Pages: 1 2 3 [4] 5   Go Down

Author Topic: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...  (Read 10149 times)

jjj

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4728
    • http://www.futtfuttfuttphotography.com
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #60 on: September 18, 2014, 10:55:53 am »

Most attempts to be "creative" in wedding photography are cringeworthy. Most especially odious are the "Dutch angle" shots.
Most attempts at creativity in all types of photography are not very good, so what's your point again?
So where are the amazing photos that you do, that are so much better and more interesting than all the rubbish you are so down on.
Logged
Tradition is the Backbone of the Spinele

stamper

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5882
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #61 on: September 18, 2014, 11:16:00 am »

Except zooming has no bearing on aspect ratio which is what was actually being discussed.
Missed point entirely and managed to get a sly insult in too. I frame with the whole sensor, then if need be I then crop to a different aspect ratio later. Much better than faffing around with it in camera, which is a waste of time and pixels. Nothing to do with focal length or shooting randomly.

Do you even bother to read posts before replying snarkily, as there's no evidence here that you do or in other recent threads?

Cropping loses pixels? :(

melchiorpavone

  • Guest
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #62 on: September 18, 2014, 11:33:46 am »

Most attempts at creativity in all types of photography are not very good, so what's your point again?
So where are the amazing photos that you do, that are so much better and more interesting than all the rubbish you are so down on.


The point is that I don't try to be "creative". If the subject matter is worthy, that's enough.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ornello/
Logged

allegretto

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 660
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #63 on: September 18, 2014, 11:48:28 am »

The point is that I don't try to be "creative". If the subject matter is worthy, that's enough.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ornello/

Good answer...! We share admiration for the same subjects I see.

But I do so like zooms since they will get me "in the ballpark" to begin so that cropping loss is minimal
Logged

allegretto

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 660
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #64 on: September 18, 2014, 11:50:18 am »

As an aside... far too many folks here getting riled up over nothing. There are many different styles and they all work some places but maybe not everywhere

Folks see insults a little too easily as well. Disagreement does not mean insult in m experience.
Logged

melchiorpavone

  • Guest
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #65 on: September 18, 2014, 11:51:02 am »

Good answer...! We share admiration for the same subjects I see.

But I do so like zooms since they will get me "in the ballpark" to begin so that cropping loss is minimal

I like "dairy" shots. That's the kind of nature photography that appeals to me.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ornello/7443478746/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ornello/7443464458/
« Last Edit: September 18, 2014, 11:52:59 am by melchiorpavone »
Logged

dwswager

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1375
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #66 on: September 20, 2014, 01:14:44 pm »


When you found a focal length that matched your way of seeing did you experience a revelation? Obviously, this is about shooting for yourself and not for commercial requirements.

There is no such thing as a magic focal length.  It all depends on perspective and what you are trying to achieve.  You could photograph the same landscape scene all your life and still find new and interesting ways to portray it.  In fact, this is a great exercise to give yourself.  Try to totally exploit a scene.   Try photographing at the same total view a scene with different focal lengths at different camera differences.  Really eye popping.

Now if what you mean is duplicating something else, then yes there are certain perspectives that have been dominant in the arts over the centuries.  When I first started it seemed everyone was going SUPERWIDE happy and oversaturated Fuji Velvia happy.
Logged

jjj

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4728
    • http://www.futtfuttfuttphotography.com
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #67 on: September 20, 2014, 03:19:21 pm »

As an aside... far too many folks here getting riled up over nothing. There are many different styles and they all work some places but maybe not everywhere

Folks see insults a little too easily as well. Disagreement does not mean insult in m experience.
However in context of posts made elsewhere, Stamper now likes to have a sly dig at me. It gets boring, so I call him out on it.
Logged
Tradition is the Backbone of the Spinele

jjj

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4728
    • http://www.futtfuttfuttphotography.com
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #68 on: September 20, 2014, 03:27:39 pm »

Most attempts at creativity in all types of photography are not very good, so what's your point again?
So where are the amazing photos that you do, that are so much better and more interesting than all the rubbish you are so down on.
The point is that I don't try to be "creative". If the subject matter is worthy, that's enough.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ornello/
Actually it isn't, dull photos of something that may well be interesting in itself are still dull.
Those who sneer at creativity or post processing almost invariably do so not for any valid reason, but simply because they have no ability in those areas. So instead they like to put down those who do have some ability or talent.
Not an admirable attitude really.
« Last Edit: September 20, 2014, 03:30:21 pm by jjj »
Logged
Tradition is the Backbone of the Spinele

jjj

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4728
    • http://www.futtfuttfuttphotography.com
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #69 on: September 20, 2014, 03:30:42 pm »

Cropping loses pixels? :(
Is that a serious question?
Logged
Tradition is the Backbone of the Spinele

melchiorpavone

  • Guest
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #70 on: September 20, 2014, 08:03:11 pm »

The point is that I don't try to be "creative". If the subject matter is worthy, that's enough.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ornello/
Actually it isn't, dull photos of something that may well be interesting in itself are still dull.
Those who sneer at creativity or post processing almost invariably do so not for any valid reason, but simply because they have no ability in those areas. So instead they like to put down those who do have some ability or talent.
Not an admirable attitude really.

