should "how to photograph your work" have its complete dedicated section?

[Ned]

The way Michael talks, you'd think he was trying to talk you out of getting into photography.  Either that or yanking your chain... 

But seriously, while everything Mr. Kellough says is true, it isn't going to all hit you at once, the way his post did.  A pro's going to have to worry about all those things, you'll have to worry about some of them.

BTW, it's possible to try before you buy.  Both camera bodies and lenses can be rented, in fact all the gear can be.  It might be tough to do this outside of a major-major city (LA, Bay Area, New York), but there are several on-line rental outfits that will deal with non-pros.  Lens Rentals is a Memphis-based outfit whose website I really like.  I haven't dealt with them, but I intend to.  Before I put out 800-1000 USD for that lens, spending 59 USD (shipping both ways included) to try it for a week seems to me to make real sense.

I'm not sure that there are any overwhelming reasons to prefer Canon over Nikon or the other way round.  Both make excellent stuff, both make...that other kind of stuff, too.  Unless you're after one very specific purpose, it's unlikely that there's a clear winner between the two.  I bought into Canon based on the availability of excellent third-party camera control software (dSLR Pro from Breeze Systems), but I don't know what's available for the Nikon or others.  As I said in an earlier post, I don't know, but I'm quite sure mine's better.  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Ned

 

[nickao]

Everyone,
This is a really interesting discussion.  One of my goals is to get better at taking photos, and then working with those photos after they are shot.  I know a lot of people here have a high skill level in photography.  Let me think about the best way to create a separate section.  There are a couple of SMF tricks that I have not yet used, and it might be time to roll a couple of them out!  More on this a little later.
Matthew

Thanks Mathew!

Ned, Michael and Dan I thank you all.

No one talks me out of anything and their is nothing I can  not learn. Like I said in an earlier post I have not had anyone deny me work based on my pics and if they did, it is not to a point where I noticed. I am not conceded or the best woodworker, but working out of my home and my wife having a nice income, I can pick and choose the work. Little Dominick is going to be a full day student with no meds for the first time in the fall and then who knows I might venture outside to work again. It would be nice if my picture taking skills were a little better then they are now. They can't be any worse.

I will mull it over and decide ultimately what I am going to purchase. When I do I will post it so you guys can either laugh or give me a pat on the back. It sounds like you have your own preferences so I am sure no matter what I get everyone will not agree with it.

I am sure it is like woodworking in that the time put in is directly related to the results I will get. Thanks for the info and I am open to hear a lot more so keep posting.

When and if Matthew decides to set something up in this forum maybe you guys can put together something from each of your point of views. You to Bob.

I will be posting a lot less in the coming weeks as I am buried in work and my new shop set up is almost complete. I still have not opened any of the new Festools and I have a ton of new toys to play with. Who knows maybe I will try some pictures of the new tools in actions.

Thanks,

Nick

 

[Eli]

I don't know anyone who decides to take up photographic lighting as a hobby

Ned

I read somewhere (to paraphrase) that photography "novices worry about how sharp the lens is, amateurs worry about composition, and pros worry about light".

Focus Pullers worry about how sharp the lens is, the Art Director worries that the dragon mosaic made from 15,000 glass marbles isn't in the shot, and the Director of Photography is distracted by the reflection from passing bus windows. The grips worry they won't be first in line for lunch because it might rain and they'll have to stay behind and cover the equipment.  ;D ;D ;D

Sorry, that was delicious bait you dangled.

Nick you and others might want to check out something like a Dedolight kit. Eventually you'd want a big soft source like a 4x Kino or something, but a dedo kit is light and compact, won't pop a 10a or 15a circuit, you can run four lights off a single dimmable ballast. That gives you a lot of control for highlights. There are many other smaller companies, but these are the small lights I see again and again. Google Dedolight or Kino Flo.

 

[Ned]

Hey Nick, why don't you do photos of the interior of each tool's Systainer when you first open them?  I think we have some in the gallery, but it would be nice to have a complete set for reference.

Ned

 

[nickao]

Hey Nick, why don't you do photos of the interior of each tool's Systainer when you first open them?  I think we have some in the gallery, but it would be nice to have a complete set for reference.

Ned

That I will do for sure!

I will use my wifes little Kodak V1253. Its a sweet little camera for HD video. But this darn thing needs a lot of light to take good pics. On the HD setting if you have just the right light the pics are phenomenal on the HD TV.

Where is the best thread to post them? Or should I start a new thread titled "Out of the box Festool Pics"?

Nick

 

[Ned]

I think they belong in the Gallery.  Dan the Picture Cop can help you.

Ned

 

[Matthew Schenker]

nickao,
I just created an album for you in the Gallery, so you can upload your photos when you're ready.

My suggestion, as always, is to use the "Upload file (using Java)" option from the main Gallery menu.  From there, you can upload a batch of photos all together.  Just make sure to put them in your album!

A helpful hint for everyone: if you click first on your album, then click the "Upload file (using Java)" option, you are automatically set to put photos in your album.  Even if you go straight to the Upload option, there is a nice easy pull-down menu for finding your album.

Here's a link to nickao's album:http://www.festoolownersgroup.com/CoppermineMain/thumbnails.php?album=92

Matthew

 

[Michael Kellough]

......Now if you want to get the one of the best cameras on the planet, go for the Nikon D3 FULL FRAME - $5,000 for the body only.  You can get usable pictures at ISO 25,800!

Dan.

I'd love to have one of these but in the interior application that full frame sensor is going to make it more difficult to get the depth of field you need, unless you have a really wide angle lens. On the other hand the full frame sensor means there is no sensor crop factor so you have lots of old manual focus lenses to choose from. With a smaller sensor camera like the 4/3 Olympus and Panasonic/Leica you have more depth of field at any given aperture but the effective angle of view is half what the lens would cover on a full frame sensor. There are trade offs with everything.

 

[John Stevens]

I like woodworking and make money from it too. Taking good pictures seems like an extension of that.

I've often thought that if a person wants to be regarded as a great woodworker, he also has to be a great photographer (or at least has to hire one).  I have all of Krenov's books and read all the early years of FWW ('70s) with all of that great B&W photography, and those shots could really turn something as simple as a close-up of a finished piece of quartersawn lumber into something approaching a religious experience.

Regards,

John

 

[nickao]

nickao,
I just created an album for you in the Gallery, so you can upload your photos when you're ready.

My suggestion, as always, is to use the "Upload file (using Java)" option from the main Gallery menu.  From there, you can upload a batch of photos all together.  Just make sure to put them in your album!

A helpful hint for everyone: if you click first on your album, then click the "Upload file (using Java)" option, you are automatically set to put photos in your album.  Even if you go straight to the Upload option, there is a nice easy pull-down menu for finding your album.

Here's a link to nickao's album:http://www.festoolownersgroup.com/CoppermineMain/thumbnails.php?album=92

Matthew

Thanks

Nick

 

[tvgordon]

Nick,
I like the idea of a separate photography section.  I too have been looking at DSLRs for some time.  I was looking at the Nikon D80 and Canon xti, but the new Canon xsi is going to be out soon.  I like the Nikon 300, Canon 40D and really like the Canon 5D, but I thought it might be a good idea to buy a less expensive camera first so I can afford some quality lenses and flash.
Cnet.com and dpreview.com have some good camera reviews.  Most say to narrow your choices and then hold each camera to see which is the most comfortable and button layouts seem best for you.

Tom.

 

[nickao]

Nick,
I like the idea of a separate photography section.  I too have been looking at DSLRs for some time.  I was looking at the Nikon D80 and Canon xti, but the new Canon xsi is going to be out soon.  I like the Nikon 300, Canon 40D and really like the Canon 5D, but I thought it might be a good idea to buy a less expensive camera first so I can afford some quality lenses and flash.
Cnet.com and dpreview.com have some good camera reviews.  Most say to narrow your choices and then hold each camera to see which is the most comfortable and button layouts seem best for you.

Tom.

Like a computer, something always comes out bigger and better. I think I am just going to jump in the next month or so. Like you, l just have to many choices and I am not quite sure what I want or need yet.

Nickao

 

[nickao]

nickao,
I just created an album for you in the Gallery, so you can upload your photos when you're ready.

My suggestion, as always, is to use the "Upload file (using Java)" option from the main Gallery menu.  From there, you can upload a batch of photos all together.  Just make sure to put them in your album!

A helpful hint for everyone: if you click first on your album, then click the "Upload file (using Java)" option, you are automatically set to put photos in your album.  Even if you go straight to the Upload option, there is a nice easy pull-down menu for finding your album.

Here's a link to nickao's album:http://www.festoolownersgroup.com/CoppermineMain/thumbnails.php?album=92

Matthew

Thanks

Nick

I am supposed to go to this link. But when I do there is no album for me(after doing what Mathew instructs above) and it says to use the "create button", but I can not find a "create button" to click on.

If anyone knows what I am talking about and can tell me what I am missing please let me know.

Nickao

 

[Michael Kellough]

nickao,
I just created an album for you in the Gallery, so you can upload your photos when you're ready.

My suggestion, as always, is to use the "Upload file (using Java)" option from the main Gallery menu.  From there, you can upload a batch of photos all together.  Just make sure to put them in your album!

A helpful hint for everyone: if you click first on your album, then click the "Upload file (using Java)" option, you are automatically set to put photos in your album.  Even if you go straight to the Upload option, there is a nice easy pull-down menu for finding your album.

Here's a link to nickao's album:http://www.festoolownersgroup.com/CoppermineMain/thumbnails.php?album=92

Matthew

Thanks

Nick

I am supposed to go to this link. But when I do there is no album for me(after doing what Mathew instructs above) and it says to use the "create button", but I can not find a "create button" to click on.

If anyone knows what I am talking about and can tell me what I am missing please let me know.

Nickao

When you go there you are already in your "gallery" and it looks like an empty room because you haven't uploaded any images yet. Click on the little blue "upload file" link at the top of the page.

 

[nickao]

nickao,
I just created an album for you in the Gallery, so you can upload your photos when you're ready.

