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Interested in learning art photography? Want to become a master photographer? The following questions and answers are divided into two main groups - digital imaging and traditional, film-based photography. Learn the techniques of both here. If you want to learn more about how to make great photos take Jed Manwaring's Getting Started: How to Make Great Photographs online photography course.
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Nancy Marie Ricketts
Contact Nancy Marie
Nancy Marie's Gallery
nmrvirginearthphotography.com
member since: 10/27/2010
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21
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Wireless shutter releases
I have gone through two inexpensive (at least when I bought them) wireless shutter releases, which quit in the middle of portrait sessions, even though they both had new batteries. The first one (same brand) -I just purchased the same one again as it was so inexpensive. Then had the same problems -failing to release the shutter, then just quitting altogether, just two days after purchasing batteries for both parts of the release. I did read the manual that came with these devices and followed the instructions telling me how to reach the signal each time. It would work maybe twice and then quit. In the last session, when I press eased the release, nothing happened, then about a minute later it goes off continually 5 times- that was humorous. My question is, "Is there a wireless shutter release out there under a $100 that will work, preferably having choices for multiple frame shooting, and long exposure?? HELP!!
12/10/2012 11:03:41 AM
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I don't have a suggestion Nancy but I am having a hearty laugh at the thought of your camera giving you a five-shot burst as revenge for you bad-mouthing it!
12/13/2012 4:15:34 AM
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It was a comic moment, Peter. I was taking a family photo with me in the picture and when I pressed the release, nothing happened. I threw my head up in disgust and at the same time the 5 burst happened. So, of course, I have a photo of me with my head up in the air, and my husband laughing his head off! ; )))
12/13/2012 6:45:58 AM
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Pat Harry
Contact Pat
Pat's Gallery
member since: 11/26/2006
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22
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Purple spot on image - what is it?
Can you see the purple spot at the base of the monument? What caused this?
12/8/2012 6:18:00 AM
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I see the different color in the stones/bricks. I don't see what I'd call a spot. Unless you could upload a photo more zoomed in on the area.
12/9/2012 11:58:46 AM
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Thanks, Gregory. Here is another one - I cropped tighter. The purple spot (or area) is a on the monument, a bit above the middle.
12/9/2012 12:26:29 PM
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My first guess would be something on your lens, causing some kind of light diffraction? I see 3 spots in the clouds (to the right of the monument, in the 1st photo) that suggest your lens may have splatters of something on it?
12/11/2012 5:22:54 AM
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Chromatic aberration makes a purplish color like that. Usually if something on the lens shows up, it's on the side of the aperture blades closest to the camera, like sensor dust shows up. So it could be a finger print on the rear elements. Or check for mold inside the lens.
The spots in the clouds look like something on the sensor.
You can always make a white screen on your monitor and take pictures of it at small apertures and see if they show up. That's an easy way to check for dust on the sensor.
12/11/2012 9:19:40 PM
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Thank you both. I'll try cleaning it once more and see if I can get it. If not, then it's time for a professional clean.
12/14/2012 8:08:03 AM
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I think it might be aliens. . .
12/14/2012 10:12:54 AM
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Jeff, I'm sure you are right. Because I would never let my lens get dirty or smudged. Nope. Never. That's my story and I'm sticking with it. So aliens it is.
12/16/2012 6:29:14 AM
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Wayne Langston
Contact Wayne
Wayne's Gallery
photosforeveryone.com
member since: 11/14/2004
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23
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lense adaptor
I would like to know if anyone can help me with this question.
At the present time I use a A100 Sony and would like to make a change to one of the lenses that I use. I would like to change a 70-300 to a 400mm. Is that possible and if so where can I get the adapter to change it?
Any information will be helpful. Thanks a lot Wayne Langston
12/2/2012 7:06:11 AM
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Sony and Kenko make a teleconverter to fit Sony lenses. Sometimes a teleconverter won't fit all lenses in the line up, so research and see if it will fit your lens.
