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New owner with LOTS of questions

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Michael Russell

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After weeks of researching which camera I wanted to buy, I decided on the F717, and placed an order with Dbuys.com, (for the record, could not have gone smoother, high serial number, 137,xxxx, and no hasle to buy more gear). Camera delivered last night. Charged the battery up and went out to take some pics. It was one of those rare nights here in vermont, where it was absolutely crystal clear, and about 10 below zero when I went out, (was 22 below when I woke up this morning, Yikes!)

Here is one of the pics I took. I am happy with it, but want better detail, and less blur. How could I have improved this immage? I pleaced the camera on a tri-pod, used the selftimer, and an extended exposure, (10 seconds in this case).



Here is a link ot the original so you can critique it better if you care to:

"



"

I would like to concentrait on landscape, and outdoor photography. I am a car nut, so I will be incorporating that into it as well. Suggestions on where to learn more about extended exposure photography?

Also, will the e-book that is advertised on this site, and so highly regarded in the forums be usefull for general photo taking, or does the book concentrait on how to use photoshop? For some reason I get the impression the book is more of a how to use the software than anything else.

I have tons more quesitons, but I will stop here for know.

Thanks

Michael
 
Michael Russell said:
After weeks of researching which camera I wanted to buy, I decided
on the F717, and placed an order with Dbuys.com, (for the record,
could not have gone smoother, high serial number, 137,xxxx, and no
hasle to buy more gear). Camera delivered last night. Charged the
battery up and went out to take some pics. It was one of those rare
nights here in vermont, where it was absolutely crystal clear, and
about 10 below zero when I went out, (was 22 below when I woke up
this morning, Yikes!)

Here is one of the pics I took. I am happy with it, but want better
detail, and less blur. How could I have improved this immage? I
pleaced the camera on a tri-pod, used the selftimer, and an
extended exposure, (10 seconds in this case).



Here is a link ot the original so you can critique it better if you
care to:

"



"

I would like to concentrait on landscape, and outdoor photography.
I am a car nut, so I will be incorporating that into it as well.
Suggestions on where to learn more about extended exposure
photography?

Also, will the e-book that is advertised on this site, and so
highly regarded in the forums be usefull for general photo taking,
or does the book concentrait on how to use photoshop? For some
reason I get the impression the book is more of a how to use the
software than anything else.

I have tons more quesitons, but I will stop here for know.

Thanks

Michael
Click to expand...
--

Tripods never hurt. I do not know what you shutter speed was but the image is very nice and well exposed. Where was this image taken?

Greg Gebhardt Nikon D1 & D1x. Sony 717, Epson 2200 & PS7
Jacksonville, Florida
 
Hello Greg-

Thanks for the reply.

the image was taken from a street overlooking Montpelier Vermont. I used a tri-pod, and a timed exposure of 10 seconds at f2.4. Did I mention it was cold? DAMN cold?! :) I would have experimented more, but it was COLD!

Michael
 
Great shot for a first effort Michael.

I think you may be expecting more dynamic range than the camera can deliver for this type of shot. Here are a few threads on this topic:

Shay Stephen's F707 Sharpness thread
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=2387964

Consolidated Sharpness Technique thread
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=2398251

Blended Exposures thread
http://dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=4027534

You'll also find a very sturdy tripod and the remote valuable for these shots.

As far as iNova's ebook goes I have no experience with it. However, you'll find post processing to be a necessity for the majority of your shots (if for nothing else than color tweaking and sharpening) and certainly to make the kind of images in the threads.

--
Bud
A few photos: http://www.pbase.com/bud_b
Got questons? Look here: http://www.cs.duke.edu/~parr/photography/faq.html
 
I had the same problem taking shots for a panorama of lower Manhattan. I had the camera on a tripod, with only a 2 second exposure at the most but it was still a little soft. I thought it was the wind, hmmm, maybe not.

However, I like the softness in your shot. It gives it more of a fairy tale village atmosphere.

Here's a link to the pano that I eventually made from the shots using panorama factory.

http://www.pbase.com/image/11076479/large
--
hamili
P5, 707,pbase supporter
http://www.pbase.com/hamili/f707
 
Read Shays Tips.
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=2754958
Michael Russell said:
After weeks of researching which camera I wanted to buy, I decided
on the F717, and placed an order with Dbuys.com, (for the record,
could not have gone smoother, high serial number, 137,xxxx, and no
hasle to buy more gear). Camera delivered last night. Charged the
battery up and went out to take some pics. It was one of those rare
nights here in vermont, where it was absolutely crystal clear, and
about 10 below zero when I went out, (was 22 below when I woke up
this morning, Yikes!)

Here is one of the pics I took. I am happy with it, but want better
detail, and less blur. How could I have improved this immage? I
pleaced the camera on a tri-pod, used the selftimer, and an
extended exposure, (10 seconds in this case).



Here is a link ot the original so you can critique it better if you
care to:

"



"

I would like to concentrait on landscape, and outdoor photography.
I am a car nut, so I will be incorporating that into it as well.
Suggestions on where to learn more about extended exposure
photography?

Also, will the e-book that is advertised on this site, and so
highly regarded in the forums be usefull for general photo taking,
or does the book concentrait on how to use photoshop? For some
reason I get the impression the book is more of a how to use the
software than anything else.

I have tons more quesitons, but I will stop here for know.

