New Toy, New Hobby

[Rbstr]

Until today, I had found myself with a large surplus of of Best Buy gift certificates.
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/1161/img3698qd1.th.jpg (http://img127.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img3698qd1.jpg)

I no longer have that issue.
8 Megapixels, good for 600 shots on one battery, shoots in Jpeg or RAW format. It was the kit with the 18mm-55mm EF-S lens. You have full control over ISO, Aperture, Shutter speed ect.
Unfortunately it's hard to take pictures of the camera as it's the only camera I've got.

I'm trying to get into it as a new hobby(specificaly HDR photography: see www.stuckincustoms.com for examples.). Probably just as expensive as video gaming(or more if I buy the fancy lenses) but I'm willing to bet that photography gets the chicks a bit better. :cool:

Anyway, are any of you guys into it at all? I'm really looking for some advice on a good general purpose lens for mainly outdoors scenery and wildlife shooting.

[Peacemaker]

Yea, I do some photography, Ive got two lenses other than the stock one that came with my camera, one for taking pictures while I fly and the other for really dark enviroments while I work DJing. All my stuff is back at my boss' office right now and I dont remember it off the top of my head. Ill grab it tomarrow when I head in.

[Hamma]

hmm what is this HDR stuff anyway?

I've always enjoyed photography here and there, actually my Mom just bought a new Nikkon Digital SLR as well, I cannot remember the model number off the top of my head but its a 10mp

Gone around taking some photos just playing around - its an awesome camera. I used to take shots on my moms 30mm SLR back when I was a kid and always came out with some good pics, its awesome seeing them right after you take them :eek:

[Rbstr]

HDR lets you merge multiple exposures and does things to the contrast. As best I understand it(I'm only starting to get how it all works). Here's a example of a normal shot and an HDR processed shot.:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/60/161383164_6f399a1bf7_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/52/161483435_26edee0742_b.jpg
both from the site I linked in my first post.

Your moms is either a D40x or a D80. I went with the Canon because of price over those two and because I felt like the lens range for the canon was much better for me(it can use all of the EF and EF-S lenses, and EF has been used for a long time, Hurray Ebay!)

[Setari]

Basically HDR combines a number of different frames of exposure on the same subject, with various levels of brightness basically, to create a single shot with vivid colors and a surreal sort of appearance.

It's neat when it's not overdone.

[Infernus]

Today I obtained CS3, and have been doing orgasmic things with Photoshop and Dreamweaver

[Hamma]

That is pretty sweet.. photoshop do the HDR combinations? Or is it some other nifty 9000 dollar app?

[Setari]

Apparently, Photoshop can indeed compile HDR images, but the results are rather... bland.

Exhibit A: http://www.hdrsoft.com/images/cs2/comparison.html

[Infernus]

If you have a mac, aperture is god.

[Hamma]

I just did some reading up on it, looks like fun I may be giving it a try :D

Looks like there is also some software called photomatix that does a pretty nice job.

I have been considering getting a macbook pro as well.. to the dark side with me.. ;)

[Giovanni]

That's pretty fucking sweet I'll recommend that to my girlfriend she's looking to start in photography...

[Infernus]

I just did some reading up on it, looks like fun I may be giving it a try :D

Looks like there is also some software called photomatix that does a pretty nice job.

I have been considering getting a macbook pro as well.. to the dark side with me.. ;)

The darkside is a lot more fun.

I mean really its like choosing between "Force Lightning" and "Force Run"

But I digress, before some of our mean-spirited friends decide its in microsoft's best interest to try and "put me in my place"

[Rbstr]

Looks like there is also some software called photomatix that does a pretty nice job.

That's the software used in the examples. You do have to buy it to get the good options though.

[Hamma]

You mean "buy" it? ;)

I just have to pick up a tripod, we have a Nikkon D40x, its frikken awesome.

[Rbstr]

Never mind, I was just looking in the wrong places.

[Rbstr]

So this is my first attempt at messing with HDR shots now that I've "acquired" Photomatrix. Did this right before a rain shower was going to hit this evening. I didn't have a tripod so I used the top of a car.
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/3521/foruploadingtz1.th.jpg (http://img149.imageshack.us/my.php?image=foruploadingtz1.jpg)

It's crappy as all hell, but I learned some stuff.

[Hamma]

PM me information on where you "acquired" the software :p

That pic didn't come out too horrible, I have to figure out how to mess with the shutter speeds and such on the D40x - probably gonna mess with it tomorrow I will post results :brow: