A Friendly Greeting

[Graham 0]

Hey FTF Members,

 

First of all, I feel proud, humbled and very happy to be a moderator here, in the Photography Corner of the Fly Tying Forum, for many reasons.

 

For a couple of decades I've enjoyed taking photographs of things that either interest me, or that strike me as beautiful, or just things I want to remember and cherish later, such a family pics. For the past 7 years I've been using a small Sony 3.2 MP digital camera, always set on fully automatic mode. Before that I had a descent SLR camera, an Olympus OM-10, and just when I was beginning to feel comfortable using it, the camera was lost in an airport.

 

Finally, after wanting one for so long, I have a high quality digital SLR camera, a Nikon D200. I've had the camera for a couple of months now, found it completely overwhelming at first, and it's only very recently that I feel relatively comfortable using it. I bought Tom Hogan's 740 page e-book, as well as about a dozen other books, have spent many hundreds of hours studying and absorbing as much as possible about photography. I have been reading daily and practicing with camera in hand almost every day. I'm still learning the basics, but feel that I have learned quite a lot to put into practice and I want to share this new passion I have with others here on the FTF.

 

I say lets all ask lots of questions, none will be considered stupid, and hopefully a number of us can learn and share with each other both technical as well as artistic aspects of photography.

 

I will keep this forum civil, for example, porn spam posted here today was removed. I have read quite a few other photography forums lately and the childish feuding between Canon and Nikon owners has no place here. I have been buying top of the line Nikon gear, am very happy with it, and I'm sure I'd be equally happy with Canon gear. End of subject.

 

My goal is to feel comfortable taking photos with my camera in fully manual mode, 99% of the time. I want to be able to second guess my cameras light meter, understand the qualities of light and how that affects exposure values, as well as to look at a scene and know exactly how much depth of field I want, what should be sharply in focus, or not, resulting in a photo that shows exactly what I wanted to capture, nothing more and nothing less.

 

I'm finding it fun learning from my mistakes. For example, when I was taking dragonfly pics a couple of weeks ago, I had my camera set on automatic, took a couple of shots, and then I realized I wanted to stop down the aperture for greater depth of field, assuming the photos would be better. What a mistake that was. The wind was blowing, and closing the lens for greater depth of field showed the shutter speed too much. The first shots taken at 125th sec @ f/5.6 are sharp and the background nicely out of focus. The photos shot at f/18 resulted in the camera slowing the shutter speed to 1/40th sec, which meant really blurry pics, especially with a hand held 105mm lens, in the wind. One general rule of thumb I'll stick to is not to use a shutter speed slower than the focal length of the lens, such as 1/125 sec with a 105 mm lens.

 

Anyway, sorry for the long message, I'm taking my new passion for photography very seriously. I doubt I'll be tying any flies soon, focusing much more on reading and practicing photography. But I do eventually plan on using much more natural materials in my realistic flies, such as beautiful feathers, because I want to take unique high quality macro fly photos, and no amount of hand coloring synthetics and foam can even come close to the colors and textures I envision in the photos I want to take.

 

Let's all share, learn and get along,

 

Graham

[Guest]

Thanks for offering to moderate this forum Graham, I am sure it will be another great section here on FTF.

 

I come from somewhat of a different background. Over 10 years ago I got into photography and bought a fully manual Minolta X700 SLR. A camera like that forces a person to learn everything about how a camera works and how it captures light. There was no auto mode. Focusing, shutter speeds, aperatures were all manual. Not to mention that there were no reviewing a shot after taking the picture so you had to be very confident that you captured it perfectly. Plus there was the limit of film, you are limited by the amount of film you have and at $10 per roll for professional slide film and $10 for processing; wasting shots was not option.

 

I learned how to work in a dark room and developed my own black and white prints which is one of the coolest things to do in photography. I fear that will one day dark room processing will be a lost art, I hope there will be those out there who carry that torch to future generations. I went from there to work in a photo lab for a year and in between developing I was able to play on all the fancy development and that was my first glimpse and what you can do outside the viewfinder.

 

Because of the big cost of film and developing I sold all of my equipment after I got married. For christmas I got my Nikon SLR and am back in the game.

 

Now my biggest struggle is to take all of my knowledge of using a SLR and trying to translate that into a fancy digital with a million buttons and more menus than I know what to do with. Add photoshop into the equation and each image has an unlimited amount of possibilities that was never possible before.

