Some photo hints. [Archive] - Kiwi Biker forums

Big Dave

17th July 2007, 02:29

BigG

17th July 2007, 07:44

I like the Daytona, good write up in KR on the Thruxton.

Nasty

17th July 2007, 08:02

Great write up .. and very valuable hints there.

deanohit

17th July 2007, 08:09

I like it man. Knew a few of those things, but mostly was new and valid for me. Awesome one thanks.

janno

17th July 2007, 08:19

Hey - Brilliant! Thanks!!

I need to know this stuff but have been putting off learning to use the DSLR camera I have . . . 'cos you actually have to learn how to use it!!

Freakshow

17th July 2007, 10:44

Thanks that is great stuff!

Toaster

17th July 2007, 10:55

Another from DC.....

Street Gerbil

17th July 2007, 11:11

My personal tip: buy a 4Gb flash card. Fill it up. No matter how poor a shot you are, you are bound to take a good one sooner or later. Delete the rest.

Sparky Bills

17th July 2007, 11:47

Took this a couple years back with a standard, no choice of lens cheap digital camera. What you think?
Havnt really carried on with thaking shots, as im usually ot on the track of on the bike being shot! Oh well, either way its good fun.

Big Dave

17th July 2007, 12:11

Took this a couple years back with a standard, no choice of lens cheap digital camera. What you think?
Havnt really carried on with thaking shots, as im usually ot on the track of on the bike being shot! Oh well, either way its good fun.

Nice - a bit light on my system - magazine wise I'd do this to it. (sorry the quality suffers when re-jpegging)

Curious_AJ

17th July 2007, 14:21

wow, im a fan of photography... thats sound advice right there.. great!!

I think I have been inspired to get out there and take some more pics...

my goal is to make a book of a whole lot of my pictures, and leave it in a coffee shop one day for people to find and look at and read and maybe write some comments in.. then come back and see what the result is.. heh...

Matt Bleck

17th July 2007, 15:06

Great stuff Dave! :niceone:

jonbuoy

17th July 2007, 19:33

Cheers Dave, my photos always look like arse.

Babelfish

17th July 2007, 20:01

Nice - a bit light on my system - magazine wise I'd do this to it. (sorry the quality suffers when re-jpegging)

Still the same as the old days where the work was in the darkroom eh? Nice write up Dave

mynameis

18th July 2007, 00:49

Big Dave, cheers mate, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge publicly on KB. Just have a few questions :

What camera do you recommend? I know it's a bit like saying what tyres should I buy? Will depend on your budget as well but what brands are the better ones in your opinion? What type of SLR should you be looking at, if you're planning to buy one?

I see you changed the angle of Sparkys pic aye? What programme do you normally use to edit? Mac?

Do you have to buy and carry different special lenses to achieve good pictures? And what sort of distance should you be from the bike?

Thanks and sorry for the no0ob photography questions :) but your pictures are awesome!!

Big Dave

18th July 2007, 01:03

Big Dave, cheers mate, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge publicly on KB. Just have a few questions :

What camera do you recommend? I know it's a bit like saying what tyres should I buy? Will depend on your budget as well but what brands are the better ones in your opinion? What type of SLR should you be looking at, if you're planning to buy one?

Too hard. Everyone is different.

I use a Canon 400D with 18-55 55-200 lenses for gigs in a decision determined by my budget. I would have preferred a Nikon D80, but more than I wanted to spend. Sony make good stuff. Get googling.

I see you changed the angle of Sparkys pic aye? What programme do you normally use to edit? Mac?

Only Photoshop. Always Mac.

Do you have to buy and carry different special lenses to achieve good pictures? And what sort of distance should you be from the bike?

See above re lenses.

Distance is detrmined by how far away you can get and STILL frame the picture the way you want.

Thanks and sorry for the no0ob photography questions :) but your pictures are awesome!![/quote]

cheers

ZeroIndex

18th July 2007, 02:51

That was awesome Mr. Dave... will keep that stuff in mind :)

Skyryder

18th July 2007, 21:49

One of things a lot of am's make is getting the background in focus.(flat) As a rule it is normaly a no-no. While there is a place for this, most professional photo's will have the background out of focus. This allows the eye to concentrate on the subject that the photographer is shooting. It's all tied up with focal length aperture and shutter speed.