Thanks

Michael
Click to expand...
--
Bill B
http://www.pbase.com/bill_b
 
Michael,

Somehow you have gotten the wrong impression of the eBook. It has more than 200 pages & yet I printed it all out & put it in a 3-ring binder for easier reference. Only 1 chapter, 12 pages, is devoted to Photoshop & it's most straightforward, succinct intro to PS you'll ever find. My F707 is my 3rd digital camera + a few printers, etc.; the eBook is the best $50 I've spent on anything in cyberworld. I liked it so much I e-mailed my praise to the publisher. Before you buy it from the forum link check Amazon since you'll get free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1882383184/qid=1042936072/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/002-5953796-9519249?v=glance&s=books

As for time exposures, I've not done enough of them to advise you but your 1st one looks pretty good to me. Perhaps you can practice other areas & save the lengthy exposures until...maybe June. LOL
Michael Russell said:
Also, will the e-book that is advertised on this site, and so
highly regarded in the forums be usefull for general photo taking,
or does the book concentrait on how to use photoshop? For some
reason I get the impression the book is more of a how to use the
software than anything else.
Click to expand...
Michael Russell said:
Michael
Click to expand...
 
Michael,

I loved your image too. I hope you don't mind I played with it a little. I could only spend a few minutes on it and I could get through to the original. The bright area needs more attention.

I used the haze/fog removal setting for USM (of 20%, 60 radius), then applied a contrast mask of about 50% and used Vtie's sharpening at .96, 139%.



Welcome aboard :-) This is the place for answers,
Steve
Michael Russell said:
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/slo2k

'If one really wishes to be master of an art, technical knowledge of it is not enough. One has to transcend technique so that the art becomes an 'artless art' growing out of the Unconscious.'
 
Thanks for the kind words. I love the panorama you made...awesome.

Michael
Hamili said:
I had the same problem taking shots for a panorama of lower
Manhattan. I had the camera on a tripod, with only a 2 second
exposure at the most but it was still a little soft. I thought it
was the wind, hmmm, maybe not.

However, I like the softness in your shot. It gives it more of a
fairy tale village atmosphere.

Here's a link to the pano that I eventually made from the shots
using panorama factory.

http://www.pbase.com/image/11076479/large
--
hamili
P5, 707,pbase supporter
http://www.pbase.com/hamili/f707
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for putting me straight on the e-book! I will obviously have to pick it up!

Thanks again

Michael
jerpat said:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1882383184/qid=1042936072/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/002-5953796-9519249?v=glance&s=books
As for time exposures, I've not done enough of them to advise you
but your 1st one looks pretty good to me. Perhaps you can practice
other areas & save the lengthy exposures until...maybe June. LOL
Michael Russell said:
Also, will the e-book that is advertised on this site, and so
highly regarded in the forums be usefull for general photo taking,
or does the book concentrait on how to use photoshop? For some
reason I get the impression the book is more of a how to use the
software than anything else.
Click to expand...
jerpat said:
Michael
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hey Cool Steve!

I must say I am WAY over my head when it comes to using photoshop...and truth be told I dont really relish the idea of having to learn it, I am struggling enough just trying to figure out how to take a decent photo....steep long learning curve it seems...

Michael
 
Hello Bud-

Thanks for the links....guess I have quite a bit of reading/learning in front of me...sigh...I was hoping that I would not need to know the inside of photshop to put together a decent photo....well I will keep at it.

Michael
Bud/B said:
Great shot for a first effort Michael.

I think you may be expecting more dynamic range than the camera can
deliver for this type of shot. Here are a few threads on this
topic:

Shay Stephen's F707 Sharpness thread
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=2387964

Consolidated Sharpness Technique thread
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=2398251

Blended Exposures thread
http://dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=4027534

You'll also find a very sturdy tripod and the remote valuable for
these shots.

As far as iNova's ebook goes I have no experience with it.
However, you'll find post processing to be a necessity for the
majority of your shots (if for nothing else than color tweaking and
sharpening) and certainly to make the kind of images in the threads.

--
Bud
A few photos: http://www.pbase.com/bud_b
Got questons? Look here:
http://www.cs.duke.edu/~parr/photography/faq.html
Click to expand...
 
Michael,

I know what you mean. But take heart :-) A little more than 8 months ago, I was right where you are. Learning a new camera, a digital one at that, and I had never used Photoshop :-(

Your camera will give you really good images. But for those almost good ones, Photoshop really helps. And for those images that could be great, PS helps you get them there.

IMO, there's no place better on the web to learn about the 7X7 and post-processing their images. You will be surprised at how much help is available here, and at the Re-touching forum. No matter what problem you have, someone else has had it and found a solution or a way around it. Members also post many good links for, shooting and editing, tips and techniques.

Let us know what info you need and we'll be here to help. Or, if you'd rather, do it yourself and if you run into problems, again, we're here to help. Don't sweat the lack of knowledge about certain subjects or the "newbie" thing. We were all newbies at some point.

Good Luck and good shooting,
Steve
Michael Russell said:
Hey Cool Steve!

I must say I am WAY over my head when it comes to using
photoshop...and truth be told I dont really relish the idea of
having to learn it, I am struggling enough just trying to figure
out how to take a decent photo....steep long learning curve it
seems...

Michael
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/slo2k

'If one really wishes to be master of an art, technical knowledge of it is not enough. One has to transcend technique so that the art becomes an 'artless art' growing out of the Unconscious.'
 
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