12/2/2012 10:40:33 AM
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Eloise & Eugene Gregory
Contact Eloise & Eugene
Eloise & Eugene's Gallery
mistymornphotography.com
member since: 5/14/2007
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24
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Best settings for shooting luminaries
I will be going to the Memorial Illumination at Antietam tonight. What settings would you recommend for this event?
12/1/2012 5:57:55 AM
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kerby lee pfrangle
Contact kerby
kerby's Gallery
pfrangle.com
member since: 4/19/2005
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25
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Christmas idea for a photographer
This is just my opinion but I bought (Portrait Professional) for myself awhile back and I love it.The more I play with it the better I can make my portrait pictures. It so fun to play with. It does not cost very much and I think it makes a great gift for a photographer friend for Christmas. I bought it and downloaded off the internet.
11/22/2012 2:03:24 PM
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Zombie Bride
f/7.1, 1/500s, 98mm
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Hi Kerby,
I do like Portrait Professional but use it sparingly and try to be careful not to overcook the images. I think PP or Topaz filters would make a nice x-mas gift.
Zombie Bride - simple desaturation is the only editing I used on this one :)
Cheers,
Carlton
11/24/2012 3:24:34 PM
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Hi Carlton, Zombie bride is a very nice picture. You did a nice job on it. I love Portrait professional and I am having so much fun with it. You can really make the portrait images nice with it. It makes a really nice gift for a photographer that enjoys doing portrait work. It very reasonable in cost.
11/27/2012 7:15:58 PM
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I just bought the new version of Portrait professional and there is a discount coupon for a friend if anyone wants to use it the number is CXLZ-MQWC-ALPE-JBYT This will get you a fifteen percent discount on Portrait professional. I love the product I can take older portraits and really make them shine.
12/3/2012 7:40:11 AM
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gordon stevenson
Contact gordon
gordon's Gallery
member since: 8/21/2012
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26
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do I require a release?
Just submitted a photo titled, "the clown, the bull, & the ram (see my gallery). Wondering if a release or permission is required to upload this photo to B.P. Thank you
11/14/2012 7:53:15 PM
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No.
11/15/2012 8:41:20 AM
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Thanks Lynn. Appreciate your concise reply. Gordon
11/16/2012 8:51:34 PM
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Noelle Rosenberg
member since: 3/22/2011
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27
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How to fix a swollen eye
Hi There,I have been struggling with how to fix this beautiful girl's swollen black and blue eye. Can anyone help me? I use ps 5 and I am struggling with making this look natural. Thank you!
Noelle
11/11/2012 11:01:27 AM
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Do you have liquify tool on your version of photoshop. That might be the easiest way to reshape the eye. You can't copy and flip her left eye because she's not looking straight ahead.
I tried a quick fix with my very basic version of photoshop. I used distort-spherize to suck in the area of the swelling. To try to cover up the bruising, I used paintbrush tool set to screen and sampled various spots with the eyedrop tool from her cheekbone, under the eyebrow on the inside part of her right eye, and also her eyelash line on her left eye, to try to get shadowing and the contour to look right.
Since I used the web version, I had to use a very small brush size, and almost do pixel by pixel. On a full size picture, the clone tool could be substituted for the paintbrush.
Whether it looks natural or better, that can be up to interpretation.
11/11/2012 10:31:06 PM
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Noelle Rosenberg
member since: 3/22/2011
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Hi Gregory, Thanks for looking at this. I do have liquify and I tried that. I also tried the flip but, yes, the eye is not looking in the same direction. A pro friend suggested I send it out to a retouch place. I have many of these to edit and I think it will take too much time. Thanks again. Best, Noelle
11/12/2012 3:40:19 PM
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Paul Newton
Contact Paul
Paul's Gallery
member since: 9/23/2008
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28
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Buying a new tripod
I've begun my hunt for a new tripod. I'm willing to spend $3-400 for one that I hope will fit my needs. Those needs include: travel worthy, packing into a backpack, lightweight, yet sturdy, and easily maneuverable and interchangeable. There seems to be a wide selection out there of competent tripods. What is your experience (good or bad)? Aluminum vs. carbon fiber? Head adaptability? Thanks for your input!
