2017 Project 52 - 1st QTR - Sandy(Skitterbug)

[Wavelength]

You images works, especially with their captions

[skitterbug]

Sandy,

I thought you might have originally cropped these as none had the distortion familiar with UWA lenses?

Hi John ~ In the 4th week's posting - #2 and #3, I used the same lens and I do see distortion. And yes, I've used that same lens for week 6 postings. I didn't crop any of them until I tried improving the beehive shot as Geoff suggested. Not sure why there isn't any distortion other than perhaps I was moved in close enough to not have it happen?

Here are a couple more that I took that day using the same equipment but with different settings. I was “playing” around to see what happens next if………



#1 - Pin Oak Unedited
1/2000 - f/9.0 –ISO1600 – 11mm - wide angle lens Tokina AT-X 116Pro

I think maybe you can see a bit of distortion in this one. I thought at the time it would be fun to be in the heart of the tree looking up at my tip top point!



This next one was at 1/500 – f/9.0 – 14mm – ISO 200 - wide angle lens Tokina AT-X 116Pro

Again I liked the pic because it gives me a reference for the day and time that I was looking at our tiny grove of trees. We have 3 acres part of which is our home and outbuildings but our “South 40” as we call it, is slowly being changed into various types of trees, bushes, etc. for birds and any other wildlife that stops by. We are surrounded by farm ground so this is a bit of a haven for the wildlife and us.

But I don’t really detect any distortion in it? And I don’t have a clue why some pics distort and some don’t. That’s what I am trying to figure out about this lens and when is the appropriate time to use it!

#2 - View of Trees Unedited

[skitterbug]

Thank you very much Nandakumar! You have the wonderful ability to put thoughtful expressions with your photos that I really enjoy reading so I appreciate that you like my captions!

[Geoff F]

That is a much better 'looking up the tree' scene, Sandy.

And being reasonably 'square on' to your subject is reducing the distortion effect.

[skitterbug]

That is a much better 'looking up the tree' scene, Sandy.

Thanks! I really like the blue in the sky!

And being reasonably 'square on' to your subject is reducing the distortion effect.

So when I don't want distortion, I should pick my subject and square myself to my intended pic? I'll still have to keep trying it out and see the results. I'd like to get a pic of our old high school that is being demolished this spring when the session is over. The new one is located to the left and behind it. Don't know yet if it would make a nice pic or not but I want to try it. Now to wait until the weather co-operates!

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Just wanted to say that this is a great thread Sandy - very informative. My photography style tends to be left of centre that than mainstream correct so I don't really have anything to offer you at this point in time but keep it up!

[Craigie]

Well, since TinyPic website is not accepting my attempt to upload photos, I'll give Flickr a try.

I'm still playing with the Tokina AT-X116Pro wide-angle lens. Since the sun was shining and the temps mild (gasp/shock/surprise) I hiked outside to try using it one more time and I have this week’s final choices listed below. No tripod this time.


Please share what you think about them? Is this the right way to use the lens? Better technique?
I appreciate the time it takes to look at these pics and comments made! Thank you!

#1 - In My Hideaway
ss1/125 F/5.6 ISO200 11mm





#2 - Rental Needs Work

Ss1/320 – F/9.0 – ISO200 – 16mm

Rental_Needs_Work



#3 - Cast Off
1/250 – F/9.0 – ISO 200 – 16mm

Cast_off


#4 - Buzzy Day
Ss1/800 – F/9.0 = ISO200 – 16mm

Buzzy_Day

A nice series Sandy, I do like #3, a small thought, manual cut some of the vegetation prior to taking the shot.

[skitterbug]

Just wanted to say that this is a great thread Sandy - very informative. My photography style tends to be left of centre that than mainstream correct so I don't really have anything to offer you at this point in time but keep it up!

Hi Mal ~ Developing my photo hobby and delving into the techniques of using my camera are definitely challenging my brain matter! LOL But it is fun. I'm beginning to wonder if worrying about settings, etc. is as critical as simply trying to capture a scene the way I want to show it..... But then I reckon knowing the "how to" ends up helping fine tune the capture! I'm just impatient! This is going to be an interesting year!

I like your photo work! I'm glad you decided to take up the challenge and I look forward to seeing more of your "stuff"!
Thanks for stopping by!