 

I don't have the free time that I use to, to be able to get out and shoot but I enjoy the time that I do have.

[CapeBSalar 0]

Sounds like another hit forum guys!! Graham's the best guy for the job!

[Graham 0]

Thanks for the support, it really feels good, I'll try my best.

 

Hey Smallie, I wish I had all the knowledge and experience you have, but I really am enjoying learning, it's almost become an obsession, constantly reading. I think once you go digital it’s almost impossible to go back to film. A couple of years ago my wife bought me a Nikon N80 for Christmas, with a couple of lenses. The original roll of film is still in it, seems that I always grabbed my digital when heading out the door. I believe there are advantages to shooting with film, color richness can be higher in some cases than digital, and probably most notable, film photography can be under or over exposed by 2 exposure values, and be corrected in the dark room. Many camera stores have machines that do this automatically, tweeking contrast, color, highlights and shadows for good results, and the best results coming from the skilled work of experienced dark room techs. These adjustments are often done as post processing with digital, but over exposures usually cannot be fixed, especially blown out highlights. I think getting the camera settings right with digital is more critical than with film. That said, I’m always eager to listen to differing opinions.

 

Orvis has a good book with specific info of interest to fly fishers, The Orvis Guide to Outdoor Photography. Another excellent book is Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. My book collection has been growing quickly lately, but it really takes time using the camera to begin comprehending and understanding what I’ve been reading. I took several hundred shots on my recent NY vacation, and now I’m halfway through reading the D200 book by Tom Hogan, for the second time. I’m finally realizing how the seemingly countless menu and camera controls affect my photography.

 

Some say a shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second is best for freezing a fly line in mid air, a cool looking shot, but other people say 1/250th is better, makes the fly line look fatter and more realistic than faster exposures. This is one example of a technique I want to figure out, guess I need to hit a trout stream real soon.

 

Cheers,

Graham

 

[madkasel 0]

This is definitely cool news.

 

I have a point and click Sony Cybershot with, I think, just a 3X zoom. It's very nice for what it is, but it seems that there isn't too much to be done with it apart from pointing, zooming, and clicking. It does have 10 or so different modes I can dial to, and I've been goofing with those a bit to some (but not much) effect.

 

Hope to someday post here seeking advice on the high end digital SLR I'm wanting!!!

 

Until then, I'll just stop by, absorb information and praise the nice pictures you all take.

[Graham 0]

Hi madkasel,

 

Even though I'm really into learning about using an SLR, I think there is much that can be shared here about using point and shoot cameras. I belive many times photos taken with point and shoot cameras turn out nicer than those taken with an SLR. I still find it much quicker and easier to take fly pics with my old Sony, because the macro function works so well. I keep my old Sony in my vehicle now, just in case something unexpected is seen.

 

I'm going to try and take a morning off work later this week and go to my local zoo, to practice taking animal pics. I figured I'd take both cameras.

[Al Beatty 0]

Hi Graham,

 

Glad to see you moderating this board. Will, you definitely gave it to right person. Take care & ...

 

Tight Lines - Al Beatty

[Graham 0]

Hi Al, thank you very much!

 

While on the subject of point and shoot vs SLR, below I'll place two photo's, one is the first photo I made of a fly using my Nikon, the other, which is one of my favorites, was taken the next day using the old 3mp Sony.

 

Here's the SLR shot

 

 

The day after I took the pic above a package arrived in the mail, with a dead salmonfly sent from a friend. I put the insect in the scorpions claws, set up my SLR on a tripod ouside, and was unable to take a pic, and an error message was displayed on the camera. I tied adjusting numerous settings, and still had the error message and the camera would not shoot. So, I grabbed my Sony, didn't even mount it on the tripod, just took a couple of quick snap shots, the one below I like a lot.

 

 

Later that evening I figured out what the error message was all about, I needed to set the dial on my macro lens to a fully opened position, so the camera could take control of it. At least next time I'll know how to fix this real quick.

 

My Sony has been very good to me and I never changed any settings, almost always left on full auto, except for changing one setting to macro function. I have always liked the saturated colors the Sony produces, often richer than reality, but this is something that I liked.

