Comments for Make the Photo!

Comment on How to make the jump from automatic shooting to manual shooting by Cindy

Cindy — Thu, 20 May 2010 12:37:21 +0000

Thanks for making this core concept much easier to understand. Beautiful examples and illustrations.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

Comment on How to choose a flash for your digital camera by david bachman

david bachman — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:28:45 +0000

One thing to be very careful when using a third party non dedicated flash is the trigger voltage it uses. Whatever you connect to the camera, be it studio lighting or a flash, make sure the trigger voltage is safe to use on the camera. On some DSLR systems, anything above 6V could fry the flash sync contacts on the shutter and kill the camera.

My personal advice is that if you cannot afford a dedicated flash, save up and get a dedicated one, and ideally get the one that your camera maker makes. High Speed Sync and more accurate flash metering will be worth it in the long run.

Comment on How to create black and white photos with a DSLR camera by ageitgey

ageitgey — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:06:22 +0000

Pam,

You could do that. But then you end up with whatever the camera decides is the best mix of black and white. It’s not ‘wrong’, but it’s a lot more limiting.

If you convert it yourself, you have more control over what ends up darker and what ends up lighter in the final print. That makes it easier to make the subject of the photo stand out from the background.

If you just want to play around, you can use the camera to shoot black and white and not worry about converting it. But if you want to try getting more artistic and making the best photos possible, you can do more by converting it yourself. It’s really up to you and how much you want to put into it.

Comment on How to create black and white photos with a DSLR camera by Pam

Pam — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:49:01 +0000

Couldn’t you just set your camera to take pictures in black and white? Or, is it better to shoot in colour and then covert with software?

Comment on How to choose a flash for your digital camera by Neil Conway

Neil Conway — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 23:54:18 +0000

Pocket Wizards are far from the only choice for radio-controlled flash triggers: they are very good, but among the most expensive options. The Cactus V4 triggers are another choice: very affordable, although not as reliable as PWs. I've ordered some, but they haven't arrived yet -- but for someone just getting into off-camera lighting, I think they are a good choice until you can justify getting PWs.

Comment on How to make the jump from automatic shooting to manual shooting by How to take vacation photos

How to take vacation photos — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 23:12:42 +0000

[...] Use manual mode on your camera and adjust the exposure on your camera to match the light outside. Using manual mode will keep the exposure consistent between each photo and will make it easier to get a smooth-looking result. [...]

Comment on How to choose a digital camera by Phat Photographer

Phat Photographer — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:25:55 +0000

I have a camera recommendation here but this is much more funny.

Comment on How to make the jump from automatic shooting to manual shooting by Bibbie

Bibbie — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:03:06 +0000

This article is fantastic. I just printed it so that I can really study this material and LEARN it. Your explanations are very clear and well organized. As an OLD retired teacher…I’d say you missed your calling!
Thanks for sharing your work with all of us who are just beginning this wonderful journey into the world of photography.

Comment on How to make the jump from automatic shooting to manual shooting by Amit

Amit — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:22:58 +0000

excellent tutorial..the explanation of bokeh is nicely done also vry nice example on portrait photography…the landscape image is stunning with great depth..

Comment on How to protect your images online by ageitgey

ageitgey — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:58:21 +0000

Dave,

We are total agreement. You do not have to register to protect your copyright, but you do have to register to sue. No disagreement. How is this article misleading?

The key point is that if you register ahead of time, you get much stronger protection under the law including the ability to sue for statutory damages instead of actual damages. That can very well be the difference between being able to afford to sue and not being able to afford to sue (or finding a lawyer who will take the case). Note that this point is specific to the US.

There’s a reason that every major media company (music, movies, etc) registers all their publications. It’s well worth the money and that is the message I’m trying to spread to professional-level photographers.

If you are just publishing some photos online for fun and don’t care to ever sell them for money, then this is all a moot point. In that case, registration is probably overkill.