Some thangs I do with ML

[engardeknave]

Update:

I thought I'd add some stuff I shot recently.









I haven't tried it yet, but the new setup is going to be using Magic Zoom with face detection enabled. I'm shooting in LV/portrait orientation with a battery grip and it's difficult to move the focus box around. (Can't reach the arrow keys.) I like using some sort of zoom function for manual focusing. Face detection on the 5D2 seems like it might actually be useful to get the area to be zoomed into place without using arrows. (Will not work with horse mask.)

One concern about this setup is that Magic Zoom doesn't zoom nearly as much as zoom on halfshutter. I'll have to really use it before I know if it's going to suffice for my purposes. I'm also unsure if DIGIC peaking applies to the MZ window.

Another thing I have planned for the next shoot is a wireless tether to a Android tablet using DSLR Controller and the TP-Link router. It seems really stable so far. It's possible to get a close to real time preview by shooting in RAW+small jpg, with DSLR Controller set to "Image review - follow shot". I'm hoping this will be the tool I need to know when I've got the shot and can move on--instead of shooting the same thing over and over again just to be sure.



Original post:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/10179691493_86889caf61_c.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3742/10373514764_65f0cc4750_c.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/10179473124_cdec3b3f09_c.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/10370996663_743f6420a0_c.jpg

So, I think some of the best features of ML are things that a lot of people are probably overlooking. I think this because I overlooked a lot of these features before discovering how awesome they are. Notable things I used here (5D2 in LV, manual focus):

Zoom on HalfShutter
LV DIGIC peaking: Slightly Sharper (Better than focus peaking imo, plus it doesn't block the view.)
Advanced Bracket: DOF 2x2EV
Focus box settings: Fast

What I end with here is a situation where I get the photo while the right facial expression is still there and in focus a much higher percentage of the time. Usually with a thin depth of field and a fidgety girl in front of the camera.

Other things I used here:
Config files
RAW histogram
(Going to try AutoExposure next time I do portraiture)


Real estate is pretty much about making cavernous, mole-people inhabited dungeons look like palaces of light. While not making look like a nuclear blast is occurring outside. glwt.

Top row: Advanced Bracketing/HDR. Bottom row: Dual ISO, first try.

http://i.imgur.com/iZVBKhC.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/CBDsAmo.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/QihwcuZ.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/xIEr7VL.jpg?1

I tried to find examples covering a vast dynamic range, but you really can't tell just how dark these places are from the photos. Especially with that dark wood floor and furniture. Awful. Then again, that's the idea.

[Malcolm Debono]

Great work! The portraits are spot on.

[LinuxGadget]

Zoom on HalfShutter
LV DIGIC peaking: Slightly Sharper (Better than focus peaking imo, plus it doesn't block the view.)
Advanced Bracket: DOF 2x2EV
Focus box settings: Fast

100% ACK, been overlooking these points, too. Lately a1ex posted about his config, and so i stumpled upon these and tried them myself. LV DIGIC peaking is really nice and now it's always on in my camera. As for the advanced bracket i'm still not decided, which EV increment to use. Sometimes i switch over to the hdr feature in my camera, it's a little bit faster with the same results.

Oh, and btw: these portraits are really great

Greetings...

[1%]

I auto bracket vs fixed EV... watch out with peaking + h264, it can lower write rate or cause lockups, I've set it to turn off while recording. Not a problem for still though.

Also ETTR on all the time, I never have to touch anything just take another snap. Pattern AF in the center too so I don't mis focus on something on the periphery.

[LinuxGadget]

Pattern AF in the center too so I don't mis focus on something on the periphery.

Thanks, another thing I almost forgot. Will give it a try!

[5D3shooter]

I have to say... that girl on the right is amazingly beautiful!  I'd have a few more shoots with her if I was you, maybe even ask her out for drinks!  lol 

Fabulous work overall!  What lens used for those portraits??

[engardeknave]

I have to say... that girl on the right is amazingly beautiful!

A common misconception. I made her that way--see the 'before' shots. http://bit.ly/jjpml (Just kidding, but not really. Also I think you might be referring to the 17 year old I shot last week.)

OH, and fabulous work overall!

Thanks!

What lens used for those portraits??

85/1.2, 50/1.4

[engardeknave]

Pattern AF

This is something I didn't know existed until now. Will probably try next time I do an outdoor portrait session.

[5D3shooter]

Man, I had no idea she was a kid  LOL...hard to tell these days

anyway, thanks for the lens info.. what about lighting?  what kind of set up are using?  I ask because I love the look of those portraits, especially with the filmish/airy feel over them.  Sharp as a razor too!

[engardeknave]

My lighting setup is literally nothing more than a large window and a large foam reflector.

I can see where this is going. These questions definitely aren't as bad as "WHAT KIND OF CAMERA?", but they're in the same vein. I've fallen into this trap as well in the past, trying to figure out how someone created photos I like. It's never any one thing, though. As soon as you pin down one factor, you realize there's something more going on there.

The answer is that it's the culmination of all of these elements--light, the depth of field, a decent curves layer. Also a few other things that have less to do with photography and more to do with beauty: slimming poses, body language, wardrobe, getting the model to "connect" with the camera--which I would define as minimizing any subtle expression of fear.

[5D3shooter]

My lighting setup is literally nothing more than a large window and a large foam reflector.

I can see where this is going. These questions definitely aren't as bad as "WHAT KIND OF CAMERA?", but they're in the same vein. I've fallen into this trap as well in the past, trying to figure out how someone created photos I like. It's never any one thing, though. As soon as you pin down one factor, you realize there's something more going on there.

The answer is that it's the culmination of all of these elements--light, the depth of field, a decent curves layer. Also a few other things that have less to do with photography and more to do with beauty: slimming poses, body language, wardrobe, getting the model to "connect" with the camera--which I would define as minimizing any subtle expression of fear.

I don't follow what you mean...  I was just complimenting you and trying to get an idea about your portrait shoot.. sorry

[engardeknave]

Update: girls

See OP.