11/7/2012 8:25:50 PM
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Hi Paul,
I have 2 Manfrotto's. One is a aluminum model 3021 with a 322RC2 pistol grip head. This I use for more portrait/sudio shoots. The one I carry everywhere is the 190CXPRO4 with a 468MGRC2 hydraulic head. The 190CX is carbon fiber and has 4 sectioned legs that collapse down small enough to be carried on my Lowepro Flipside 300 backpack. I sometimes use the center column hook to hang my bag on if I need more weight on the tripod for stability but it is usually sturdy enough as it is.
Really Right Stuff & Gitzo are very well made but a tad pricey. A friend bought a carbon fiber no-name brand online for $100 and I was very impressed with it.
I suggest going to the camera store and handling them and try different combinations of heads/tripods and see what clicks with you. The Gitzo's have twist lock legs while my Manfrotto's are a flip lock (which I prefer).
Good Luck,
CarltonHere is a pic from last weeks "Portland Zombie Walk "
11/7/2012 9:41:03 PM
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Thanks for the input. I live in a rural setting but will try to get to a camera store to try them out. I have a Manfrotto monopod that I really like but it is a very simple design. I guess the head arrangement is really going to be the hard part.
Thanks again!
11/7/2012 10:32:48 PM
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I've been pretty happy with my Induro carbon fiber---except that in hindsight, I wish it had flip-locks instead of twist-locks on the leg extensions. Each leg has 4 segments, so there are 3 locks to adjust---9 total locks, and all being twist-type, I feel I spend a LOT of time locking the legs! I got it several years ago, and it was a markedly less expensive (then) carbon fiber option than the other big names I compared to. (If I recall, it came in just under $300?) I'm 6'2" tall, and so I wanted a tripod that was as tall as possible when fully extended (not counting center column extension), and as small as possible when collapsed, with a low weight. (They had 3-segment legs on some models, but collapsed, they were too big for carry-on bags.) If I remove the center column, then the collapsed legs, and the removed column, fit in my carryon size luggage for flights (without having to take off the somewhat bulky Manfrotto "squeeze grip" head I use.) If I am checking a larger bag on a trip, I'll put the full tripod in there, usually. At the time I bought it, Induro offered an identical model, but with a center column that you could pull out, and remount to be a horizontal column... It was a tad more money, so I skipped it---now I wish I had a "flippable" center column sometimes (useful for shooting directly down over something on the ground); they no longer offer that model.
11/9/2012 7:44:56 AM
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Paul, if haven't yet bought a tripod and head, check out a company called Really Right Stuff. They have helped me with tripod head problems and if I didn't already have a great Manfrotto tripod, I would have purchased one from them. They know what customer service is all about. They have a physical store in CA, but you can find them online and you can find someone to speak to you, who will take your wants and needs into consideration, and give you good advice whether or not you purchase from them.
12/14/2012 1:59:35 PM
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Paul, You won't find anything in your price range from Really Right Stuff. They start at 800 and go up from there. Their top of the line ball head is around 500, and I highly recommend it. I am a firm beliver in splurging on a tripod. Personally I would get their TVC 33L for the extra height. I own a Gitzo 3530 LS carbon fiber which is really nice but a little short when working on slopes. I may be moving up to the RRS tripod.
12/30/2012 4:24:39 AM
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Hans Abplanalp
member since: 2/8/2005
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29
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Lens protection
HiDoes using a neutral, clear filter to protect a lens impair image quality? Thanks
Hans
10/30/2012 7:35:00 AM
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If it's high quality, not a noticeable difference. But another choice is to use a hard plastic lens hood.
Most cases, people drop their camera, and a lens hood will often hit and keep the front element from making contact with anything. But, projectiles and pointed objects would easily get past just a hood.
10/30/2012 7:45:18 AM
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Hans Abplanalp
member since: 2/8/2005
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Hi Gregory Many thanks for your reply. Hans
10/30/2012 7:51:09 AM
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I use both a protective filter and a lens hood. The protective filter comes off when using OTHER filters. When using a CPL attach a rubber lens hood so you can adjust the filter to where it needs to be. With the hard lens hood it is too difficult to impossible to adjust the polarizer. The original use for a lens hood was to keep out unwanted flare from the sun or anything out of the frame that may shine unwanted light onto the lens. It also reduces glare which can give you false meter readings and it will also give you better contrast. There are very few occasions when it is not practical to use a lens hood. Examples: Flare is wanted and when it may scare an insect or get in the way while shooting Macro. Lens hoods are on my lenses 99% of the time including night shots and in the studio.
11/4/2012 11:04:36 AM
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Hans Abplanalp
member since: 2/8/2005
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Hi Lynn Thank you very much for your answer. Hans
11/4/2012 11:49:34 AM
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The only two times I've attached a filter to protect the front of my lens was during a windy day along the beach at Nag's Head, and while wandering through the Geiser Basin at Yellowstone.
During those shoots, salt, sand and sulphur spray were flying around so much that I was worried about permanent staining and corrosion.Filters DO degrade image quality, albeit slightly...which is why I prefer shooting filter free.
As for protection...
Keeping the lens cap on (except for when taking a shot) is your best option in my opinion.
11/6/2012 7:30:21 PM
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Hans Abplanalp
member since: 2/8/2005
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Hi Bob Many thanks for your reply. Hans
11/6/2012 9:45:32 PM
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Hans, I do as Lynn does. A while ago someone convinced me it was nuts to put a filter on good glass. One week out, I tripped on a rocky beach and put a huge scratch on my naked lens. Now I never have unprotected photography, but I do use the best filters available.
11/7/2012 6:01:37 AM
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Hans Abplanalp
member since: 2/8/2005
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Hi Kay Thanks for your input! Hans
11/7/2012 6:55:48 AM
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Ken Currie
member since: 10/10/2012
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30
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Camera won't allow me to take picture in low-light
At times, the camera does not allow me to take a photo. 1) I am unclear how I override and make it take a phone. 2) I am also unclear how I force a flash. I know there is a setting to say flash is on but at times it doesn't come on or pop up when I enable that setting. Camera is Rebel T4! EOS650D.
10/24/2012 8:40:26 AM
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You can start by raisng your ISO. If you are using Aperture Priority open your lens more, and if you are using Shutter Speed priority decrease your shutter speed. Read The Manual that came with the camera. There should be a small button on the prism section nerar the flash for making the flash pop up. Again RTM! Flash can only be taken a 1/250" or slower. That is fast enough to stop nearby motion since the minimum speed of the flash is 1/10,000". I suggest that you take a course from BP to learn your camera. If they do not have one for the T4i take the one for the T3i since there isn't that much of a difference between the two. I also suggest that you get yourself free from using any of those other pre-programmed scene programs. If you are new to photography I suggest that first you start learning in good light before you get into these situations. For some reason people new to photography want to take photos closer than the minimal focus distance of the lens and at rediculous low light situations that are difficult for the best of cameras.
10/24/2012 5:07:36 PM
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We'd likely need a bit more info to pinpoint the cause (what Shooting Mode you're in, particularly) but it sounds at first pass like you're not able to achieve focus - and in AutoFocus mode, the Rebel won't fire if the lens can't achieve focus. (You'd see, I believe, a small solid-color circle or dot, in the viewfinder probably on the far right, blinking, when focus can't be achieved. When focus can be achieved, that circle/dot would be steady/not-blinking.) If you're in low-light and can't get focus, AND the flash is not up to provide some assist light, it isn't going to work for you at all. Lynn is right---there should be a small round button near the lens-mount area on the camera body, that pops the flash up...
It does sound like you need to gain some added familiarity with your gear and settings/operation, too---either an SLR basics class here, or one of the model-specific camera guides you can buy (if the Canon manual is too dry/unclear for your tastes.)
10/25/2012 12:16:36 PM
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