[skitterbug]

A nice series Sandy, I do like #3, a small thought, manual cut some of the vegetation prior to taking the shot.

Thank you Gary! I appreciate the critique!
I believe #3 is actually part of an old time hay system that used to be in my father's barn. I was contemplating the fact that it has been left out in the weather and I wonder where I can put it in our landscape to make use of it as an "interest piece". But when I first spotted it, I decided it might work for my wide angle lens experiment. I'm glad you like it!

You are definitely correct about setting up a capture of a picture's subject thinking about how much "extra" stuff will show up that isn't necessary and is detrimental to the pic. So again, I was thinking about the use of the wide angle lens and those bees being grumpy and forgetting how much greenery was going to show up in the pic. "THINK" is the operative word - I must remember to do it!

I'm glad you checked out my photos! I appreciate it!

[skitterbug]

An early start to Week 7.....

I was able to upload to TinyPic! At least I think this will work!

We had snow, lots of it for us so I had to grab my camera and run out to try a pic or two. I have a question to pose but that will be in my next post. First I want to see if this works!

[Urbanflyer]

Looks cold and serene!

[bnnrcn]

It looks good Sandy I can see a very slight blue color cast all over the image but it doesn't look bad.

[skitterbug]

Looks cold and serene!

Hi Judith ~ It was very cold when I took that pic. Already we are warming a bit and the snow looks more grungy. If we have to have winter, than I wish it would stay "winter".... until it is time for spring!

Since Tiny Pic allowed me to upload a pic, I gave it another try and was able to upload a second one that I have a question about and I hope to be able to figure out a solution for my problem.

It is well below freezing here. I would like to be able to get more shots outside but when I am out more than a few minutes, my camera wants to fog. How do people keep their cameras from doing this? At least I think it is fog. Help!! Here's an example of what I'm seeing in the center of this pic:

[skitterbug]

It looks good Sandy I can see a very slight blue color cast all over the image but it doesn't look bad.

Hi Binnur ~ Thank you! I appreciate your comments and I'm glad to see you! I hope you are getting settled in a new home? Seems like I read on this site (somewhere) that you were in the middle of making a move! Good luck with it!

Back to my pic - I need to go back and review what Manfred told me in this thread because I agree there is a blue cast to what was supposed to be white snow! Lots to remember, it hasn't become automatic for me yet!

[Shadowman]

Nice ones on week #7.

[skitterbug]

Nice ones on week #7.

Thank you John!

[Rufus]

I have come a little late to the party, Sandy, but have found this a fascinating thread both in terms of your weekly objectives and analysis and the helpful tips proffered by some more experienced forum members.

Please continue your fascinating journey and I hope you continue to receive responses that are so absolutely appropriate to your photographic mission.

I am sure many, like me, will be learning from it too. Now I have stumbled across it I will follow with great interest. I won't clog up the thread, but I shall be rooting for you! Keep it up!

[skitterbug]

I have come a little late to the party, Sandy, but have found this a fascinating thread both in terms of your weekly objectives and analysis and the helpful tips proffered by some more experienced forum members.

Please continue your fascinating journey and I hope you continue to receive responses that are so absolutely appropriate to your photographic mission.

I am sure many, like me, will be learning from it too. Now I have stumbled across it I will follow with great interest. I won't clog up the thread, but I shall be rooting for you! Keep it up!

Hi Rufus ~ and welcome from me to you! It isn't "midnight" yet so the party isn't over! Come on in! LOL
Thank you for your kind words and for your encouragement. I am really fortunate to have help from the experienced members of this kind group! I appreciate everyone's critiques and pointers! Trying to improve my photography skills is becoming addictive - some setback but some wins - all fun!

I hope to see your work posted? Dive in and join the fun!

[skitterbug]

An early start to Week 7.....

So for something to do today, I decided to "play" with this pic in LightRoom 6. I'm not even close to being adept at PP yet but used the presets and then adjusted a bit and came to the following results. (It is probably a good thing no one lets me in their "darkroom" for photo processing! <chuckle>)

I did like my results here though because I could envision this on a greeting card. And I did get rid of the blue cast to the snow! Is there hope for me!

[Goldcoastgolfer]

My main PP tool is Lightroom - which is still a very capable tool - I rarely feel a need to venture into Photoshop. Presets are a great way to learn how to do adjustments in Lightroom by looking good one the panels on the right and seeing what's changed.