Geoff posts some more water-photography. Enjoy!

[Geoff]

Usual terms and conditions (critiques welcome, encouragements too).

First, Mill Falls in Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/2643455839_9abe9b1cde_b.jpg

Second, Green Bay, Nova Scotia

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/2644161034_3bf5ce2568_b.jpg

Third, Blomidon Provincial Park, Nova Scotia

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/2643984622_3bdd206cc5_b.jpg

More to follow if interest!

[spirilis]

very cool, as always. You're seriously making me crave a better digital camera :) What kind do you use BTW?

[Limey]

Looks like an HP camera

[Geoff]

I really need some sort of macro for answering a question like this (as it must be 20+ times on this forum alone)

It's a Canon EOS300D (Digital Rebel in US) SLR with a 17-40L, usually with a circular polariser. In these shots there is usually a tripod involved.

[Falcarius]

I hate you Geoff, you make me jealous.;)

[Samuel De Mazarin]

In the third picture, of Blomidon Provincial Park, Nova Scotia, the mini-water fall splashing on the rocks... the color... it's almost unreal.

[Geoff]

In the third picture, of Blomidon Provincial Park, Nova Scotia, the mini-water fall splashing on the rocks... the color... it's almost unreal.

It's done with a long exposure (a number of seconds) and a polariser. it picks up the sunlight shining through the water. I admit it has a vibrancy boost when developed (which is pretty much what consumer cameras do to every picture taken!)

Glad you liked :)

[Geoff]

This one is kinda fun, too :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2643326253_3325acb8c3_b.jpg

[disregard]

Oh wow... the green bay looks so lovely.

[Jennifer]

Nice pic composition on that last one, Geoff.
Very good eye, you found and made the most of the natural "S" there. :)

[Geoff]

Nice pic composition on that last one, Geoff.
Very good eye, you found and made the most of the natural "S" there. :)

:steam: Are you calling me a sensor?




If you, are thats cool :yes:

[Zergling]

Awesome Pictures. Quite nice to look at.

(I wonder how you get the colors, they seem brighter/bolder than when I go outside and see things myself.)

[Geoff]

Awesome Pictures. Quite nice to look at.

(I wonder how you get the colors, they seem brighter/bolder than when I go outside and see things myself.)

Wearing polarising lenses that aren't tinted will do this. Secondly, you need to boost the saturation a little. Which I do.. the effect I use is designed to be similar to velvia slide film (so about the same vibrancy boost as a quality traditional film)

Not sure if you can do both those things with the naked eye! Still, that's what art is for...

[Jennifer]

:steam: Are you calling me a sensor?

No, goof, the "S" in the stream!

If you, are thats cool :yes:

Oh. well, sure, then -- okay!

[Geoff]

No, goof, the "S" in the stream!



Oh. well, sure, then -- okay!

Yeah, I know. Just playing off the normal interpretation of "good use of the natural S" on a forum like this! :party2:

[Beat]

Sensor pride.

[Tallulah]

Those photos are truly amazing, Geoff.

[EffEmDoubleyou]

I really need some sort of macro for answering a question like this (as it must be 20+ times on this forum alone)

It's a Canon EOS300D (Digital Rebel in US) SLR with a 17-40L, usually with a circular polariser. In these shots there is usually a tripod involved.

Are you happy with your Canon, Geoff? Would you buy it again? I'm considering a Digital Rebel XTi, which is the newest iteration.

[Geoff]

Are you happy with your Canon, Geoff? Would you buy it again? I'm considering a Digital Rebel XTi, which is the newest iteration.

I would.. I might go just one model up in the range though, after years with the Rebel. It's been a good camera though, reliable and good in varied conditions.

The trick is pairing it with good glass. The kit lens is OK, but you'll notice a big difference with some L glass. Regrettably, so will your wallet.

I'm pretty sure you won't go wrong with it. You can always buy a better lens later too. Make sure you get at least a UV filter to protect the lens, and a polariser if you want some of the neater skies and colours to come through.

Canon and Nikon Digital SLRs are both good though, and I doubt there is much to choose between them as being the two main prosumer choices. I find some good advice on Steve's Digicams - Main Menu (http://www.steves-digicams.com) - good reviews and samples.

[Geoff]

I would.. I might go just one model up in the range though, after years with the Rebel. It's been a good camera though, reliable and good in varied conditions.

The trick is pairing it with good glass. The kit lens is OK, but you'll notice a big difference with some L glass. Regrettably, so will your wallet.

I'm pretty sure you won't go wrong with it. You can always buy a better lens later too. Make sure you get at least a UV filter to protect the lens, and a polariser if you want some of the neater skies and colours to come through.

Canon and Nikon Digital SLRs are both good though, and I doubt there is much to choose between them as being the two main prosumer choices. I find some good advice on Steve's Digicams - Main Menu (http://www.steves-digicams.com) - good reviews and samples.

I think it's probably the XSi that's the latest one. Here's the Steve's Digicams review of it :

Steves Digicams - Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D - Hands on Review (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/canon_rebel_xsi.html)

[cascademn]

I really love the second one. That is just gorgeous. The fourth one too.

I'm in no position to 'critique' any of it though from a technical perspective, as obviously you know a lot more about that than I!! They look good to me!

