-
Join The Forum Commnunity
Free registration. Hang out with like-minded budding photographers. Click here to shoot, share and learn.
Monthly Archives: October 2010
UV Filter – Why Should I?
Imagine if this was your smashed lens.
(Previously posted in the Sharing Digital Photography Worldwide Forums) Well, lady luck was with me. Not once but twice.
I’ve always advocated the UV filter as a little added protection for your lenses. Even against scratches. Whether a fixed lens or digital SLR with interchangeable lenses. The idea is simple. Better to replace a broken UV filter, then the cost to repair or replace the lens. Of course, you might have a lens warranty, extended or otherwise that makes it less worrisome and a UV filter just couldn’t withstand more severe impact.
I also like using the UV filter to keep the lens pristine. This is the second time in my shooting career that the UV filter has saved the day by taking the brunt of force and leaving the lens in perfect condition.
In the above photo, the UV filter is a quality B+W. Replacing the lens costs about 10 times more. It turned out to be pretty cost effective day and helped avoid and unsightly line in the credit card statement.
Here some well known filter and optics brands:
Note: Cokin has graduated neutral density filters used to balance exposures where you might have a very bright sky and a dark foreground for example. Handy for the serious hobbyist to pro.
Many pros also subscribe to the idea that when using filters, you should be putting a quality filter on the end of a quality lens. Otherwise, why compromise your optics. Makes sense. I concur.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to join in anytime.
Where Do I Store All These Photos?
Thousands of photos. Storage and back up – where does it all go? You know yourself, a vacation can eat up significant hard drive space. I’ll share with you some strategies that might help you decide what works best.
If you have any questions, you can post them right here – use the post comment box at the bottom.
USB hard drives for storage and back up
Memory prices are prone to gravitational pull and just keep going down. Good for us. USB ports have been standard on computers for years now. Many USB drives now run off the power in the USB port plug itself. Those bulky wall plugs, cords and power converters are gone. The USB drives themselves have become very small like Western Digital’s Passport Essentials. If you have several USB devices (printers, etc) and hard drives, I will suggest that you buy a USB hub that is powered into a wall plug. A USB hub allows you to add more devices when you run out of USB ports built into your computer.
I’ll show you what I’m doing. It suits my needs for a pretty high volume of digital files. You can decide what works for you.
I’m running both Windows and Mac OS platforms because cross platform testing in web site development is standard. The workhorse is the iMac where most work takes place (editing, building, programming, etc). However, whatever I’m using in terms of hardware and set up, can apply to your Windows operating system and PC. Same structures.
My hard drives list (the possibilities):
- Computer hard drive 500 GB (Macintosh HD or C drive for PC).
- Back up hard drive 1 TB (Time Machine is the back up application for Mac).
- Media hard drive 500 GB (Whatever you choose to name).
- New Volume – Other hard drives in storage can be added the USB hub if needed.
The 1 TB back up hard drive (2.) has two purposes. It backs up my computer hard drive (1.) and the media hard drive (3.). Any other drives are client drives for work completed more than 12 months ago that are not accessed or needed frequently.
So (2.) is the star and backs up (1.) and (3.).
Nutshell: You can use a larger USB hard drive to back up your computer and other USB hard drives.
Most USB drives come with back up software. So you need to do your homework and Google for reviews. With the Mac OS, the standard back up application is Time Machine. In my experience, Time Machine has been stable, highly reliable and easy to use.
The notable advantage
You never have to add an internal hard drive to your computer ever again. You can now take your back up with you anywhere you go to share photos, video, music and more.
Time Machine back up will travel
I’m available 24/7/365 so I need my complete office workstation on that back up drive, portable and ready to go. I’ll take the laptop then just plug in the Time Machine back up USB drive for access to all my files, computer (1.) and media (3.). I can even upload all my emails and settings, say, if a client refers to an attachment that might be something I’ve received or sent. That’s only the tip of the iceberg. Photos, music, email, client projects and more. Essentially it’s going to be the same for your Windows USB drive back ups.
I can’t begin to tell you all the tricks and juggling you can do with a nice big USB hard drive. I hope you have a flavor for some of the possibilities. In 12 to 24 months, who knows, another follow up will be needed with the pace of change.
What is a back up?
Moving your files off of your computer hard drive is not a back up.
A back up is a second copy, separate from the computer hard drive, of files and media, so that should the main hard drive, original files and media be compromised or destroyed, you have a second copy.
Today, that goes even further with progressive back up applications that can restore your computer, or where you can apply your back up to a new computer.
