amateur photo thread.

[Mike Rotch]

@Mike Rotch The pictures themselves. There's only one of them that is not awful, and I'd consider it mediocre.

Linky to why manual can be better to learn on. To be expected mate, keep at it though .

By the way, I think that photo is my favorite of yours. Only nitpick is the bottom right corner is darker than the rest of the photo and is therefore a little distracting. But that's something that nobody but me seems to care about anyway.

Thanks mate, appreciate the feedback 👍

 

[Turtle]

Linky to why manual can be better to learn on. To be expected mate, keep at it though .

That wasn't even with the AE-1! Although it was full manual like usual, so it's not that much of a difference. I think honestly was the issue was that I was just trying to get through the roll quickly since it had sat unused for a few weeks.

Actually on the subject of the AE-1, I've been looking for an opportunity to finish the roll of B&W but I haven't had a chance. I can't go outside due to weather and I need to finish it today if I want to develop it any time soon. Anyone got any ideas on what I could shoot? It's 100 ISO, if that helps.

Anyway, thanks for the advice and kind words, it's always appreciated.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Have a look at @35mm 's thread for some ideas; he manages to take everyday objects and make them look extremely interesting 👍

 

[Turtle]

Oh I'm familiar with his gallery, I check it every day. Definitely inspiring that he can make such good photos out of nothing special.

 

[GregTheStig]

More from my favorite state.

Cambria, California by gregthestig, on Flickr
Cambria, California by gregthestig, on Flickr
Somewhere off HWY 1, California by gregthestig, on Flickr

 

[Swagger897]

Linky to why manual can be better to learn on. To be expected mate, keep at it though .

I'd suggest to anyone if they haven't watched ALL of DRTV's videos, they pick a weekend with nothing going on and sit glued to YT... Best least/most productive thing I've ever done for photography.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Overseeing by bg_syd, on Flickr​

 

[Swagger897]

Overseeing by bg_syd, on Flickr​

There's been a crane in my neighbors pond... might get one of it tomorrow..

 

[Mike Rotch]

Have you seen SNAW by bg_syd, on Flickr
​

 

[Crash]

@Mike Rotch

You really need to start your own photos thread and call it "Mike Rotch Pictures".

 

[Swagger897]

Pissing it outside just about all day... wish I was in a field to get lightning strike photos...

 

[Turtle]

I learned two things today:

People look at you weird when you wander a park with two film cameras around your neck.

Trying to photograph birds makes me mutter a lot of expletives.

@Mike Rotch

You really need to start your own photos thread and call it "Mike Rotch Pictures".

This thread would be so much less active without him.

 

[Crash]

This thread would be so much less active without him.

I think you missed the joke...

 

[Mike Rotch]

You really need to start your own photos thread and call it "Mike Rotch Pictures".

More like "Pictures of Mike Rotch" . Anyway, until I find my style, I'd prefer to use this thread to get some feedback 👍

Seaside Rocks by bg_syd, on Flickr​

 

[Turtle]

I think you missed the joke...

Oh, I got it, I was just pointing out the fact that it would be less active around here.

Edit: Oh yeah, finally finished a roll of black and white film. 36 shots feels like a million when you're trying to conserve them. I just hope I rewound it correctly.

 

[Swagger897]

Did a bit of some early presents with the family. Now I have my 77mm Tiffen VND and the cable release so I'll try some star trails sometime this weekend and have them back up here on Sunday at the latest..

 

[Mike Rotch]

Rained Out by bg_syd, on Flickr
Jupiter-9 85mm ISO 100​

 

[Turtle]

@Mike Rotch That's the new lens right? How are you liking it?

 

[Mike Rotch]

@Mike Rotch That's the new lens right? How are you liking it?

It is, and to be honest it is by miles my favourite lens . I am still learning about it's strengths and weaknesses (being a portrait lens, it has soft edges even up at f16) but if you work to it's strengths i.e. its beautiful sharp to soft transition, to emphasis your subject, its brilliant. I can't stop looking at the SNAW picture; it's background blur and colouration is amazing IMO. The DOF is razor thin at it's MFD though, so that is presenting a nice learning challenge for manual focusing too.

Walking about these days, I have this, the 44M and my wide angle pretty much.

 

[Turtle]

Thin DOF? Sounds like my kind of lens! How does the light metering work, you know, using a lens that you adjust the aperture with on the lens itself while using a modern body?

 

[ProjectWHaT]

Guess what?! No car pictures!

All taken in Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

Boston 12/25/14 by ProjectWHaT, on Flickr

 

[Mike Rotch]

Thin DOF? Sounds like my kind of lens! How does the light metering work, you know, using a lens that you adjust the aperture with on the lens itself while using a modern body?

