View Full Version : DSLR first shots - fire-eating
Just thought I'd post these for some C&C as theyre my first shots with my Canon 40D. Didnt expect this guy to be here (I was there for the bridge) but couldnt help myself when I saw him. Certainly dont mind negative comments as I need to learn.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/4026648767_538e193533.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/4026646195_0d7293bfe1.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/4027396130_4f06bea1b8.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/4020957172_ff43a44ee3.jpg
Alpinestarhero
20-10-09, 07:28 PM
very very much too cool for school!
Second to last pic works for me!
Very good, presumably you metered for the background? - the exposure for the background is good, and the photos look good.
In instances such as this, it's worth bracketing, then you can layer in Photoshop/Gimp/whatever and paint back in some of the detail where you have blown highlights for the fire.
That said, if you were primarily composing the frame, you must be very happy with the results from your new kit? What bits did you get in the end?
To be critical - the first shot could do with the horizon straightening, and, I'm guessing here, but was there something to the right of the frame that prevented you from including more? As the position of the bridge in the frame leaves the top image a bit unbalanced, although I do like the height/scale.
In terms of saleability, the last has plenty of space for text, so would make a good image for a stock library, as this type of image would appeal to publications.
IMHO, it's not worth putting a watermark on the image itself, just make sure you embed all necessary info in the metadata, including contact info if posible, setup an email address specifically for the purpose and check it once or twice a week. If anyone then uses your image unauthorised for commercial purposes, you can pretty much name your price (within reason).
Guys thanks for the feedback.
Boot, I shot in raw, (didnt know how to bracket on this cam as I wasnt sure where the setting was) so figured I could just alter exposure PP if required. To be honest, I started shooting the guy at another angle but then realised that the bridge added interest and some element of framing. To the left of the image is a row of bright lights and a university building. To the right of the image there was a lot of dead space and some of his kit lying about. I shot in high ISO to avoid shake as much as possible whilst hand held. I was shooting in manual mode as I found in shutter, it kept blowing out everything with the bright flame. Maybe that was down to centreweighting the metering.
Looking at 1, yeah it does lose something to the right of the image and maybe I should crop it in slightly, losing height and that dead space to the right. I'm pretty pleased with the 3 & 4th image as getting the shutter slow enough to get almost a full revolution whilst keeping the guy relatively still was a feat in itself.
I'll also take on board the comment regarding the watermark. Will have to edit the metadata in Lightroom
I'm just using the 40d with the kit lens (17-85mm F4-5.6 IS USM). Its actually not that bad and has a fair amount of range for a walkabout. I still have designs on more lenses but its as and when I can afford it for the moment. I think a new tripod needs to be pretty much top of my list with a polarising filter
Did you get a card/email address for him? If you did, drop him a copy and just politely mention that the image is copyright, but you'd be happy to produce a print for him at a discounted rate. You never know, as family see it, you may get requests for more copies, at which point you can provide your price list. ;) If you're thinking of going semi-pro or pro, it's one of many ways to start.
I'd say 3 is a picture-frame and/or shot, 4 is a magazine full-page shot.
Understand what you mean about lenses, it's a difficult decision to make and justify, I certainly couldn't afford them.
If you cropped 1, I personally wouldn't lose much of the height, it looks good as a tall photo.
You can still bracket in raw, and for this situation with such contrasts of dark and light, I would punt for exposing for the background and bracket as far as the camera allows (probably 1 stop each way). There might not be much in the shots at either end, but it's the detail in specific areas you're looking to retain with such high contrasts.
I did get his email address and sent him those images as above. I did mention to him to get back to me with his thoughts.
I'm still a long way to go to semi-pro and charging for shots. I dont really know what to charge for something like this.
I just wish I'd had a 50mm 1.8 prime lens which I could have used to capture these shots. I would have probably had more keepers due to the faster lens, but I shot these at 17mm so would have had to stand further back to get anything like it.
DarrenSV650S
20-10-09, 08:58 PM
Are you looking to make a career out of it?
Quiff Wichard
20-10-09, 09:20 PM
Rob - I charge about £300 for a good picture.. naked costs £500 .
when do you want me to come model for ya ??
hee hee I Joke..
they are awesome shots mate- me like ..
I just point and press so I dont realy know about exposure and stuff BUT I do know what looks good.. and they look good !
Are you looking to make a career out of it?
No, I've got a career but I wouldnt mind making a small income in time. I am also of the belief that if a company was to approach you for an image, then they should expect to pay a fee. They wouldnt offer their time for nothing.
First and foremost, I love capturing a moment in time, and I was thrilled when I found this guy there when I expected just to capture the bridge. It was like getting a bonus lesson in shutter speed when I was mainly working on exposure for the bridge.
I shoot a lot of night pics. Your pics are metered well for the background. Can i suggest you dial in some minus compensation as it will retain some detail in those burnt out areas. You can then bring back the shadows a bit in a program especially if you shoot in RAW again.