That was a pretty good lay out BD.

Skyryder

NordieBoy

19th July 2007, 09:40

One of things a lot of am's make is getting the background in focus.(flat) As a rule it is normaly a no-no.

It's like the Pirate Code - More of a guideline.

Kendog

19th July 2007, 18:02

Excellent write up, plenty of things for me to practice in there.

crashe

19th July 2007, 18:15

Big Dave - Great tips. Cheers, much appreciated.

Nice to see the picture of Keystone19 on Gareth's old 'MILF Team' bike just before she decides to jump-off/drop-it with out putting the sidestand down to race back to help the fallen rider after his 2 stroke bike ceased up on him... that she almost ran over him in that shot. A great shot.

Finn

19th November 2007, 14:28

I just picked up a Canon 40D with a EFS 17-85 lens. I want a 100 - 400 telephoto lens but the pricks are asking $3000. They must be joking.

Is a Sigma okay? Recommendations?

NordieBoy

19th November 2007, 16:56

40D?
I hate you.

Sigma is fine.
I'd go for a 70-200 f2.8 with a 1.4xTC

Go for a Sigma 120-300 f2.8 :D

Sanx

19th November 2007, 17:44

The BikeStore photos were all taken with a Canon 400D with a 70-300 lens with Canon's two-stage image stabilisation built into it. Because the Canon 400D doesn't have a full-size CCD, the lens is actually more like 216-480 (multiply the focal lengths by 1.6, apparently).

The one thing I have trouble with is getting racing shots with motion blur ont he background, as in your red Honda at Puke shot above. I usually specify ISO400 or 800 (depending on the light) and then use the camera's appeture priority mode. Leaving it at f5.6 or something similar means a very fast shutter speed, but that's the only way I've found to avoid motion blur on the bike I'm targetting. Any clues?

But thanks for the info, DC - much appreciated.

Big Dave

19th November 2007, 17:59

Any clues?

My best motion blurs are shot manual

widest apperture - ISO100 - about 360th sec. (at Puke on a good day.)

Manual focus on the spot.

Follow pan with bike and expose at the spot you have focussed on.

The accuracy of the pan is the key. Has to be in complete unison with the bike and exposed on the spot or the whole thing is custard.

I'm pretty good at it - I hit one good shot out of 4 on average.
You have to get solid shots in the bank first - then chase blurrrrrrrrr.

Sanx

19th November 2007, 18:02

Thanks for that, dude. Might have to go along to a test day soon and have a practice ... and stand back from the track a bit. I was definitely too close from those kind of panning shots the other day.

Big Dave

19th November 2007, 18:04

I just picked up a Canon 40D with a EFS 17-85 lens. I want a 100 - 400 telephoto lens but the pricks are asking $3000. They must be joking.

Is a Sigma okay? Recommendations?

400 lens is a PITA to carry on a bike and you need a monopod for best results too.
Even minor shake - unless it's 2000th+ second stuff is a hassle at that max focal length.

I get by with a 200 (and photoshop skill.)

Dave-

19th November 2007, 18:18

Looking space is important too leave more space infront of a moving subject than behind it (again general rule) this applies in video too.

Croft

19th November 2007, 18:37

FANTASTIC tips, cheers!!!

NordieBoy

19th November 2007, 20:02

The one thing I have trouble with is getting racing shots with motion blur ont he background, as in your red Honda at Puke shot above. I usually specify ISO400 or 800 (depending on the light) and then use the camera's appeture priority mode. Leaving it at f5.6 or something similar means a very fast shutter speed, but that's the only way I've found to avoid motion blur on the bike I'm targetting. Any clues?

Shutter priority 1/320th or so to start with, ISO100 and practice.

Aperture priority if you want to control depth, shutter priority if you want to control blur.

And as the Wise One says, leave them some space to ride/drive into.

