New lens, Old technique.

[MattJohnRobinson]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Did ANY of you read what I quoted? Here, let's try again:



A lens does not provide a "PRO LOOK". There's no such thing. A lens may be sharper, or have better contrast, but it does NOT provide a "pro look". It helps in making technically nicer images, but it doesn't make you look like a pro.

You may now remove your feet from your mouths

Uhm, if a lens is providing a "techinically nicer image"--as you said, sharper, better contrast--then yes, that does make an image look more professional. Or, as DJB said, it provides a more "pro look". Your argument is over semantics, and, quite frankly, stupid.

Really nice images DJB, thanks for sharing your setup and everything! I especially love the last one with the addition of the blueberries.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by MattJohnRobinson

Uhm, if a lens is providing a "techinically nicer image"--as you said, sharper, better contrast--then yes, that does make an image look more professional. Or, as DJB said, it provides a more "pro look". Your argument is over semantics, and, quite frankly, stupid..

The term "pro look" is, quite frankly, stupid.

A slight change in sharpness and contrast does not make a "look". It's not a "style" to be sharp and contrasty. its just a property of a lens. I also think any of you would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between these images and those from a non-L lens.

I'll grant you: L lenses, for the most part, are very good. But to say that they are the sole reason for a particular look is just absurd.

If you're just going to call me stupid, you might as well just PM me so that I can ignore you properly.

[MattJohnRobinson]

Oh ok, thanks for clarifying that; I didn't quite get it the first two times.

I called the argument stupid, not you. But you can make whatever inferences you'd like.

[djb28]

It is text and the way I worded things can go either way. Not an issue and certainly no reason to have a heated argument! But the way he posted back also sounds a little off! lo.l Anyway. I don't care about that. I understand now what he was saying. A lens does not give you a pro look. But the awesome glass and overall mechanics sure does help you achieve that goal by doing the proper techniques. I just know that no matter how much I tried before this lens I was always disappointed. Especially after spending hours in Photo Shop. The lens I owned may have been a super dud! I know you can get great images with any lens. But to me, Personally. I was not getting a great ratio of keepers before I purchased this lens. And the 2.8 vs the F4 for me, priceless for upcoming things!

I have mastered nothing and probably never will. But I am trying to learn so much more than point and shoot. I just got excited at the outcome of his shot. It took a good 3 hrs to set up and shoot, Then another hour to load and edit the pics. I find myself thinking of more ways to set up shots and hopefully get better. Thanks everyone.

Also. I did not really mean because I have the lens I am getting a pro look. It is more of a look I admire from other people and the photo style I often stop and stare at. I see I achieved some of that look I like. Its all one mans perspective.Which Is why I asked for comments.

[djb28]

Originally Posted by Glayva

Hi

I think what you have done is excellent for a first attempt. If you go back in this site for about a week or so you will see my exact attempts at the same - "Strawberries and Cream". It is not easy and I had at least 50 shots that went into the dust bin. Yes, you can use additional gear such as "Stop Shot" etc and that will cut down the failure rate considerably - but it is not cheap. Getting the lighting right with water is also another problem and you seem to have done very well again.

I would be interested to know whether you set your focusing up with live view or manual through view finder?

Thank you for your input. I did use live view. I zoomed in to 100% grabbed a pen and placed it in the water for focus. ( auto) Then I switched to manual and sharpened up a little more. Took it off Live view and started drooping berries!

[djb28]

Originally Posted by Frank Schmidt

You’re right, DJB.

It takes a good many shots to get a nice water dunk picture. If you get a better percentage with an L series lens then that’s saving you time and is worth it for you. I think you made some very valid points in your notes. You are to be commended for your efforts and experimentation.

There are many and various ways to shoot through glass and Glenn Rand has a book here:

Lighting and Photographing Transparent and Translucent Surfaces: A ... - Glenn Rand - Google Books that shows some of his examples.

I don’t see an action shot like yours in the book but he suggests lighting methods for glass that may be of interest.

Your efforts inspire others to try it…..so here’s a different version.. it’s not the close-up of yours and is not processed after the exposure except for cropping.

No “L series” lens used so don’t expect the same feel or quality as your shots. I used a slave flash from under the glass top table to light the pitcher from below and key light on the camera. This might be something different that you’d like to try. f/8, 1/250th, ISO 200, 50mm lens.

Keep up the great work.

FrankSchmidt | RedBubble
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Thanks for the link. I like that water in the glass shot. I'm sure my girl will love it when I start soaking the floor with that attempt!

[Frank Schmidt]

More Fruit Dunk

Here’s another idea , DJB; since you’ve got the nifty new lens you might want to try something like this.

With the camera shutter setting on “B” for bulb and on a tri-pod ; set up in a dark studio (necessary ) and using a remote shutter release: f/11, ISO 160, 85mm for 18 second exposure.

Find some glass that is UV Blacklight reactive, not all glass is. Fill the glass container with water and set the camera up for forced flash so that the flash is “up” and ready to fire. I didn't use any slave flash or strobe on this one.

With the lights off in the studio drop the fruit in container and hit the shutter release.

After the flash goes off and with the shutter still open (dark room so the camera sees nothing now) then reach into the container and retrieve the fruit and let the water settle down so the next step will not show floating fruit or moving water; then turn on the blacklight and hold it over the glass for a good 5 seconds at these camera settings to make the glass glow.

Then close the shutter.

I cropped this one, that’s it. Some fruit doesn’t float in water so it would be harder to fetch out of a deep container or glass tank. Used manual focus here.

Have fun !

More pictures at: FrankSchmidt | RedBubble
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[Nakean]

Wow! Great captures! I'd love to find some time to get some product shots like this! Brilliant work! f7 through f9 is the lenses sweet spot too! You nailed it! Thanks for sharing!

[mrpolitics]

OsmosisStudios, while you are right about what you said regarding the lens. You were still acting like, for the lack of a better term, a troll. This isn't the place to be rude, if you disagree back it up. Don't just resort to short jabs at people's work, its both lazy and unappreciated.

[jdepould]

I like the images, but I'm interested to see similar ones before you got the new lens. Those settings should yield pretty good results on any lens/camera combo.