tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55918713996414035062011-11-27T23:28:07.876ZMy photography blog on all things camera and photography related. Some pics, some tech stuff, some musings and a lot of waffle :-)RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.comBlogger211100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-57352680108329395092010-01-21T21:50:00.002Z2010-01-21T21:51:24.531ZI've finally got round to adding my gallery of favourite Paris photos on to my Photobox Pro Gallery. So if there is a photo that you really like and want a print of your chosen size then the Pro Gallery makes it very easy for you to place an order. <br /><br />You can browse through the gallery from here: <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Paris Gallery on Photobox</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/S1jMH3Bk6II/AAAAAAAAARI/jwCXBVk-VTY/s1600-h/FORUM-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/S1jMH3Bk6II/AAAAAAAAARI/jwCXBVk-VTY/s320/FORUM-2.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a><br /></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-5735268010832939509?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-6442399829319256072009-12-20T20:15:00.000Z2009-12-20T20:15:01.850ZI've created a FAN page on FACEBOOK so please add yourself as a fan to stay in touch through this popular social networking site.<br /><br /><!-- Facebook Badge START --><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/RAM-YAD-Ramesh-Yadav-Photography/172882127720" title="(RAM | YAD) Ramesh Yadav Photography" target="_TOP" style="font-family: &quot;lucida grande&quot;,tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: #3B5998; text-decoration: none;">(RAM | YAD) Ramesh Yadav Photography</a><span style="font-family: &quot;lucida grande&quot;,tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: #555555; text-decoration: none;">&nbsp;|&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/business/dashboard/" title="Make your own badge!" target="_TOP" style="font-family: &quot;lucida grande&quot;,tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: #3B5998; text-decoration: none;">Promote your Page too</a><br/><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/RAM-YAD-Ramesh-Yadav-Photography/172882127720" title="(RAM | YAD) Ramesh Yadav Photography" target="_TOP"><img src="http://badge.facebook.com/badge/172882127720.2555.278386994.png" width="360" height="107" style="border: 0px;" /></a><!-- Facebook Badge END --><br /><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a><br /></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-644239982931925607?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-46298337642270613152009-11-27T12:53:00.003Z2009-11-29T03:44:48.319ZIt rained. In November, what can you expect. Still, with a lot of adaptation, I came away happy with over 64GB's of photos. Yep, that is sixty four gigabytes.<br /><br />I hope I've got some unique views, still transferring to PC... <br /><br />So here is one of the "typical" shots you see. More to come :-)<br /><br />EDIT - I've put some more photos on my site. <a href="http://www.ramyad.net/Photos">Paris Photography</a><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/Photos/default.htm%20"><br /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sw_K9mcSkJI/AAAAAAAAARA/aXfRRibUigA/s1600/BLOG-6159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sw_K9mcSkJI/AAAAAAAAARA/aXfRRibUigA/s320/BLOG-6159.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a><br /></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-4629833764227061315?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-40201804904947149782009-11-07T14:10:00.008Z2009-11-07T16:41:59.838ZThe City of Lights, Paris. A photographers dream if you are into the urban, city type of photography. Oh, and not forgetting the Parisians for candid street photography.<br /><br />I hope I can do it justice. I'm wary of the time of year (end of November), weather conditions specifically. The idea is to capture the dawn and dusk photos without the need to get up at ridiculous times.<br /><br />I am using Google Maps to locate the places of interest and plan the trip. Take a look and maybe it will help you with your trip, if you plan to visit Paris. <br /><br />Please leave a comment on the map if you know of any good areas to photograph I have not listed, I would appreciate it. Thanks.<br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;msa=0&amp;msid=104031504387901824176.000476c42fd8879191c82&amp;ll=48.865731,2.332706&amp;spn=0.039523,0.072956&amp;z=13&amp;output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;msa=0&amp;msid=104031504387901824176.000476c42fd8879191c82&amp;ll=48.865731,2.332706&amp;spn=0.039523,0.072956&amp;z=13&amp;source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Paris Photography Landmarks</a> in a larger map</small><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a><br /></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-4020180490494714978?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-50728474126005992332009-10-31T15:13:00.008Z2009-11-07T16:44:10.205ZI was very sceptical as to whether I was going to have my camera kit returned to me. <br /><br />TFL Lost Property Office dropped me an email last week to tell me that they may have my lost property and I should contact them to confirm. So I promptly did. They reeled off what was in the backpack and I kept saying yes. I still didn't dare to believe until I had it in my hand.<br /><br />Heading to Baker Street I was getting nervous as I entered the Lost Property office. When they brought the bag out I let myself believe. It looked like my bag! When I checked the contents, I felt exhausted. The nervous energy and adrenalin drained out of me and I was washed over with relief and gratitude. I left a big bonus for the taxi driver along with a letter of thank you, gushing out my feelings :-)<br /><br />Of course, I had to test out the camera on the way home to make sure it was OK so I could then cancel the insurance claim. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SuxT6U8-q1I/AAAAAAAAAQw/A9NlJ-Vt20Y/s1600-h/_MG_4470-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SuxT6U8-q1I/AAAAAAAAAQw/A9NlJ-Vt20Y/s320/_MG_4470-9.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SuxT701fa6I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/hDJ09FhspRM/s1600-h/_MG_4468-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SuxT701fa6I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/hDJ09FhspRM/s320/_MG_4468-8.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />So if you do lose any property in a London Black Cab then there is a high probability that you will get it back. Make sure you contact the <a href="https://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/contact/lostproperty/default.aspx">TFL Lost Property Office</a>&nbsp; and let your local police station know of the loss.<br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-5072847412600599233?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-26266003936965123402009-10-27T23:23:00.009Z2009-11-07T16:44:28.266ZOn a work trip to Rotterdam I took along my Canon 5D MkII and 24-105 F4L IS lens (why I am listing my equipment, you will find out about in a little while...)<br /><br />After a long day at work, I took my camera out for a walk around Rotterdam to wind down and capture some of the unique sights and architecture of this modern city. And this is a modern city due it being levelled in the World War. I like the way it is laid out but I found it quite sterile and lacking character/soul.<br /><br />Oh, and everything seems to close at 10pm. Being born and bred in England and considering myself as British, I and my colleagues are used to eating and drinking late.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong though, I do like Rotterdam and its people. I love the way people say hello and goodbye when they enter and exit the lifts. Oh, and a "shandy" is called a Panaché or a Snow White, depending on how trendy the bar is.<br /><br />Returning to the UK and on the way back home, which was on Thursday 15th Oct, I lost my camera bag!!! It contained my gear and a couple of books, carton of cigs, Ray Ban sunglasses and some maps. I basically stepped out of the London Black Cab, picked up my suitcase from the front of the cab and turned to walk into London Bridge to catch the train home.<br /><br />Feeling a little lighter, not sure why as I scoffed as mush as I usually do, I then realised I did not have my back pack!! Doh! As I turn and see the taxi leave the canopy of London Bridge, the expletives pour from my mouth.<br /><br />And I was sober!<br /><br />More to come...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sud_ha5wWaI/AAAAAAAAAQk/6KouY7N1alY/s1600-h/_MG_4230-Edit-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sud_ha5wWaI/AAAAAAAAAQk/6KouY7N1alY/s320/_MG_4230-Edit-7.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sud_UyFnLoI/AAAAAAAAAP8/9HqjkpSNETE/s1600-h/_MG_3925-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sud_UyFnLoI/AAAAAAAAAP8/9HqjkpSNETE/s320/_MG_3925-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sud_Ytd7OsI/AAAAAAAAAQM/yy2NZQJ7DIw/s1600-h/_MG_4039-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sud_Ytd7OsI/AAAAAAAAAQM/yy2NZQJ7DIw/s320/_MG_4039-3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sud_aZy7GEI/AAAAAAAAAQU/XjQx7eYZGjI/s1600-h/_MG_4162-Edit-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sud_aZy7GEI/AAAAAAAAAQU/XjQx7eYZGjI/s320/_MG_4162-Edit-4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sud_WolPYjI/AAAAAAAAAQE/hp2cQR2yU3g/s1600-h/_MG_4030-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sud_WolPYjI/AAAAAAAAAQE/hp2cQR2yU3g/s320/_MG_4030-2.jpg" /></a><br /></div><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-2626600393696512340?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-34607775704916682342009-07-27T21:11:00.011+01:002009-11-07T16:44:40.945ZI was privileged to be the main photographer at my sisters wedding. It was a perfect day and wedding.<br /><br />Here are some shots from the morning Bridal Portrait session.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4K-R7A7mI/AAAAAAAAAPA/5ce90XkFCXg/s1600-h/BimAndDan-1548.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4K-R7A7mI/AAAAAAAAAPA/5ce90XkFCXg/s400/BimAndDan-1548.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363236271323934306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4L1TyZoxI/AAAAAAAAAPw/2V7Juz2Of8g/s1600-h/BimAndDan-1564.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4L1TyZoxI/AAAAAAAAAPw/2V7Juz2Of8g/s400/BimAndDan-1564.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363237216717480722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4LJkcKVjI/AAAAAAAAAPg/6u4MMRLbh-g/s1600-h/BimAndDan-1602.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4LJkcKVjI/AAAAAAAAAPg/6u4MMRLbh-g/s400/BimAndDan-1602.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363236465273361970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4LJbRFhvI/AAAAAAAAAPY/xztoLwkEdCc/s1600-h/BimAndDan-1527.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4LJbRFhvI/AAAAAAAAAPY/xztoLwkEdCc/s400/BimAndDan-1527.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363236462810990322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4K-jpu5yI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/9gUI0W2pvnM/s1600-h/BimAndDan-1532.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4K-jpu5yI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/9gUI0W2pvnM/s400/BimAndDan-1532.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363236276083287842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4K-YsZYUI/AAAAAAAAAPI/RDvF1sF0a-M/s1600-h/BimAndDan-1535.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4K-YsZYUI/AAAAAAAAAPI/RDvF1sF0a-M/s400/BimAndDan-1535.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363236273141670210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4K99qgJuI/AAAAAAAAAOw/cmRcTpW3PyM/s1600-h/BimAndDan-1634.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4K99qgJuI/AAAAAAAAAOw/cmRcTpW3PyM/s400/BimAndDan-1634.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363236265885968098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4KruYiKyI/AAAAAAAAAOo/OoHZZJ8IUDs/s1600-h/BimAndDan-1641.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4KruYiKyI/AAAAAAAAAOo/OoHZZJ8IUDs/s400/BimAndDan-1641.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363235952546425634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4KrW5hgaI/AAAAAAAAAOg/Rc6jyzdj1UI/s1600-h/BimAndDan-1655.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4KrW5hgaI/AAAAAAAAAOg/Rc6jyzdj1UI/s400/BimAndDan-1655.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363235946242343330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4KrO3gS8I/AAAAAAAAAOY/XbyElWymO9s/s1600-h/BimAndDan-1670.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4KrO3gS8I/AAAAAAAAAOY/XbyElWymO9s/s400/BimAndDan-1670.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363235944086391746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4Kq3EMORI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/XGf4dBX6KaA/s1600-h/BimAndDan-1697.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4Kq3EMORI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/XGf4dBX6KaA/s400/BimAndDan-1697.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363235937697151250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4Kqzli5RI/AAAAAAAAAOI/LMJ5G4HQzC0/s1600-h/BimAndDan-1704.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4Kqzli5RI/AAAAAAAAAOI/LMJ5G4HQzC0/s400/BimAndDan-1704.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363235936763307282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4LVfWTBqI/AAAAAAAAAPo/q-QZyjLemEM/s1600-h/BimAndDan-1712.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sm4LVfWTBqI/AAAAAAAAAPo/q-QZyjLemEM/s400/BimAndDan-1712.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363236670065018530" border="0" /></a><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-3460777570491668234?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-46351307252794406212009-06-27T15:37:00.016+01:002009-11-07T16:44:53.922ZIf you are interested in modifying and controlling the light that emits from your flash unit then read on.<br /><br />There are different types of accessories that you can put on the end of your flash unit to control, limit or enlarge your light source. They provide various results depending on your creativity and lighting requirements.<br /><br />Used in combination, they can enhance your lighting setup. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">I will have some real world samples for you in a few weeks.</span><br /><br />Here is a test of all the modifiers I have to help you (and I) visualise the output :-)<br /><br />SETTINGS: 430EX II flash in manual mode at 1/4 power, on light stand. Fired remotely with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Elinchrom</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Skyports</span>. Camera is on manual mode, settings do not change and are not important for the tests.<br /><br />I am zooming the flash head, not the lens. The flash is about 2 metres from the wall.<br /><br />Bare flash, 24mm at 1/4 power.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwPCGoWoI/AAAAAAAAAOA/EjfZUYkvEgM/s1600-h/BLOG-0882.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwPCGoWoI/AAAAAAAAAOA/EjfZUYkvEgM/s400/BLOG-0882.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352018241997265538" border="0" /></a><br />Bare flash, 105mm at 1/4 power.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwPKb8XxI/AAAAAAAAAN4/KKIG3JdF2-4/s1600-h/BLOG-0883.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwPKb8XxI/AAAAAAAAAN4/KKIG3JdF2-4/s400/BLOG-0883.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352018244234141458" border="0" /></a><br />85cm shoot through umbrella at 24mm, 1/4 power.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwHtcPxdI/AAAAAAAAANw/RRbUAp11Va8/s1600-h/BLOG-0885.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwHtcPxdI/AAAAAAAAANw/RRbUAp11Va8/s400/BLOG-0885.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352018116191700434" border="0" /></a><br />85cm shoot through umbrella at 105mm, 1/4 power.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwHij_TQI/AAAAAAAAANo/LNJA3AuV86o/s1600-h/BLOG-0886.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwHij_TQI/AAAAAAAAANo/LNJA3AuV86o/s400/BLOG-0886.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352018113271385346" border="0" /></a><br />1/4 inch grid on flash head, 24mm at 1/4 power.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwHYKyPNI/AAAAAAAAANg/aIcxKFAaDqk/s1600-h/BLOG-0887.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwHYKyPNI/AAAAAAAAANg/aIcxKFAaDqk/s400/BLOG-0887.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352018110481317074" border="0" /></a><br />1/8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> inch grid on flash head, 24mm at 1/4 power.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwHOaDl8I/AAAAAAAAANY/PrK45-vlpEw/s1600-h/BLOG-0888.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwHOaDl8I/AAAAAAAAANY/PrK45-vlpEw/s400/BLOG-0888.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352018107861014466" border="0" /></a><br />5 inch snoot at 24mm, 1/4 power.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwGxxNNVI/AAAAAAAAANQ/LbZHlbZLM1A/s1600-h/BLOG-0889.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYwGxxNNVI/AAAAAAAAANQ/LbZHlbZLM1A/s400/BLOG-0889.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352018100173485394" border="0" /></a><br />8 inch snoot at 24mm, 1/4 power.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYv0kfIKpI/AAAAAAAAANI/JDrd8PmuNCs/s1600-h/BLOG-0890.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYv0kfIKpI/AAAAAAAAANI/JDrd8PmuNCs/s400/BLOG-0890.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352017787370351250" border="0" /></a><br />5 inch bounce card, flash pointed up, 24mm at 1/4 power.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYv0e8qTuI/AAAAAAAAANA/llzI8kpmTKQ/s1600-h/BLOG-0891.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYv0e8qTuI/AAAAAAAAANA/llzI8kpmTKQ/s400/BLOG-0891.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352017785883610850" border="0" /></a>5 inch bounce card, flash pointed up, 105mm at 1/4 power.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYv0a_oOZI/AAAAAAAAAM4/uXRLJxWtoFQ/s1600-h/BLOG-0892.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYv0a_oOZI/AAAAAAAAAM4/uXRLJxWtoFQ/s400/BLOG-0892.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352017784822315410" border="0" /></a><br />5 inch bounce card, flash pointed up, 24mm at 1/4 power (view ceiling in view)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYvz6XHTtI/AAAAAAAAAMo/XvmIYLGVnC0/s1600-h/BLOG-0894.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYvz6XHTtI/AAAAAAAAAMo/XvmIYLGVnC0/s400/BLOG-0894.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352017776062451410" border="0" /></a><br />5 inch bounce card, flash pointed up, 105mm at 1/4 power (with ceiling in view)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYv0NuNUVI/AAAAAAAAAMw/26gf70RkLSg/s1600-h/BLOG-0893.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SkYv0NuNUVI/AAAAAAAAAMw/26gf70RkLSg/s400/BLOG-0893.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352017781259587922" border="0" /></a><br />The umbrella softens the edges of light and makes it a slightly larger light source that will wrap around the subject and so soften the shadows. Take a look at the edges of the test shots.<br /><br />I like the spotlight effect that the grids provide, nice and round and well defined. Relatively soft edges too. Great for isolating and picking out your subjects from the front..<br /><br />The snoots produce quite harsh light, as you would expect from such a small light source. So uses are limited to highlights that don't hit the front side of the subject.<br /><br />The bounce card throws a small amount of light forward so great for fill-in whilst bouncing.<br /><br />I have the "Honl Speed System" which you can review <a href="http://www.honlphoto.com/servlet/StoreFront">here</a>.<br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-4635130725279440621?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-73580185870363670582009-04-29T19:39:00.046+01:002009-12-12T12:18:30.354Z<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SfjIf9PVPaI/AAAAAAAAALQ/4BNXwKSYyHk/s1600-h/BLOG-9726.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330230610333351330" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SfjIf9PVPaI/AAAAAAAAALQ/4BNXwKSYyHk/s400/BLOG-9726.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 272px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>I love low light and night time photography. The photos have an atmosphere that you just can't get during the day.<br /><br />To get the best from your low light shots, there are a few "rules" to follow that you would not typically follow during a daytime shot.<br /><br />So how (and when) should you take a night time photo?<br /><br />I follow some guidelines.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1)</span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">TRIPOD</span> - ALWAYS use a tripod or some kind of support. No hand holding. No excuses, full stop. End of story. Close the book and go to sleep.<br /><br />If you must take that shot and you don't have a fully extensible tripod in your back pocket then use some kind of support. No, don't go and call the Samaritans because you don't have your tripod. Rest your camera on something. A bin, a wall, a railing. Even prop it against something like a lamp post or a tree. Watch out for those grey squirrels and pigeons, nasty critters!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold;">2)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">ISO</span> - Keep your ISO at 100 (or the lowest setting on your camera).<br /><br />Due to the amount of low signal light (shadows and black areas) the image will start to show colour noise. And, due to the long shutter speed, it will get worse. That's enough of that.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold;">3)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">APERTURE/SHARPNESS</span> - Stop down the aperture.<br /><br />Even slightly. You want decent sharpness especially at night and if you understand how sharpness is interpreted in a digital image, then you want the best next neighbour contrast at the pixel level that you can get. A wide aperture is blurry and has a shallow DOF.<br /><br />I aim for a range between F/8 and F/11 for the best performance of the lens and decent DOF.<br /><br />Most of the light from objects at night is low level reflective due to lack of large/strong incident light so get the best from your lens.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold;">4)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">TIME OF DAY</span> - Never shoot at night!<br /><br />What!? Yeah, you read it right. DO NOT shoot at night time! ;-)<br /><br />Shoot at "low light". This should be your "bingo moment" coming up :-)<br /><br />When the sun just sinks below the horizon, there is about a 30 - 45 minute timeline where the light in the sky is changing quite quickly (getting darker). You may be lucky and get some colour as the light rays from the sun bounces around in the atmosphere and hits warmed gases and dust particles that scatter the light and create that sunset colour.<br /><br />But there will be that moment when the sky starts to turn a very deep blue going to black. This always happens, guaranteed. It's nature, or is that physics? The street lights have just come on and they haven't had enough time to warm up to their sickly orange glow! That is it! That is the moment you are waiting for. Shoot like crazy because it won't last for long.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold;">5)</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">EXPOSURE</span> - Have a "go to" exposure memorised.<br /><br />This is a personal taste and is down to your experience.<br /><br />What I have is a number of aperture and shutter speed settings, for a specific sunset period. My ISO is always at 100. These two numbers are what I know will get very close when the sun has set, the sky is getting dark blue but not black. From there, I can adjust quickly if it is a little brighter or darker.<br /><br />Try to have your own set from your own experience. To get you started, try F/8 for 10 seconds and then adjust the shutter speed for the correct exposure.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">6)</span></span> Shoot at night.<br /><br />There are times when you do want to, or need to, shoot at full night. When? Well, shooting stars, the moon, star trails. When people aren't on the street. Although you could shoot very early in the morning when the sun is just about to come over the horizon.<br /><br />This post is worthless without pictures...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Transition Set One</span> - Tower Bridge (Single shot, OCF - Off Camera Flash).<br /><br />Any easy one to start off with. The camera is tripod mounted with my 580EX off camera (in my hand). No remote trigger for the flash, I am doing some light painting. No, I'm not flashing the bridge!<br /><br />The sun has just hit the horizon to the right of the frame and is setting.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sfif-NsovMI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/BrUquX0ulRs/s1600-h/BLOG-9011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330186050170567874" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sfif-NsovMI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/BrUquX0ulRs/s400/BLOG-9011.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 272px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>A few minutes later, the lights on the bridge are turned on.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sfif-WXarUI/AAAAAAAAAKA/BZA1QLCV_hk/s1600-h/BLOG-9018.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330186052497485122" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sfif-WXarUI/AAAAAAAAAKA/BZA1QLCV_hk/s400/BLOG-9018.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 272px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The sky is now turning darker and this I think is the best time and my favourite shot. See the moon in the background?<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sfif-xiNb9I/AAAAAAAAAKI/MzA4E1Vj9Sc/s1600-h/BLOG-9032.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330186059790512082" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sfif-xiNb9I/AAAAAAAAAKI/MzA4E1Vj9Sc/s400/BLOG-9032.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 272px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>It is that dark blue to black I was talking about. I think this one is a little too late. See how much detail you can see in the previous image compared to this one.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sfif_fdyD_I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/gmS6eW7hezM/s1600-h/BLOG-9052.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330186072119971826" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sfif_fdyD_I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/gmS6eW7hezM/s400/BLOG-9052.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 272px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Transition Set Two</span> - London City Panorama (multiple stitched shots)<br /><br />A little more complex, doing a multi shot pano at the same time as low light. It is possible for the light to change slightly from the first to last shot, especially with moving clouds, so be very FAST!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sfif_mH-pNI/AAAAAAAAAKY/h2QCjvRwO38/s1600-h/BLOG-6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330186073907569874" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sfif_mH-pNI/AAAAAAAAAKY/h2QCjvRwO38/s400/BLOG-6.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 180px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The sun has set and the sky is turning black. There is still some interest left in the sky so you can still get away with taking the shot. A few minutes later, that shot was gone. Time to go home.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SfigdGitzdI/AAAAAAAAAKg/EN1Z6sPMtXI/s1600-h/BLOG-7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330186580825853394" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SfigdGitzdI/AAAAAAAAAKg/EN1Z6sPMtXI/s400/BLOG-7.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 165px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>A rule breaker. Does this one work? No? why not? Yes, why so?<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SfisFk8yJ-I/AAAAAAAAAKo/JoE8ZriCi_U/s1600-h/BLOG-8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330199370810927074" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SfisFk8yJ-I/AAAAAAAAAKo/JoE8ZriCi_U/s400/BLOG-8.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 201px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Don't forget to try some creativity and have fun.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SfiseZm7b4I/AAAAAAAAAKw/wRXWTEUed6w/s1600-h/BLOG-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330199797263200130" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SfiseZm7b4I/AAAAAAAAAKw/wRXWTEUed6w/s400/BLOG-1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The most difficult exposure I have attempted so far.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sfiyjkj0QvI/AAAAAAAAAK4/YMfikYkOZps/s1600-h/BLOG-9660.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330206483172049650" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sfiyjkj0QvI/AAAAAAAAAK4/YMfikYkOZps/s400/BLOG-9660.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 272px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a><br /></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-7358018587036367058?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-47190856986062307552009-04-18T16:27:00.045+01:002009-11-07T16:45:31.774Z<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SeoBeTZMSzI/AAAAAAAAAJw/zqxKj__-4C4/s1600-h/BLOG-5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 165px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SeoBeTZMSzI/AAAAAAAAAJw/zqxKj__-4C4/s400/BLOG-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326071129432673074" border="0" /></a><br />The immediate benefit of taking a multi-shot panorama is the FOV (Field Of View) and also size and ultimately image quality. Lets say for example you use a 6 megapickle camera, it's one of those organcic green ones. Well if you crop say 10% off the top and bottom to make it "look like" a panorama shot then it becomes a 4.8 megapickle image which restricts the size you can print to maintain the best resolution.<br /><br />By taking multiple images and blending them, you get a much larger image and thus better resolution (clarity and sharpness) when printed at say A0 size. Plus, they can look pretty cool.<br /><br />When I first started taking these they would kind of work sometimes and other times I had quite a few problems that I would then spend hours in processing to fix. Over time, experience (and frustration) taught me how to ensure a higher success rate at the time of capture.<br /><br />(<span style="font-style: italic;">If there are any terms which are unfamiliar to you then please spend a little time with google to read up about the details. It will benefit you in the long run.</span>)<br /><br />(My) Most common mistakes:<br /><br />1) White balance<br />2) Exposure<br />3) Lens Focus<br />4) Speed of capture<br />5) Camera rotation (overlapping and parallax errors)<br /><br />With regards to point 5) you can shoot a panorama with the camera on a tripod and also hand held. I now prefer hand held (if the shutter speed is fast enough) as I can control the rotation near enough to the lens nodal point. If you are doing commercial work then it is a priority to get yourself a dedicated panorama head for your tripod. For us amateurs, some simple techniques will work most of the time.<br /><br />Ok, so let's start with the first point.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">White Balance.</span><br />I used to have the camera set to Auto White Balance (AWB on the camera). This would cause each shot to be metered by the camera and it changing the colour temperature depending on the type of colour cast it thinks it was "calculating".<br /><br />The result would be that each joined shot would have different colour casts to them which you would see across sections of the pano image.<br /><br />Therefore, if shooting in daylight (indoors or outdoors) then set the white balance to the type of day it is. Sunny, cloudy etc If shooting at night with street lights or indoors with lights on then set the white balance to the type of lighting in use. Tungsten etc.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exposure.</span><br />If you shoot in AV, TV or whatever other mode you prefer then sorry but you are going to have to learn to shoot in "M" mode. There is unfortunately no work around. This is probably one of the most important rules in taking successful panoramic pictures.<br /><br />What would happen if you use one of the auto modes is you take a shot (camera decides exposure - Aperture and Shutter Speed), move slightly and then the shutter speed or aperture changes because the in-camera meter is trying to maintain 18% gray. When you come to stitch the images together, you may have darker and lighter shots to merge together as the camera is trying its best to maintain the same exposure across the scene.<br /><br />But I hear you thinking, gears whirring, smoke out of the ears: "<span style="font-style: italic;">If I am looking at a scene in front of me, say 160 degree FOV (field of view), then the sky may be quite light near the sun and it is getting darker further away from the sun.</span>"<br /><br />Eureka!<br /><br />What the camera will try and do is balance the whole scene to 18%. Making some parts lighter (dark areas) and some parts darker (the light bits) by adjusting the shutter speed or aperture.<br /><br />Here is an example of a panorama shot with the camera automatically exposing for the scene. See the banding that happens. This is why manual exposure is a must.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SenzDQ8XUZI/AAAAAAAAAJA/JRFoYOuzj7Y/s1600-h/BLOG-05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 119px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SenzDQ8XUZI/AAAAAAAAAJA/JRFoYOuzj7Y/s400/BLOG-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326055271755633042" border="0" /></a><br />You want it to capture the lighter parts and darker parts as you see them. Because this is how the brightness in the scene graduates and so you want to recreate it in the shot. This will then guarantee a decent tonal graduation from light to dark, dark to light etc.<br /><br />First of all meter the whole scene: Preset your aperture, you want this at F/8-F/11 for the best DOF - depth of field and sharpness compromise due to lens diffraction. Check your shutter speed and up the ISO if you need to. If you are on a tripod then leave your ISO set to the lowest value. Now scan the scene (looking through the viewfinder) from left to right and watch the light meter. If the light meter moves an equal + and - amount across the whole scene then you are virtually spot on. If not then change your shutter speed to get this result.<br /><br />Take a test shot in the lightest and darkest part. Check the histogram on each shot. For the lightest part, does it clip the highlights? On the darkest part, does it block the shadows? If so then adjust the shutter speed either up or down a 1/3 of a stop and try again. You want to get to a situation where you are not clipping the highlights or the shadows. If you are unable to manage it, sometimes you can't, then set the shutter speed as close to mid exposure so you DO NOT clip the highlights on the brightest part.