BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Photography Question 

Susan L. Vasquez
 

Settings?


I wanted to enter a photograph in the contest that I took when I first started taking photos, but at the time I never realized how important it was to know the settings used. Do you have to know the settings to enter? I know it asks if you would be able to provide the original, so I would think you would need the file with all the information still intact.


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June 04, 2005

 
- Carolyn M. Fletcher

BetterPhoto Member
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Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery
  No you don't. Many of us never record settings. Just go for it and have fun!


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June 04, 2005

 

Nobu Nagase
  Tech details are so nice if you can provide them, Susan.
I appreciate those who does because I have learned so much by reading how the image has been created... whether they may be the camera settings or digital editing process.

However, imo the details are encouraged but not required for entering the contest. If you look around, many photos do not have the settings or editing process.


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June 04, 2005

 

Susan L. Vasquez
  Thanks Carolyn & Nobi! I've learned many new things and I haven't even been here long!


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June 04, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
  Thats one of the biggest problems with this site. They clearly ask you to divulge your settings, and how you made the shot. Everybody seems to ignore this, but this is an integral part of photagraphy if you are going to take it seriously. Some people like to learn, and to know how a certain shot was done as a learning experience, but most people on here are just aiming their point and shoot auto everything and think that makes them a photographer.


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June 14, 2005

 

Kerry L. Walker
  Nobody is forcing you to stay.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
  No, I think Ill stay so I can put in my opinion just like you!

The girl had a legitimate concern about the rules, and I happen to agree. It clearly states that you should put in your settings. If you dont want to comply with a simple inherent photography rule, then maybe you are the one who should leave.


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June 14, 2005

 

Kerry L. Walker
  I never said you should leave. I just said nobody is forcing you to stay.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
  So what would be the difference? The impression is the same, you dont like someone with an honest opinion?


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June 14, 2005

 

Brendan Knell
  John,
It does not clearly state that you should list the settings. It says description and in the text box, it lists some examples.


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June 14, 2005

 

Bob Cammarata
  Just list the lens and film used (if applicable) and whatever filters, converterers, flash units,...etc were used to create the image.
It is not mandatory for you to provide specific settings of aperture and shutter speed, but it's good to know these things so you can answer intelligently if someone were to ask.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
  Yes. But the inference is certainly there, and it just makes legitimate sense to do it too. They make it clear they would like you to put in settings, and as much information as you can to make it a learning experience. Ive seen a lot of shots that I was impressed with, and couldnt get anybody to tell me how they achieved it. I really think it should be a hard rule if the site is going to have any meaning for true photograhy, and not just pretty pictures taken with automatic cameras


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
  Brendan, I went back and looked at the box. It does clearly list what to list, and it says etc. which means any inofmation you will give to help others know how to achieve this result. I know when I joined, I took it to heart since they took the trouble to list that. I have been guilty and lazy though too, and merely said "auto settings" sometimes, which a lot of others do too, but really doesnt help with learning how. Sorry if I appear so direct and obstinate, but Im a believer in compliance and learning thats all.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
  P.S. (postscript, not photoshop)

Bob C is absolutely correct, says what Im trying to say, its there to help someone learn how, thank you


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June 14, 2005

 

Brendan Knell
  John,
I always thought that was an example, not requirements.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
  Well yeah in a way, I know it isnt written in stone because they dont force you to list settings. But it makes the proper sense in the genre of photography doesnt it? thats why they list (suggest ) doing it. I wish it was a requirement, it makes everything so much more informative


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June 14, 2005

 

Brendan Knell
  Well you know what John? There are people that come here, because they don't have a clue what that stuff is. Also I don't think we really need to spell it out for you how we did every single shot. I'm really sorry if you have to do some research of your own. I have a shot of a waterfall, and I said something to the effect of "I took this around dusk, with a 2 or 3 second exposure." I think that is enough for you to figure out how I did the soft effect on the water. I'm sorry if I'm being rude, but I think that you should have to figure out how to do some things for yourself. Don't you remember a teacher telling you that you'll remember something better if you have to find it, rather than me just telling it to you? I think that aplies here as well.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
  OK time to stop this. I thought you understood. No I am not taking you as rude, but there are a lot of people on here,mostly amateurs which Im really not,that do want to know "stuff." But if you dont want to share your technical knowlede with us, then I think you are missing the point of this site. They themselves declare they want it to be helpful, informative, and fun. And for those people who come here and dont know what stuff is, thats why there is a Q AND A section and many forums to share "stuff". If you dont want to FINE, DONT. But I will continue to asnwer any questions I can for the people on here, because Im one of them. and you dont have to respond to my threads at all, in fact feeling the way you do, I would prefer you dont.


