D7000 photos of my Daughter

[Red Beard]

I've had D7000 for a week now, upgrading from D5000. Trying to shoot my daughter with Nikon 105mm f/2.5 Ai. I have to say that I love this camera so much! Yes, at first I have blurry images, but then I realize if I increase the shutter speed I can get a razor sharp photos! I even don't need AF fine tune for both of my lenses (105mm f/2.5 Ai & 55-200mm VR). plus D7000 can metering for non CPU lens which is ROCK!
Here's my Daughter's photos taken by D7000. C&C are welcome

















I have few questions actually

1. How can you increase shadow area without loosing contrast in RAW images? can anyone describe their RAW workflow?
2. how much in camera sharpness do you use? why?
3. What is your de-noise program? why did you choose it?

Thanks for visiting this thread & thanks before for your input! cheers!

--
"It's not the Camera, it's YOU!"
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/8985861319

 

[Ron E Trees]

Really cute shots Red Beard!

Ron

--
'The question is not what you look at, but what you see'. Henry David Thoreau
http://ront.smugmug.com/

 

[Red Beard]

Really cute shots Red Beard!

Ron

--
'The question is not what you look at, but what you see'. Henry David Thoreau
http://ront.smugmug.com/

Thanks Ron

Reza
--
"It's not the Camera, it's YOU!"
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/8985861319

 

[Reilly Diefenbach]

I have few questions actually

1. How can you increase shadow area without loosing contrast in RAW images? can anyone describe their RAW workflow?

Well, it's going to lose contrast by definition, but use the slider for ADL or "Shadow Protection" in ViewNX would be one way to do it witout losing picture quality. ViewNX2 and CNX2 do the cleanest raw conversion.

2. how much in camera sharpness do you use? why?

Neutral plus 3, because it's razor sharp and provides an undistorted foundation for further tweaking.

3. What is your de-noise program? why did you choose it?

Topaz DeNoise is unbelievable. You must use it as a plugin in Lightroom or CNX2, or Photoshop. It tailors the noise reduction only to those parts of the spectrum that actually need it, which you'll need to dial in, because the presets, while good, are too generic for the D7000. then you'll have usable ISO 6400.

 

[burtmann]

Great shots and really cute girl.

Burt

 

[chiue]

Really nice pictures of a gorgeous little lady. She know how to post doesn't she?

My personal favorite is the 1st shot.

--
chiue -
Nikon D5000 / Kodak P880 DX7590 Z915 DX6440 V803 C190
Kodak Digital Cameras Galleries
http://www.wix.com/chiuestar/Kodak-DC

 

[Das Boot]

Trying to shoot my daughter with Nikon

Don't use this stupid American slang. You are not really trying to "shoot" your daughter with Nikon, are you? You are trying to photograph her. They shoot horses in America (don't they?). They shoot people there too, once in a while, but who counts. Well, you know what I mean

The pictures are excellent. For as much as I hate the camera for not being able to render the caucasian skin tones right, I have to admit that it renders Asian skin tones perfectly. STOP! I'm not being racist here, OK? All I'm saying is that these pictures are wonderful and I enjoy watching them very much. The pictures of my caucasian daughter never come out right though with D7000. That's why I use Nikon D80 to photograph people and I use D7000 to photograph everything else. Just my couple of euros worth

 

[rondhamalam]

I have few questions actually

1. How can you increase shadow area without loosing contrast in RAW images? can anyone describe their RAW workflow?

increase fill light (shadows protection)
increase contrast
sharpening a little bit

please have a full read here, pushing shadows:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=38591655

2. how much in camera sharpness do you use? why?

Zero.
Because I shoot RAW
Software sharpening is more controllable

3. What is your de-noise program? why did you choose it?

dfine2
topaz denoise
noise ninja

because they are the best
I don't lose details

Thanks for visiting this thread & thanks before for your input! cheers!

--
"It's not the Camera, it's YOU!"
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/8985861319

--
I see phenomena

 

[Das Boot]

I have few questions actually

1. How can you increase shadow area without loosing contrast in RAW images? can anyone describe their RAW workflow?

You can't. RAW or JPEG, they are essentially the same. You HAVE to loose constrast to bring out the shadows. Don't rely on RAW. It's not really as RAW as people believe it is. Learn to set your exposure correctly when you take a picture -- that's the ticket.

2. how much in camera sharpness do you use? why?

I use +1 or 2, cause it works just fine and I usually increase sharpness anyway, so I'm fine with it. I've tried it with or without and I've settled on "with". But it doesn't matter really.

3. What is your de-noise program? why did you choose it?

I am not bothered with noise. I love noise. Yes, that's right. The noise (in right places) actually adds to the artistic quality of the picture. It makes the picture look "alive" somewhat. I hate the plastic look of most of the pictures I see on the Internet. Some of them are technically perfect, but emotionally they are as flat as a plywood. Noise is OK. Don't reduse noise just because they say you have to.

"It's not the Camera, it's YOU!"

Not really. With the D7000, no matter what you do, you can NEVER get the skin tone right with the damn thing!

 

[Red Beard]

Thanks Burt & chiue!

Thank you all for your input, I already use ACR & NX2 and I'll make sure to get Topaz denoise as well. Anyone have any idea when NX2 will be available to open NEF file from D7000?

