CiC vs Facebook

[rtbaum]

I primarily post my images two places, here on CiC and facebook. My facebook page is my primary way of showing friends and family what I am up to at any given moment. What amazes me is the preferences are much different.

Two shots from my recent cruise seem to be quite popular. My problem is I judge them as somewhat subpar....but what the heck



Set up for shot of flower, bird lands, I take quick shot, miss focus on bird, try to shift right, bird flies away



This one of an endangered Blue Iguana I can sort of understand....



If only they knew how much post-processing was involved

[xpatUSA]

If only they knew how much post-processing was involved

Most impressive, that.

You might find this thread of interest:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/56956034
.

[Shadowman]

Nice efforts.

[rtbaum]

My greatest desire was to photograph in its natural environment, but due to unleashed pets killing several of the iguanas, they have gathered them up and placed them in a fenced area for their protection. There was no option. I really hated removing the chain link, it was a real PITA to edit and I felt like I cheated. This was a rare occasion where I edited so intensively.....but then again facebook ain't Natgeo. If the image raises awareness of the struggle to protect an endangered animal or plant, I win

[Donald]

I primarily post my images two places, here on CiC and facebook. My facebook page is my primary way of showing friends and family what I am up to at any given moment. What amazes me is the preferences are much different.

If your friends and family follow a similar profile to mine (which I'm sure is likely to be the case), then you're hitting two very different audiences. I would say the exact same thing about my images that I post on here and on FB.

[IzzieK]

I once watched a seminar video on YouTube about photographing animals/birds/beasts where there are fences like yours and the expert guru (I forgot his name and what company it was presenting) said to use matrix as your metering and the fence will not show in your shot. I hope I can remember the title. I did not watch the whole hour video as I do not have that hour at the time unfortunately...

Oh btw, I prefer CiC than Facebook...I had shut off my Facebook account and uses Bill's instead. He has more friends than I do. I prefer to keep to myself...

[Shadowman]

My greatest desire was to photograph in its natural environment, but due to unleashed pets killing several of the iguanas, they have gathered them up and placed them in a fenced area for their protection. There was no option. I really hated removing the chain link, it was a real PITA to edit and I felt like I cheated. This was a rare occasion where I edited so intensively.....but then again facebook ain't Natgeo. If the image raises awareness of the struggle to protect an endangered animal or plant, I win

Where exactly were you photographing the iguanas, I believe they still run freely in Key West or if you really want to see them in their natural habitat Central America?

[dem]

... the expert guru (I forgot his name and what company it was presenting) said to use matrix as your metering and the fence will not show in your shot.

Another option would be to use a Hoya fence filter.

You cannot be serious. This sounds like one of Scott Kelby's jokes.

[rtbaum]

Where exactly were you photographing the iguanas, I believe they still run freely in Key West or if you really want to see them in their natural habitat Central America?

I photographed these on Grand Cayman Island. The iguanas you mention are green iguana and grey iguana, which are quite common as natives and escaped pets throughout the Caribbean, as well as Central and South America.


Green Iguana


Blue iguana are endemic to a very restricted area of Grand Cayman

http://www.sfgate.com/science/articl...#ixzz23h4dAStO

[rtbaum]

I once watched a seminar video on YouTube about photographing animals/birds/beasts where there are fences like yours and the expert guru (I forgot his name and what company it was presenting) said to use matrix as your metering and the fence will not show in your shot. I hope I can remember the title. I did not watch the whole hour video as I do not have that hour at the time unfortunately...

Oh btw, I prefer CiC than Facebook...I had shut off my Facebook account and uses Bill's instead. He has more friends than I do. I prefer to keep to myself...

I have had limited success with placing the lens up close to chainlink, it still leaves the now blurred fence. You will see the results in the foreground in this shot, unfortunately in this case the caretakers used two sets of chainlink fence to protect the iguanas

[Dave Humphries]

That looks like a tough example Randy; two layers, as you say.
You did really well; I'd never have noticed if you'd not shown use the un-cropped SOOC shot.

I have had limited success with placing the lens up close to chainlink, it still leaves the now blurred fence.

For anyone's benefit, a single layer of mesh usually isn't too difficult, my techniques are:

a) Shoot as wide open an aperture as possible - and as large a format sensor camera as you have on you*
b) Get as close as possible to fence, touching mesh ideally, shooting at right angles through it is good too
c) It pays to check the front of the lens and ensure that as far as possible, the mesh doesn't cross the middle of the front element and if having mesh there is unavoidable, (temporarily) stop down and use DoF preview so you can see it better through viewfinder so it can be positioned across parts of the subject's anatomy that are going to be easier to clone later (if necessary). Certainly never have mesh across the eye(s) or face. Don't forget to open up aperture again so the mesh is far from the DoF range.
d) Shoot through the thinnest wired areas of mesh
e) Shoot through darker mesh if there's a choice
f) Shade the mesh from sunshine if possible
g) Sure I've forgotten something

* One exception to this: if you can get say; a cell phone lens; to completely shoot between the mesh, that might be better

Cheers, Dave

[Wavelength]

Here, my experience: all is good...even the rubbish may get wows; but in CiC, you are always analysed and commented, friendship stays intact.... Facebook satisfies ego, CiC, let us grow

[Shadowman]

I photographed these on Grand Cayman Island. The iguanas you mention are green iguana and grey iguana, which are quite common as natives and escaped pets throughout the Caribbean, as well as Central and South America.