Heres a few of the bridge which I originally planned to get photos of:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4032752659_5e096ea3d4.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/4033508986_27f2fa1e9b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4033511040_021cfa3e01.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/4032759639_b8231fb5f3.jpg
ravingdavis
23-10-09, 03:16 AM
Some beautiful shots there, looks almost as if you have used HDR to bring out the bridge. The colour (brightness of) on the bridge seems very exaggerated, it stands out as a focal point really well. I especially like the penultimate image, the line of symmetry goes right through the middle and looks great! :D
Believe it or not, they are single exposure images with a slight colour cast due to the white balance. The bottom image is probably closest to the colour of the bridge but the background came out better using a warmer WB.
thedonal
23-10-09, 06:18 PM
Those last pictures are absolutely gorgeous!
Nice work!
ArtyLady
23-10-09, 08:21 PM
Very nice pics Rob :smt023 I only know how to photograph horses and dogs with the sole purpose of painting a picture from it (did half a city and guilds :lol:) Now I've forgotten it all i just select the automatic setting - especially for animals when they move!
IMHO, it's not worth putting a watermark on the image itself, just make sure you embed all necessary info in the metadata, including contact info if posible, setup an email address specifically for the purpose and check it once or twice a week. If anyone then uses your image unauthorised for commercial purposes, you can pretty much name your price (within reason).
Could you explain in numpty terms how to do this Boot? I wouldn't mind doing it for my painting images :smt023
Heres a few of the bridge which I originally planned to get photos of...
Farkin A!
IMHO, it's not worth putting a watermark on the image itself, just make sure you embed all necessary info in the metadata, including contact info if posible, setup an email address specifically for the purpose and check it once or twice a week. If anyone then uses your image unauthorised for commercial purposes, you can pretty much name your price (within reason).
Could you explain in numpty terms how to do this Boot? I wouldn't mind doing it for my painting images :smt023
It would be the equivalent of you getting a very small brush and painting your copyright data and contact details, end-on, along the edge of your canvas. :)
In all seriousness though... If it's Photoshop CS4 on a Mac, pick from your menu, File > File Info. You can fill out IPTC data. What software and operating system do you use?
Beware, the data you use, can be 'farmed' by bots (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_bot), which is why I suggest using a separate email address. If you're going to use your telephone number and address details in there, I'd register with the TPS (http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/) and so on. I wouldn't include my home details.
FYI, I have successfully recovered funds for images used in advertising, that were in breach of copyright.
ArtyLady
23-10-09, 10:03 PM
It would be the equivalent of you getting a very small brush and painting your copyright data and contact details, end-on, along the edge of your canvas. :)
In all seriousness though... If it's Photoshop CS4 on a Mac, pick from your menu, File > File Info. You can fill out IPTC data. What software and operating system do you use?
Beware, the data you use, can be 'farmed' by bots (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_bot), which is why I suggest using a separate email address. If you're going to use your telephone number and address details in there, I'd register with the TPS (http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/) and so on. I wouldn't include my home details.
FYI, I have successfully recovered funds for images used in advertising, that were in breach of copyright.
I have Adobe elements can I do it in that? I can set up seperate email no problem - what happens then if someone does use the image - does it automatically send you an email?!!! :confused: sorry if that sounds thick.....probably cos I am when it comes to technology ;)
Already registered with TPS - several times in fact over the last few years - it doesn't stop the calls at all :(
ArtyLady
23-10-09, 10:05 PM
Heres a few of the bridge which I originally planned to get photos of:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4032752659_5e096ea3d4.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/4033508986_27f2fa1e9b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4033511040_021cfa3e01.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/4032759639_b8231fb5f3.jpg
These really are awesome Rob! - amazing shapes (reminds me of a guitar!) and colours - really beautiful :smt023
amarko5
23-10-09, 10:38 PM
Hey Rob
not bad for a hammer chewwer LOL
to be honest they are freaking awesome mate keep it up
Very nice pics mate, did you just set the camera up on a tripod and try different exposure times til you got the light levels you wanted? I'd like to get results similar to that but don't know where to start! I have a Nikon D40 so shouldbeable to get some decent results with patience and practice :)
Cheers
I have Adobe elements can I do it in that? I can set up seperate email no problem - what happens then if someone does use the image - does it automatically send you an email?!!! :confused: sorry if that sounds thick.....probably cos I am when it comes to technology ;)
Already registered with TPS - several times in fact over the last few years - it doesn't stop the calls at all :(
Hi, sorry for the long delay in responding to your question about metadata.
Metadata comes in various forms, and may include camera details, or scanner details, editing software details, all sorts. The data you need to edit is IPTC data.
I'm unclear after a little research in Elements (I don't have it), however I believe that adding IPTC data is not an available option, and those that report being able to, can when and only when, they also have Photoshop CS(x) installed.
I've searched for IPTC editors, and there are several free ones around, however I cannot comment on their reliability or quality - I will have to leave this for you to research yourself - sorry.
In terms of others using your work, the data does not have any form of automation control for breach, it acts more like sticking a copyright sticker on the back of a print. The mere inclusion of the data, means that you have provided details of you, so if someone wanted to use your picture, they could make enquiries.
If for instance a company found an image on the web and wanted to use it, they would be expected to make a reasonable effort to find out who owns the copyright. Therefore, in the event of a breach of copyright, your contact details are there, and so you could prove that no reasonable effort had been made.
That's my understanding.
Some pro-photograhpers who sell via stock libraries set weekends aside and spend all weekend looking for breach shots if they get a lull. More often than not, it pays off.
Gareth
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