Since most of you guys have difficulty to get "nice" skintone, I'm wondering what picture control do you use for portrait? tweaked or not?
--
"It's not the Camera, it's YOU!"
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/8985861319

 

[Red Beard]

Trying to shoot my daughter with Nikon

Don't use this stupid American slang. You are not really trying to "shoot" your daughter with Nikon, are you? You are trying to photograph her. They shoot horses in America (don't they?). They shoot people there too, once in a while, but who counts. Well, you know what I mean

The pictures are excellent. For as much as I hate the camera for not being able to render the caucasian skin tones right, I have to admit that it renders Asian skin tones perfectly. STOP! I'm not being racist here, OK? All I'm saying is that these pictures are wonderful and I enjoy watching them very much. The pictures of my caucasian daughter never come out right though with D7000. That's why I use Nikon D80 to photograph people and I use D7000 to photograph everything else. Just my couple of euros worth

LOL! I get it Das, I won't "shoot" my Daughter anymore
--
"It's not the Camera, it's YOU!"
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/8985861319

 

[Red Beard]

Thanks for all your input guys, here's my sample picture after trying your input plus Ray Soares's, it's awesome! My keeper rate has increased significanly!
--
"It's not the Camera, it's YOU!"
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/8985861319

 

[intruder61]

genial photos of the kid, keepers for memories

all my "serious pics" (shot in raw) goes through photoshop, where i can be selective in what i can do to my work, eg: shadows, sharpening etc.

all my other "fun pics" (jpg) i use corel paintshop photo pro X3, which has everything and more. cheers.

 

[Dohmnuill]

Great photos.

Have to agree with the "shoot" business too, although it has become rather entrenched. No, not just a gentle photographer but a battlefield hero. Another one which is ovedone is "capture". I suppose it's shorter than typing "photograph" but nevertheless it seems to imply a phenomenal effort of conquest.

Perhaps that language belongs to the brigade who never merely switch anything on, they always "fire up" the item.

Anyway, I'm just about to fire up the trusty 4WD, and go to shoot some defenceless wrens and hope I capture them well (shouldn't be hard with their mortal injuries)).

 

[Red Beard]

genial photos of the kid, keepers for memories

Thanks intruder61, I love to photograph my Daughter! can't resist her smile

all my "serious pics" (shot in raw) goes through photoshop, where i can be selective in what i can do to my work, eg: shadows, sharpening etc.

all my other "fun pics" (jpg) i use corel paintshop photo pro X3, which has everything and more. cheers.

I used to have ACR to edit my RAW files, but recently I found that CNX2 suits me more. I still use PS5 for cropping & sharpening, since I still can't find how to use high pass in CNX2, any idea?

--
"It's not the Camera, it's YOU!"
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/8985861319

 

[Red Beard]

Great photos.

Thanks Dohmnuill!

Have to agree with the "shoot" business too,

Me too
--
"It's not the Camera, it's YOU!"
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/8985861319

 

[intruder61]

sorry, never used NX2

genial photos of the kid, keepers for memories

Thanks intruder61, I love to photograph my Daughter! can't resist her smile

all my "serious pics" (shot in raw) goes through photoshop, where i can be selective in what i can do to my work, eg: shadows, sharpening etc.

all my other "fun pics" (jpg) i use corel paintshop photo pro X3, which has everything and more. cheers.

I used to have ACR to edit my RAW files, but recently I found that CNX2 suits me more. I still use PS5 for cropping & sharpening, since I still can't find how to use high pass in CNX2, any idea?

--
"It's not the Camera, it's YOU!"
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/8985861319

 

[arizonadesertrat]

Absolutely ridiculous comments. Not even close to reality.

I have few questions actually

1. How can you increase shadow area without loosing contrast in RAW images? can anyone describe their RAW workflow?

You can't. RAW or JPEG, they are essentially the same. You HAVE to loose constrast to bring out the shadows. Don't rely on RAW. It's not really as RAW as people believe it is. Learn to set your exposure correctly when you take a picture -- that's the ticket.

2. how much in camera sharpness do you use? why?

I use +1 or 2, cause it works just fine and I usually increase sharpness anyway, so I'm fine with it. I've tried it with or without and I've settled on "with". But it doesn't matter really.

3. What is your de-noise program? why did you choose it?

I am not bothered with noise. I love noise. Yes, that's right. The noise (in right places) actually adds to the artistic quality of the picture. It makes the picture look "alive" somewhat. I hate the plastic look of most of the pictures I see on the Internet. Some of them are technically perfect, but emotionally they are as flat as a plywood. Noise is OK. Don't reduse noise just because they say you have to.

"It's not the Camera, it's YOU!"

Not really. With the D7000, no matter what you do, you can NEVER get the skin tone right with the damn thing!

--
Fiat Lux

 

[arizonadesertrat]

genial photos of the kid, keepers for memories

Thanks intruder61, I love to photograph my Daughter! can't resist her smile

all my "serious pics" (shot in raw) goes through photoshop, where i can be selective in what i can do to my work, eg: shadows, sharpening etc.

all my other "fun pics" (jpg) i use corel paintshop photo pro X3, which has everything and more. cheers.

I used to have ACR to edit my RAW files, but recently I found that CNX2 suits me more. I still use PS5 for cropping & sharpening, since I still can't find how to use high pass in CNX2, any idea?

This should get you started:
http://dptnt.com/2007/11/high-pass-sharpening-using-nikon-capture-nx/

--
"It's not the Camera, it's YOU!"
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/8985861319

--
Fiat Lux

 

[Larold]

I was on a boat once, and asked the Captain when we were going to land. He told me that you never "land" a ship. I then asked about firing up the engines, and he said he tries to never "fire" up the engines.

I suppose we both got the point, but I felt a bit stupid. I feel the same here about the reaction to "shoot".
--
Larold