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June 14, 2005

 

Brendan Knell
  What I'm saying is that I think that you should take 5 minutes, and try and figure out how they did it. Then if you can't figure it out then ask the person that took the photo. So just like your teachers probably told you, if you find it, you will learn it better, and remember it longer. But if you can't find it then come to me and I will help you. And also, if you look in most of the digital threads, you will find that alot of them have a response or two from me. So I'm not coveting my technical knowledge. I also will continue anwsering any questions that I can.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
  I just think youre missing the theme and genre of the site. As a newcomer here I dont think you realize yet that this site is for learning and sharing and comraderie. I dont think telling someone to learn it for themselves is very friendly or more importantly, helpful. I dont think you will get very far here with the attitude you have about teaching, learning, and sharing


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June 14, 2005

 
- Ken Smith

BetterPhoto Member
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Ken Smith's Gallery
  Hi, I'm a newcomer and like the site. Unfortunately, I'm still not quite sure how to upload to the contest--see my earlier post tonight. I agree with John, in that I like to see the details, especially the locations for the nature/landscape shots. I've seen some great mountains, waterfalls, etc..things I like to shoot, but often there's no reference to the location. And it would be nice to know if someone used a polarizer, although it's usually easy to tell. True, I can contact the photographer, and that's certainly a good avenue. But I'd rather not have to dig for all the details--assuming people know the details and can take the time to enter them. Again, just my opinion.


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June 14, 2005

 

Jay Soldner
  Even if you don't know (or recall) your settings exactly, as long as you have the original image you can certainly attain the info. How? Here's one simple way (and I'm sure there are others):
Open Photoshop CS, File>Browse
>on in the left column scroll down under the metadata head, there's more info in there than you can imagine.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
  Good for you Ken. I like being agreed with, but thats not my concern. Im like you say just interested in knowing what people are doing in this photography mode. That is why they have a site, to promote it, not make it a secret. Its too bad everybody isnt as gracious about it. And I would still like to see it become mandatory as it would be very helpful and time saving.

Jay that's right, I dont know how to use the ps tool for that, but PhotoBrush has a button that tells you everything you want to know about the shot if you are with the original.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
  P.S. shucks, Jay, I always seem to leave out something. On the original image checking deal, there is one major drawback isnt there? We dont have any way of getting the picture that we are interested in from BP into the program to check it out. Thats why I like them to tell us up front


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June 14, 2005

 

Susan L. Vasquez
  Yikes! Look at what I started here! I think I agree with John here, settings should be listed by all means...I just didn't know how important it really was when I first started doing photography. I was a very "point and shoot" kind of person, but I don't think that means I was any less of a photographer. It just means I was just new and didn't realize it was important to more serious ones! Part of being a good photographer is having a good eye for composition, which can be accomplished by "point & shoot".
In the beginning I would forget to write down my settings and used PS to crop & edit my images, so I lost the info! So I do have images that I am very proud of, even if I do not have settings anymore. I think they should be listed if at all possible and I always think people should comment on any post-work they have done.
I am happy to report that I have really tried to improve myself and am learning something new just about everyday now. Alot of what I have learned has come right from BP. I haven't been here long, but have had a lot of great information and advice.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
  You, Susan, are correct. Everything you just said is right on. You certainly can be a good mechanic with point and shoot. Its just that it doesnt automatically make a person a photographer. You seem to know the difference. Its just nice to have all the extra knowledge and be able to get the most out of your camera Keep going!


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June 14, 2005

 

Susan L. Vasquez
  Don't you worry! I will keep learning!
I want my SLR!!! NOW!
too bad the money tree out back never bloomed!