 

I'm finding the best way to learn to use my SLR is to make mistakes and figure out what went wrong. for me its easier to remember from my mistakes than to recall sugestions from a book.

 

 

[Isonychia 0]

Welcome, Graham!

 

As a newspaper outdoors writer, I've shot photos for publication for more than 20 years. I'm still learning, however, and was tickled to death to see you get the moderator's post for this forum. I've seen your photos, and you have a terrific eye. Trust me, the technical expertise will come with time and experience. A good eye is something you either have or don't have.

 

I'm very much looking forward to learning the nuances of fishing and fly photography with everyone on this forum. All hail to Graham, fearless leader!

 

John

[Graham 0]

Hi Isonychia,

 

You really know how to make a person feel good, thank you for your generously warm remarks.

 

I think the title "fearless leader" needs to remain Smalliehunters, but I will try my best to stimulate the photography corner forum, hopefully giving as much as I receive.

 

I noticed there isn't much traffic here yet so I'll post a link to my son's website, where we started uploading photos of our recent NY trip. I value my privacy and anonymity on the internet and rarely share my sons web link, but I’m pretty happy with some of the pics from my first outing with a new camera. Most of the pics are tourist type snap shots taken from either a moving tour bus or boat, which means there’s only one shot at getting an exposure. grahamowen.com NY Pics

 

I’m really looking forward to having time to experiment with different camera settings, without being rushed.

 

Cheers,

 

Graham

 

[SullyTM 0]

Graham...Well, I guess when I get a "good" digital you'll be my "go to guy" This will be a very interesting section. Hopefully, one with many questions and photos. Do you still remember your black & white 35mm days? I do! Photogrphy has come a long ways, but you still need a good eye for composition to make any camera sing IMO! Take care. Thom

[Sturgeon_Catcher 0]

Hey guys...

Anxious to get home so I can share a little knowledge from some of my reference books.

 

I too did some black and white developing at Special Services while stationed in Thailand 1968

 

Began taking serious pictures while working as a gardener some 20 years ago. I shoot 35mm with an Exacta Varex IIB. Camera was built in 1958. First SLR camera to have the ability to see through the lense. Cost at that time was 1k. Not many people owned these cameras. As this camera is able to accept interchangeable lenses..owners had kits not just the bodies. Purchased several of these kits over the years.

 

I recently had 2 of my camera bodies restored. I found the restorer in my home town. Cost of restoration $800 a piece. When I brought my cameras to this man he looked at all five and exclaimed D... at each one. I asked why the exclamation? He said all of my camera bodies had been opened and he would have to begin by restoring my screws. They had been twisted with an improper screwdriver.

 

These cameras that I own have no metering and began photography education by trial and error. My focus was entirely on flowers. Individual flowers and some plants. Did not venture into plants for almost 5 years. Did not take a photo of my son until he was six. Still do not take photos of people.

 

I have in my library very detailed historical reference books on Photomacrography and Photomicrography. Very involved but also very well documented facet of photography. The commercial applications of this camera were the focus of doctors. Eyes, mouths, and internal body parts were its primary usage.

 

I have experimented extensively with these cameras. By the way, this camera has the ability to shoot at 28 different manual speed settings. Though I did not take many pics on my trip, I did bring them out once. When I set up to take pics, I normally employ a technique called bracketing. The studio meter that I employ can read ambient (falling light or light that is present on the surface of the object), reflected light (light bouncing off the object) as well it can evaluate light presented by flash or flashes at time of shutter release. If the average of ambient and reflected light is 5.6 @ 60, I will shoot one f stop above and one below. Then shift to speed. one speed above and one speed below. Next, shift f stop down one stop and speed up one. etc. till eventually I have shot at smallest aperture opening.

 

Example: 4 @ 125

5.6 @ 60 ("sunny 16 rule")

f 8 @ 1/30 second

11 @ 1/8

16 @ 1//4

22 @ 1/2

32 @ 1

I brought a few lenses with me and left the remainder of my set at home. Weight factors prohibited me bringing all of them and truly hoped that I didn't need them for my shots while traveling.

 

I brought the camera out for a shoot on the Housatonic in Ct. Did the shoot to elucidate on a few misnomers I have been observing in some of the photo postings since joining the sight and also to illustrate methods of composition.

 

Now comes the problem. Through the years I have been made aware that sometimes when I attempt to convey knowledge the reaction is that I am somewhat of a smarty pants. My only purpose ever is to share.