Green Iguana


Blue iguana are endemic to a very restricted area of Grand Cayman

http://www.sfgate.com/science/articl...#ixzz23h4dAStO

As Dave said in post #11, shooting wide open will help hide the mesh of the fence, I did a few gator shots today using the technique but haven't uploaded them yet, they looked good in camera.

[rtbaum]

Here, my experience: all is good...even the rubbish may get wows; but in CiC, you are always analysed and commented, friendship stays intact.... Facebook satisfies ego, CiC, let us grow

This is so very true...I do publish my photos on Facebook to show off a bit, but I also do it to document the more pleasant aspects of life. There is so much stuff that is critical about society, insults aimed at others, or just crass remarks....someone has to remind people that all they need to do is travel a short distance and it is all there awaiting them.

CiC is responsible for the growth necessary to achieve my aim, getting an attaboy here means so much more. Throughout the years, I have seen many come and go on this site. The support here goes far beyond what is found elsewhere. I recall a woman who was facing the final chapter in her life and wished to share her journey on CiC, I do believe that the support that she received made it just a bit more pleasant. In less than a week, someone will open a package under the decorated tree. They will find a new camera and somehow find their way to this site. Many here will welcome them and help them learn to get the most out their equipment. That is a wonderful thing..... to show others to express themselves with this box of circuitry and glass.

[IzzieK]

Exactly what what said in the video I saw once...matrix and the widest aperture...but putting your cellphone in a wild animal's cage to take that shot...I think it will be safer to use Dave's advice here...

That looks like a tough example Randy; two layers, as you say.
You did really well; I'd never have noticed if you'd not shown use the un-cropped SOOC shot.



For anyone's benefit, a single layer of mesh usually isn't too difficult, my techniques are:

a) Shoot as wide open an aperture as possible - and as large a format sensor camera as you have on you*
b) Get as close as possible to fence, touching mesh ideally, shooting at right angles through it is good too
c) It pays to check the front of the lens and ensure that as far as possible, the mesh doesn't cross the middle of the front element and if having mesh there is unavoidable, (temporarily) stop down and use DoF preview so you can see it better through viewfinder so it can be positioned across parts of the subject's anatomy that are going to be easier to clone later (if necessary). Certainly never have mesh across the eye(s) or face. Don't forget to open up aperture again so the mesh is far from the DoF range.
d) Shoot through the thinnest wired areas of mesh
e) Shoot through darker mesh if there's a choice
f) Shade the mesh from sunshine if possible
g) Sure I've forgotten something

* One exception to this: if you can get say; a cell phone lens; to completely shoot between the mesh, that might be better

Cheers, Dave

[Dave Humphries]

Exactly what what said in the video I saw once...matrix and the widest aperture...but putting your cellphone in a wild animal's cage to take that shot...I think it will be safer to use Dave's advice here...

Just to be clear, I only meant that if the mesh was say 1/2 inch (or 13mm) across (and you could get right against it - e.g. think 'aviary' with harmless birds in), you'd end up with several mesh boxes across the front of a DSLR lens, more than one set even if using a bridge camera or P&S, whereas the tiny lens on a cell phone (typically < 10mm dia.) might be able to view in between the squares entirely.

I'm not suggesting risking, life, limb, fingers or phone by putting it in to the cage!

However, given that the smaller the sensor, the more DoF you get, shooting with the largest sensor camera to hand is recommended to separate the subject from mesh, both that near you and that behind the subject (hence widest aperture).


Not sure what all the references to 'matrix' (metering) are about though; that does sound like a bit of a 'leg pull'.
(mesh/matrix; geddit?)

[DanK]

Exactly what what said in the video I saw once...matrix and the widest aperture...b

Metering mode (matrix) should have nothing to do with whether the mesh shows in the image. The key, as Dave said, is the narrowest possible DOF, hence a wide-open aperture. The only reason I can think of that metering mode might be relevant is that if the mesh is substantially differently illuminated than the subject, a spot meter aimed at a piece of the mesh might give you an incorrect exposure. However, that wouldn't affect the visibility of the mesh.

[IzzieK]

Metering mode (matrix) should have nothing to do with whether the mesh shows in the image. The key, as Dave said, is the narrowest possible DOF, hence a wide-open aperture. The only reason I can think of that metering mode might be relevant is that if the mesh is substantially differently illuminated than the subject, a spot meter aimed at a piece of the mesh might give you an incorrect exposure. However, that wouldn't affect the visibility of the mesh.

I have no idea and had no experience on it yet as I just watch a few of what the guru said...sorry.