I'm not sure what the 'technically correct' approach is, but mating these m42 lenses to the Alpha body means they only work in manual mode, so I set the desired aperture on the preset ring*, open up the aperture wide, focus, check the exposure meter on the camera, stop down to the preset aperture, recheck the metering and if it's under or over I will adjust the shutter speed to compensate until the metering is centred at 0 or just over, and fire.

It makes photos on the walk a bit interesting as with the constantly changing metering (clouds etc) and focusing you have to be quick without missing a step. I've lost count of how many pics I've messed up because I've not refocused after the last metering check

*the early 44M's like mine have a switch on the lens; flick the switch one way it opens aperture fully to allow focusing, flick it the other way it will stop down to your preselected f-stop for shooting.
** the Jupiter has two aperture rings, the first adjustable one sets the maximum f-stop you can hit by turning the second ring (which actually opens or closes the aperture).
*** at ISO 100, I set my default shutter speed to 1/focal length to give me a starting point

 

[Turtle]

I'm not sure what the 'technically correct' approach is, but mating these m42 lenses to the Alpha body means they only work in manual mode, so I set the desired aperture on the preset ring*, open up the aperture wide, focus, check the exposure meter on the camera, stop down to the preset aperture, recheck the metering and if it's under or over I will adjust the shutter speed to compensate until the metering is centred at 0 or just over, and fire.

It makes photos on the walk a bit interesting as with the constantly changing metering (clouds etc) and focusing you have to be quick without missing a step. I've lost count of how many pics I've messed up because I've not refocused after the last metering check

*the early 44M's like mine have a switch on the lens; flick the switch one way it opens aperture fully to allow focusing, flick it the other way it will stop down to your preselected f-stop for shooting.
** the Jupiter has two aperture rings, the first adjustable one sets the maximum f-stop you can hit by turning the second ring (which actually opens or closes the aperture).
*** at ISO 100, I set my default shutter speed to 1/focal length to give me a starting point

Ah, so it actually isn't that different whem on a modern camera. Only thing different really is the different light meter. I've been way too careful with my exposure and focusing, two days ago I was at the park for two hours and took three photos.

And can we just pause for a moment and appreciate how much cooler the names of these lenses are? Helios? Jupiter? Those sound so badass. Well as badass as a lens can sound I suppose.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Ah, so it actually isn't that different whem on a modern camera. Only thing different really is the different light meter. I've been way too careful with my exposure and focusing, two days ago I was at the park for two hours and took three photos.

How does the metering work on film SLRs? I take my hat off to you on using film to learn on, I just wouldn't have the patience for it

And can we just pause for a moment and appreciate how much cooler the names of these lenses are? Helios? Jupiter? Those sound so badass. Well as badass as a lens can sound I suppose.

Sounds better then my lone Sony 'SAM' lens, agreed .

 

[ProjectWHaT]

a quick edit from some feedback by @ilikewaffles11

👍

 

[Turtle]

How does the metering work on film SLRs? I take my hat off to you on using film to learn on, I just wouldn't have the patience for it



Sounds better then my lone Sony 'SAM' lens, agreed .

Well, more recent ones are exactly the same as a modern DSLR. However, the AE-1 - and most older SLRs, I'm assuming - actually have an analog light meter. On the AE-1 it's just a little black stick running along the side of the viewfinder. The interesting part is that it isn't like a modern light meter in that it lists different aperture stops, so you are supposed to match the lens to what the stick is next to.

And I'm not really learning on a film camera, I got the basics down really quickly on a digital one.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Street Art by bg_syd, on Flickr
Helios 58mm ISO 100​

 

[Swagger897]

Here's what I got from this weekend with the cable release:
15 minute exposure. I never knew that the moon would cause the trees to be so lit up.

I took another one at 30 minutes but I shined the flashlight onto it to see if there was any condensation (then wiped it off). The image was too bright and all the details were lost...

But then I took the top picture and merged it down to one of my older ones in this thread. I thought it would look interesting but not really...

Anyways... I didn't go anywhere to use the Tiffen nd filter so maybe sometime this week I'll be able to use it. It looks absolutely ridiculous with a 77mm filter on a 52mm lens..

 

[Mike Rotch]

@Swagger897 Do like the long exposure 👍. Don't like the photoshop .

Tied up by bg_syd, on Flickr
Helios 58mm​

 

[Swagger897]

@Swagger897 Do like the long exposure 👍. Don't like the photoshop .

Tied up by bg_syd, on Flickr
Helios 58mm​

lol, I knew that would happen. I don't like the photoshop either. Maybe if they both were at night, with the planes landing/taking off it would look much better, but I'd never be able to see any stars in Atlanta with all the lights.

I think if I could figure out how to tilt the sky back, it would look a little bit better.. It took me an hour to crop the sky from the pic. It just doesn't work since one was day, other night.