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lens Focus.</span><br />Before you continue, swot up on Hyperfocal distance and Depth of Field. Then, find out the hyperfocal distance for the camera AND lens you are using. Why camera, because you need the CoC (circle of confusion) for the sensor. You basically want the objects nearest in the scene and furthest away from you to be in focus and sharp. There is a point where you cannot get objects really close to you in focus whilst getting a sharp background. Get to know what this distance is and then back up a bit.<br /><br />Right, back from google?<br /><br />Set your lens to MF (manual focus) and dial in the hyperfocal distance on the focus ring then leave it.<br /><br />Sorry I have not gone into detail on this but there are sites out there that can explain hyperfocal and give you calculators that will do a lot of the brainwork for you.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dofmaster.com/">THIS </a>is a good site.<br /><br />As a general rule of thumb, you can focus a third of the way into the scene. To do this, set the lens to AF, choose the focal length you want to use and then focus on an object a third of the way into the scene. Set the lens to MF, which will preset the focus so it won't change. Then recompose and leave the settings on the lens.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Third rule; Preset the focus on the lens.</span><br /><br />If you made it this far then well done!! I got bored and had a quick play on GT5.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SfjG9Bh_AoI/AAAAAAAAALI/yxFBo1380dU/s1600-h/BLOG-9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 195px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SfjG9Bh_AoI/AAAAAAAAALI/yxFBo1380dU/s400/BLOG-9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330228910678278786" border="0" /></a>Anyway!! This is "all" you need to do on-camera.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Speed of Capture.</span><br />If you are shooting at Golden Light or on a day where there are clouds in the sky then you need to be pretty quick when you take your shots. This is due to the light changing across the scene you just averaged due to the setting sun and/or clouds moving. If you are taking shots of any moving parts like water, people, cars, boats etc then you will get some ghosting or disjointed parts. You will have to post process these manually.<br /><br />Aim to get across the scene in about 5 seconds. Anything under 10 seconds would be great.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Fourth rule; Be quick.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Camera Rotation.</span><br />You need to know about parallax errors and lens nodal points for this section. Google is now your friend :-)<br /><br />Hold up your index finger in front of you. Check what is directly behind your index finger, lets say in this case it is a tree in line with the finger. Focus on your finger and then close just your left eye and then your right eye. See how your finger shifts depending on which eye you close. This is the parallax errors. Because your eyes are slightly apart, hopefully not Uma Thurman distance (sorry Uma), then that slight shift in distance means you are looking at your finger and the scene behind it at a slightly different angle.<br /><br />If shooting handheld, when you rotate around the scene, anything in the foreground will appear to shift because the angle at which the lens is viewing the scene and thus the foreground to background object is slightly different. When you come to stitch your picture together a rock, for example, in one scene will have shifted slightly in the second scene and thus not on the same alignment.<br /><br />Here is an example. See how the rails on this scene are not aligned.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SenzDX-FJkI/AAAAAAAAAJI/I10UCdSeIkw/s1600-h/BLOG-Parralax.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SenzDX-FJkI/AAAAAAAAAJI/I10UCdSeIkw/s400/BLOG-Parralax.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326055273641879106" border="0" /></a><br />So you don't rotate! You basically shuffle your feet around the camera.<br /><br />This is the pivot point. If you rotate, then you are spinning within the pivot point under your body and the camera is on the outside rotating around the pivot point. If you keep your camera steady and use the point directly under the camera, then the camera spins around the pivot point and you move around the outside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sen4WiJvP2I/AAAAAAAAAJo/0JJAAsPqOfE/s1600-h/Pano-HowToTwist.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 292px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sen4WiJvP2I/AAAAAAAAAJo/0JJAAsPqOfE/s400/Pano-HowToTwist.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326061100350783330" border="0" /></a>You want the pivot point at the camera to be around a third of the way from where the lens connects to the camera to the end of the lens. This is my general rule of thumb. You can use a monopod held under the lens to rotate around. Be careful not to shift the focus ring.<br /><br />If you want to be precise then you need to find out the nodal point for your lens depending on the focal length and use a pano head for your tripod.<br /><br />If you are using a tripod then just rotate. You will have some parallax errors but hopefully they will be slight and your stitching software can cope with it.<br /><br />Overlap your images by about 30-50% Use an object as a reference point and line it up in your next scene.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Fifth rule; Shuffle yourself around the camera/lens if hand held.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Camera Orientation.</span><br />This isn't a rule, it is a preference.<br /><br />I try and shoot most of my scenes in portrait mode. It gives a better pano in my opinion as it gives the final image more height.<br /><br />It's up to you, try both and see which you like.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Multi-row Panorama.</span><br />This is where you take multiple rows, as well as columns, resulting in a much higher resolution. Some stitching software can cope well with this format and so if you are thinking of printing a very large image then go for a multi-row format.<br /><br />You start from the top left of the scene work across, move down and back to the left and move across again. Continue for as many rows as you like and ensure that you overlap by 30-50% across the horizontal as well as the vertical.<br /><br />I find that a standard or longer focal length lens works well with multi-row as it reduces the wide angle distortion for each shot.<br />____________________________________________________________<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Quick Notes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">White balance</span><br />Preset to a manual setting such as Sunny, Cloudy, Tungsten<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />Exposure</span><br />Set camera to "M" mode and preset the ISO, shutter speed and aperture. Meter for the average area of the scene and leave it.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />Lens Focus</span><br />Set the lens to MF - Manual Focus. Focus a third of the way into the scene.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />Speed of capture</span><br />Take the shots quickly; within 10-15 seconds.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />Camera rotation</span><br />Turn around the centre of the camera and overlap from around 30-50%<br />____________________________________________________________<br /><br />Some applications that you can use to stitch your images together:<br /><br />Autostitch (free), PTGui, Pano Tools, PT Assembler, Photoshop's Photomerge.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">British Library Reading Room.</span> Here I am slightly tilted up to capture the skylight into the picture. I used a lens that had IS (image stabilisation) on it otherwise the shutter speed would have been too low to get a sharp image. This is a 14 shot image.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SfjFKsQ0CVI/AAAAAAAAALA/lSKqCzvozWI/s1600-h/BLOG-10001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 176px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SfjFKsQ0CVI/AAAAAAAAALA/lSKqCzvozWI/s400/BLOG-10001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330226946464024914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">London City at Sunset.</span> An example why being quick is paramount. The right side of the scene is getting dark as the sun sets. The left side, where the sun is setting, is still light but it is constantly changing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SenzDwLWxwI/AAAAAAAAAJg/5Ds98DkTXhY/s1600-h/BLOG-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 139px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SenzDwLWxwI/AAAAAAAAAJg/5Ds98DkTXhY/s400/BLOG-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326055280140011266" border="0" /></a><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-4719085698606230755?