Topic: Photography experts needed
Belushi's photo
Sat 05/19/07 01:52 AM
I want! I want! I want! I want! I want! I want! I want! I want! I want!
I want! I want!

ok ... stomping tantrum over with.

I would like some information on taking nature photos.

One of the things on my top 10 things to do is to take some photos of
lightning and the moon.

I have two very flexible SLRs and I need advice on film selection,
aperture settings and general techniques ..

Thanks kids

adj4u's photo
Sat 05/19/07 09:11 AM
digital or 35mm

whispertoascream's photo
Sat 05/19/07 02:12 PM
Adj, I think it is 35mm.

Not sure of the best film to use. I use digital.

no photo
Sat 05/19/07 03:59 PM
I did a search on photographing lightening and here is what I found:
#

Set a camera on a tripod at night, (under a roof)durng a lightning
storm. Set focus to infinity, mode on manual, apature setting is
adjustable, say 5.6 to 11, but the main trick is to set the time on 10
to 20 seconds, and be ready with a lense cap. Lithgning tends to hit the
same area regularly during a storm. Aim and keep clicking. The camera
takes 10 second exposures. If you get a good flash in the frame,
carefully put a lense cap over the lense to prevent any more light from
comming in, otherwise bright cloud flashes can wash out the shot. I get
about 1 shot in ten with a lightning bolt, and of those, 1 in 5 is good.
Hence a digital SLR is a must.

Hope this helps - I'm sure another search would produce more information
if needed.

Abracadabra's photo
Sat 05/19/07 08:10 PM
I used to be into photography big time many years ago. I had my own
darkroom and did a lot of black and white. Developing back & white film
and making prints is really easy. I’d strongly recommend you looking
into setting up a small darkroom if at all possible. You can often find
a used enlarger pretty cheap and that’s really the single most expensive
piece of equipment.

I recommend black & white because it’s cheap and you can gain a whole
lot of experience with it quick. Plus you just can’t beat the thrill of
making your own prints. You can actually move on to doing color too if
you want, but that can get pretty involved. I would just send my color
print film out to have it done. Although I did used to develop my own
color slide film. I used to buy Black & White film in bulk and 'roll my
own' cartriges.

Like I say, the beauty of Black & White is that you can take tons of
shots inexpensively and learn a lot about what it takes for differnet
kinds of shots. Then when you use the more expensive color film you’ll
be more prepared. I might add also that you may well fall in love with
Back & White photography. There something magical about Black & White
prints.

I use all digital cameras now because I’m lazy. (ha ha) I still have my
old SLRs though. They are all old Minolta 35mm with a ton of lens.

Belushi's photo
Sat 05/19/07 11:52 PM
they are both 35mm

both are Nikon F65.

I have three lenses ... nothing super long.

Im considering buying a digital SLR .. as I like Nikon, I was looking at
the D80 ... just the body.

The lenses will work on it.

adj4u's photo
Sun 05/20/07 12:01 AM
d 70 on ebay @475 last i seen it

this afternoon

GaMail50's photo
Sun 05/20/07 02:03 PM
adj it took me a long, long time before I got a decent pic of the
moon......My major mistake was trying to take the moon against a blank
sky. You need a cloud, a tree or something to add a bit of
perspective.........hope that helps you

AutonomousW's photo
Sun 05/20/07 04:56 PM
Go digital, computers can make a 1000$ digi look like a pricless film
shot if not better not to mention over the long run they are cheaper and
cleaner. Digital is the way to go, photoshop will give you any effect on
any photo you could dream of.

GaMail50's photo
Sun 05/20/07 08:24 PM
I still like 35mm Auto......but hey I'm an old guy laugh