Solid state USB storage
They’re coming. Solid state means storage without moving parts like a memory card. They’ll be pricey for a while, but everything continues to shrink and prices to come down. Affordable larger size 1 TB solid state drives will be a while yet
How big is a terabyte?
1 terabyte is 1000000000000 bytes, or 1 trillion bytes, or 1000 gigabytes. The unit symbol for the terabyte is TB. And today, a TB USB hard drive is quite common and relatively inexpensive – under $200 approaching the $100 mark.
Questions, comments, ideas, suggestions, magic tricks are all welcomed.
Extreme Digital Makeover
From old to young again. The high speed video version, less than 3 minutes long. An extreme makeover transformation set to the music of “You are so beautiful”. Stunning editing talent by Angela Talbot.
This one is for all you PhotoShop fans and budding digital editors.
So what did you PhotoShop Today?
Shooting Big Scenes Outdoors Canon 24-105mm
How to shoot big scenes with depth.
The secret’s of photography continue to unfold. How’d you do that?
It’s combination of finding a scene that works, knowing how to engage the right camera functions and you.
First, let’s view a few photos. Samples with interesting foreground textures in portrait orientation. Everything is focused from front to back in each scene. A stronger consideration is to include interesting foreground elements in the composition. You can do this too. Let’s see how.
Big nature scene wide angle shooting technique:
- When you find a beautiful scene, try and have something interesting in the foreground as a visual stepping stone into the view. Clouds also add gorgeous textures.
- Get a really long dept of focus from front to back – here’s how…
- Set the f-number (aperture) to at least 10, about 14 or higher if you can. Use Aperture Priority or if you’re more experienced, Manual shooting mode.
- Use the focal range at or just below 50mm. Going really wide at 24mm just means correcting typical barrel distortion or keeping it and calling it “creative”.
- Because you’re restricting light with a large f-number (=small aperture), you may need to increase the ISO( if you are not using a tripod) to attain a hand-held shutter speed of a minimum 1/30 of a second.
- What’s best portrait or landscape orientation? Portrait orientations sometimes work best when you have excellent foreground elements as noted in the first point and the photo samples you’ve just seen.
- A tripod helps avoid increasing the ISO setting, so slower shutter speeds can be used. Use the self timer or a remote shutter release avoiding any movement caused by depressing the shutter button.
- Train wild animals to do tricks in your shots.
Everyone develops their own shooting techniques and styles over time.
Canon 24-105mm Lens
You don’t need this specific lens to accomplish such shots. It’s just a preferred lens at this time.
This lens is used frequently. A narrow balance between zoom and wide angle that works great for travel photography, portraits and even some macro shooting. Short, light, easy around the neck and quality L grade glass. My main uses are largely outdoors, be it in a metropolis, a canyon desert or a Venetian market. It works for my needs and the way I shoot today. It’s been great for commercial product photography and editorial shots. I’d consider this one for real estate listing and publications photos too.
The built in IS (Image Stabilization) will buy you a few f-stops for handheld shots in low light conditions, thus increasing the ISO less often and avoiding the associated digital noise (graininess). For macro shooting (close up photography), the minimum focus distance is about .45 metres or 1.5 feet. Out of the box it comes complete with leather bag, lens cap and hood, and the usual user guide.
In the Canon L lens line up, this one is well priced. An L lens is Canon’s pro grade designation identified by the thin red line around the outer front of the lens. These are designed for full frame sensors but can be used on the smaller Canon SLR camera sensor line up. I purchased my first L lens before I had a full frame sensor camera knowing it was an investment and that I would eventually move up to a full frame digital camera.
Well cared for, L grade lenses hold their value very well.
Specifications Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
- Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 24-105mm f/4
- Lens Construction: 18 elements in 13 groups
- Diagonal Angle of View: 84° – 23° 20′ (with full-frame camera)
- Focus Adjustment: Inner focusing system with focusing cam
- Closest Focusing Distance: 1.48 ft./0.45m
Zoom System: 5-group helical zoom (front group moves: 32.5mm)
Filter Size: 77mm - Max. Diameter x Length, Weight: 3.3 in. x 4.2 in., 23.6 oz. / 83.5mm x 107mm, 670g (lens only)
Summary of potential uses:
- Big scenes, outdoors nature, urban, suburban, travel.
- Commercial product catalog photography.
- Editorial shots.
- Real estate listings and publications.
If you have any questions, you’re welcomed to share them. I’m glad to help.
