Equipment Trouble, Operator Error

I have been trying to figure out why I cannot get sharp images while handholding one of my best lenses, the 70 - 200mm 2.8 VR.  Especially wide open, from f2.8 to f7 or so, even at very high shutterspeeds --- like 1/3000th. Well, I guess it helps to read the manual.  At some point the Active slider got turned on, which the manual tells you is only to be used when shooting from a moving vehicle.  Evidently it counteracts the Vibration Reduction. So many ruined shots.  At least it is not all due to bad technique, I was really starting to get frustrated.  Then add a 1.7 teleconverter and there goes your depth of field, just learned about that from Moose today.

Golden evening light, cute cat trying to hide...not so great depth of field

Nikon D200, 70 - 200mm 2.8 lens with 1.7 tc at f4.8 and 1/500th 

Closer Calla

Nikon D700, 60mm macro lens with +4 closeup filter

at f4.8 and 1/125 with a -1 exposure compensation

Calla Shot With a Lensbaby and Without

Nikon D700 with a Lensbaby Composer

Nikon D700 with 60mm macro lens

Ever since Mark Westerman did a tutorial for our photo club on combining a series of macro shots of the same subject but focused at different points into the image, I have wanted to try the freeware CombineZM he told us about. But after finding the site and reading the instructions, I don't understand how to install it.  I would like to have the front edge of the top calla lily (shot with a 60mm macro lens) in focus but for some reason I did not shoot a series of focus shots this time. While it is possible to manually layer and mask a series of images to have more depth of field, it is tedious and increases the size of the file so much.  I don't mind the shallow depth of field in the top image, shot with a Lensbaby Composer.  It is hard for me to believe I actually got a shot more in focus with a Lensbaby than a standard lens...maybe because the angle is a little different.

Two Callas, Two Versions

Window light again, from the right, against a black background.  I may have used a V card I made by taping two large pieces of foam core together, on the left side...but I can't remember if I used it on these shots or not. And with my 60 mm macro lens at f5.6 and 1/10th I must have used a tripod.  Sometimes I do use a tripod but if I can handhold the camera I prefer to do that so I can move around and try different angles more easily. 

 ISO 800 with a -1 exposure compensation.

Calla #2

Nikon D700, 60mm macro lens at f5.6 and 1/20th with -1 exposure compensation,ISO 400

Bringing Spring Inside

When it is too cold to be outside, and since not much is growing in the landscape at this time of the year, I look for cut flowers or potted ones to shoot inside. Callas are one of my favorite flowers to shoot and to look at. This pink color is a little different from the white that are usually available so I had to try them. Shot in window light.

Still in Galveston

Another old, abandoned building in Galveston.  This one was interesting to me for the color combinations of the different greens and the red brick, along with the diagonal of the stairs and the way they end right at that strange pipe/vent sticking out of the plywood.  The day I shot this was overcast so there are no strong shadows to give much depth to the shot.  I added a texture layer in Multiply at 35% and in Soft Light at 21% and masked most of it off of the green plywood and the lower floor in between the columns. 

I think it still needs some kind of an edge, it just looks too abrupt the way the columns are cut in half, or something...but I don't know what would help.  I also had some strange bowing with the window sills not being level so tried to do some warping to push them back in a straight line but something still seems off.  Maybe I am just getting tired of Galveston architecture!  Time to take a break and the next posts will be something different.