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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Canvas Backdrops On the Cheap





Whether you're doing portrait photography, small product photography, or maybe just experimenting with your lighting or close up techniques, a valuable accessory is a canvas backdrop. 

Place it behind your portrait subject or your close up object to eliminate any background distractions. You can use selective focus to blur it out or keep it somewhat in focus. Use it as the cover for the table in your table top photography.

Trouble is, buying several can start to add up in cost. I've seen 6x9' canvases for about $60 and a large 12x12' canvas can set you back as much as $200 to well over the $400 mark.

Now, if you want a painted mural or specialty design backdrop, you will just have to buy one. Or buy a CD with several included as a digital background and learn your image manipulation program (ACDSee, Photoshop, etc...) to create a virtual background.

Or, find a creative, crafty, inexpensive solution for a basic backdrop.


I went to a paint/hardware/builder's store and purchased two twin packs of 6x9' canvas paint drop cloths. I'm going to keep one in the natural color (tan) and will dye the other 3 with a fabric dye, like RIT, to black, med brown, and maybe either green or red. Paint drops are available up to 12x12' and even 15x15' depending on where you shop. Make sure you get the basic kind. Don't get any made of artificial fibers or with a plastic leak proof underneath layer.

The dye will not take evenly across the entire canvas, but that's a little bit like how many of those very pricy muslin backgrounds are designed. You can either downplay the uneven look or enhance with lighting and focus techniques.

I'm starting with some 6x9s myself. Incredibly cheap ($18.90 total at Home Depot during their Memorial Day sale), and a good size for either table top and small product work or behind a head & shoulders portrait.

I'll show you after I'm done dyeing how they look and how they work in use.

There are other lower cost solutions to many photography needs. I'll be visiting some other ideas in future posts.


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Scanning...





 Still scanning ...


You may recall I posted about Scan Cafe earlier. I haven't forgotten, just still waiting on the results. I told you it might take a while! 

By June 1st, I should be able to see the results through their online preview service. I'll let you know how that goes. Then, I'll get a DVD of the files. 

We're all learning together with this pro level scanning adventure.


Monday, May 28, 2012

Memory ... All alone in my camera ...



Okay, I'll stop singing.


Staples has some camera memory on sale.


Example:

Kingston 8GB SD (SDHC) Card Class 4 Flash Memory Card Regularly $29.99 now $5.99!

 

Sale ends June 2nd, 2012.



Monday, May 21, 2012

Venus Solar transit, June 5th

For viewers in North America, a little before sunset on June 5th, 2012, Venus will transit the Sun. This is the last such occurrence this century. 

Information Guide (click here)

Is this an astrophotography project? It can be. Safety issues are paramount in any Solar viewing. NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN. ESPECIALLY NOT THROUGH OPTICS. If one is using a telescope, eyepiece filters are not good enough, regardless of what any manufacturer may say. It's a question of heat build up. The solar filter needs to be on the entrance optics. This includes any finder scope or camera lens, too. So, focused sunlight itself is dangerous, as is the heat it causes. Remember, your digital sensor can be ruined by the same things that are a danger to your eye.

With that warning out of the way, let's look at some options.

 
image from www.astrosurf.com


Both homemade and commercial filters can be as simple as mylar solar film stretched over cardboard to as complex as wavelength specific optical glass. If you buy a ready made filter, expect to pay from $75 to well over $200.

Solar projection (click here) is a great viewing and photographic method. For photography, set up the optics you're using and a white piece of poster board on a couple of tripods or even use a chair for the poster board. Then use your close up photography skills to capture the image as projected. It can be done!

Hope you have loads of fun with this transit, whether you decide to photograph it or not.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

KODAK GALLERY CLOSING


The online Kodak Gallery will be moving to Shutterfly. This is for USA and Canada users, Europe is not affected.

If you have images on Kodak Gallery, they will be moved to Shutterfly automatically between May 28th and July 2nd, 2012.  Only the images will be moved. Any projects or Kodak Gallery specific usage will not transfer. You will not need to do anything, it will happen automatically. If you wish to opt out, Kodak has a link for that in the web page linked to above.

While Shutterfly is a good site, there are other photo hosting sites. I like SmugMug. Check out my SmugMug gallery. (click here) If you want your own basic SmugMug gallery, CLICK HERE. That personalized coupon will get you $5.00 off your basic account. Basic plan pricing works out to $0.16 a day ($40.00 per year, $35.00 for first year after using my coupon).

There are other photo hosting sites, a web search will find them for you. Most have some charge for the better features.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

OUCH!

Doctor Mooshie in the house!
 
Here is what I'm wearing for the next 4 months. I have a torn achilles tendon. I go in for 3 procedures to fix it after the convention and assembly. The main thing The Doctor* is stressing is to keep it immobilized and not put pressure on it.

It was really fun to give a public talk on healing of the nations while everyone is wondering what the boot is for!

* number 4 or 10, take your pick

High End Camera Shootout


I wish I could afford the gear to have a test like this! 

Interesting... All things considered, a larger negative, chrome, or digital sensor should be better, right? 

Just like in film photography, the image size has its own advantages or disadvantages. But a quality 35mm outfit, used right and with superb lenses, could sometimes beat the larger negative size of an average 2 1/4" set up, though it may be close. Sharpness and resolution is one thing, tonal range and (for digital) s/n ratio come into play, too.

I look forward to some controlled tests from the magazines and websites.

Thanks to the SLR Lounge website for an awesome test!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Annular Solar Eclipse in USA

Click here for article and maps.


WARNING! DO NOT LOOK AT SUN! ESPECIALLY NOT WITH A CAMERA LENS!


An annular eclipse is not the same as a total eclipse. With a total eclipse, the Moon's disc completely covers the Sun, making it possible to see the solar corona. In an annular eclipse, the Moon will NOT completely cover the Sun, leaving a ring of FULL STRENGTH SUNLIGHT around the Moon. Treat this as you would any other PARTIAL eclipse.

  Diagram Not To Scale






Tuesday, May 8, 2012

ANOTHER DIGITAL CAMERA SALE





This deal comes directly from Kodak. (click here)

The KODAK EASYSHARE MAX camera is $100 off regular price at $199.95

It's got 12MP, a 30X Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon zoom lens, image stabilization, and a reduced (over most P&Ss) shutter lag making it great for action or on the go pics.

There is also a neat little video camera on that promotion page.

Here's one of my old Kodaks!