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-13608863415578871632009-04-13T17:43:00.012+01:002009-11-07T16:46:55.603ZThere is a trick to it. Either you can do it or you can't.<br /><br />Ok so put your face about 2 feet away from the monitor and keep the image centered in your view. (Click on the pic for the larger version). Then cross your eyes slowly (not too much) and you will start to see three blurry images. Concentrate on the one in the middle.<br /><br />The one on the left is your right eyes image shifted to the left and the one on the right is your left eyes image shifted to the right. The one in the middle is being created in your mind by merging the two images together as they pass each other. Concentrate on the "merged" image in the middle and after a few seconds your mind will focus the image.<br /><br />This was done hand held to see if it worked, it did, kind of.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Click on the pic for the larger image, This one is too small...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SeNwD26YroI/AAAAAAAAAI4/4kdYEtN0mCg/s1600-h/Stereo-01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SeNwD26YroI/AAAAAAAAAI4/4kdYEtN0mCg/s400/Stereo-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324222396064378498" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">INFO: </span>Take a shot. Then move your whole upper body about a couple of inches to the right and keep the focal plane parallel to the scene. Then take the second shot.<br /><br />Don't twist your body to the right, you want to physically shift the whole of the camera to the right, directly parallel to the scene.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SeNvh44nuII/AAAAAAAAAIo/EzgEkjRkDwY/s1600-h/Stereo-HowTo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 292px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SeNvh44nuII/AAAAAAAAAIo/EzgEkjRkDwY/s400/Stereo-HowTo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324221812478294146" border="0" /></a><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-1360886341557887163?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-41239638336602751582009-04-10T18:35:00.006+01:002009-11-07T16:47:07.468ZTo combine photography with gardening, buy a propagator, compost and seeds. Sow the seeds and then take a macro photo over the duration of the growing season and record the growth.<br /><br />So, here is the propagator with the sown seeds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sd-EdJVFOtI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/HVeCVLhbq3k/s1600-h/BLOG-3311.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sd-EdJVFOtI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/HVeCVLhbq3k/s400/BLOG-3311.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323118920830630610" border="0" /></a>A day later, any growth? Hmmm, I'm too impatient!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sd-EdSzwCLI/AAAAAAAAAIY/R8r5i2nQK_g/s1600-h/BLOG-3305.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sd-EdSzwCLI/AAAAAAAAAIY/R8r5i2nQK_g/s400/BLOG-3305.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323118923375184050" border="0" /></a>Pick a grid, which one will be first to sprout forth a growth?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sd-EdZoafDI/AAAAAAAAAIg/LgmeATw_9I0/s1600-h/BLOG-3349.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sd-EdZoafDI/AAAAAAAAAIg/LgmeATw_9I0/s400/BLOG-3349.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323118925206682674" border="0" /></a><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-4123963833660275158?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-19002811780117306382009-04-04T06:50:00.016+01:002009-11-07T16:47:21.399ZI ordered a swatch book of lighting gels which are very useful as flash gels for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">speedlights</span>, and cheap! The one I received had around 200 different colours and cost £10! They are supposed to be free so go and visit your local studio or stage lighting supplier and pick one up yourself.<br /><br />OK, so how do I hold the gels against the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">speedlights</span> without using chewing gum? (we're not kids you know). Well, I could have used a rubber band or Velcro but wanted something that would not bend the gels and did not need any permanent attachment "device" on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">speedlights</span>.<br /><br />Well, I went all Blue Peter and broke out the cardboard and glue!<br /><br />Here are my home made gel holders, neat eh?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sdb4ChosFVI/AAAAAAAAAHA/GLlTwG65NHU/s1600-h/POTN-3037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sdb4ChosFVI/AAAAAAAAAHA/GLlTwG65NHU/s400/POTN-3037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320712732057277778" border="0" /></a><br />So what do they look like?<br /><br />Here you go. Using basic colour theory:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sdb4C8Zm4_I/AAAAAAAAAHI/vU4yrfAnynE/s1600-h/POTN-3043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sdb4C8Zm4_I/AAAAAAAAAHI/vU4yrfAnynE/s400/POTN-3043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320712739241780210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sdb4C211oCI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/lIIfN_8_8wg/s1600-h/POTN-3048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sdb4C211oCI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/lIIfN_8_8wg/s400/POTN-3048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320712737749573666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sdb4C4KvN0I/AAAAAAAAAHY/sEQp5Ql_I5E/s1600-h/POTN-3049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sdb4C4KvN0I/AAAAAAAAAHY/sEQp5Ql_I5E/s400/POTN-3049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320712738105669442" border="0" /></a>Primary and complementary colours.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">INFO: </span>Bare flash with gels, triggered with Skyports. The closet one is on 1/4 power and the furthest away on 1/8th power.<br /><br />Get your mitts on a colour wheel so you don't marry up gels that make your eyes bleed or the image look like an explosion after curry night!<br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-1900281178011730638?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-4805113359210232522009-03-21T15:18:00.005Z2009-11-07T16:47:33.527ZAffectionately known as "the brick" because of its weight and size, it has built up a healthy reputation due to its performance so I just had to get it :-)<br /><br />I actually love the weight and feel of the lens on my gripped 50D. It feels solid and well built. The hood attaches to the lens main body instead of the front of the lens, like the 24-105 F4L IS. Therefore the lens zooms inside the hood. I like that!<br /><br />I'll probably still keep the 24-105 F4L IS as my main walkabout lens due to the focal length.<br /><br />I just had to go out and take some "test shots" as soon as it was delivered. So here they are.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUICW9hIxI/AAAAAAAAAG4/q4NgvU3dPnk/s1600-h/POTN-2353.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUICW9hIxI/AAAAAAAAAG4/q4NgvU3dPnk/s400/POTN-2353.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315663771797103378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUIBm4fdrI/AAAAAAAAAGw/kRnUT-92Rso/s1600-h/POTN-2421.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUIBm4fdrI/AAAAAAAAAGw/kRnUT-92Rso/s400/POTN-2421.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315663758891120306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUIBhNdBfI/AAAAAAAAAGo/NfHR40_cJq8/s1600-h/POTN-2314.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUIBhNdBfI/AAAAAAAAAGo/NfHR40_cJq8/s400/POTN-2314.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315663757368428018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUHtTuFLVI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Hcr7QsqepkU/s1600-h/POTN-2330.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUHtTuFLVI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Hcr7QsqepkU/s400/POTN-2330.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315663410149797202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUHtF7UtZI/AAAAAAAAAGY/kBqH8DfdlRg/s1600-h/POTN-2332.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUHtF7UtZI/AAAAAAAAAGY/kBqH8DfdlRg/s400/POTN-2332.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315663406447244690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUHtK6YgfI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/ZHrgzrPivX8/s1600-h/POTN-2309.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUHtK6YgfI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/ZHrgzrPivX8/s400/POTN-2309.