Kendog

19th November 2007, 21:17

Hey guys, I have been to one track day with the camera (350d with kit 70-300 lense) and loved it. I am also really interested in getting motion blur shots.

This is an example from that day, some others are here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=57652).
Settings were F8.0, ISO100, Shutter 1/125, focal length 85mm, auto focus (most of that doesn't mean much to me, lol). I was reading the manual on the field and changing settings as I went, using the preview to see if I was getting the bike in focus. Is there anything there that could be done different/better?

Also, I had a go at some post processing to add mood to one of the photos I like, this was my second go at black and white processing, the first go is my profile picture. Any tips on this would also be appreciated.

Cheers

oldguy

19th November 2007, 22:01

Only just stumbled across this thread, cheers for the tips BD, mate that helps heaps.
Now trouble is my bloody camera decides to die, F**Kn Canon 350D first the LCD dies, then the bloody thing wont turn on now. and to top it of the warranty has run out.

cheers again for the tips, hopefully I get me camera sorted befor Xmas, know how slow canon can be.

Big Dave

19th November 2007, 22:16

But geez you're looking well Old Guy.

Big Dave

19th November 2007, 22:17

Publication quality Kendog. No tips necessary.

kiwifruit

19th November 2007, 22:24

Mint thread, great advice thanks BD

Kendog

20th November 2007, 06:17

Publication quality Kendog. No tips necessary.

Wow thanks Dave, you have made my day.

Finn

20th November 2007, 07:06

400 lens is a PITA to carry on a bike and you need a monopod for best results too.
Even minor shake - unless it's 2000th+ second stuff is a hassle at that max focal length.

I get by with a 200 (and photoshop skill.)

Thanks. Would a 200 be sufficient on a golf course?

I have a monopod and I'm not being funny.

NZsarge

20th November 2007, 07:37

Another from DC.....

Damn, thats a nice photo.

Drunken Monkey

20th November 2007, 08:17

Is a Sigma okay? Recommendations?

Some people still say why bother getting a decent canon only to spoil it with a sigma lense. I'm not so sure that's true anymore. I think most people wouldn't know the difference under good lighting conditions anyway.

Post #10 (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1135111&postcount=10) illustrates another important point: Taking the photo is sometimes only half the job. Your 'digital studio' can be just as important.

Thanks. Would a 200 be sufficient on a golf course?

I have a monopod and I'm not being funny.

70-300 is a very versatile lens kit for the 40D. (http://photo.net/equipment/canon/70-300do/)

NordieBoy

20th November 2007, 08:30

Hey guys, I have been to one track day with the camera (350d with kit 70-300 lense) and loved it. I am also really interested in getting motion blur shots.

They are sweet.
The only problems you'll have with the kit lens are in the 3/4 pans where it's slower picking up the focus than the "L" or "EX" series lenses with USM/HSM.

It'll do a good shot given time to focus, as you've shown.
With the side-on pans the focus distance dosn't change as much.

Depending on the light, change the ISO to keep the aperture around 8-11 for the 3/4 shots to keep as much of the bike in focus as possible.
Side-on and you can have it wide open and get some nice background blur.

Kart tracks are good places to practice pans :D

NordieBoy

20th November 2007, 08:32

70-300 is a very versatile lens kit for the 40D. (http://photo.net/equipment/canon/70-300do/)
But that one costs a fortune like all the DO range and not so good for motorsports but nice and light for travelling :D

mynameis

20th November 2007, 15:30

I just picked up a Canon 40D with a EFS 17-85 lens. I want a 100 - 400 telephoto lens but the pricks are asking $3000. They must be joking.

Is a Sigma okay? Recommendations?

Hey Finn,

Take some pictures of the De Plane and stick it up here.

Finn

20th November 2007, 15:34

Hey Finn,

Take some pictures of the De Plane and stick it up here.

Sure, when I figure out how to turn it on.

Sanx

20th November 2007, 23:26

Post-editing with PhotoShop is bloody useful sometimes :D

Big Dave

20th November 2007, 23:56

Post-editing with PhotoShop is bloody useful sometimes :D

Some photogs get a bit sanctimonious about it too.

