Official DTF Photography Thread

[Azyiu]

Smeell toilet papers… when the smell is so unbearable, you needed an extra "e" for it!! 

[Zydar]

[King Postwhore]

What Robert Schimmel used to say, "Why have scented toilet paper?  Honey, come smell my lemony fresh ass!"

[rumborak]

[King Postwhore]

Rumbo, is that Cleanpoo mini a pic from your travels?!

I hope they have a maxi!

[rumborak]

Yeah, both are from my stay in Japan

[King Postwhore]

Those Japanese people sure do have a great sense of humor.

[Azyiu]

Haven't been shooting anything lately until today...

[Progmetty]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a good quality camera for years and just last week I've been presented a chance from work to get one as a reward, problem is there's a few other choices in the electronics department such as PS4's, home theater units and iPods so it's making the choice a little harder.
The camera they're offering is a Nikon D3200 Digital SLR, I've researched it a bit and it seems to be getting a lot of praise, I'm just worried about the amount of learning I'd have to do to understand how an near-pro camera works and how to get the best out of it, I mean I still don't fully understand what "shutter speed" means heh, any advice?

[Azyiu]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a good quality camera for years and just last week I've been presented a chance from work to get one as a reward, problem is there's a few other choices in the electronics department such as PS4's, home theater units and iPods so it's making the choice a little harder.
The camera they're offering is a Nikon D3200 Digital SLR, I've researched it a bit and it seems to be getting a lot of praise, I'm just worried about the amount of learning I'd have to do to understand how an near-pro camera works and how to get the best out of it, I mean I still don't fully understand what "shutter speed" means heh, any advice?

Dude, you can always start with full or semi-auto, and go from there as you learn. By the way, I urge you to start with something basic and simple here first, good luck and have fun:  https://www.digitalslrphoto.com/dslrbasics/startersguides/16889/dslr_starters_guides_shutter_speed.html

[rumborak]

Having several friends who own SLRs, I actually have to say having seen them use theirs steered me away from buying one, and instead I went for a high-end compact one. Problem with SLRs is that they are so damn clunky, and if you want to use their range, you find yourself lugging around several lenses.
Compacts are more versatile, and in fact one of those friends bought one not too long ago, and has been using it exclusively now.

[Azyiu]

Having several friends who own SLRs, I actually have to say having seen them use theirs steered me away from buying one, and instead I went for a high-end compact one. Problem with SLRs is that they are so damn clunky, and if you want to use their range, you find yourself lugging around several lenses.
Compacts are more versatile, and in fact one of those friends bought one not too long ago, and has been using it exclusively now.

Sounds like your friends ain't pro, and don't know how to use them properly    Just kidding. Depends on what you are aiming for, while some compacts are GREAT like the Sony RX100II or the new Ricoh GR. That being said, you definitely need a SLR (given you know how to use it properly) for certain type of shots, or in certain extreme environment (low light, or high speed sporting event etc). 

[rumborak]

Absolutely, and for professional stuff you need those cameras. I think the problem I have with SLRs is that they require upfront knowledge of what you are going to shoot. If you're a professional sports or wedding photographer, you know that. As an individual who takes cameras mostly on trips to unknown places, I find that compacts serve me much better. I don't want to have to put on a tele lens because I spotted a small animal in that glacier I'm taking a photo of.

[Azyiu]

^ there is nothing wrong with your approach. In fact, I even told some of my friends just go with a top tier compact, and they will be set. IMO, the learning curve for using SLRs ain't that steep, but it is STILL overwhelming to those who have zero photography experience of any kind. I believe if you have the eyes and a creative mind, your gear sometimes don't matter. 

[rumborak]

Definitely. As long as you don't have a pooper in your hands, it's mostly about seeing the shot and composing it right.

[rumborak]

You know, photography related: For the life of me I can't think of the name of that stupid photography app that everyfuckingbody used a while ago, where every picture was like sepia-vintage and whatnot. That thing totally died, didn't it?

[Azyiu]

You know, photography related: For the life of me I can't think of the name of that stupid photography app that everyfuckingbody used a while ago, where every picture was like sepia-vintage and whatnot. That thing totally died, didn't it?

I think you are talking about that Polaroid app?

[lordxizor]

Instagram? People still use it, but not as much as they used to.

[Progmetty]

Azyiu thanks for the link, that was useful. I kinda got from your discussion with rumborak that I would probably be better off getting a compact since I do not intend to go pro, I just really enjoy photography and want to see better quality. But then I checked the two compact you referred to and they're even more expensive than the DSLR one. What I do like about them is the simplicity of use, they're basically just like the crappy ass 100$-150$ digital cameras I used to buy before in terms of ease of use. What I also like about them is that they look easy to protect unlike the Nikon D3200 Digital SLR which looks incredibly fragile, just as most professional cameras I've ever seen and always thought they looked like a burden to always be on alert so they wouldn't bump into anything.
These are my options by the way:



So I'm a bit on the fence.

[rumborak]

Instagram? People still use it, but not as much as they used to.

That's the one. i don't know how many people use it still, but seemed like yet another sketchy purchase by Facebool.

[Azyiu]

@ Progmetty, so some of your options are video cameras, like those GoPros. Well, my question for you is, while it is nice to do both; do you plan on shooting more photos or videos? Those GoPros are nice, but if you are looking for a prime camera; I'd probably look else where. Personally I would consider that Canon Power Shot you mentioned there.

[Progmetty]

Azyiu Which video cameras do you mean? The one that says Sony HD or the Hero3 ones? Cause I dunno what GoPros are :/
I plan on shooting more photos than videos, I researched the Canon powershot and the amazon reviews for it turned me off cause it indicates the same problems I have with my current Sony Carl Zeiss CyberShot digital camera; awful pictures at night and consistently bad results when shooting moving objects and I mean the slighest movement.

[Azyiu]

Azyiu Which video cameras do you mean? The one that says Sony HD or the Hero3 ones? Cause I dunno what GoPros are :/
I plan on shooting more photos than videos, I researched the Canon powershot and the amazon reviews for it turned me off cause it indicates the same problems I have with my current Sony Carl Zeiss CyberShot digital camera; awful pictures at night and consistently bad results when shooting moving objects and I mean the slighest movement.

Those Hero3s you mentioned are made by this company called GoPro. Those are video cameras, although some models support 4K video quality; but I don't think they are what you are aiming for. As for poor quality when shooting at night / low light environment; as well as poor at shooting fast moving objects... well, sadly in a way you get what you pay for. Unfortunately I recall you said the Sony RX100II and the Ricoh GR are a bit over of your range, or else you will be pleased with any of those two.

[Progmetty]

I see, well thanks for the advice man, I'll let you know which way I go

[Progmetty]

Check this out Azyiu, I was looking up pictures taken by the Sony RX100II
Images like these for example 1, 2. Which even though they look great; I still feel like I can accomplish very near quality with my Sony Carl Zeiss, they still feel like "normal" digital camera pictures, for lack of a better term in my limited knowledge of the field.
So when I compare them to pictures like these of the D3200 I wouldn't think compacts are an alternative with little compromise, it's a significant compromise IMO and you can correct me on that since I'm a n00b 

[El Barto]

Having several friends who own SLRs, I actually have to say having seen them use theirs steered me away from buying one, and instead I went for a high-end compact one. Problem with SLRs is that they are so damn clunky, and if you want to use their range, you find yourself lugging around several lenses.
Compacts are more versatile, and in fact one of those friends bought one not too long ago, and has been using it exclusively now.

There's definitely something to be said for this, and as good as compacts have gotten it's a damn fine approach. Myself, I actually enjoy the tinkering aspect a great deal (despite being not very good at it). To me it's more of an interesting hobby than a means of capturing experiences. A modern DSL can give you as little or as much control as you want over what you're doing. That's why I went the DSLR route when planning my trip to Europe. I usually take a compromise approach myself, where I'll shoot in shutter or aperture priority mode, depending on what I'm looking for, and let it handle the math. At the same time I can switch to manual mode and be left completely on my own, or auto mode and treat it as a good quality point and click. Best of all worlds, honestly.

While it does mean toting a bag around for a short and long lens, I've gotten pretty good at it over the years, and it offers up some advantages anyway. With just a compact you're not carrying around anything but the camera. It's nice to have the manual with you. I've also got some cleaning gear, extra battery and ziplock bags which have come in very useful when I get caught in rain. Stuff that would be at home in a drawer if you didn't have the bag.

Metty, if you decide to go the DSLR route, consider Olympus. Things might have changed, but traditionally they're a great compromise option. You're not going to get Nikon optics, they are the gold standard after all, but they'll be very good anyway and you'll get more features for the price.

[Podaar]

I've found this sling bag to be a wonderful solution to making toting a DSLR around much easier.


Case Logic SLRC-205 SLR Camera Sling

I'm sure there are other sling type bags and mounts that can assist as well.

[Aythesryche]

Been doing a ton of traveling this year and took quite a few photos. Some of them came out pretty decent!

A friend and I were driving around, looking for interesting things to photograph and I took notice of my brake lights illuminating the trees behind me. So, I set up and took a few:


Had an idea on an empty road. Set my camera up, held the shutter down and took off driving and out this one came:


Took a trip to the Great Falls of the Potomac and saw this Great Blue Heron perched with his eye fixed on some fish. He was incredibly still! This is a ten second exposure. Yep, you read that right. 10 seconds and he's tack sharp.


I'll post more if people are interested.

[Azyiu]

^ awesome shots!!! 

Took this one earlier tonight.

[Zydar]

Wow! Great shots, Aythesryche and Azyiu!

[Azyiu]

Check this out Azyiu, I was looking up pictures taken by the Sony RX100II
Images like these for example 1, 2. Which even though they look great; I still feel like I can accomplish very near quality with my Sony Carl Zeiss, they still feel like "normal" digital camera pictures, for lack of a better term in my limited knowledge of the field.
So when I compare them to pictures like these of the D3200 I wouldn't think compacts are an alternative with little compromise, it's a significant compromise IMO and you can correct me on that since I'm a n00b 

Sorry for my late reply. Actually under the optimal lighting condition, images taken by the RX100II don't appear too special at first; yet try to do some shooting in low light conditions, and I am sure you will be impressed by it. Like I've mentioned earlier above, I carry my RX100II to work every single day; and it has been pretty damn reliable and products some pretty damn decent images.

[CrimsonSunrise]

A few shots from a recent trip to Yosemite/King's Canyon/Sequoia national parks.

[Tick]

From my vacation in Martha's Vineyard this week.

[Kotowboy]

See any sharks ?











A Picture of my local Rail Station I took on my iPhone 5S


I like how the lamp post intersects the words READING & STATION and the person is equidistant between the cars.

Totally unplanned.

[Kotowboy]

A friend and I were driving around, looking for interesting things to photograph and I took notice of my brake lights illuminating the trees behind me. So, I set up and took a few:

wow nice !