Posts Tagged ‘Nikon’

Cameras – Tech Thursday

Nikon D4-TimeLine Media-www.timelinedc.com

Equipment Matters

One of the photography mantras that is repeated on blogs and forums has to be “It doesn’t matter the equipment, only the operators behind the cameras that matters in making photographs.” There are so many examples of this from the collection of iPhone photographs, to Instagram superstars that create wonderful imagery with humble, accessible gear. With digital photography you can experiment with angles, lighting, time exposures, almost any variable you can imaging using the controls built into DSLRs or the slides built into smartphone apps. This has helped me to understand the functions of my camera and allowed me to quickly grow as a photographer much faster than I could have with film. This can take you only so far as a hobbyist or advanced amateur.

Nikon D4-TimeLine Media-www.timelinedc.com

Professional Consideration

As a professional, my growth was also tied to the equipment that I was carrying in my bag. My first digital camera was a Nikon Coolpix 5700 that exposed me to RAW file capture, and some exposure control. My first DSLR was a Nikon D100 which I used with old camera lenses my father had from the 1980’s. They still worked on the D100, and I learned about full manual control using these old optics. I secured my first photographic jobs with this body because of my skills in composition, technique, and post processing.

But I soon ran into a technology wall. The Nikon D200 was released, and there had been a jump in quality. Whereas I could be interviewed after showing my portfolio, when my equipment list was discussed, I was turned away. It is not just that your images must look good, but your equipment must look the part as well.

That sounds controversial, but I see its merit especially in a time when everyone has a DSLR and standing out from the crowd is essential for your business. The upgrade to the Nikon D3 really took my images to the top of the heap. There was no comparison between this camera and any previous camera body. The images looked 3-dimensional to me both on the back of the camera, and in the prints. And the construction of the body of the camera with a built-in grip really looked the part. Knowing what to do with the camera in your hand is important, but in today’s marketplace, the kind of equipment you carry with you definitely plays a part in getting you noticed, and in the door.

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More infrared

Here are some pics that look more like traditional infrared film – with all color removed. It has a neat glow to them that you don’t get from ‘regular’ capture. They are perfect for landscapes however, strange on portraits. At this time these were taken at Burke Lake park along it’s 4-mile hiking trail.

shoreline in infrared light around Burke Lake Park ©TimeLine Media

Along the shore line of the lake, the glow that the converted sensor seems to tame the highlights from direct sun reflecting from the water. Whereas usually I have to tone down highlights, these seems to be recovered nicely in post. Being that I am still new to infrared capture, this is one of the newest lessons I have to keep in my memory.

infrared photo of a grass field around Burke Lake Park ©TimeLine Media

Viewing vegetation is especially nice in the infrared spectrum. As can be seen, the grasses glow a nice lighter tone that what you see when standing in the field. This is also true compared to the green tones seen in color. While it may be true that you eye can distinguish the most different green tones, the infrared keeps the texture and blades rendered. It does this without getting confused in the color.,

small railroad track in infrared light around Burke Lake Park ©TimeLine Media

Finally there is this track of a mini train at the park. Somehow the contrast of the posts against the organic leaves makes the track pop more than in color. Again, I need to adjust my pre-visualization when shooting my infrared camera as this was an unexpected result.

TimeLine Mediawww.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Homage to ‘Lost’

Just some recent captures that seem to be inspired by the TV series ‘ Lost ‘. I have watched every episode so far. The current season has been filled with unexpected plot twists and mysteries. In fact, it is probably the best since season 1.

Plane landing at Dulles from a Chantilly, Virginia park in infrared evoking the TV show Lost ©TimeLine Media
Plane landing at Dulles from a Chantilly, Virginia park in infrared ©TimeLine Media

At the beginning of the series, all of the characters start the story as passengers on an airliner. After crash landing on an island, the survivors band together to survive. When I converted the above image in my post processing software, I immediately thought of Lost. On account of its popularity among my circle of friends, and in pop culture discussions, I am sure I was influenced in the back of my mind. However, it was appropriate. There is a single airliner flying above a forest. There are no other reference points to civilization nearby, so this could be a view of their plane flying above their ultimate destination. The surreal infrared capture helps to tilt this towards a fictionalized version of reality.

Macro photography capture of the eye ©TimeLine Media

Yes, that is my eye. It felt like an eye exam until I finally got the shot I wanted. Lost uses close ups of eyeballs as a transition point in many episodes. It brings you in, and places you in the perspective of the character that opens their eyes to a new situation.

TimeLine Mediawww.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

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