Film Photography - Ideas/Courses?

[StoneChucker]

We've just acquired a rather nice film camera (bought it for mum for mother's day - said I might be borrowing it :killingme ). For picture quality, I don't think you can easily beat a good SLR film camera, so I'm looking forward to some great pics.

My question is, anyone know of any good intro to photography courses in the Wellington region? And secondly, any ideas on how to get film pictures onto the computer (digital format)? I have a scanner, suppose thats the "easiest" option. Just curious if there were any other methods. (develloper putting them onto CD for you?)

This weekend, weather permitting, I hope to go "shoot" some eagles out Wairarapa way.

[Mooch]

Camera house runs some basic courses that are worthwhile or try the local ploytech.
You can get you films transfered onto CD at developing time .A number of places do this in the City with same day service. I've used photoplus.co.nz locaited on Willis Street below the Majestic Center with excellent results. I find I get better digital pictures from the 35 mil converted than a Sony 5mp with Zeiss lens.
The other good thing about photo plus is the CD's have the same picture in 3 different sizes on the CD , which means no need to convert the image for emails.
It's also worth poping into the Wolf gallery in the Cablecar lane / arcade , Simon takes amazing shots and would be one of the best in NZ , could be worth a asking about courses at the same time. An great place for getting ideas for shots.

Cheers
Mooch

[StoneChucker]

HELLS BELLS!!

Thanks mooch, thats everything I wanted to know! Can't wait for my CD of digiprints :niceone:

[N4CR]

LOL film SLR's are so last millennia :lol:

With scanning film, my father was looking at doing that untill he went digital. You can get the (negative?) scanners that are like drums that suck your negatives up and scan with awesome resolution... or you can get a med-high range 'joe sixpack' scanner with a slide/film attachment (dont know if yours can... ask your supplier/where you purchased it from).

Good luck!

[What?]

I have never had anything to do with Photoplus, so can't comment, but I do deal with Fotopost - www.fotopost.co.nz - and have found them to be excellent; they even print sunsets that look like sunsets!! (normally the preserve of slide film)

[Krusti]

I still love my SLR...Still nothing matches flicking through an old photo album of ya favourite trip..ride.

Used SLR on our Sth Island trip, put films onto CD at developing...best of both worlds and ex quality. Digital is like painting by numbers and calling youself a painter...:whistle: Ducks for cover...:D

[jazbug5]

You might need rather a long lens for eagles, there, Stoney...!
What kind of SLR is it?m If it's Nikon (by some crazy chance) you can borrow a couple of mine to see how you go...

[James Deuce]

We've just acquired a rather nice film camera (bought it for mum for mother's day - said I might be borrowing it :killingme ). For picture quality, I don't think you can easily beat a good SLR film camera, so I'm looking forward to some great pics.

My question is, anyone know of any good intro to photography courses in the Wellington region? And secondly, any ideas on how to get film pictures onto the computer (digital format)? I have a scanner, suppose thats the "easiest" option. Just curious if there were any other methods. (develloper putting them onto CD for you?)

This weekend, weather permitting, I hope to go "shoot" some eagles out Wairarapa way.

We have Harrier Hawks (Kahu) and they're introduced. They also have the reaction time of 97 year meths drinker with cataracts and one leg missing from below the knee because of that diabetes.

I was at Caltex Upper Hutt a couple of years ago and I saw an CBR600 F4i with what I thought was the coolest paintjob ever pull in. It looked like it had the Honda wing symbol painted from the front right of the fairing right down across the side of the fairing in a lovely matt gold colour. When he got closer and slowed down, the "painted" wing folded up and then you could see the hole in the fairing where the hawk's head and body had punched through.

[Mr Skid]

You might need rather a long lens for eagles, there, Stoney...!
What kind of SLR is it?m If it's Nikon (by some crazy chance) you can borrow a couple of mine to see how you go...
If it is Nikon I've got a 70-200 f2.8 and 2x converter that has to go..

[Paul in NZ]

Right...

This has got my attention as I would like to go on a photography course as well... I too prefer an SLR because I'm ancient and like photo albums.

I bought a semi auto SLR a few years back to replace my lovely Richo (stolen by sleazy house breakers that took our once in a lifetime custom made leathers - may they rot in hell) which took great pictures and was pretty compact. This semi auto thing is the size of a small heliocopter and takes shite pictures (I think because either something is wrong with it or the weight of the lens makes it harder to hold still). I see hundreds of nice old SLRs in cash converters but never sure which one to buy?

