Photographers

[DRosedale]

OK from looking at the Thread wanting to know if there are any Photographers out there, it seems to be a lot, counting myself as one of them.

With that being said how many use their computers to enhance their photos and if so, what programs do you use and why? I use Lightroom, Aperture, IPhoto, and Nikons programs, they are easy to use which I like.

How many use their camera and lens to make the best photo they can with out computer enhancement. I really like taking photos this way, I think this makes me a better photographer or least I hope it does.

[Wayne M]

I typically have my camera set to rapid fire shooting so I can ensure that one of the pictures will be good. I have learned how to control the shutter so that I can take one, or many, many pictures in a few seconds of a scene. On those occasions where I only get one, I may use Adobe Photo Elements 6 (for MAC - I have APE on the laptop PC also) to bring out the face when there was to much back light that I did not account for. Other than that, and some cropping occasionally, what I see and take a picture of is what you get when you look at it. Changing the lighting will make it a little grainy, but still viewable.

[Texun1]

I do a blend of processing. I also try to get it correct with the camera. However, if the shot happens to be when the sun is high or it is just too dark then it is time for processing. I use Lightroom, Elements and a couple of plugins that came with my Bamboo tablet.

Even Ansel Adams use processing tricks to create the shots that made him so popular.

[BCook57]

For any work I really care about, I use medium format film cameras - Hasselblad 6X6, Fuji 6X9, Hasselblad XPan. Film goes to processing, then a friend scans and prints for me.

For digital, I've just started using Lightroom. Steep learning curve for me, so I may be able to post more info in the future.

[DRosedale]

I grew up with film, but I love digital. You take so many more photos and there is really no cost. When out shooting, I will take a number of different shots of the same scene with different settings on the camera, then delete the ones I don't like.

Last year I went to a full frame digital DLSR, my photos look so much more like film, the color is unreal, depth of field is out of this world. Last year I also started printing my photos again. I bought a photo specific printer, combined with the full frame camera, my digital photos actually look better than my best film photos.

Full frame digital is a little pricey, but if buy the same manufacture's body as your old film camera body, your old film camera lenses work quite well, in fact they actually are the same. Of course most manufactures have introduced so many new lenses, you can spend a ton of money if you're not careful.

[BCook57]

I just bought a Nikon D700 full frame. Upgrading from a D200. For me, it has never been an issue of quality between digital and film. Digital quality is excellent.

I just don't like sitting in front of a computer. And, I get a kick out of unrolling a strip of 120 size transparencies on a light box.

[Texun1]

[QUOTE=BCook57;837679]I just bought a Nikon D700 full frame. Upgrading from a D200. For me, it has never been an issue of quality between digital and film. Digital quality is excellent.

You will love that full frame. It is wonderful to have the lens at their proper perspective. The crop bodies are fine but the F.F. is awesome. It was a world of difference for me. Wides are Wide again and what you see in the viewfinder is what you get.

I would love to get into a medium format digital. I think the head cook would finally shoot me if I made that leap.

[dancogan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRosedale ...With that being said how many use their computers to enhance their photos and if so, what programs do you use and why? I use Lightroom, Aperture, IPhoto, and Nikons programs, they are easy to use which I like. ...

I've been pretty happy with my Nikon D300s. Since I shoot almost all RAW I use Photoshop for processing. Like several others have said, I try to start out with the best possible exposure and composition and use Photoshop for minimal processing. My most used adjustment is color temperature to get the look I want.

[tbaker]

I like to play with Photoshop when I have time. I shoot Digital with a Canon 5D.

Here is a link to some of mine, the site needs updated but there are a few on there worth looking at IMHO.

BakerPhotoArt--Tom Baker

[WheelingIt]

I'm a total Photoshop fan. Love that program! Use a Nikon D80 with couple of lenses and extension tubes. Mostly shoot as natural as possible with only minimal processing. Trying to persuade DH that a D7000 is critical to my continued happiness, but still working on that one

[vermilye]

I've been doing photography all my life - started in my Dad's darkroom at the age of 5. I've shot a wide range of formats from 8X10 down to a 1/2 frame Olympus Pen. Part of my job prior to retirement was the department photographer for a theatre department doing portraits, show photography & projections for scenic backgrounds. I managed to live through the switch from film to digital, and although I still have a Nikon F3 HP, I haven't shot film in a couple of years.

Currently shoot with a Nikon D200, 300 or 700, and someone has to stop me from adding any more lenses!

As to post processing - Unless you are shooting slides, there is going to be post processing with either film or digital, just different equipment doing the work.

Although I use Photoshop & Nikon's NX2, most of my processing & cataloging is done in Lightroom.

[Texun1]

I hear you on the Lens. I shoot Canon & the L line series glass is great stuff. Very expensive but great stuff. The colors and contrast from the high end glass is what makes it all worth while.

To me the camera body is like buying a computer. No matter what you buy in 2 years it will be old news. I have no problem purchasing a good condition used body and spending money on the glass. All told my lens collection is now worth several thousand dollars more than the original purchase price.

Lightroom 3.4 Rocks

[72Skylark]

I am a photog. That is what I do for a living. I do artwork and photography (digital) but my fav. camera is my hasselblad 500cm all manual film. I shoot canon 5D (my backup is a 40D) for digital. Photoshop, lightroom,etc...is the "darkroom" of digital and most of the time digital images need a bit of it. When I shoot film I process my own b&w images and LOVE it! The digital I use for clients and I create artwork that way for clients and photographers. I create designs for photographers to use in their studios so I use the digital but love the film with all my heart!

[n9iui]

I got my first camera when I was 10. It was a "Windsor", a "Diana" clone.
I also collect old or unusual cameras. There was a time when I grabbed up any old camera because I couldn't stand the thought that if I didn't buy it, they might throw it away. DW has pretty much broken me of that habit.
Now I shoot with a Canon G10, a terrific compact digital with pretty good glass. I'd like to have a digital SLR but haven't bitten yet.
I hate it that my Pentax and Bronica systems are gathering dust. Lots of happy times with them but digital is so much cheaper and results are immediate.