SnapShot Archives - 01/09/2000
SNAPSHOT - PHOTO NEWS FROM BETTERPHOTO.COM
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Welcome to SnapShot, the weekly newsletter on the art
of photography from http://www.betterphoto.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
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Sunday, January 9, 2000
* SPOTLIGHT: New National Geographic field guide rocks!
* BETTERPHOTO: Automatic notification when your question is answered
* WEB NEWS: See example masterpieces of photography
* WEB NEWS: All about Ansel Adams: the recollections of a friend
* PHOTO TIP: Use flash at live performance with this in mind
* PHOTO Q&A: Cameras for multiple exposure photography
* PHOTO Q&A: Using filters with a point & shoot
* PHOTO Q&A: Good book for shooting in low-light
* PHOTO Q&A: Best films of shooting bands indoors at night
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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Great Book from National Geographic
Beautiful, well-produced photos serve as excellent examples in this new book
by Peter Burian and Robert Caputo. Full of great charts, tips, and info
about photographers, the guidebook provides a wealth of helpful how-to
advice for every photographer - from professionals to beginners.
National Geographic Photography Field Guide:
Secrets to Making Great Pictures:
http://www.betterphoto.com/product/productDetail.asp?productID=617
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WHAT'S NEW AT BETTERPHOTO.COM
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Survey: What Do You Want SnapShot & BetterPhoto to Be?
We are always working hard to make these tools of real service and interest
to budding and seasoned photographers everywhere. So here's an informal
survey - what would you like to see in each issue of the weekly and at the
Web site? Tell us what you want:
http://www.betterphoto.com/siteFeedback.asp
Automatic Notification for Answered Questions
When an expert photographer answers your question, you are now notified via
email. An easy link leads you right to the answer. Ask or answer any
photographic question:
http://www.betterphoto.com/qnaTOC.asp
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PHOTOGRAPHIC HAPPENINGS ON THE WEB
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Masters of the Photographic Universe
Use this fun tool to see works by Ansel and other master photographers:
http://www.masters-of-photography.com/index.html
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All About Ansel
Read a heartfelt recollection of Ansel Adams - conscientious
environmentalist as well as master photographer - by David Hume Kennerly,
a great photographer himself. As told by this close friend, the stories show
how Ansel worked to influence policy as hard as he worked to make excellent
images:
http://www.enn.com/features/1999/11/110299/ansel_5302.asp
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THIS WEEK'S TIP
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If you shoot indoors in a live performance, avoid using flash. Flash in the
face of a performer can be disruptive and is often not allowed. If there is
no way around it, ask permission first. Then make sure you are close enough
for your flash to reach your subject; using flash from a distance will often
produce worse results.
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CAMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY Q&A
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Q. How can I add a filter to my point and shoot camera?
A. For most point & shoots, your options are limited. The only thing you can
do - and it is not a bad method - is to hold the filter in front of your
lens with one hand while shooting with the other. If you have an assistant,
use him or her to hold your filter. Whoever does the holding, make sure that
nothing obstructs the light meter or the autofocus sensor. And keeps all
thumbs, etc. out of the picture ;^)
By the way, some point & shoots do accept filters; look to see if there are
threads around your lens. If so, you can get the diameter from the camera or
your manual. Most pro shops will order these smaller filters for you to
screw onto your point & shoot.
Respond to this question:
http://www.betterphoto.com/QnAredirect.asp?threadID=332
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Q. I often take many pictures in low light situations such as bands, concert
situations, weddings, etc. My pictures all seem to come out blurry and/or
bright red. I am changing the settings on my camera to find out just how to
photograph in low light. My question is as follows: What speed of film
should I use w/ my Minolta 400 SLR, what setting speed, etc. to get that
perfect low light situation? I am tired of wasting film. I usually use 800
speed Fuji. Also, what is the best way to capture a Christmas scene w/
lights at night? My pictures seem to be blurry in this situation as well.
Any help would be much appreciated. Thank You in advance. Bob
A. This is a tough question to answer. My first response to questions like
this is to recommend a fast speed film; you are already doing this. My
second suggestion is to use a tripod; this would eliminate most of the
blurriness problem. However, shooting indoor scenes of bands and other
subjects at crowded events with a tripod can be extremely difficult, if not
impossible.
There is a good book on the subject of low light shooting:
Night & Low-Light Photography: A Complete Guide
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0304343315/graphiqueA/
I am going to do a little more research to address your other questions. I
am puzzled by the redness problem; if there is anything else specific you
can think of that may further describe the problem, please let me know.
Respond to this question:
http://www.betterphoto.com/QnAredirect.asp?threadID=345
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Q. What is the best way to take pictures of a band inside a relatively dark
club? What film? What f-stop? What aperture?
A. The most important thing in my opinion is very fast film. I develop my
own black & white film and I usually use Kodak T-Max 3200 speed or Ilford
Delta 3200 for really dark clubs or environments. These two can be "pushed"
to even higher speeds if needed. If the club or venue isn't too dark you
can use a 400 speed film from the above mentioned brands. If you are taking
color shots the fast film rule still applies. Remember though, the faster
films will be more grainy. Also, a good powerful flash is very important.
I prefer to use flash as little as possible to give the photographs a more
natural lighting look, but that's up to you. Aperture and shutter speed
will depend on the amount of existing light. Have fun!
Kodak T-Max 3200 Black & White 36 Exp. Film:
http://www.betterphoto.com/product/productDetail.asp?productID=368
Ilford Delta 3200 Black & White 36 Exp. Film:
http://www.betterphoto.com/product/productDetail.asp?productID=471
Fujicolor Superia 400 24-Exp. Film (4-Pack):
http://www.betterphoto.com/product/productDetail.asp?productID=303
Respond to this question:
http://www.betterphoto.com/QnAredirect.asp?threadID=313
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<< continued... >>
<< the Nikon FE 10 does not offer multiple exposure shooting >>
Q. So I would try another camera then which I need to explore. Do you have
some cameras in mind that I need to have for these things? Do advise me a
best low priced camera - even in the Nikon series.
<<or asked another way>>
I am about to start a second year photography class and I know we are doing
multiple exposures, and the cameras they provided don't have this feature. I
am looking into buying a Pentax ZX-5 Kit with two zoom lenses and a case for
$499, and it does multiple exposures. Do you know of any other cameras that
do multiple exposures that are available for about $500?
A. Let's look more closely at your best options among cameras... All one
really needs is a camera that will allow you to disable the film advance.
Many manual cameras do this; you can push in a button that causes the film
to stay put when you cock the film advance lever.
However, for a few bucks more, you can now get a powerful camera that, in
addition to automatically handling multiple exposures, will give you such
features as autofocus, creative lighting options, and automatic bracketing.
Most of these cameras also allow you to go all manual, if you need to for
your class.
In addition to the Pentax, check out these models:
Pentax ZX-5 (kit with one zoom lens and case):
http://www.cameraworld.com/adtemplate.asp?invky=88493&affky=591732
Canon Elan II:
http://www.betterphoto.com/product/productDetail.asp?productID=238
Nikon N70:
http://www.betterphoto.com/product/productDetail.asp?productID=455
Minolta 800si:
http://www.betterphoto.com/product/productDetail.asp?productID=459
Respond to this question:
http://www.betterphoto.com/QnAredirect.asp?threadID=24
*****
Ask a question of your own or answer a few from your fellow photographers:
http://www.betterphoto.com/qnaTOC.asp
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Until next week, enjoy shooting!
Thank you,
Jim Miotke
BetterPhoto.com
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