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315663407785476594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUHtH7NQMI/AAAAAAAAAGI/yjt2RLI5OqE/s1600-h/POTN-2280.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUHtH7NQMI/AAAAAAAAAGI/yjt2RLI5OqE/s400/POTN-2280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315663406983626946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUHswlhUgI/AAAAAAAAAGA/hM2IcNlabpQ/s1600-h/POTN-2251.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/ScUHswlhUgI/AAAAAAAAAGA/hM2IcNlabpQ/s400/POTN-2251.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315663400718651906" border="0" /></a><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-480511335921023252?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-87514951708275722822009-03-03T14:07:00.013Z2009-11-07T16:47:45.660ZOn a cold February afternoon, I met up with my sister and her fiancée to recee the venue that they have booked for their wedding and also do a practice shoot. The idea was to expose them to doing a shoot and for me to get some ideas on location and posing.<br /><br />The setting wasn't ideal due to the lack of greenery so a late springtime shoot is in order.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1CKNzJHpI/AAAAAAAAAF4/TRcjLryZgpQ/s1600-h/B%26D_WedVenue-1680.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1CKNzJHpI/AAAAAAAAAF4/TRcjLryZgpQ/s400/B%26D_WedVenue-1680.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308972279009975954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1CKL92ezI/AAAAAAAAAFw/Y2OO8btv7U0/s1600-h/B%26D_WedVenue-1690.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1CKL92ezI/AAAAAAAAAFw/Y2OO8btv7U0/s400/B%26D_WedVenue-1690.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308972278518020914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1CJ2j12HI/AAAAAAAAAFo/SwsisGZOJLY/s1600-h/B%26D_WedVenue-1708.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1CJ2j12HI/AAAAAAAAAFo/SwsisGZOJLY/s400/B%26D_WedVenue-1708.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308972272771782770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1CJJpaPrI/AAAAAAAAAFg/MDTDhU93PC4/s1600-h/B%26D_WedVenue-1733.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1CJJpaPrI/AAAAAAAAAFg/MDTDhU93PC4/s400/B%26D_WedVenue-1733.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308972260715544242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1CIDNmo1I/AAAAAAAAAFY/kbncmOeZmXc/s1600-h/B%26D_WedVenue-1748.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1CIDNmo1I/AAAAAAAAAFY/kbncmOeZmXc/s400/B%26D_WedVenue-1748.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308972241808434002" border="0" /></a><br />Bright light! Bright light! Do not feed these people after midnight!! :-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1BsYV98sI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/eh7LD2D9dm8/s1600-h/B%26D_WedVenue-1761.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1BsYV98sI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/eh7LD2D9dm8/s400/B%26D_WedVenue-1761.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308971766444323522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1Bsejz83I/AAAAAAAAAFI/ya9RBi2i-wY/s1600-h/B%26D_WedVenue-1772.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1Bsejz83I/AAAAAAAAAFI/ya9RBi2i-wY/s400/B%26D_WedVenue-1772.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308971768113001330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1BsBoj6qI/AAAAAAAAAFA/lAZMw21piQk/s1600-h/B%26D_WedVenue-1796.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1BsBoj6qI/AAAAAAAAAFA/lAZMw21piQk/s400/B%26D_WedVenue-1796.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308971760348293794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1BsAhmnxI/AAAAAAAAAE4/x-0X8h1v9nA/s1600-h/B%26D_WedVenue-1816.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1BsAhmnxI/AAAAAAAAAE4/x-0X8h1v9nA/s400/B%26D_WedVenue-1816.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308971760050675474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1Br1tZU_I/AAAAAAAAAEw/vlxaX7eEcaw/s1600-h/B%26D_WedVenue-1846.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/Sa1Br1tZU_I/AAAAAAAAAEw/vlxaX7eEcaw/s400/B%26D_WedVenue-1846.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308971757147345906" border="0" /></a><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-8751495170827572282?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-68472016124017554782009-02-21T19:43:00.017Z2009-11-07T16:47:56.429ZI was holding out for the 85 F1.2<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">L</span> but I can't see the price of that coming down to around £1k for some time. Certainly not this year, if at all.<br /><br />So, I took the plunge and went for the next best thing. And I can't say that I am disappointed. The build quality is excellent, looks and feels sturdy. It's quite heavy for its size but balances well on camera. The focus ring is a good size with little to no wobble, unlike the 50mm F1.4.<br /><br />One slight iteration is aesthetic; I don't like the screw head that is visible at the top front of the barrel.<br /><br />The MTF charts are impressive for this type of lens and the performance shows. Some slight CA fringing with bright subjects but that is expected. Distortion is acceptable. On a crop body it's certainly not a walkabout lens. more specialist because of its length.<br /><br />The shallow depth of field is impressive at close distances. Keep yourself and your subject still to maintain the critical focal plane. Bokeh, well it's smooth!<br /><br />Here are some images from my first test run all shot @ F1.8<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBjHDBjKhI/AAAAAAAAAC4/iY8NjEjmT2E/s1600-h/85mm-1547.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBjHDBjKhI/AAAAAAAAAC4/iY8NjEjmT2E/s400/85mm-1547.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305349333764483602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBjGj5moQI/AAAAAAAAACw/wr2_aX80bHs/s1600-h/85mm-1483.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBjGj5moQI/AAAAAAAAACw/wr2_aX80bHs/s400/85mm-1483.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305349325409657090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBiyesp37I/AAAAAAAAACg/pfNlgXw59Io/s1600-h/85mm-1358.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBiyesp37I/AAAAAAAAACg/pfNlgXw59Io/s400/85mm-1358.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305348980415782834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBiyeB1sZI/AAAAAAAAACY/5CLEsgIkHng/s1600-h/85mm-1333.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBiyeB1sZI/AAAAAAAAACY/5CLEsgIkHng/s400/85mm-1333.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305348980236202386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBiyDJD4YI/AAAAAAAAACQ/S_Srx1hwR0k/s1600-h/85mm-1306.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBiyDJD4YI/AAAAAAAAACQ/S_Srx1hwR0k/s400/85mm-1306.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305348973018734978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBiyHjl66I/AAAAAAAAACI/4qnNgOWLku0/s1600-h/85mm-1196.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBiyHjl66I/AAAAAAAAACI/4qnNgOWLku0/s400/85mm-1196.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305348974203759522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBiypW7cwI/AAAAAAAAACo/a0OxvBYcM5M/s1600-h/85mm-1441.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SaBiypW7cwI/AAAAAAAAACo/a0OxvBYcM5M/s400/85mm-1441.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305348983277449986" border="0" /></a><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-6847201612401755478?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-53299734262414545712009-02-15T01:16:00.009Z2009-11-07T16:48:12.864ZA walk around Greenwich Park in January when the trees are bare and people are keeping warm at home. The air isn't that clean either, what with all the London smog.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdtGrUOYbI/AAAAAAAAABw/dlW6u5t3-Qc/s1600-h/Greenwich1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdtGrUOYbI/AAAAAAAAABw/dlW6u5t3-Qc/s400/Greenwich1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302827047726244274" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdtG3LsSiI/AAAAAAAAACA/3IICQsQE8Tc/s1600-h/Greenwich3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdtG3LsSiI/AAAAAAAAACA/3IICQsQE8Tc/s400/Greenwich3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302827050911681058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdtGzuzv6I/AAAAAAAAAB4/-DGiJ8goHXQ/s1600-h/Greenwich2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdtGzuzv6I/AAAAAAAAAB4/-DGiJ8goHXQ/s400/Greenwich2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302827049985228706" border="0" /></a><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-5329973426241454571?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-27803149572989569642009-02-14T22:59:00.005Z2009-11-07T16:48:33.205ZThese remote radio triggers arrived on Friday along with the hotshoes from <a href="http://www.flashzebra.com/">FlashZebra.com</a> to connect to my 580EX and 430EX II speedlights.