My suggestion, as always, is to use the "Upload file (using Java)" option from the main Gallery menu.  From there, you can upload a batch of photos all together.  Just make sure to put them in your album!

A helpful hint for everyone: if you click first on your album, then click the "Upload file (using Java)" option, you are automatically set to put photos in your album.  Even if you go straight to the Upload option, there is a nice easy pull-down menu for finding your album.

Here's a link to nickao's album:http://www.festoolownersgroup.com/CoppermineMain/thumbnails.php?album=92

Matthew

Thanks

Nick

I am supposed to go to this link. But when I do there is no album for me(after doing what Mathew instructs above) and it says to use the "create button", but I can not find a "create button" to click on.

If anyone knows what I am talking about and can tell me what I am missing please let me know.

Nickao

When you go there you are already in your "gallery" and it looks like an empty room because you haven't uploaded any images yet. Click on the little blue "upload file" link at the top of the page.

Yes, I did that and then it says error,  pick an album. This happens either before upload if using the java upload or it lets me upload on the old upload page but then gives the pick an album error after the upload process. And I can not pick mine.

I did upload to a differnt album with no problem. I put up a compact cleaning set.

Someone  pm'd me and said they had a similar problem until Mathew did something.

Please If you can, post a pic to my album for me, of what ever you want. After that I think it will be okay.

Nickao

 

[Michael Kellough]

Yes I did that and then it says error,  pick an album either before upload if using the java upload or it lets me upload on the old upload page but then gives the pick an album area. Some pm'd me and said they had a similar problem until Mathew did something.

Nickao

Come to think of it I actually haven't tried to upload to mine yet. I put a few pics in the temp album and Matthew moved them.

 

[nickao]

Yes I did that and then it says error,  pick an album either before upload if using the java upload or it lets me upload on the old upload page but then gives the pick an album area. Some pm'd me and said they had a similar problem until Mathew did something.

Nickao

Come to think of it I actually haven't tried to upload to mine yet. I put a few pics in the temp album and Matthew moved them.

I think I will use the temporary. Once he moves them will it work okay?

Please anyone, if you can, post a pic to my album for me, of what ever you want. After that I think it will be okay.

Nickao

 

[johne]

Hi guys,

Been away most of the weekend and just read this topic. Great idea and if i can help i'll gladly do so.
The thing with photography is that yes it helps to have all the fancy equipement but is not absolutely necessary to make a good shot.
I ve seen guys cut dovetails by hand in half the time it would take most of us to set up a costly dovetail jigg.

There are some tricks that make your shots way better and cost nothing. Just a few...
1. Framing your shot: Most photographs show way too much cluttered background and leave the viewer guessing as to what the subject is. Move in closer.
2. Point of view of your shot: For example kids (they're SMALL) Grown ups are BIG. Dont take a pic of kids standing up and pointing camera down,
    Take the pic at their eye level (get down on your knees) same with product shots, dont shoot down, shoot level or just below.

There are many simple things like this that can improve your photography.

In advertising there are basically two types of product shots:
1. Technical product photography (Pack shot) aimed at showing the product, packaging etc in detail in its most appealing form. This is relatively easy from a 
    lighting and composing point of view. (in relation to wood working: A good detailed shot of your product)

2. The shot that apeals to peoples emotions, lifestyle etc and is aimed at justifying buying that product. (if i have this car then......, if I buy this tool then.... ;D)
    These kinds of shots involve mostly the more sophisticated lighting or lack of it LOL. (this is the area of photography where people get paid the big bucks)

If you re interested i can do a short tutorial on how to photograph small objects like chairs for example using nothing more than some halogen construction lights. 2 lights max, and some styrofoam or other white reflective surfaces ( ceiling, wall) for diffusion.

It would be a good idea to post pics and discuss what can be done to improve them.

 

[Qwas]

If you can do "podcasts", there is a guy called Isreal Hyman that has tutorials on doing video. Most of this applies to pictures too.

Here is website. The podcasts archives are listed on the right hand side of the page. I found the early videos most useful for cameras.

 

[johne]

......Now if you want to get the one of the best cameras on the planet, go for the Nikon D3 FULL FRAME - $5,000 for the body only.  You can get usable pictures at ISO 25,800!

Dan.

I'd love to have one of these but in the interior application that full frame sensor is going to make it more difficult to get the depth of field you need, unless you have a really wide angle lens. On the other hand the full frame sensor means there is no sensor crop factor so you have lots of old manual focus lenses to choose from. With a smaller sensor camera like the 4/3 Olympus and Panasonic/Leica you have more depth of field at any given aperture but the effective angle of view is half what the lens would cover on a full frame sensor. There are trade offs with everything.

On a full frame dslr using for example a 16mm lens you will have more coverage of the location as with the same lens on a camera with an APS size sensor while still having the same depth of field. (16mm on an APS size camera=roughly 25mm,in other words narrower angle of view)  Depth of field is a property of the lens with a given apperture. The difference between full frame and smaller sensors is just a cropped image. There is no difference in depth of field if both cameras use the same lens and the same aperture.