New Camera - New Pics of Tasha Kitty [Archive]

Shirley

01-11-2008, 01:33 PM

Guess what Steve got me for Christmas?? :D :emot-danc

The Nikon D-80 w/18-135mm lens and 70-300mm lens! Then I went out and got myself the SB-800 speedlight... which can set off any number of "slave" speedlights remotely, or be the on-camera flash, or be used as a slave set off by the on-camera flip-flash.

Here are some examples of what you tend to get with an on-camera straight-ahead flash, and the last in this composite is an example of using the speedlight with it bouncing off the ceiling:

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/Tasha-08/BounceFlash-DirectFlash.jpg

And now... for some decent shots with the bounce flash. None of these have been retouched at all, except the last one, which has an explanation:

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/Tasha-08/Tasha-518.jpg

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/Tasha-08/Tasha-541.jpg

The flash can be rotated such that the camera is held sideways, but the flash is still aiming straight upward.

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/Tasha-08/Tasha-548.jpg

Experimenting with Flash on very low power. I sharpened and adjusted light and color saturation just on the eyes, but left the focus alone on the nose and mouth area. I wanted the eyes to have a little more light, but not the rest of her light areas. This was done with a fine quality jpg, not a RAW image.

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/Tasha-08/Tasha-eyes-538.jpg

Note the difference between this next one and the last one. This one is not altered.
http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/Tasha-08/Tasha-NoBlur-536.jpg

This is the same image, but with a layer added of the same image, then a gaussian blur added, then set at 50% opacity so the sharpness of the layer beneath it shows through. That way, you have a "soft-touch" image and not just a "blurred" image. The focus was on the eyes.
http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/Tasha-08/Tasha-BLUR-536.jpg

:D

Kirby

01-11-2008, 02:04 PM

!!!! WOW !!!!

Very nice Shirley!! I love the photo of Tasha licking her nose! So cute!
I took a photography course in Highschool which was combined with the year-book class. We learned on MANUAL cameras and how do develope our own film. Tasha reminded me of one girl's presentation she did of her cat. She did time laps photos, macros of her fur, everything... even got some tongue on paw action!!!

amazing greys

01-11-2008, 02:08 PM

I agree Shirley, what a great gift!!

I didn't realize layering like the last pic would have that effect. I really need to take some photoshop classes!

Great pics of Tasha Kitty!! I'm always a fan of the macro closeups :thumbup:

scotty

01-11-2008, 02:24 PM

ALTHOUGH MUCH OF WHAT YOUR SAYING IS ZOOOM,[OVER MY HEAD]
I am so glad that you got the perfect christmas gift for you:D and the pics. are great, now lets see some crazy stuff:thumbup:

CocosMomma

01-11-2008, 02:41 PM

These pics are absolutely wonderful. Way over my head as to the rest of the stuff, I just got my first hand-me-down digital cam in october. Several times, family members have grounded me and put me on probation for a week or so at the time for misusing or over using my 'new' camera. But, what you say about the flash may explain why in many of my pics of Coco her eyes are closed!

Shirley

01-11-2008, 02:47 PM

:thanx:

I don't have a macro lens ... yet...
these were taken at about 24" away or more. Also, if you have an older CRT monitor -- they get darker and darker as they age -- you won't be able to see the detail in the last three.

My first SLR camera was (is) a Nikon Nikkormat with the metal body, all manual, no auto anything, and I shot with that for about 27 yrs, until digital came out and I finally made the switch.

Learning to shoot Manual with this camera, and Manual with the flash... is quite a bit different from the old manual SLR film cameras. The light metering is so different. F-stops and shutter speed still make sense, but everything else is a new game to learn.

It has a bunch of auto presets to use - portrait, landscape, sports, etc etc... but to really take advantage of the camera and its abilities, Manual is the way to go... thus the higher learning curve. It did great as a "point and shoot" camera in El Paso -- shooting scenery and wide open spaces outside. But for portraits, pets, birds, etc... it will give you the same problems you get with the other digital cameras unless you spend some time learning how to set it up properly for the subject you are shooting.

Len's course he's offering will help everyone here with the digital photography, regardless what camera they are using. All the digitals give you more control than many users realize -- and turning the flash down and learning how to control focus and depth of field are two of the most important things I explain to people who are just learning their cameras.