<br /><br />I purchased the Universal Trigger set as well as an additional receiver.<br /><br />After help from Lon @ FlashZebra (great help and support) I found out that the leads supplied by Elinchrom were faulty! I am using the 3.5mm to 3.5mm lead to connect the Skyport to the hotshoe.<br /><br />I have sent an email to Elinchrom and also registered the products on their website. I'll let you know if they have been of any help.<br /><br />Here is the result from a very simple test. The faulty lead was swapped over for each shot, receivers, hotshoes and flashes stayed in the same position.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdT4z66xAI/AAAAAAAAABo/YmYVAwQeIrc/s1600-h/skyport_faulty.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdT4z66xAI/AAAAAAAAABo/YmYVAwQeIrc/s400/skyport_faulty.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302799321727157250" border="0" /></a><br />I would have expected better QC from a Swiss company.<br /><br />EDIT - After contacting FlashCamera.com (UK support for Elinchrom) I was able to get a replacement lead.<br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-2780314957298956964?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-87023945366013164662009-02-14T21:08:00.003Z2009-11-07T16:48:47.647ZDo I need a better portrait lens than my EF 50 F1.4 or EF 100mm F2.8? Bokeh, is it pleasing enough and can I separate the subject enough from the background (subject isolation)? Do penguins' feet freeze? Does anything eat wasps and are polar bears lonely? Will we survive the credit crunch?<br /><br />These and even more pressing questions keep us awake at night. Don't they?<br /><br />Well, get the books based on a column in The Scientist and I can help you sleep better by answering the lens questions :-)<br /><br />First of all, what are we talking about with regards to "Bokeh" and "Subject Isolation"? I don't know, I just sound like I know what I am talking about! :-)<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokeh">Bokeh</a> - Simply put is a term to describe the out of focus or blurred out background of an image, where the main subject is in sharp focus.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject Isolation</span> - Is the result of "good bokeh" from a narrow <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field">depth of field</a>.<br /><br />The "EF 70-200 F2.8<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">L</span> IS" will work very well as a telephoto lens for portraits. I wanted to test these two primes that I own to see if I needed to get the EF 85 F1.8 (can't justify the £1,700 price tag on the EF 85 F1.2<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">L</span>).<br /><br />You've probably deduced that I'm shooting on a Canon ;-)<br /><br />So here they are. My conclusion is at the end of these images.<br /><br />The camera is left at the same place at the end of the hallway. First I put the 50mm on the camera and take a series of shots with the deodorant can, I mean subject, at receding distances. I then put on the 100mm and take the same series of shots.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The 50mm F1.4 lens @F1.4</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdAGPnehTI/AAAAAAAAAAo/ZpGT8ORZLHk/s1600-h/DOF--1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdAGPnehTI/AAAAAAAAAAo/ZpGT8ORZLHk/s400/DOF--1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302777562267551026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdA88D96dI/AAAAAAAAAAw/iwKCWvulSLg/s1600-h/DOF--3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdA88D96dI/AAAAAAAAAAw/iwKCWvulSLg/s400/DOF--3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302778501911144914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdA9BpQqdI/AAAAAAAAAA4/V-H7CG4cw3w/s1600-h/DOF--5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdA9BpQqdI/AAAAAAAAAA4/V-H7CG4cw3w/s400/DOF--5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302778503409740242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdA9Ad12sI/AAAAAAAAABA/5_jV3VE0GNM/s1600-h/DOF--7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdA9Ad12sI/AAAAAAAAABA/5_jV3VE0GNM/s400/DOF--7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302778503093410498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />The 100mm F2.8 Macro lens @ F2.8</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdBICCJU-I/AAAAAAAAABg/jJDbd5yjUak/s1600-h/DOF--15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdBICCJU-I/AAAAAAAAABg/jJDbd5yjUak/s400/DOF--15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302778692492678114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdBIKnT-6I/AAAAAAAAABY/g4DYwXrWHwc/s1600-h/DOF--13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdBIKnT-6I/AAAAAAAAABY/g4DYwXrWHwc/s400/DOF--13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302778694796049314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdA9WljM1I/AAAAAAAAABQ/9b1w82t_O1s/s1600-h/DOF--11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdA9WljM1I/AAAAAAAAABQ/9b1w82t_O1s/s400/DOF--11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302778509031322450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdA9c1RqYI/AAAAAAAAABI/EFA8xgRWTmA/s1600-h/DOF--9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZdA9c1RqYI/AAAAAAAAABI/EFA8xgRWTmA/s400/DOF--9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302778510707894658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Conclusion?</span><br />The 50mm would be great in a close environment, within 2 metres of the shooter as it would allow more of the subject into the frame. The 100mm would be better suited for medium length, over 2 metres distance.<br /><br />Bokeh wise they both provide similar results in quality. The further away the subject the greater the DOF and so Subject Isolation, a function of Aperture, Subject Distance and Background Distance to the Subject, reduces.<br /><br />Are they good enough then? They are but I don't want to be as close to the subject as the 50mm requires. I want the same Bokeh and Subject Isolation as the 50mm gives at close distance (the first image) but with a greater reach without being in the subjects face. The 100mm would not work in a close environment, say a small room but would be great outside.<br /><br />So something in-between might work? ;-)<br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-8702394536601316466?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-83460847106727772372009-02-14T20:44:00.003Z2009-11-07T16:48:58.299ZThe week starting the 2nd of February brought London to a "freezestill". I think "they" said that 1 in 5 people stayed at home. I suspect it may have been slightly more.<br /><br />No buses, very limited overground and underground trains, closed schools and many other public and private companies and organisations closing early left everyone chilled out with nothing to do but build snowmen, ski and sledge and snow fight! Yippee!<br /><br />I was thinking of having a BBQ in the snow to spite it all but, hmmm, over a foot of snow froze that idea! :-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZcxGgdocYI/AAAAAAAAAAg/d_TzZJEg-z8/s1600-h/BuriedBBQ-0737.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k4euGTEVqI0/SZcxGgdocYI/AAAAAAAAAAg/d_TzZJEg-z8/s400/BuriedBBQ-0737.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302761074115244418" border="0" /></a><br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-8346084710672777237?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5591871399641403506.post-62217417055246983712009-02-11T22:27:00.003Z2009-11-07T16:49:08.992ZWelcome to my Photography Blog.<br /><br />I have been into photography since the autumn of 2004 when I got my first digital SLR - the Canon EOS 300D.<br /><br />Since 2004 I have self-taught myself by reading books and practising. I have experimented as much as I can so I can then take my understanding and apply it in the real world.<br /><br />I have put this blog together as I have had a number of people ask for advice, techniques and tutorials etc so I thought why not put it on the internet :-)<br /><br />I will also intersperse the blog with my "real world" photos so if you are looking specifically for "learning stuff" then search for "<span style="font-style: italic;">tutorial</span>".<br /><br />I'll sign off for now by saying that the most important thing about photography is to HAVE FUN!<br /><hr /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ramyad.net/" target="_blank">My Portfolio</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ramyad.net" target="_blank">My Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.photoboxgallery.com/ramyad" target="_blank">Buy Prints</a></div><hr /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5591871399641403506-6221741705524698371?l=ramyad-photo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>RamYadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035596758507152391noreply@blogger.com0