Second problem is that my photo knowledge has escalated to the point where sharing my knowledge is beyond the average laymans level of interest. Thus, I have no one to share with.

 

If desired I would resize the shots of the Housi and explain my purposes and observations of this shoot. Have been reading this facet of the forum since its inception and fully agree. Graham as moderator is perfect. A good moderator for this cite should be an avid shooter (Graham), a person who explores referenced data (Graham), a person who is open to varied abilities (Graham) and also a take charge kind of person again Graham.

 

The lenses that I currently have are 18mm, 28mm, 35 mm, 45 mm, 50mm, 55mm, 58mm, 85mm, 100mm, 125mm, 135mm, 200mm and 400mm. I do have a 1000mm but the fstop is so large that I really don't like the graininess of this lense and don't think is of good quality. As you can well imagine the other accoutrements could not be carried by one individual without the aid of a hand truck.

 

My movement into digital is with a Sony SD20 @ 5.0 megapixel.

 

These shots were with the Exacta. f32 4 seconds with 4" of extension.

85mm lense with bellows. 3 lights and a light value from my meter of almost 18.6

The image size on the negative is 1.2 times actual size. A very difficult accomplishment in 35mm format.

 

these photos are of one of my favorite flies to throw and tie. Size 16

The shots were taken on a base of felt. You are seeing the texture of the felt at the base of the fly.

 

Would be happy to share if anyone felt what I have to offer would be of interest to members.

I could have readily taken a shot of the eye of the hook and gotten the same detail and magnitude.

 

later

Fred

This is a cropping of the head of a size 16 parachute prior to resizing for posting.

When dealing with this much magnification - it is virtually impossible to achieve total focus on the entire length of a strand of a feather let alone the entire fly. This setup took almost 10 minutes in just the focusing element.

[madkasel 0]

sturgeon_catcher visited me this past weekend and showed me his cameras... amazing, amazing devices. Works of art, in and of themselves.

 

He was kind enough to give me the large poster of the fly pictured above... a fly I bought off of him on e-bay that set our friendship going... and it's just too cool. Amazing detail from front to back, top to bottom. You can bet that I'm going to find a spot to hang it near my bench. Will eventually be making a frame that will display the picture and shadowbox the actual fly itself.

 

[KVRNut 0]

The way that this forum is shaping up with all the contributors and their knowledge, I'm going to positively love this site!

[Graham 0]

Hi sturgeon_catcher,

 

I’m finding it hard to put into words how happy I am to read your post this morning. On so many levels I’m thrilled to have you here on the FTF offering to share your experience and technical knowledge of not only photographic techniques, but also your understanding of camera’s, lenses, how they work and interact together, exposure values, focusing techniques as well as the history of the little sealed light capturing boxes we call cameras. I’d be embarrassed to say how many hours a week I’ve been spending reading about photography, seems like I just can’t get my fill. Honestly, it feels great having a new passion, and my appetite for digesting as much as possible is now injected with further enthusiasm knowing there are others out there, such as you, in which I can learn and share my desires and goals with. Just like fly tying, I’m not motivated by money or competitive juices; instead it’s something visceral that needs fulfilling and brings great self satisfaction. Between work doing well and my new photography hobby I truly feel the happiest I have in years. Luckily the work doing well part is making it easier to collect quality lenses.

 

One strange thing I find surprising is that I very much look forward to spending time on a trout stream with buddies, but not doing much fishing, instead practicing photographic techniques in an attempt to capture the essence and passion fly fishing provides, and to share this with others. I see beauty in things I believe are often missed by others and photos are one way to capture, highlight and share my perspective. You mentioned a fondness of taking photos of flowers, something I also enjoy. One tip I picked up in the past couple of days is to visit a green house or arboretum where photos can be taken with diffused light daylight, without concern for wind related issues, allowing for slower shutter speeds and greater depth of field, hopefully resulting in capturing the best images possible.

 

I hope I didn’t spew too much of my excitement here…lol… I guess it boils down to how rapidly this forum is bringing together a well rounded group of people who share so much in common, fly tying, fishing and photography. From point and shoot, to mastering manual exposures, this is the place to share the passions we have in common, and it’s only going to get better.

 

Cheers,

 

Graham