Also, if you go online and look up your camera from its company website, you'll likely find a manual to download that offers a lot more info for you than the manual that came with the camera.

:beerchug:

Shirley

01-11-2008, 02:51 PM

Also, I should add... I shot over 2 gigs of images of testing this and that while reading the manual -- and going online for better explanations of what's in the manual -- with digital, shoot what you want until you finally get that primo shot. It's free... you just delete the "bad" ones. :thumbup:

Turn your flash way down for shooting birds. I have shot the birds with straight on flash and not had a problem at all. Just turn the flash down to -1 or -1.7 or more. Your manual will tell you how.

You also have to get back far enough for your camera to be able to focus. Get further back, zoom in a little, and crop the unnecessary background out before posting -- then you have a nice tight subject and no download time on "useless" image.

Shirley

01-11-2008, 02:58 PM

This is why we crop:

(click to enlarge)
Who cares about the room and door, etc? And cropping brings the focus (attention) to the part of the image that you intended to capture.
These were all test shots... with no care about background, etc, but if you choose a simple background when shooting your birds, it will be much easier for the autofocus mode of digital to find your subject (the bird, not the toys or cage bars) and focus, and easier for your viewers to see the bird, and not the cage bars, toys, wallpaper, etc that may be in the image.

moluccanman

01-11-2008, 03:51 PM

Gorgeous work. I'm envious of your speed light. Go get a flickr account and post these great shots on the D-80 group.:emot-danc

Re: Cameras and pix. I have the same camera as Shirley. About 50% of the time I use my point and shoot Kodak pocket camera. It's just easier and I don't have to remember all the settings. The biggest advantage of the SLR reflex is that you can control the depth of field better. The kitty profile is a good example. Having the furniture in focus would have taken away from the shot.

Robin, Take my course. No one fails and you can get out of "camera time out" :rofl:

CocosMomma

01-11-2008, 03:59 PM

Ok, MoluccanMan, sign me up. I've been thinking about it for awhile, it is just.... it is just.........

I gotta warn you:
1) I'm not computer savvy. I mean, not even a little bit.
2) I'm a slow learner - VERY slow.
3) I don't like homework; I hate reading manuals. I was tempted to sign up when you said there'd be no manual reading.
4) I have been accused of being petulant. (I like to think of it is having "character" instead, or just having a "colourful personality.")
5) I've spent a lot of time in 'time out.'

It all started when I was in kindergarten. During nap time, I would get up and report to the teacher a list of students who were not 'napping.' (Don't ya love kids like me, Shirley?!!!!!)

Of course, I myself was not in that list - I suppose I figured I was the self-appointed nap-monitor.

This parlayed into first grade when on my report card, a teacher wrote, "Does not play well with others."

What is THAT supposed to mean? I mean, really???? Aren't we all in school to LEARN, not to PLAY???????????????????????????:shrug2:

That's what I always thought.:foot-tap:

moluccanman

01-11-2008, 04:40 PM

Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you feel about the play

I gotta warn you:
1) I'm not computer savvy. I mean, not even a little bit.
2) I'm a slow learner - VERY slow.
3) I don't like homework; I hate reading manuals. I was tempted to sign up when you said there'd be no manual reading.
4) I have been accused of being petulant. (I like to think of it is having "character" instead, or just having a "colourful personality.")
5) I've spent a lot of time in 'time out.'

Shirley

01-11-2008, 04:45 PM

Robin, when I took that 3rd grade class for three weeks, I had this very sweet little girl who thought it was her job to report to me every misdemeanor she could possibly witness... I finally told her nicely, that "I always see what I want to see and dpn't care about the rest. Let it go." She did. I later learned that her father is a police officer. Made me wonder where she got her talents from... :funny:

Len, I absolutely refuse to use my Olympus C-5050 while learning this camera... or my S1-Pro. If I do, I'll never "become fluent" in D-80! And... I insist on learning the manual settings like the back of my hand... nothing like a sudden shot opportunity and losing it b/c I don't know how to "drive the camera"! Last night while shooting the Bourke's, I probably threw away 200 shots easily, ended up with some "acceptable" ones, but until I get better ones, I'm not posting. The ones I kept I could've got with my C-5050. Going to try again tonight with the flash.
Do you not have a flash? The SB-600 is only $189... you'll love it! I only got the SB-800 b/c it can master a bunch of others, and it can take 5 OR 4 batteries... 5 for extra power. It also comes with a diffuser, bounce card that slides out, wide-angle diffuser, and a stand so you can set it up externally. A couple gels, too. And a decent case you can hang on your belt. Also, with the external flash attached to the hotshoe, you can get flash shots in sports mode if you want to use that mode for shooting birds in action. As you know, the flip-flash won't fire in that mode. I'll go make an account. What's your username there?

Robin - I've been teaching teachers how to use computers for years... and they are THE WORST... yet they DO learn once they set their minds to it. And I'm very patient, and I'll bet Len is, too.

Shirley

01-11-2008, 04:48 PM

Manuals are a drag. Just learn the buttons and shoot a BUNCH! I never read a manual to learn photoshop. Hands-on is the best way to learn... but you gotta at least know what the button is for. And how to get into your menu...

Guess that's why I don't cook much, I hate to read a recipe. Troy is a chemist. He just "cooks from the hip" and concocts amazing meals. And he doesn't mind reading a recipe now and then, either.

Shirley

01-11-2008, 04:49 PM

Oh, and you don't get "red-eye" with a bounce flash! :emot-danc

Shirley

01-11-2008, 04:50 PM

Len, the 2nd pic from the top, I held the gel for flash over the flash -- thus the color change. I haven't figured out how to attach the thing to the flash yet, and I don't know that I like it. I think I have more control in photoshop. :confused:

CocosMomma

01-11-2008, 04:52 PM

Robin - I've been teaching teachers how to use computers for years... and they are THE WORST... yet they DO learn once they set their minds to it. And I'm very patient, and I'll bet Len is, too.

I have a degree in elementary education (1-6) with a minor in music.
My parents bugged me over the years to be sure to USE what I learned about working with children everyday of my life. That's why I work with attorneys - so my parents know that my education will never go to waste.;)

Shirley

01-11-2008, 04:55 PM

:D That's great, Robin! :agree:

Jim

01-12-2008, 12:00 AM

Cool pictures. I have to buckle down or bite the bullet and get a new camera.

Shirley

01-12-2008, 12:04 AM

You might as well just get it now... I waited too long. I'm selling my S1-Pro. It's a great portrait and landscape camera, but the lenses just aren't fast enough to get the action I want to get.

I'm keeping the C-5050.

Shirley

01-12-2008, 12:07 AM

There's a D-70 on Flickr advertised used for $500 w/lenses and accessories. I bought my S1-Pro used on eBay and it arrived in perfect condition. The D-300 just came out... so D-200s and even D-80's are being sold used, I'd bet. I got this one on a decently marked down sale at Roberts Camera in Indpls. The 18-135 was only a little extra, but worth it over the one that comes with the camera, which only goes to 55mm I think, and the 70-300 was on sale at $99.

gary&chloe

01-12-2008, 12:16 AM

Look at all these post. Poor Steve got his name mentioned once, in the first one. He spends half of his teachers salary for his wife, who he adores, who doesn't cook, a really top of the line camera, and no one says how lucky Shirley is to be married to him. Or what a wonderful husband he is....

Shirley goes off galavanting around the world and poor Steve is left home to take care of the Rain Forest and critters that Shirley has accumulated...

He must feel like Rodney Dangerfield.

Lets hear it for Steve . HIP HIP Hurrah !!

Jean

01-12-2008, 03:00 AM

WOW! that is an awesome camera. Those pics are fabulous!!! That was so sweet of Steve to give you that gift. He's a sweetheart!

Deanna

01-12-2008, 08:18 AM

Shirley, your talent and knowledge are quite impressive ... and Tasha is picturesque and quite beautiful, indeed!:thanx:

Shirley

01-12-2008, 09:42 AM

:rofl: Gary, you're so funny... when we came home from our trip (3500 mi by car!) Steve had cut a hole in the ceiling above our King size bed, put a board on the bed, put a ladder on the board (bed can't be moved, really, it can't) and climbed into the attic (vaulted ceilings elsewhere prevent any other way to access) and found a drain hose from the bathroom vent to the outside that had tiny pinholes in it, causing a growing spot on the ceiling above the bed... cleaned it all out, replaced it, and perfectly installed a 22"x30" piece of drywall... He cleaned the whole main floor of the house (deep cleaned in most instances) he fed Greenly and the Bearded dragons better than they are usually fed, and let's see... this will get too long if I list it all... OH, he put in new faucets in our twin sinks AND new sinks in our bathroom (I knew about the faucets, the sinks were a surprise) ... and he took care of both cats...

My neighbor Rhonda said I have the best husband in the world!

Oh, and get this! You know, Rhonda and I watched a family of bluebirds all last year in her backyard - I have video of them with their babies! And a million photos I haven't had time to edit and share... well, on Christmas Eve I was carrying a freshly-baked banana bread over to Rhonda and invited Steve to come with me. Well, he came and then surprised each of us with a small wrapped box!! There was a pair of Bluebird earrings in each box! They are GORGEOUS! I'll have to post a pic for anyone to see how beautiful they are! Rhonda was absolutely shocked, thrilled, and delighted all at once! So was I!!

Yes, he's a real decent guy! :agree:

Ellen K. Cook, DVM

01-12-2008, 12:47 PM

My neighbor Rhonda said I have the best husband in the world!

Yes, he's a real decent guy! :agree:

And I keep asking Shirley to trade me Steve for Ray :roflmao2::roflmao2:

Shirley

01-12-2008, 01:48 PM

:roflmao2: but she doesn't mean it....

scotty

01-12-2008, 06:27 PM

Hmmm! can Steve put cages together ? :nuts:

scotty

01-12-2008, 06:30 PM

Deanna...Shirley's a walking Dictionary :)

scotty

01-12-2008, 06:33 PM

Shirley

01-12-2008, 07:00 PM

Hmmm! can Steve put cages together ? :nuts:

Oh yes! He is VERY good at that! :thumbup:

Shirley

01-12-2008, 07:03 PM

Deanna...Shirley's a walking Dictionary :)

??? ;) I'm really curious about things that interest me... and my neighbor Rhonda teases me all the time for saying these two words quickly together as one word. "yeah, why?" "oh, why?" "No, why?" I have no idea why I say that, other than I want to know why, and figured everyone did, but now I know they don't, and I'm weird. :shrug2:

Shirley

01-12-2008, 07:04 PM

I showed Gary's post to Steve and he got this huge silent grin on his face...

gary&chloe

01-12-2008, 11:35 PM

YEAH !!! Steve... STEVE .... STEVE ....

If that had been my bedroom, I would have just moved the bed or put a mirror... GARY !!!...

See what a great guy you have... He could have been killed, there... once again alone, trying to make his wife happy. He didn't want his sweetie to have to look up a big black spot of mold on the ceiling. He was thinking about your lung and cough problem that you have had for years, and he was afraid the pipe would leak and mold would form and you would get more sick.

You need to be REAL careful with those other women too... You know how women are when they think the grass is greener... over where the water is or whatever that saying is.

Rhonda and Dr. Cook could be a force that you will have to watch...

Shirley

01-13-2008, 12:30 AM

Well, Gary... I showed this to Steve and it gave him an audible chuckle!

I've watched that spot grow from 4" to about 10", and turn from tan to gold to blackish... and that was over the course of 5 or 6 yrs... just turned blackish the last year or so.... and I pictured a mountain of mold above it in the attic... but turns out there wasn't any detectable mold. (I don't cough all the time, you just happen to call when I cough!)

I really got after him to get help, to at least carry the phone up there (he won't have anything to do with a cell phone; I pictured him drywalling the portable phone up there, and us hearing it ring in the attic!) and I told the many next door to Rhonda to go check if he failed to see signs of life over here... he's retired and a good house-watcher... he did... and Steve learned I was trying to look out for him, but by then he'd already been up there and fixed it! Oh, and the ceiling fan was a couple inches from the spot, so that had to come down and get reinstalled... he said the topside of the blades was ... well... really full of Bourke's mess from them landing up there so much. No, we never turn it on, it's the light... so we don't have that stuff slung all over the room... now there's a pretty picture... :help:
I think I'll quit before I make things worse. :funny:

PattiB

01-13-2008, 08:55 PM

Oh my - you guys are hilarious!!! Shirley - those pics are fabulous! I gave my husband Terry a Cannon EOS Rebel XTi with lenses and he also received an exterior flash for it - I cannot wait for Len's class so I can actually learn more about using it - I am not a good one to read on how to do things - I will have to find the time to just shoot and practice! Your pictures have given me the motivation to get going on learning how to take good pics - I sure do have enough subjects around here!