Anyone got any photo question?

Thanks Paul-.
I've been reading the F out of the manual and books on composition (rule of thirds, golden triangle, golden spiral, golden rectangle). Right now I'm focusing on studio light. I've talked to a few other pro photographers as well. I'm even compiling this thread into a single word document.

Steve-
It's an honor to be called a nerd by you. I enjoy your work (words and pixels) and think your photography is underrated because it's spectacular. You have a unique composition that stands out, and I always like your color and tones. I was aware that you're one of the minority Nikon via your bio on your site.

The reason I'm worried is that I'm about to go "all in" on some glass and flashes. I like the Canons for their slightly cheaper pro glass, pixel density, video, and crop factor. I like the Nikons for their ISO and form factor (like the physical switches/buttons vs Canon's love for the menu). I know cameras are just brushes for the artist, I just don't want buyers remorse to the tune of the cost of a brand new 450!

PS: If either of you guys need a guy to pack your gear around, or do whatever else at Seattle or Washougal, please, please, please give me a message. I'll carry your telephotos around for you all day!

Ha! What a waste! I wouldn't ever want someone just to carry a lens around! Sheesh. If I was hanging with you, I'd want you shooting!

You won't go wrong with Canon or Nikon as long as you buy the right body. Whichever you pick, you'll learn it and love it, and that'll be that.

Oh, Paul, you're not getting old...

I know, right? Time is crazy. I'm sure it went by in the blink of an eye, too...

Okay so I've been shooting for a while now, and have been trying to work on some angles just like you told me. So now I'm posting some more photos so i can get some more feedback on them, these photos haven't been edited yet.





















So what do you think?

Hey Paul,

what are you thoughts on school/getting a degree in Visual Journalism vs. just shooting photos and knocking on doors until something happens for you.. what route did you take?

Been looking at Brooks Institute lately, ultimately I want to be freelance doing a variety of photography not working for 1 company, but many outlets.



so the question is: you think school is always necessary or just in certain fields of photography?





Another question, I've noticed when set up at a track I get to caught up in one spot, if its good. How do you guys navigate the tracks so well? when i was at Hangtown & Washougal this last summer i found it difficult to get all the shots i wanted, Im guessing this comes with experience.. it seems like the magazine photos are usually pretty diverse in track sections.

here are a few of my favorites lately

You just reassured what I've been thinking. Relates to the "story" of 2 photographers, one is really good at photography but is shy and isn't business savvy. The other sucks at photos but can market himself like crazy, who gets the jobs?

I get what you're saying.
Thanks for the insight Paul, good thread btw!

OK Paul. After reading through your post... Here is my set on Flickr.



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So here's a question out of the blue, do you have any advice for shooting moto with a 35mm Minolta ST101 from the late 60's?? I've been shooting with it for umm maybe around 6 years. Don't get me wrong, I like shooting with digital also, it's just so much more of a challenge to get that perfect shot with film (especially without all of the auto this and auto that).



Anywho, here are some photos I've shot with film. (Shot at Red Bud 2010 with 100 speed film on accident).









My scanner made the colors all screwy with this one, but I still kind of like it.









(After reading through this whole thread, I can already see how I can apply a lot of your tips (such as finding that background that isn't busy, positioning the rider during those air shots, etc)



And a couple digital shots from Red Bud just for fun. (Also, the digital ones were shot with a Canon point and shoot... I have since gotten a Nikon D300 which sadly I haven't shot any moto with yet).

Is it possible to shoot full manual on the Nikon D300? I can never figure out how when in mode mode to change the aperture, so I usually just end up switching between aperture and shutter mode.



Like these I shot while switching back and forth between the two modes. The bike ones were in my garage with a CFL bulb as the only source of light. The school desk one, I signed out some studio lights from my photo class.





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Double post, my apologies.

It was definitely fun shooting with the studio lights. Heck even with the CFL bulb on an extension cord. Here was a snapshot I got just to document how hilarious it looked at the time. Yes, that's the mulch bag off a lawn mower... My brother was awesome enough to help out.

Great thread paul, i appreciate it! i do have a couple questions though. for only about 3 months now have i been shooting real seriously and have fallen in love with it. Especially the moto side of things. question number one is do u use flash?? and if so do u ever use off camera flash for moto type stuff or is it always fixed?

second is more technical, but i shoot with a nikon D200 with at most 8,000 shots on it. I always shoot in raw and lately i have noticed a really high amount of noise on everything from like 600 iso and up! i know that cant be right, and when up to a thousand the noise is very significant. any suggestions? the thought of my camera already going through a image sensor does not make me a happy camper.



Here is a some shots from on a Flickr set HERE if you dont mind taking a look at some of my photos and tellin me what you think. I know i have a ton to learn. That goes for anyone else too.

Thanks again

Dominick

thanks for the reply! i was thinking it would be cool to have some OCF's at the track, seems if your creative you can do a lot of things with them.

But yes i do and they dont even compare in the noise department! that a untouched RAW file also. no brightening of any sort. think im gonna do some serious research. im tired of having to pull it out in PS Cs5. Recomend any good photography sites and forums? maybe even action sports based ones?

should i set my setting to something different
i shoot with a olympus evolt E-300


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hey are some pictures of mine all the way from Australia!! [

Hey Paul, I was wondering what would you do to the above photo's in PS?
Some of my photos come out like this or flat and I'm not sure where to start.

As always Paul thank you for your advice, this is a great starting point.
Maybe something like this? I'm new to PS

Before

After