New Ytest
Sign out
Bimmerpost
Login
BMW E39 5-Series Forum | 5Post.com
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read  
Go Back   BMW E39 5-Series Forum | 5Post.com > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > Off-Topic Discussions Board > Photography/Videography

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-25-2008, 01:55 AM   #1
TWiTCHY
Colonel
TWiTCHY's Avatar
No_Country
374
Rep
2,526
Posts

 
Drives: '13 AW E92 M3
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: WA

iTrader: (6)

Journalism Photography

I will be joining my school's JSA club as a journalist/photographer for publications and advertisements. But before I do, I feel like I need the right equipment to display my potential as a photographer.

For those who don't know, JSA is basically a way for kids to become involved in current issues and debate them amongst other schools and even states. I'm not interested in that at all. I'm just interested in taking pictures that will help this club out and free them from the horrible pictures in their magazine

So imagine a photographer crawling around at the bottom of the stage taking pictures of speakers. What kind of equipment would I need? I've looked at recent photos of Barack Obama and John McCain at campaigns and it seems like every photo is just them in the center of the picture, making gestures in thin air with their mouth wide open. The background is blurry, fuzzy, whatever you want to call it. I can't seem to replicate this effect when I take pictures.

This is a whole new kind of photography for me. I usually take pictures of cars that don't make unpredictable movements; but humans - humans are unpredictable

I use a Nikon D60 with 18-55mm and 55-105mm lenses. I was thinking about using the larger lens at a distance and zooming on the subject to imitate that blurry effect, but I haven't had the chance to try.

Help?

Example:
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2008, 10:30 AM   #2
danniexi
Brigadier General
danniexi's Avatar
No_Country
3037
Rep
4,383
Posts

 
Drives: 2022 F97 X3M Comp LCI
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NJ/NY

iTrader: (15)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by TWiTCHY View Post
I use a Nikon D60 with 18-55mm and 55-105mm lenses. I was thinking about using the larger lens at a distance and zooming on the subject to imitate that blurry effect, but I haven't had the chance to try.

Help?

Example:
You just answered your own question. Get a longer lens and a lower f/ stop and your set. I'm not sure what lenses you can get for Nikon (i use a canon) but 200mm and longer would be your best bet.
__________________
BMW MY22 F97 X3MC LCI - CURRENT BUILD THREAD| Instagram: @danniexi
BMW MY16 F80 M3 - GONE
BMW MY08 E92 335XI - GONE
BMW MY06 E46 325XI - GONE
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2008, 10:59 PM   #3
TWiTCHY
Colonel
TWiTCHY's Avatar
No_Country
374
Rep
2,526
Posts

 
Drives: '13 AW E92 M3
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: WA

iTrader: (6)

Sweet, thanks for that.
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2008, 11:24 PM   #4
kaji335i
Lieutenant Colonel
kaji335i's Avatar
36
Rep
1,896
Posts

 
Drives: e92 335i
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: that place

iTrader: (0)

The "blurry" background is referred to as bokeh, or out of focus area. While there are a few things that can effect the amount and quality of the bokeh, there are somethings you can test to see if you current lens produce the type of bokeh you are looking for. Set your lens to the largest aperture (smallest f-stop), and at the longer end of you focal length (if you are using a zoom), have your subject a good distance from the background and fire away. This should give you a pretty good idea of what type of bokeh your lens are capable of.

For good quality bokeh (this is very subjective and really dependant on the desired effect and the person viewing the photo) in Nikon lens, the benchmark has been the 85mm f1.4 lens for a long time, it produces very creamy bokeh with its curved aperture blades and the ability to go really shallow dof (1.4). Another alternative on the zoom side is the 70-200 f2.8. It's another pro lens that produces very nice bokeh. Both of these lens are very expensive ($1000 for the 85 and $1500 for the 70-200). Many people feel that the 80-200 f2.8 produces pleasing bokeh as well and is cheaper (around $700-800 used). On the cheaper side (but rather crappy focal length for pj style portraits) is the 50mm 1.4 which goes for around $250.

Check out nikoncafe.com and nikonians.org for more detailed information.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2008, 03:04 AM   #5
TWiTCHY
Colonel
TWiTCHY's Avatar
No_Country
374
Rep
2,526
Posts

 
Drives: '13 AW E92 M3
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: WA

iTrader: (6)

Thanks for all that, Kaji. I'm not quite interested in purchasing any new lens at this time. I guess I'll have to use what I have right now.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:27 PM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST