10 Sep 07
Originally posted by NordlysConvenience helps focus the mind rather a lot doesn't it!
I see. That's how I felt the last time - I actually didn't know I was entitled to vote until a few days before the elections, so I hadn't bothered getting more information. Also, the polling station was much further away from my old flat. 😛 Now it only took me two minutes to get there, very convenient.
10 Sep 07
Originally posted by WheelyAbsolutely.
Convenience helps focus the mind rather a lot doesn't it!
Oh, I think I better repeat my winner announcement post, as it got buried under election talk:
Congratulations, DdV (and a special thanks to Janneke )! It was a close race between DdV and pinkthunder, leaving everybody else far behind. Even though pinkthunder didn't make the first place with "Merry-Go-Round", he gets the title of Photographer of the Round with 153 points! And Gatecrasher earns the title of the Master Detective. He got all but three pictures right! Maybe it's time for a new career?
Here are the results:
1 23. Bathing (DdV) 105
2 12. Merry-Go-Round (pinkthunder) 95
3 22. Whirly (Wheely) 39
4 14. Perpetual Motion (Regneark) 35
5 15. Piranha (pinkthunder) 33
6 1. A Bright Future! (Regneark) 32
7 4. Chronology (Gatecrasher) 28
8 16. Sea Dragon (part deux) (pinkthunder) 25
9 20. Spinning Top (Nordlys) 22
10 5. Far Away Fields (Niallone) 19
11 21. Unfurly (Wheely) 17
12 10. Hurly (Wheely) 16
13 11. Will Land On His Shadow (Niallone) 15
14 2. Almost There (Regneark) 12
15 8. Drip (Gatecrasher) 11
16 19. Swing (Nordlys) 10
17 24. Shadow (DdV) 10
18 9. Ghosts of the Future (Gatecrasher) 9
19 6. Dance (pawnhandler) 7
20 18. Reflections on a Slow Motion Morning (Niallone) 6
21 17. Second Sight (AThousandYoung) 1
22 3. Playing Boule (Nordlys) 0
23 7. Ballroom (pawnhandler) 0
24 13. Monsoon (pawnhandler) 0
25 25. V (DdV) 0
10 Sep 07
Originally posted by WheelyI told the couple I wanted a shot of them exiting the church. So I just took a shot of them coming down the aisle, and then jumped in between them and the rest of their guests to quickly fire off one shot.
Would like to take the opportunity to say what a lovely picture "A Bright Future" is. I'd like to see more of spreadsheet's work! Was it planned like this or was the idea developed in post:
It's probably my favourite shot from the day.
D
10 Sep 07
1 edit
Originally posted by WheelyI got Piranha, Monsoon & Second Sight wrong.
Well done also Gatecrasher who, as detective, did slightly better than I did 🙂 EDIT: Which one did he get wrong+
I would have much prefered that my photos did better!
Well done Ddv and Pinkthunder. Excellent work.
10 Sep 07
Originally posted by RagnorakHave you done many weddings?
I told the couple I wanted a shot of them exiting the church. So I just took a shot of them coming down the aisle, and then jumped in between them and the rest of their guests to quickly fire off one shot.
It's probably my favourite shot from the day.
D
I did my first a few weeks ago. Found it rather traumatic at the time but ultimately quite rewarding.
10 Sep 07
Originally posted by WheelyThat was my first!
Have you done many weddings?
I did my first a few weeks ago. Found it rather traumatic at the time but ultimately quite rewarding.
I wasn't too stressed because I warned my wife's cousin that she may not get any photos at all, and I spent a couple of days before hand preparing for it. The people that have seen the album have liked my work, so I might get some paid work from it. Before I'd do a paid job, I'd have to buy a new faster lens, as my kit lens struggled in the low light conditions of the church, and faired even worse at the dimly lit reception.
D
10 Sep 07
Originally posted by RagnorakMy newlyweds were expecting pro pictures despite what I told them before hand. They showed me the brides sisters shots the day before the wedding and they were done by a professional and looked stunning. I came out of the church with a sweat laden shirt 🙂
That was my first!
I wasn't too stressed because I warned my wife's cousin that she may not get any photos at all, and I spent a couple of days before hand preparing for it. The people that have seen the album have liked my work, so I might get some paid work from it. Before I'd do a paid job, I'd have to buy a new faster lens, as my kit lens struggled ...[text shortened]... e low light conditions of the church, and faired even worse at the dimly lit reception.
D
I took two cameras, two flashes, a laptop, 18GB of CF cards, a huge reflector, a grey card and a million AA batteries for the flashes just to be on the safe side. Strongest memory was of standing up with the bride and groom during the ceremony (standing in the shadows) and my first flash gun ran out of juice. Took the old batteries out and promptly dropped them on the floor with a clatter that would have woken the inhabitants of the church crypt.
Doing the model, posed shots the camera suddenly decided that auto focus was something it was tired of and I had to manually focus for a few sweaty minutes until the camera said "just kidding" and started working again.
However, the the happy couple seemed pleased and I feel it was a great experience.
What lens were you shooting with? I found myself mostly using a 17-55 2.8 and the occasional 70-200 2.8. I have a 50mm 1.4 but seemed to forget about it at the time.
10 Sep 07
Originally posted by WheelyI used the 350D kit lens which is 18-55 3.5/5.6. I'ev been recommended to get a Canon 50mm prime lens, but using my legs as zoom devices in front of a wedding crowd doesn't sound too smart to me.
My newlyweds were expecting pro pictures despite what I told them before hand. They showed me the brides sisters shots the day before the wedding and they were done by a professional and looked stunning. I came out of the church with a sweat laden shirt 🙂
I took two cameras, two flashes, a laptop, 18GB of CF cards, a huge reflector, a grey card and a ...[text shortened]... 8 and the occasional 70-200 2.8. I have a 50mm 1.4 but seemed to forget about it at the time.
Being a total beginner amateur, I only had a camera, bought a spare battery on the morning of the wedding, and I only had 1 1gb memory card, which I filled twice. The first time, there was a 5 minute period during the ceremony to upload onto my mobile hdd, but the second time it happened as I was trying to take my last group shot. I think I might buy another if I'm doing another wedding. 🙂
D
10 Sep 07
1 edit
Originally posted by RagnorakThat must have been a huge number of shots you took! I managed 670 of which the couple want to keep about 100 and I have refused to allow them to select from more than around thirty of my choosing for their album. 30 shots I consider good enough from 670. What a crock!
I used the 350D kit lens which is 18-55 3.5/5.6. I'ev been recommended to get a Canon 50mm prime lens, but using my legs as zoom devices in front of a wedding crowd doesn't sound too smart to me.
Being a total beginner amateur, I only had a camera, bought a spare battery on the morning of the wedding, and I only had 1 1gb memory card, which I filled twi ...[text shortened]... o take my last group shot. I think I might buy another if I'm doing another wedding. 🙂
D
I'm not sure the 50mm is a good choice. Good lens by all accounts but given you really want maximum flexibility at a wedding and don't have the time to start running backwards and forwards, I think a zoom is pretty much the best choice. Also, the DOF at 1.4 isn't great and you'd probably end up shooting at 2.8 anyway.
I'd definitely get the 17-55 that Canon do which I believe is as good as the Nikon one or possibly a 28-70. For me the 17-55 handled the wedding, the posed stuff and the reception and could have easily been the only lens.
How did you handle the "crowd control" outside the church doors after the wedding? Completely forgot to do it myself so have some really cool relaxed shots but not really what I was aiming for.
10 Sep 07
Congratulations, DDV! Your adorable daughter--and your skill--made for a fantastic photo. I'd like to know, what was making the water streak? Was it coming down on top of her (from a shower head, perhaps), or was she causing the splashes? I just assumed it was coming down from a shower head, then someone pointed out her hands moving. I was focused on her face and the water--missed the hands.
There were some really good shots this round. I guess I like to "see" motion. Anyway...
Thanks, again, Nordlys. Good stuff you've got going here. I hope someone picks it (the competitions) up when you're done.
Best wishes, everyone. :-)
10 Sep 07
You guys know your stuff...
I ordered a new camera at the weekend. Strict budget (because you can get carried away and spend unlimited amounts on this stuff). My choice boiled down to a Canon EOS 400D (Rebel Xti in the USA) with 18-55 & 75-300 lenses. Or Nikon D80 with a 18-135 lens. I chose the Nikon.
Did I do right?
A pity the competitions are over. Would have liked to have entered some pics using a decent camera.
10 Sep 07
Originally posted by GatecrasherHa! Go back a few rounds, and you'll find a few posts where wheely is explaining all this stuff to me.
You guys know your stuff...
I ordered a new camera at the weekend. Strict budget (because you can get carried away and spend unlimited amounts on this stuff). My choice boiled down to a Canon EOS 400D (Rebel Xti in the USA) with 18-55 & 75-300 lenses. Or Nikon D80 with a 18-135 lens. I chose the Nikon.
Did I do right?
A pity the competitions are over. Would have liked to have entered some pics using a decent camera.
I have the Canon 350D, and it had only one fault (which I could see)which was fixed in the 400D: it didn't display what ISO you were shooting at.
I'm not sure about an 18-135 lens as it seems a very wide range... the quality might suffer a little. I don't think you could go too far wrong with either choice.
The competitions may not be over. A little birdy says that somebody might be stepping up to the plate. I'm sure if we can show that there is still interest, then that somebody may well keep it going. 😀
D
10 Sep 07
Originally posted by GatecrasherI'll probably buy a digital SLR soon, too, and then get back into aurora photography. Most likely I'll get a Minolta, as I already have a great (and expensive) wideangle lens for Minolta. The only problem is that I don't know anyone who uses a Minolta for aurora photography (or night photography in general). I'll see if I can find any reports or reviews about that. I'll also have to check prices - if it's much cheaper in Japan, I might wait until Christmas when I'll be there. But it would also be nice to already have it and be familiar with it when I am in Japan. Lots of things to consider...
You guys know your stuff...
I ordered a new camera at the weekend. Strict budget (because you can get carried away and spend unlimited amounts on this stuff). My choice boiled down to a Canon EOS 400D (Rebel Xti in the USA) with 18-55 & 75-300 lenses. Or Nikon D80 with a 18-135 lens. I chose the Nikon.
Did I do right?
A pity the competitions are over. Would have liked to have entered some pics using a decent camera.
Judging from this round, it wouldn't be a good idea to continue the competition right now. But who knows, maybe there will be more interest again at some later point. I don't want to run it again, but I would certainly participate if someone else would revive it.