True enough, but not what I meant. Dutch angle shots are trite and boring. Hold the camera level! Same thing with "shaky camera" in movies and commercials. Idiotic.
« Last Edit: September 20, 2014, 08:19:18 pm by melchiorpavone »
Logged

melchiorpavone

  • Guest
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #71 on: September 20, 2014, 08:06:42 pm »

There is no such thing as a magic focal length.


Yes, there is. Don't contradict me. The area that the eye sees most sharply corresponds roughly to the angle of a 90 mm lens.

Quote
It all depends on perspective and what you are trying to achieve.  You could photograph the same landscape scene all your life and still find new and interesting ways to portray it.  In fact, this is a great exercise to give yourself.  Try to totally exploit a scene.   Try photographing at the same total view a scene with different focal lengths at different camera differences.  Really eye popping.


There is more to photography than landscapes, of course.

Quote

Now if what you mean is duplicating something else, then yes there are certain perspectives that have been dominant in the arts over the centuries.  When I first started it seemed everyone was going SUPERWIDE happy and oversaturated Fuji Velvia happy.


Not me!
« Last Edit: September 20, 2014, 08:18:49 pm by melchiorpavone »
Logged

stamper

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5882
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #72 on: September 21, 2014, 03:38:21 am »

Is that a serious question?

If you carefully re read Reply #61 then you will possibly see a contradiction in your statement but only if you re read it carefully.

Peter McLennan

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4690
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #73 on: September 21, 2014, 09:55:33 am »

True enough, but not what I meant. Dutch angle shots are trite and boring. Hold the camera level! Same thing with "shaky camera" in movies and commercials. Idiotic.

Not true. Dutch angles have their place, as does shakeycam.  I have used both to excellent effect on many a shoot.  There is, however no substitute for good camera operating, whatever the shot.

For an excellent example of creative, effective shakeycam use, watch the NASA camera-free animation of the Mars Science Laboratory re-entry.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t_RRZcVk5Q4

Logged

jjj

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4728
    • http://www.futtfuttfuttphotography.com
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #74 on: September 21, 2014, 11:18:46 am »

If you carefully re read Reply #61 then you will possibly see a contradiction in your statement but only if you re read it carefully.
Looks like you need to spend less time being snarky and antagonistic and be more careful about your reading.
Cropping in post from entire sensor gives the user all the pixels from which to crop, as opposed to having just part of the sensor set to record. Which may not be the appropriate aspect ratio and if you have no time to faff changing aspect, then you've lost potential pixels.

Logged
Tradition is the Backbone of the Spinele

stamper

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5882
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #75 on: September 21, 2014, 01:17:28 pm »

Looks like you need to spend less time being snarky and antagonistic and be more careful about your reading.
Cropping in post from entire sensor gives the user all the pixels from which to crop, as opposed to having just part of the sensor set to record. Which may not be the appropriate aspect ratio and if you have no time to faff changing aspect, then you've lost potential pixels.



But after you have cropped you have less pixels?

jjj

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4728
    • http://www.futtfuttfuttphotography.com
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #76 on: September 21, 2014, 07:23:32 pm »

Don't know if you are completely missing the point or you are just being pointlessly argumentative.
Logged
Tradition is the Backbone of the Spinele

melchiorpavone

  • Guest
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #77 on: September 21, 2014, 08:25:16 pm »

Don't know if you are completely missing the point or you are just being pointlessly argumentative.


To whom is this directed?
Logged

jjj

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4728
    • http://www.futtfuttfuttphotography.com
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #78 on: September 22, 2014, 08:05:01 pm »

The post directly above it. Pretty obvious if you actually read the conversation.

But if one is responding to a post further up you would quote the relevant parts and reply, just like this.

There is no such thing as a magic focal length.  It all depends on perspective and what you are trying to achieve.
Yes, there is. Don't contradict me. The area that the eye sees most sharply corresponds roughly to the angle of a 90 mm lens
The master has spoken. Do not cross him again or he will smite you down like an insignificant nematode.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2014, 08:17:39 pm by jjj »
Logged
Tradition is the Backbone of the Spinele

jjj

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4728
    • http://www.futtfuttfuttphotography.com
Re: Getting the right focal length for the way you see...
« Reply #79 on: September 22, 2014, 08:10:41 pm »

True enough, but not what I meant. Dutch angle shots are trite and boring. Hold the camera level! Same thing with "shaky camera" in movies and commercials. Idiotic.
Yeah being creative and trying different things should be banned.
BTW the things you despise are part of film grammar and are used to convey certain meanings or feeling to a scene.

Not true. Dutch angles have their place, as does shakeycam.  I have used both to excellent effect on many a shoot.  There is, however no substitute for good camera operating, whatever the shot.
Doing shakeycam takes skill and good direction to do well too as does knowing when to use it - just like with any technique.

« Last Edit: September 22, 2014, 08:12:53 pm by jjj »
Logged
Tradition is the Backbone of the Spinele
Pages: 1 2 3 [4] 5   Go Up