Photography Question.... Again

[Davetrials]

To be say a respected(is that the right word to use), photographer would u have to own some kind of quaification, or would the your standard of photos be enough to convince people, you are very good, u dont need quailifcations.

Im not trying to pass as a professional or anything, im just interested.

[CBProductions]

I can't comment on the photography side of things but I know in video it's your work and not your qualification that seems to get you the clients. Also the same with sound e.t.c but it is a reputation based industry. If you are seen to be pulling the bunny out of the hats then people will want you, if not then people will not want you regardless of qualifications or not.

Edited May 11, 2006 by CBProductions

[Dai the Socket]

A decent portfolio of work you've done for clients or just 'cos, is worth way more than any qualification. Qualifications look good on CV's. If you send a CV with your portfolio which has decent stuff in.

They'll know where it's at.

That's what I'm hoping anyway. However I am doing Photography next year as an AS.

[Mark W]

I'd better not be spending £9K on fees and then being given an £18K loan over 3 years for nothing

[Howard Hughes]

I'd say its all about having a strong portfolio/client list etc...

Although I have found being on a two year (full time) photography course has helped me gain a lot of knowledge about the subject, which subsequently has helped me in the above areas... (or more so than if I hadn't done the course).

I don't think it matters that much though, at the end of the day - if your works good then its good.

[Dai the Socket]

I'd say its all about having a strong portfolio/client list etc...

Although I have found being on a two year (full time) photography course has helped me gain a lot of knowledge about the subject, which subsequently has helped me in the above areas... (or more so than if I hadn't done the course).

I don't think it matters that much though, at the end of the day - if your works good then its good.

Indeed. Kinda agrees with my point, however I still might go to Uni and do Photography. You can take better photos but if you don't know why, or how to replicate them (the theory about photography) then it's pretty shit, and you'll end up disappointing clients.

Nah. Mark I reckon you've made a good choice. You'll learn loads and qualifications never so amiss. University Degree Graduates earn like 27% more than the average wage so it must be something good.

Don't end up working in Jessops like the dickhead in Bradford does though

Think I'm gonna do Business though. At Leeds I hope.

[Haz]

Nick, I think probably know more of the technical side than you'll be taught in As Photography, balancing film speed, aperture and shutter, etc. Unless you really want to take it. The art side is the smae as any other art subject, to the T, except instead of drawings, you take photos.

I'm quitting photography, because instead of learning new stuff at A2, you do more of the same, I'd be better off with an As in Art Graphics or something, so I'm doing that instead.

[Lawnmowerman]

What the hell kinda setting do you use to get light trails? everytime i try i just get a white screen like its over exposed

[Tomm]

Use a smaller aperture (high f number) then, or a lower ISO.

Anything over 4 seconds is enough to get decent trails usually, but the ones you sometimes see of motorways are usually much longer to get lots of trails.

[Davetrials]

i dont get that, whats over 4 seconds?

slow shutter speed?

[Dai the Socket]

What the hell kinda setting do you use to get light trails? everytime i try i just get a white screen like its over exposed

Wack it on something like F16 or 22 depending on how long your shutter is, as Tomm said, you want about 4 seconds for normal roads, and up to 10 on other roads. Try use a remote so you don't get ANY camera shake and get a sharp photo

High ISO's f**king suck. Mine's usually always on 200 or something. I hate Noise / Grain whatever it is. Can't remember which 'cos I always get mixed up.

Yeah. Shutter speed for 4 seconds.

Here's some I tried in bradford for the first time. Came out OK I guess.

[Lawnmowerman]

Best i can get on my camera is f8 fuji s5500 by the way

[Tomm]

Try use a remote so you don't get ANY camera shake and get a sharp photo

Or a self-timer

Although in fact if you have a shutter time of more than a couple of seconds it doesn't really matter because the wobble stops after the first 1/10th of a second or something (Assuming you're using a tripod/hard surface).

Best i can get on my camera is f8 fuji s5500 by the way

Use that then, and the lowest ISO. And then use the shutter speed to control the exposure, that's about all you can do.

[Rob_P]

Best i can get on my camera is f8 fuji s5500 by the way

Not a problamo!

I have that camera and it was much better for light trails that my D70s really, not sure why.

I found on the S5500 that the difference between each aperture is really differnt, on DSLRs theres such a greater range (F3.5-F29) so each one makes less difference? Not really correct but I know what I mean

Heres some I took on the S5500 down the linkroad....

[attachmentid=4519]

Then once you've got the settings down you can start thinking more about how you want the light trails, rather than just straight lines....

[attachmentid=4520]

I also found that the linkroad is sooo much better than light trails in town, when your sat by the linkroad in the pitch black and a car goes past, it's lights are so bright that it looks great on camera, in town theres too much light pollution really.

Edited May 11, 2006 by Rob_P

[Lawnmowerman]

Right i'm gonna go out tomorrow night and give it a go at the roundabout. I'll post some pics if im successful

How do you get the wavy ones rob?

[David]

Those photos are sweet! Wish there was a busy road to try it on now. How did you get the light trails to bend, move the camera?

[Rob_P]

This guys got it ^^

haha yeh, on the tripod undo the screw that lets you pann the camera right to left, how and where you move the camera has a massive effect on the photo, obviously but you need to be smooth and slow, like a virgin.

[Lawnmowerman]

Haha. I'll go get a tripod soon then. Need something to do of te night other than watching telly and coming on here. Cheers for the info

[David]

Anyone got any little tips/cool things I can try with my camera, got nothing to do!

[Dan Campbell]

Anyone got any little tips/cool things I can try with my camera, got nothing to do!

Light writing, you need a small led or something that emits a precise light (torches flood the picture). Long shutter speed (as long as you need really) and a dark ish room.

Dan

[Rob_P]

Try the 'drop' shot!!

I was bored one night so gave it a try

Result: CLICK

Set up camera on tripod, then I used a blue bin from the bathroom, fill the bugger with water, then use your flash, I also used a few bits of paper as reflectors and a table lamp.

Then I used a DMR syringe in one hand for the dropper and the other hand on the shutter.

Not to bad once you get going

I'll stop posting pics now

[David]

Sweet, ive got some Leds somewhere Guessing you just hold the led and move it quickly

[Dan Campbell]

Sweet, ive got some Leds somewhere Guessing you just hold the led and move it quickly

Exactly

Rob that droplet shot is great, I have tried with dripping taps but they never look clean enough for my liking. Sounds like you put a lot of thought into the set-up!

Dan

[Rob_P]

Yeah, it was about midnight as well haha, the hardest part is carrying the full bucket of water back to the bathroom in the dark

It's not perfect, I later realised that I didn't clean the bin, there's loads of dust at the back which is pretty obvious. I'll redo it one day..

O and Dave, there is a photography sticky?

[Tomm]

Sweet, ive got some Leds somewhere Guessing you just hold the led and move it quickly

I never thought of using LEDs actually. I've seen some cool effects using a laser-pointer to draw round stuff, though. I've always wanted to try it, but I don't have a laser pen thing.