Still struggling to get good coral pics with my SLR.... - Page 2

twilson · 06/10/2012, 12:09 AM

These final ones really turned out. Would you mind posting what your actually settings were on the camera? I am struggling throughnsomemof the same issues.

reefdude135 · 06/10/2012, 04:46 PM

Thx for the kind words! I am working on more improvement. I fixed my wobbly tripod (yeah!) and my next step will be to acquire some black acrylic.

The final settings were 1/15, f 4.5, and ISO 100.

reefdude135 · 06/27/2012, 07:08 PM

I've acquired some black acrylic...we'll be breaking out the (repaired) tripod soon!

reefdude135 · 06/29/2012, 06:48 PM

I grabbed a few pics on my friend's tank. The acrylic was hard to get in the back of the subject (a symphyllia) without totally re-arranging the tank (I'll have to work on modifying these acrylic pieces for increased maneuverability). Anyway a few shots.... feedback welcome!

troopa · 07/04/2012, 04:01 PM

You have progressed so much mate. Congrats to you! I would maybe up the contrast and nip the saturation up in post process just for a deeper colourful look!

reefdude135 · 07/06/2012, 05:32 PM

Thanks! Looming at these last two pics, it's like "wow! Where did that photo come from?"

Much appreciation to the RC Photography communty for the coaching!

Misled · 07/06/2012, 05:59 PM

OK, now start using elements. I went over the second pic a bit and removed the snow. Also a little shadowing, contrast, and sharpening.

reefdude135 · 07/07/2012, 12:58 PM

Wow! That was quite an imorovement! I had kept the photo work pretty basic with Elements.

when opening, I adjusted color temp/tint, and cropped. Then, in Edit mode, all that was done was "Unsharpen Mask" and "save as jpg."

Curious on:

- What function did you use to remove snow...and was that applied to the entire photo?
- what Elements function is best to add clarity and sharpness?
- how much did you sharpen and how much contrast was added?

Thx!!

Misled · 07/07/2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefdude135

- What function did you use to remove snow...and was that applied to the entire photo?

I use the clone stamp tool. You pick a clean area then drag over the area you wish to change.

Quote:

- what Elements function is best to add clarity and sharpness?

Some can be done in the first raw window. It's in the Detail tab on the right. This doesn't change things much, but also doesn't affect the or degrade the photo. The other is in the bottom of the enhance tab after opening the photo. I don't do over 3 on the radius, and adjust the amount by eye.

Quote:

- how much did you sharpen and how much contrast was added?

Thx!!

I answered the sharpening. On the contrast, there wasn't very much. The thing that brings more out in the pic is the shadowing in the Original box that opens when you go to edit. You don't have much control in this window, but you can adjust the histogram somewhat. Your pic was a bit over exposed, so I toned that down some and that brought the colors up more. You also control some shadowing and highlights in the enhance tab in the second window.

HTH and you're welcome.

reefdude135 · 09/20/2012, 12:42 PM

Hi folks.. I have been thinking about acquiring a macro lens. These pics were with the Nikon 28-80 lens, a.good basic lens, on a Nikon D50. Would this basic dslr benefit from a macro lens?

Robb in Austin · 09/20/2012, 04:49 PM

Yes. I'd recommend something in the 100mm range for decent working distance, vs a 50 or 60.

07/06/2012, 05:59 PM	#32
Misled Over There Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 6,592 Blog Entries: 11	OK, now start using elements. I went over the second pic a bit and removed the snow. Also a little shadowing, contrast, and sharpening. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying anything, I'm merely offering you a facial expression that suggests you've gone insane. Carry on my wayward son. There'll be peas when you are done. Current Tank Info: 54 corner, Lumin Bright mini, 250se 20k, VHO actinic, ASM g-3 Skimmer

06/10/2012, 12:09 AM	#26
twilson Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 82	These final ones really turned out. Would you mind posting what your actually settings were on the camera? I am struggling throughnsomemof the same issues.

06/10/2012, 04:46 PM	#27
reefdude135 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 278	Thx for the kind words! I am working on more improvement. I fixed my wobbly tripod (yeah!) and my next step will be to acquire some black acrylic. The final settings were 1/15, f 4.5, and ISO 100.

06/27/2012, 07:08 PM	#28
reefdude135 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 278	I've acquired some black acrylic...we'll be breaking out the (repaired) tripod soon!

06/29/2012, 06:48 PM	#29
reefdude135 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 278	I grabbed a few pics on my friend's tank. The acrylic was hard to get in the back of the subject (a symphyllia) without totally re-arranging the tank (I'll have to work on modifying these acrylic pieces for increased maneuverability). Anyway a few shots.... feedback welcome!

07/04/2012, 04:01 PM	#30
troopa Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 13	You have progressed so much mate. Congrats to you! I would maybe up the contrast and nip the saturation up in post process just for a deeper colourful look!

07/06/2012, 05:32 PM	#31
reefdude135 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 278	Thanks! Looming at these last two pics, it's like "wow! Where did that photo come from?" Much appreciation to the RC Photography communty for the coaching!

07/07/2012, 12:58 PM	#33
reefdude135 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 278	Wow! That was quite an imorovement! I had kept the photo work pretty basic with Elements. when opening, I adjusted color temp/tint, and cropped. Then, in Edit mode, all that was done was "Unsharpen Mask" and "save as jpg." Curious on: - What function did you use to remove snow...and was that applied to the entire photo? - what Elements function is best to add clarity and sharpness? - how much did you sharpen and how much contrast was added? Thx!!

09/20/2012, 12:42 PM	#35
reefdude135 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 278	Hi folks.. I have been thinking about acquiring a macro lens. These pics were with the Nikon 28-80 lens, a.good basic lens, on a Nikon D50. Would this basic dslr benefit from a macro lens?

09/20/2012, 04:49 PM	#36
Robb in Austin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 861	Yes. I'd recommend something in the 100mm range for decent working distance, vs a 50 or 60.