Pure Vocal Magic
You remember Bobby McFerrin? Don’t worry, be happy? Well imagine his vocal music on steroids. This is an outstanding performance by The Vocapeople. A virtual symphony of sounds and pop hits with no musical instruments yet producing remarkably big, full sounds. Only using their voices. It’s super cool and fun. Turn up the sound, then click the play button below and be prepared to smile and be entertained.
Family Fun In The Swaggah Wagon
Let’em git all up in yah face! Don’t you dare go thinkin’ Minivaners aren’t cool. Watch as the Sienna Family drop their hot new single, Swagger Wagon. This goes out to all you minivan families out there. Fiddy Cent, you better watch your back. Ma, Pah and the Kids are kicking it up.
It pays to do something out of the ordinary when it comes to marketing, yet still connect with your target. Click the Play button below.
Air Travel – “Over Head” Bin Injury
32 seconds for a quick laugh. The over head bin. Pack it, stuff it, push it in tight. Anything will fit and we’ll make it so. Air travelers will relate, but this short clip might not be quite what you’re expecting. Hope it brings a smile to your face. That seems to be the intention here. Click the Play button below.
Toronto Canada Skyline Photos & City Views
A gallery of perspectives in one of the great cities of the world.
A city rich with cultures of the planet is the ultimate human melting pot. Cuisine, entertainment and neighborhoods so diverse. Cultural events of every kind make up the colorful quilt of Toronto. Whether it’s the twinkling skyline view on an evening cruise or a burst of fiery color from a bucket of fresh florals at a corner market, it’s feast for the eyes.
Night time is a favorite for photography. I’ll park, load my gear pack and tripod and walk the streets well into the wee hours of the morning.
Tips for night photography:
- Long exposures like skyline shots you’ve seen here require a tripod.
- Use the self timer feature or a remote shutter release. Pressing the shutter button can cause slight movement and compromise the shot.
- Can’t focus, not enough light? Find a point of light the skyline scene, with the center AF point selected, partially depress the shutter to engage the focus. Then switch the lens to manual focus. Recompose the scene and shoot. Or simply use manual focus.
- Always keep composition in mind.
- Speak politely to police officers.
Sometimes I can be quite a distance from the city skyline. A 100-400mm lens seems to do the trick. I can get by using the 70-300mm. For the larger heavier telephoto lens, I need a sturdy tripod so it doesn’t jiggle. A solid mag fiber tripod is what I’m using. This tripod is only slightly heavier than carbon fiber and gets the job done.
Have fun experimenting! Got a question or comment? Use the Post a Comment box and share it.
Canadiana Photo Compilation
A compilation of Canadian scenery from farms, parks, conservation areas and random wilderness Below this first photo are the gallery thumbnails.
Over the years, having travelled thousands of miles on Ontario’s rural highways and back roads, most of what I photograph has been stumbled upon – Canada’s big back yard. The road less traveled please. It’s expected that when I leave a message at home to say I’m on my way back and it’s three hours away, it’ll take at least six hours or more. When the cell phone rings, I expect to hear: “Where are you!?”
A GPS is part of the standard photography gear now. When ending up in new “necks-of-the-woods”, just pressing the HOME button on the GPS gets me back to base.
Tips for photographing scenery:
- Wide angle lens and focal length (not too wide or you’ll be correcting distortion).
- Days with lots of clouds are ideal. Clouds complete photos with rich textures much better than great blue empty chasms.
- Overcast (heavily clouded) conditions can be dramatic with HDR processing, but might require a tripod or increasing the ISO setting to boost the shutter speed as needed in low light conditions.
- A circular polarizing filter will enhance details in clouds, but is not required if you’re well versed in multiple exposure blending.
- Be mindful of your composition.
- Break the rules.
All the photos in this gallery are on Canadian soil. Enjoy.
Question and comments are always welcomed. I’m glad to help. 
Imposter…Big Kid Poses As Graphic Designer
I dug up an old hard drive from the vault and found some fun projects I did for a client many years ago. The challenge was to come up with some creative imagery to work into a food industry publication. Back then I wouldn’t tell anyone about my humble equipment and studio. I didn’t have a studio. I’d get by with a 3.1 megapixel point and shoot and a piece of poster board for a backdrop. Didn’t matter. The client was happy.
Having Fun With Food And Faces by Marc Mantha
At the time, I’d go out to four or five grocery stores to get the best looking produce possible that I needed specific to the articles I had written or had been provided. Now, I need faces and face parts. Where are the models? What to do? My face will do. Thank goodness this wasn’t a Victoria’s Secret print ad. Phew!
