OT: Napa Valley Shoot
- Thread starter Kinetic
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Kinetic
Active member
I changed my white balance a tad, cropped a bit, resized, added a border.
Not much in terms of color in photoshop, not really sure how to do that kinda stuff yet =) Just the basics!
I was using a plethora of filters to get these photos just right. Spent a good amount of time setting up for each.
I used a Graduated ND filter for most of the shots with the skies, (cokin p with hitech gnd soft edges), solid ND filters to tone down the ridiculously harsh light, circular polarizers to REALLY bring out the saturation for colors, and I had a handful of warming filters and color filters that I can't even keep track of. Lots of vignetting though from stacking and what not, but in the end I actually get some sweet saturation exactly the way I want.
Sometimes I want to just say screw filters, and just do the rest in photoshop =P But heck, it's fun sometimes to just shoot it just right, or pretty close it it at first. It's half the fun of photography... the other half is the journey
EDIT: Forgot to mention, I use a Nikon F2a, Nikon D80, and a Sony point and shoot S86 or something =P
Not much in terms of color in photoshop, not really sure how to do that kinda stuff yet =) Just the basics!
I was using a plethora of filters to get these photos just right. Spent a good amount of time setting up for each.
I used a Graduated ND filter for most of the shots with the skies, (cokin p with hitech gnd soft edges), solid ND filters to tone down the ridiculously harsh light, circular polarizers to REALLY bring out the saturation for colors, and I had a handful of warming filters and color filters that I can't even keep track of. Lots of vignetting though from stacking and what not, but in the end I actually get some sweet saturation exactly the way I want.
Sometimes I want to just say screw filters, and just do the rest in photoshop =P But heck, it's fun sometimes to just shoot it just right, or pretty close it it at first. It's half the fun of photography... the other half is the journey
EDIT: Forgot to mention, I use a Nikon F2a, Nikon D80, and a Sony point and shoot S86 or something =P
radiolunatic
New member
WOW !!!!!!!
drdoolittle
Active member
Damn Art those pics looks good..
I need to take photography lessons..
I need to take photography lessons..
darcitananda
Premium Member
those look awesome. i can't even decide which is my favorite. i'm going to go look at your flickr pages now...
Kinetic
Active member
A little experimentation and reading up online should do the trick for ya. Artistic creativity can't be taught, though learning the tools may be difficult at first, but that's easily remedied by a few tutorials or instruction manuals found online.
I don't think a class will teach you how to take amazing photos, but it may push you to go out and take pictures, and maybe even get you into some film post processing or photoshop stuff. Post processing is pretty insane sometimes, though if your photo is taken well enough, very little is needed.
go out and shoot photos a lot! best way to learn =)
T-T-Trigger
Premium Member
nice photographs. it was was an amazingly beautiful day yesterday, a great time of year in the valley. And thanks for shooting something other than grape vines or mustard! 
Kinetic
Active member
Hey Alan,
Yeah I also considered the D200, but the fact that the D80 has such similar components as the d200, and the d200 didn't provide me with any extra tools that I really needed, I went with the D80. The D80 is smaller, and works really well =) For me the d80 rocks. I think you'll be as happy with the d80 as the d200, if not more because of the lighter weight and size =)
hyacinth
Active member
i'm already happier because in exchange for my yr old d200, i got a new d80 plus a few extra bucks that i spent on a slightly used 18-200vr. trying to copy your equipment in hopes of getting similar results but you can have a camera phone and i can have a d2x and your pics wd still be far superior. : )
btw, lmk if you know anyone who wants a 80-400vr that i bought but won't be able to really use.
btw, lmk if you know anyone who wants a 80-400vr that i bought but won't be able to really use.
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Kinetic
Active member
Glad you're liking it! And no, pics aren't far superior! haha =) You're too flattering =) Come shoot with me sometime, I'm sure you'll have some awesome results.
I'll keep an eye out for someone who wants the 80-400. I was considering it for a few things, like my gf's upcoming commencement for graduation, though for the price I couldn't justify it just using it once or twice =P
Personal preference to the layout really. Canon and Nikon are basically up to par with each other, and neither are generally better. I chose Nikon because my aunt always used Nikon, and my first SLR was a film Nikon F2a. Then all my friends went with Nikon since I had one, and walla =) It's also to do with the layout of the controls. But really, either brand are great, and neither has an edge over the other, unless you're super particular.
There are subtle differences, but you can't go wrong with choosing either. Look around you to see what your friends have, and get that! Cuz then you can swap tips/tricks and equipment
I'm glad Alan has nikons, so I can buy things from him, hehe.otterpop510
New member
amazing pics, as always.. one of these days when i get a nice digital camera..
Kinetic
Active member
kenzo: you don't need a REALLY nice one to take great photos =) if you come shooting with me you'll understand. It's all about the journey and getting to the place to take that one great shot. I can't just expect to find a swan on a lake on my daily routines, I had to specifically drive 2.5 hours to get there, and wait for good weather, and sit there on the bank of the lake for a good amount of time to capture the shot. Really, given any camera you can take that same picture.