Stoney if you find a course let me know as I'd love to go with you... (in a manly kind of way)

Cheers

[jazbug5]

If you liked the Rico, Paul, you'd probably get on with a Pentax.
Classic 'basic' learner's SLR, fave design being a K1000, from memory. I think. Memory's all shot these days.
Other option might be an Olympus OM10, also. You should be able to get something along these lines really cheaply now that everyone's getting rid of their old, un digital kits. Yay!

[Paul in NZ]

If you liked the Rico, Paul, you'd probably get on with a Pentax.
Classic 'basic' learner's SLR, fave design being a K1000, from memory. I think. Memory's all shot these days.
Other option might be an Olympus OM10, also. You should be able to get something along these lines really cheaply now that everyone's getting rid of their old, un digital kits. Yay!

Yes the latest one is a Pentax but it is a semi auto while the Richo was fully manual.

To be truthful (and being a man) I got a deal on the pentax and took it 'cos it had a really big lens... (ah hem) But i've suffered long enough methinks..

[jazbug5]

Ah, but what model of Pentax?
Give me a holler next time you're in town; I'll happily look at it and escort you to Cash Converters/wherever (although I'd hesitate to actually buy a camera from there...) and give you my 2c.

[badlieutenant]

i need an escort .......................

[Krusti]

i need an escort .......................

:killingme ya sicko:killingme

[jazbug5]

i need an escort .......................

Oh? Then it will cost you 2c. (Special offer...)

[Paul in NZ]

Oh? Then it will cost you 2c. (Special offer...)

Jaz don't do it... This guy is a real wierdo (apparently) You should see some of the people he hangs out with... :msn-wink:

As for visiting CC, hey that would be GREAT....

I'll try to remember to bring in me camera too but it will be next week 'cos I'm flat out for a bit and going away again.. grr..

Cheers

[badlieutenant]

This guy is a real wierdo
i take a fence at that :mad:

[jazbug5]

i take a fence at that :mad:

No, you mean that you resemble that remark... (badoom tissssh)

[Paul in NZ]

i take a fence at that :mad:

You trying to picket a fight mate (boom tish)

But... Hang on... You would only take offence if you were hanging out with.. Hmmm..... :devil2:

:whistle:

Move on folks, nothing to see here...

[badlieutenant]

You trying to picket a fight mate (boom tish)

But... Hang on... You would only take offence if you were hanging out with.. Hmmm..... :devil2:

:whistle:

Move on folks, nothing to see here...

Im stricken back buster. wat was i saying .................oh a fence, i have one here (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Outdoor-garden-conservatory/Other/auction-26722403.htm)

[Paul in NZ]

Im stricken back buster. wat was i saying .................oh a fence, i have one here (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Outdoor-garden-conservatory/Other/auction-26722403.htm)

eh? You are a bark buster?

Sorry - I'll turn my hearing aid up...

[badlieutenant]

eh? You are a bark buster?

Sorry - I'll turn my hearing aid up...
oh are you a member (http://www.barkbusters.com/) ?
this had better stop soon before someone plays with a herring. slippery little devils

[Paul in NZ]

oh are you a member (http://www.barkbusters.com/) ?
this had better stop soon before someone plays with a herring. slippery little devils

Argh! Too late and did you know their fins stick if you have to pull them out backwards

[Skunk]

This thread has unravelled.
When is beer going to be mentioned? :whistle:

[badlieutenant]

Argh! Too late and did you know their fins stick if you have to pull them out backwards
youd have to be drunk (on bear) to try. Backwards ? Trippy man.

[StoneChucker]

Looks like there will be three Kiwi Bikers on the course I decide to do... Just imagine if they say compile a few images for inspection type thing, and all they get is bikes... Wheelie-ing bikes, Guzzis and bikes on rallies/dirt roads :devil2:

Skunk/Paul - I'll look into a course after I've read / understood all the books that came with the camera, and the book I plan to borrow from Skunk. Best to go prepared.

Looking forward to this :D

Dave.

[Slingshot]

If anyone really wanted to I could take them through the theory of photography. My creative skill are shite but I know the theory inside out.

ePhoto@Dac is where I get my processing done, it's a pro photo lab in Wigan St and they do develop and scan to CD. I think they're normally 6Mb scans, so they're good for prints up to about 6x8"/8x12".