Let’s take for example the first pepper on the left. I had to consider the angle of the pepper and imagine when taking the photos, how my lips and those sunglasses will fit and match up. Next, meticulously cut them out digitally with PhotoShop, size, fit and blend them in. So goes the story for the next too.
Tools and props list for food with faces:
- 3.1 megapixel Kodak point and shoot.
- Kitchen counter with florescent under cabinet light.
- Poster board back drop.
- My face.
- Local fruit and vegetables.
- Digital editing.
- A little Imagination.
- A coffee buzz.
The Key: Skills and knowledge of PhotoShop.
This too was done on that same kitchen counter top with poster board back drop.
“Necessity is the mother of invention” ~ Plato
Little did I know, the humble tools I had back then would be one lesson after another in being resourceful and having fun. I’ve since kept building on those experiences. I think Plato must have been a fun guy.
Today we play with grown up toys and a real studio. However, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.
Lights, Action, Burger!
Teaching Kids About Food Ads -
Ever wonder why that burger looks so great on TV? Why does it look so good? Here’s an inside look at the miracles of food styling complete with cardboard and safety pins. Probably a good idea to show the kids how mass production food can be marketed to them. Click the Play button below.
Now, Back To Real Food
Moira Sanders recently published a cookbook with sister Lori Elstone and cousin Beth Goslin Maloney called the Harrow Fair Cookbook (highly recommended and available here). Delicious wholesome recipes and the cookbook photos are real.
When you get your copy, you must try the current and maple scones on page 49. And don’t get me started how mouth watering Moira’s cooking is. I love the wholesome recipes. Can you tell I’m a fan? You can be one too.
Sunrise Photography Mozzecane, Italy
While traveling, the camera might as well be glued to my hand. Up early for the best light of the day – sunrise. Long cast shadows, rich warm colors. Just a few steps out the door and Italy offers up this old farm building. On this day I’m hand holding the camera and watching the shutter speed. I want to keep the aperture number in the mid range so that with my wider angle focal length, everything will be in focus from front to back. Up the ISO setting if need be to boost the shutter speed.
Our hosts are the Ciampalini Family. We’ve discussed buying the lot across the street so we could be neighbors. I’ve also fantasized about buying this old farm building to convert into a home. For now, as Giorgio says: “You will be my great friend across the ocean”. Over an evening grappa and flavored cigars, we’ve talked about discovering Italy on scooters or perhaps renting a camper and taking all the back roads. That’s my kind traveling and Giorgio knows the nooks and crannies of Italy.
Giorgio speaks macaroni English and I speak cheeseburger Italian. Yet we understand each other very well. Evening grappa helps bridge the gap too.
Until next time, ciao to my Italian friends who are like family. We will meet again.
Bicycles, The Smart Technology
The bicycle rules in Amsterdam. Stay out of the way. If you collide with one, it’s your fault. That how it goes. Visually interesting with geometry’s lines and curves, this simple mode of transportation treads lightly on the planet and it’s resources. The driver provides the power keeping it’s own biological engine fit and the CO2 emissions from the human engine marginal. The vehicle is light, compact and in the land of Holland’s flat plains, the perfect way to get around.
Metal and rubber crafted into a long standing smart technology.
Incredible Pie-In-The-Face Slow Mo
This short video shows what must have been remarkable patience, and technical trial and error for the makers. This was not a good day to be a bug. Highly creative and an impressive little journey into the world of macro video – or maybe it’s just a cell phone commercial? We’ll let the video speak for itself. Have fun and share it with others by clicking on any of the sharing icons below. Ready to watch? It really is awesome. Click the Play button below.
MAMA Photography’s New Look
I’ve decided to change MAMAphotography.ca for something more functional to a modified WordPress blog for a few reasons.
The typical necessity is a point of contact but more importantly adding ease of content management. A matter of taking time for my own marketing. As the saying goes – The cobbler’s children have no shoes. I’ll also be adding widgets to tweet and update Facebook right here from the blog. That’s takes care of three birds with one stone. Not that you should be pitching rocks at birds. It’s more efficient overall
With that, I’ll be able to post and group photos in galleries right here so for example, my Facebook friends can come here via a link on Facebook and see what’s new in the visual world of Marc Mantha.
Although this is nothing new for my client’s, there are always new design developments to explore. If you’re not changing, you’re standing still.
The blog comments setting is “on” so anyone can comment here without registering, requiring only your name and email, but there may be some benefits later to registering. I leave that up to you.
If you have any questions, I’m glad to help anyone interested in photography regardless of experience.
In time, Categories will be added as needed in the side margin. We’ll see what those will be as we progress.
Talk