Big Dave

20th November 2007, 23:58

Thanks. Would a 200 be sufficient on a golf course?

I'd use a 5 iron.

NordieBoy

21st November 2007, 06:48

I'd use a 5 iron.

That'd take balls.

Finn

21st November 2007, 10:44

Well I just picked up the following lens and had a quick play at home. Seems really good and given I'm new to all this, couldn't tell the difference anyway. Yeah, sure I would have liked to get one with the old f2.8 but I ain't spending $10k on a piece of friggen glass.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-100-400mm-f-4.5-5.6-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

There's something felic about big, long lenses isn't there?

Big Dave

21st November 2007, 13:30

Change it to Phallic and no - no lens envy.

That's nice that 4 hundy though. whhoooo.

I'm comfortable riding with my gear on me - or the bike through rivers, down mountains and all those other places the gig takes me.

10k's worth would make me toe-ey.

Finn

21st November 2007, 15:29

Just heard a chopper coming in so ran to the roof. No time to set it up so it was set on Auto. Now this pad is some distance away I can tell you...

So tell me, why shouldn't I use MS Picture Manager to down size pictures?

Edit: Oh and yeah I suck at taking photos.

Maha

21st November 2007, 15:36

Just heard a chopper coming in so ran to the roof. No time to set it up so it was set on Auto. Now this pad is some distance away I can tell you...

So tell me, why shouldn't I use MS Picture Manager to down size pictures?

Edit: Oh and yeah I suck at taking photos.

So what did they Chopper in?.....a pillow?....that guy is texting to see if they sent Hard/ Medium/Soft.....

Finn

21st November 2007, 15:38

So what did they Chopper in?

My afternoon tea.

Maha

21st November 2007, 15:44

My afternoon tea.

Pillow biting aye????....keep the camera handy!....

mynameis

21st November 2007, 16:05

Just heard a chopper coming in so ran to the roof. No time to set it up so it was set on Auto. Now this pad is some distance away I can tell you...

So tell me, why shouldn't I use MS Picture Manager to down size pictures?

Edit: Oh and yeah I suck at taking photos.

BD will be able to answer that, but I don't think you can choose to downsize by pixels and length and width like you can in Photoshop.

And please I want pictures of the "De Plane" not De Choppa! (Said in Mugabee accent) De Plane De Plane..loook..

Big Dave

21st November 2007, 17:15

So tell me, why shouldn't I use MS Picture Manager to down size pictures?

No reason. There are better professional tools. But if it does what you needs it too.....

'gimp' is well regarded for freeware too.

EJK

21st November 2007, 17:19

Thanks for the hints. I used it today :D
Check it out if you want :D

Click the winky -> ;) (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1306181&postcount=38)
and this too :) (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1306176&postcount=37)

Finn

21st November 2007, 17:20

I just found Photoshop on a PC at home. Okay, so it's out of focus but... here little birdie... what an awesome lens!

Edit: and if ANY of you think I'm a soft cock nature freak, I shot it afterwards.

Big Dave

21st November 2007, 18:12

Thanks for the hints. I used it today :D
Check it out if you want :D

Click the winky -> ;) (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1306181&postcount=38)
and this too :) (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1306176&postcount=37)

Lol - This is Huiaaaaaaaaaaa!

But don't ever ask me to click your winky again.

Headbanger

24th December 2008, 17:32

Where is it?

martybabe

24th December 2008, 17:49

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=53750

Happy xmas HB. x

Headbanger

24th December 2008, 18:20

Whoa.

Cheers.

(I had no idea that existed, I was trying to be a funny bugger:blink:)

Merry Christmas everyone:wari::wari::wari:

martybabe

24th December 2008, 18:26

:clap::wavey:

Big Dave

24th December 2008, 18:42

I was trying to be a funny bugger:blink:)

Merry Christmas everyone:wari::wari::wari:

Leave it to professionals huh.

Kids - don't try this at home.

:-)

Happy Festivus.

EJK

30th March 2011, 01:34

I can't see the photos :(

img link outdated?

Big Dave

31st March 2011, 00:25

Updated.

Link on front page of my site