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
 
 
 
Hey again! I guess me n u got a couple different threads going on. Good

Say that cybershot is a nice little camera, but it is limited on your focal length, zooming and all, but is great for what youve been doing. I dont suppose it has many manual settings?

And you dont really need an 8 mp eos 20d or a 2000.00 camera right now. You can get a good intermediate 4 or 5 mp with 10x or better zoom and full auto and manual functions that allow you to do anything you want for a price that doesnt take the money tree! Lemme show you this one that shows great dof with a Dimage z-2 for instance, if I can get this thing to upload. thats been a problem with the site, sometimes it works, and sometimes not.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
 
 
 
Hey again! I guess me n u got a couple different threads going on. Good

Say that cybershot is a nice little camera, but it is limited on your focal length, zooming and all, but is great for what youve been doing. I dont suppose it has many manual settings?

And you dont really need an 8 mp eos 20d or a 2000.00 camera right now. You can get a good intermediate 4 or 5 mp with 10x or better zoom and full auto and manual functions that allow you to do anything you want for a price that doesnt take the money tree! Lemme show you this one that shows great dof with a Dimage z-2 for instance, if I can get this thing to upload. thats been a problem with the site, sometimes it works, and sometimes not.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
 
 
 
Hey again! I guess me n u got a couple different threads going on. Good

Say that cybershot is a nice little camera, but it is limited on your focal length, zooming and all, but is great for what youve been doing. I dont suppose it has many manual settings?

And you dont really need an 8 mp eos 20d or a 2000.00 camera right now. You can get a good intermediate 4 or 5 mp with 10x or better zoom and full auto and manual functions that allow you to do anything you want for a price that doesnt take the money tree! Lemme show you this one that shows great dof with a Dimage z-2 for instance, if I can get this thing to upload. thats been a problem with the site, sometimes it works, and sometimes not.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
 
 
 
Hey again! I guess me n u got a couple different threads going on. Good

Say that cybershot is a nice little camera, but it is limited on your focal length, zooming and all, but is great for what youve been doing. I dont suppose it has many manual settings?

And you dont really need an 8 mp eos 20d or a 2000.00 camera right now. You can get a good intermediate 4 or 5 mp with 10x or better zoom and full auto and manual functions that allow you to do anything you want for a price that doesnt take the money tree! Lemme show you this one that shows great dof with a Dimage z-2 for instance, if I can get this thing to upload. thats been a problem with the site, sometimes it works, and sometimes not.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
 
 
 
Hey again! I guess me n u got a couple different threads going on. Good

Say that cybershot is a nice little camera, but it is limited on your focal length, zooming and all, but is great for what youve been doing. I dont suppose it has many manual settings?

And you dont really need an 8 mp eos 20d or a 2000.00 camera right now. You can get a good intermediate 4 or 5 mp with 10x or better zoom and full auto and manual functions that allow you to do anything you want for a price that doesnt take the money tree! Lemme show you this one that shows great dof with a Dimage z-2 for instance, if I can get this thing to upload. thats been a problem with the site, sometimes it works, and sometimes not.


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June 14, 2005

 

Susan L. Vasquez
  That's a nice shot John! The sony has manual settings and really is a decent camera, but limiting in many ways. Mainly it will only give me decent shots in optimum lighting situations, It also doesn't seem to do very well if I want to do telephoto or landscape photography.
I feel getting the SLR will allow me to learn more and DO more! I'll get it soon, just saving up now so I'll be able to get a nice body with great lenses.


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June 14, 2005

 

John C. Schwentner
  Yes, I know what you mean. However you dont necessarily need a true slr, you can still do very well with a fixed lens in a better camera. If its TTL of course. Keep in mind while you are experimenting, sometimes changing lenses can be a drawback and youll miss the shot while doing it. But a good quality fixed lens with a zoom like the z-2 is great. The lens quality is there for most everything, and the zoom is 10x (38 to 380mm wow.) And it is affordable. I know I keep talking about the z-2, thats because it has me spoiled. I have both kinds, but love the great zoom power of this z-2.And it is a very decent optic quality.


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June 14, 2005

 
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