I've also got an enlarger and darkroom equipement for sale at the moment if that interests anyone...see here (http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=27015217)

[Paul in NZ]

Cool.. A KB camera course....

Jaz - I have a Pentax A-3 with Takumar-A lens 1:33 ~ 4.5 and 28 ~ 80 mm..

Cheers

[Skunk]

If anyone really wanted to I could take them through the theory of photography. My creative skill are shite but I know the theory inside out.Once SC has read his books maybe we could do that.

Would it be cheaper than a night-school course? :whistle:

I for one would be keen. I've got a manual Vivatar and an auto Canon EOS.

[Big Dave]

I have a friend who proclaims 'I'm an artist - I only shoot on film'.
I paraphrase that to meam 'Photography is my hobby' - because it just makes it real hard to make a buck the old way.
I'm also of the opinion that generally a photographer is an artisan rather than an artist - It's mastery over a tool and it's application.
But whatever, Enjoy it - it's all good. fwiw I get better results with a high end digital than from a series of 35mm slrs.

[Marknz]

If the course you find happens to cater for digital too, then you can count me in. I've a Nikon Coolpix 5700 with extra teleconverter and a wide converter. Would love to know how to get more use out of it.

Cheers
Mark

[RiderInBlack]

What would be cool would be a dig thingie that you could put in the back of your old SLR instead of film. Shit I'd love that. Have an old SLR Ricoh going to waste because the light meter is fu*ked but has a blood good lense (Vivitar 75-210 zoom lense) and El cheepy DSE 4Mpix with a shitty lense. Fu*k I would so like to combine those two. Miss my blood good optical zoom, F-stops and shut speed settings:weep:

[Ghost Lemur]

My advice would be to just do it.

Sure, get a couple of books so you can learn the technical aspects.

As far as taking "good photo's". Style is something (at least in my opinion) that can only be discovered through self discovery. But use people you know as sounding boards for criticing.

Look at photos you like. Study the details they combined to create their images. Compisition(sp?), etc. Photo mags can be good too, as often they have photos with details on the exposure/apature/focal length/etc.

[jazbug5]

What would be cool would be a dig thingie that you could put in the back of your old SLR instead of film. Shit I'd love that. Have an old SLR Ricoh going to waste because the light meter is fu*ked but has a blood good lense

Cheap handheld light meter...?

I've a really good one hewn out of rock, done me proud it has all these years...

[RiderInBlack]

Cheap handheld light meter...?

I've a really good one hewn out of rock, done me proud it has all these years...Yep, but would still have to dig the pics for it to be of use to me now.
Why waste money on film? I used to prefur slides to film back in my underwater photography days. They were much better than itty bit pics and cheaper than getting your photo's enlarged.
I feel the same is true for Digial. Size is only limited by your screen, plus it is easier for you to crop them, edit them, and you can send you dig pic's fast and cheaper to your mates. You take up least phyical space with you dig pics as well. My "Photo Album" is CD/DVD disc size and will out last my old slides and photos.

[Slingshot]

Cheap handheld light meter...?

I've a really good one hewn out of rock, done me proud it has all these years...


Hell no....get hard....use the F16 rule.

If it's a nice bright day, set the camera to F16, 1/125sec when using 125ASA film (125ASA is close enough to 100speed).
That gives you the starting point and just adjust from there.

Modern colour films have a room for error...better still, go black and white and print it your self...then you can fix any cock-ups in the darkroom.

[Slingshot]

I have a friend who proclaims 'I'm an artist - I only shoot on film'.
I paraphrase that to meam 'Photography is my hobby' - because it just makes it real hard to make a buck the old way.
I'm also of the opinion that generally a photographer is an artisan rather than an artist - It's mastery over a tool and it's application.
But whatever, Enjoy it - it's all good. fwiw I get better results with a high end digital than from a series of 35mm slrs.

Regardless of the actual medium (film or digital), the art is in making the image, my view is that this involves more than just composing and clicking, it's involves every decision you make about the composition, camera settings, film choice, lighting etc. Similar to a painter...there are decisions to make about the meduim, brush type, paint type, technique etc.

I believe photography is an art, on a high end digital SLR the only choice you can't make is the type of film...on the filp side, modern film SLRs more often than not have varing states of auto, so when using these settings...that's the choice you're losing.

