more steady.
And that first photo of the fall leaf is really cool.
Sean

DonSchap

07-14-2008, 03:50 PM

Since I left off in architecture shooting ... here's another one using the lens I recieved in the mail, just today ... the Konica-Minolta AF 17-35mm f/2.8 (D). I figure if I'm going to slap in on the front of a full frame, I had better see how it looks.

Oakbrook Tower @ Oakbrook, IL

37947

Don't you just wish you had had the glass contract for this monster. It is huge, all by itself, on a chuck of concrete at Roosevelt Rd and US 83. I had worked in this place for a bit. Marvelous view from the top.

re.ac.tor

07-14-2008, 10:03 PM

These are really quite good, coming from a oversized P&S camera with a big memory (disk). Color saturation is very manageable, but pixel density is probably limited for enlarging it.

Are you considering the JUMP to DLSR? Judging from your apparent skills at DOF, I am pretty certain you might find yourself with a significant improvement in imaging ... when the flexibility tools of a wider aperture, wider ISO range and faster shutter are added.

If I were you, I would take the time to get over to the SONY Style store and take a intensive peek at the A350 or A300. They are much smaller in your hand and offer quite a bit more to your images.

I mean you've done nicely. Why be limited? Intro-prices are definitely better than they have EVER been. :)

Just a suggestion ... and thanks for your participation in the show.

Don,

Thanks for the kind words. I would love to go DLSR but, my budget is limited currently. I just received Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-H50 (Black) as a 15y anniversary gift from my wife. I will now have triple the pixels of the old Sony, and much more flexibility. Looking forward to learning how to use it and put out some higher quality photos.

re.ac.tor