DMC-365 - Exploring the Interface Between Equipment and Creativity in Photography

DMC-365 focuses on creative photography equipment, techniques, and approaches. I believe that equipment is part of the creative process. I use Leica, Panasonic Lumix, Nikon and other cameras, both digital and film. On DMC-365, you can expect to see a lot of my own work, as well as work by others that I find interesting. I share methods, equipment developments, and creative approaches to photography.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Those Blasted Pop-Up Flashes

Shot With Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 by nonnit on mu-43.com

Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f43/portraits-using-gf3-one-popup-flash-36944/

Anyone who's used one knows the limitations of those little pop-up flashes that are built into your cameras. Nearly every photography seminar I've attended tells you to leave them down, rip them off, whatever, don't use them. On a few exceptions, I've been told to use them the opposite of your first thought: turn them off inside or in low light, use them outside or in bright light for fill-in flash.

Those little flashes have a few major problems. First, they're small. That means they have low light output, and are only good close up to your subject, if you're relying on them as the main light in picture. Second, they are built-in. That means that they're optimally placed to give you "red eyes" in your subject, as the light coming from the flash reflects directly back into your lens. Finally, they give very harsh light. This is a result of them being very small sources (nearly point sources) of light, and being directly aimed at the subject. They can really make a nice-looking person ugly.

So, what are they good for? If you can dial down the intensity, they're fine for fill-in flash in otherwise good lighting. For example, if you're taking outdoor pictures in strong midday light, that little flash can fill in those deep black shadows under your subject's eyes, and provide a little catch-light at the same time.

They can also be used to trigger other flashes wirelessly.

nonnit on mu-43.com demonstrated both in his recent post of images shot with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3.

(Click Here) to see nonnit's post on mu-43.com

So, don't literally rip that little flash off of your camera; just use it very carefully.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Getting That Film Look From Digital - Theme Presents a Nice Summary of Software Options

Black and White Conversion Done in Lightroom

It's pretty interesting how there seems to be a persistent interest in shooting film, or at least getting results that look like film. I started this morning's blog story search with an article on Theme about how some photographers (I won't say "many"), including some pros, are sticking with film.

(Click Here) to read how some pros are continuing to shoot with film.

That led me to another article on Theme, about using software to make your digital images look like film. In this piece, they cover five optional add-ons to your normal photo editing software (Adobe Lightroom in my case):

DxO FilmPack
Alien Skin Exposure 4
Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 (for black and white)
Nik Color Efex Pro 4 (for color)
TrueGrain (specifically for grain effects)

(Click Here) to read the whole piece on Theme.

The article describes how Sebastiao Salgado refused to switch to digital until he could recreate the look he's always gotten with black and white film (Kodak TriX 400). Now that he's switched, he processes his images with DxO FilmPack, and even transfers them to a film base digitally.

Both DxO and Nik have free evaluation versions. Theme suggests that DxO is less expensive, and does the job very well.

Personally, I don't like spending time editing images, but do a fair amount of conversion to black and white. I have been doing it all within Lightroom, which allows me to save presets. However, I'm interested in finding out what I've been missing with one of these other packages.

I'm tempted to try DxO. However, I already have Nik's excellent HDR Pro software for high dynamic range imaging, so I may try Silver Efex. Maybe I'll try to do this over the holidays. I'll report back after I've had a chance to play a little.

Of course, I continue to shoot film as well. I see no reason to be exclusive in my approaches.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Why Is This So Bloody Fun? Holga Plastic Lens on Micro 4/3.

So, on a whim and a suggestion (from Andrea Costa, one of my readers), I recently picked up a Holga plastic lens for my Lumix DMC-G3 Micro 4/3 camera. Total cost? $22 including shipping, and a couple of weeks waiting for shipment from Hong Kong.

(Click Here) to go to Holga Direct if you want one.

I used mine on our last day in Barcelona. I can't really explain why, but it's sort of freeing to not worry about the technical quality of your images. It's a blast to just snap whatever comes in front of your eyes. One very rough focus knob is all there is. The f-stop is always f8. I used aperture priority sometimes, manual shutter speed settings, other times. Most of the time I used iso 400, but went up to 3200 in dark places.

This shot was taken from the cable car going up to Montjuic Castle. These guys were working on the roof of a building in the part.