[Big Dave]

Regardless of the actual medium (film or digital), the art is in making the image, my view is that this involves more than just composing and clicking, it's involves every decision you make about the composition, camera settings, film choice, lighting etc. Similar to a painter...there are decisions to make about the meduim, brush type, paint type, technique etc.

I believe photography is an art, on a high end digital SLR the only choice you can't make is the type of film...on the filp side, modern film SLRs more often than not have varing states of auto, so when using these settings...that's the choice you're losing.

My digital has 9 presets but I still shoot mostly in 'manual'.

I did say 'generally' - but even so, I admire the work of a Newcastle NSW photographer Carl Hensil greatly - his compositions feature ornate sets depicting a tattoo parlour and harley-davidson theme, wonderful art - but the photograph itself was merely the means of preserving it. You could say enhancing it too. But the photo wasn't the art, the set and it's creation was.

I guess it's chicken and egg, and what do i know - most of what I shoot is widgets on a white background.
no art in that baby.

chz

[StoneChucker]

How much you asking for that B&W Develloping thingiemajig? Can't see a Buy Now price, or other details on the Trade-Me add.

Skunk, I also got a Canon, an EOS 3000 N with the standard lens. Also bought a second "telephoto" lens (90 - 300 from memory). Got a UV filter for the lense too. Planning on buying a lens hood, to reduce glare on sunny days. Tripod is in the pipeline too. All I really need is an attachable flash unit.

I don't plan on becoming an artist, I guess my ultimate goal is to have pictures that when someone looks at them, they are impressed. There are lots of variables in photography from what I can deduce:
Film : Black & White or Color, at least 3 different speeds/types (100, 200, 400)
Apature Size
Shutter Speed
Light Levels
Subject / composition of photo
Different levels of focus in the pic
And those are just the basics I reckon?

Ok, so once I'm done with your book Skunk, I'll start looking for a course we can all attend. Slingshot, will keep your offer in mind too, thanks :niceone:

Dave.

[Slingshot]

How much you asking for that B&W Developing thingiemajig? Can't see a Buy Now price, or other details on the Trade-Me add.
Reserve is $50


(90 - 300 from memory)
It'll be a 75-300mm


Film : Black & White or Colour, at least 3 different speeds/types (100, 200, 400)
Aperture Size
Shutter Speed
Light Levels
Subject / composition of photo
Different levels of focus in the pic

Your film choice will impact the colour saturation, contrast, graininess of the image & sensitivity to light.
Aperture will impact the depth of field (amount in focus).
Shutter speed will impact the ability to freeze action or blur it (and at the extremes, reciprocity failure or colour shift of the film.)
Light levels in conjunction with the film speed will determine the shutter and aperture settings that you can choose.
Composition...start with the rule of thirds...divide the image into three and place the subject on the division.
Focus...again, impacted by the aperture that you choose but also on where you focus. For any given depth of field, the subject will be in focus 1 third in front and 2 thirds behind the point you focus on. The smaller the aperture (bigger F number) the more will be in focus.

[riffer]

Dave - pop around to my place - I'm just up the road - most of my photography books are in storage while they rebuild the gargre after the fire but I may have a few books lying around you can borrow - I'll have a look and pm you about them.

FWIW we have a few cameras at our place:

Olympus OM-1 and OM-2N (both recently rebuilt by Phil Jacobs), with a full compliment of lenses (Zuikos and Tamron SP's), teleonverters, winders, flashes, etc.

Canon T-90 with Speedlite 300TL flash, 28-85 FD zoom, 300/4.5 prime.

Olympus IS-1000

Olympus Mju 35-135 Superzoom.

and for digital:

Canon Powershot A75
Olympus C770UZ

[StoneChucker]

Thanks Slingshot and Riffer :)

Hey, it's cool that what you said actually made sense! I got a roll of film develloped from the new camera, and the prints looks amazing compared to our old shitter camera. Even took some pics with small and large aperture setting, those came out great (sharp/focused primary object, varying grades of out of focus objects behind it).

Must find a fountain so I can try fast and slow shutter speeds, to blur the water, creating a sense of motion ;)

Riffer, will reply to your PM, NO RUSH though, got lots to read first :)

[FEINT]

I personally use a Nikon D70 Digital SLR and a 1GB CF card. I can take 200+ shots and I worry about the composition and all that later on. It really depends on what you wish to take, taking motorbikes and cars, you really have to be fast and pan with the bike / car.

Hope that helps. :)