One thing I've thought about though regarding water shots in particular is that a lot of it seems to be subjective, no?? In terms of whether the audience likes it a lot. For example, the first one is probably exactly what you wanted, and intended, to capture -- the water movement and the effect. However, another photographer might have wanted to capture the water quite differently -- crisper, or more blurred (so..shutter speed? Ha. I'm such an amateur :blush:). So that's where photography becomes an art, and what is aesthetically perfect and exquisite to one person, might not capture a certain essence to another.

[Geoff]

I really love the second one. That is just gorgeous. The fourth one too.

I'm in no position to 'critique' any of it though from a technical perspective, as obviously you know a lot more about that than I!!

One thing I've thought about though regarding water shots in particular is that a lot of it seems to be subjective, no?? In terms of whether the audience likes it a lot. For example, the first one is probably exactly what you wanted, and intended, to capture -- the water movement and the effect. However, another photographer might have wanted to capture the water quite differently -- crisper, or more blurred (so..shutter speed? Ha. I'm such an amateur :blush:). So that's where photography becomes an art, and what is aesthetically perfect and exquisite to one person, might not capture a certain essence to another.

Oh, yes, quite, quite subjective. Having said that, with water, it looks a bit odd, usually, if it is frozen in place by a fast shutter. From that morning at Mill Falls in the National Park I have about 20 pictures of which the first is the one *I* like best. I took some with a super fast shutter and it doesnt quite work. I took some with a very slow shutter and it came over a little too soft. Having said that, I had limited patience as I was a mosquito-takeout.

So, subjectively, I preferred a picture somewhere in the middle. Here's a couple for comparison though...

Sharper, freeze frame close up from the same spot, 1/1250 of a second.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/2644292784_74651ee6c8_b.jpg

The second is a side stream that feeds the falls. This is a 2.5 second exposure

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/2643426339_4c2a887a77_b.jpg

So the second shot is about 3000 times longer :devil:

Anyway, as you say all of this is subjective!

[cascademn]

Well, I certainly like the first photo in your OP much better compared to the one you just posted of the same locale with the fast shutter speed -- but that said, I'm not sure it's an 'even' comparison -- since in the one you just posted, it was only a closeup of the water itself, without anything else to balance it out. It might have just been the composition itself of the first one that didn't speak to me as much. But yeah - 100% subjective.

But my goodness, the second shot in your last post is ethereal. I love it. I totally conjure up images of Middle Earth. :glasses:

[01011010]

I really like the middle one.

[Geoff]

I really like the middle one.

Thanks! It makes a good desktop :)

Well, I certainly like the first photo in your OP much better compared to the one you just posted of the same locale with the fast shutter speed -- but that said, I'm not sure it's an 'even' comparison -- since in the one you just posted, it was only a closeup of the water itself, without anything else to balance it out. It might have just been the composition itself of the first one that didn't speak to me as much. But yeah - 100% subjective.

But my goodness, the second shot in your last post is ethereal. I love it. I totally conjure up images of Middle Earth. :glasses:

The closeup works for me, because of the composition in abstract. I could see it as a large abstract, borderless, on canvas in an office. There are some corners that give it a frame from top right to bottom left. At least that's what I see!

The etherealness of water, taken slowly, is good, isnt it. Just imagine if I could find a little stream like that amongst bluebells or poppies. The elves would fair fly out of the photo :wubbie:

[Carebear]

Love your photos, Geoff. Truly an inspiration (to go and throw a lot of money on a better cam. I know, it's not all THAT expensive, but it'll still hurt a bit.)

[prplchknz]

I'm sure this has been asked before but, are you a proffesional photographer, or just a hobby? either way I always love your photos. I know these are just for fun, but I mean did you go take classes or learn all this on your own?

[Trinity]

Sa-weet, they are too cool, particularly love the third one in your first post.

[LeetoLydia]

That's making me want to travel. I'm really enjoying your pictures. =)

[yugyug]

Nice photos. There's interest. More, please.

[AwesomeCakes]

I want your camera.

[Geoff]

Nice photos. There's interest. More, please.

Thanks!

I want your camera.

It's a cheap Canon digital SLR. The newest version of it is about $500 and it'd be better than what I have. OK, so there's a $1000 lens on it :D

[Randomnity]

I didn't see these until now. Cool.

I really like using your pics as a desktop, especially the waterfalls. Thanks for sharing. :yes:

[AwesomeCakes]

It's a cheap Canon digital SLR. The newest version of it is about $500 and it'd be better than what I have. OK, so there's a $1000 lens on it :D

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/sah620/avatar_3066.gif Joking! You crack me up. My latest camera is a Sony DSC-H10 (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012305sonyh10.asp). I'm satisfied with it. For now. >> It was the best I could afford at the time.

[Geoff]

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/sah620/avatar_3066.gif Joking! You crack me up. My latest camera is a Sony DSC-H10 (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012305sonyh10.asp). I'm satisfied with it. For now. >> It was the best I could afford at the time.

So show us some of your work! *nudge*

[AwesomeCakes]

So show us some of your work! *nudge*

Hmm. I'll have to start my own thread. I have thousands upon thousands of photos. Like I told you before. One of these days I'll get that Flickr account of mine under control. :rolleyes: I have a few posted in me blog kind Englishman. ^^
I have over 6,000 of Austria alone. Some pics for you Geoff (http://www.typologycentral.com/forums/nf-blogs/8426-randomness-enfp-16.html#post339304)