Photography

[tigerx]

hey, um yeah i'm going to the Canadian International Autoshow next week, and i'm planning to bring my digital camera with me along witha few memory sticks:

-one 16mb
-one 128mb
-one 1 GB

and this is a pretty recent digital camera, it's sony quickshot (or cybershot or something) 5.0MP, with 4x zoom. i odn't ahve alot of experience of taking picture at autoshows and stuff, so i'm asking you guy for like tips on how to setup my camera and such, like the focus/zoom/flash/etc.

so plz any tips.

and i think i'll be takinb most picture in 3.2MP and taking a few cars at 5MP and the rest will be videos.

[tigerx]

thanks, i don't have any "pod" or any type at all lool, i'm quite young and do not have enough dough to afford all the pro stuff.................yet.

expeect to see llots of picture and a few videos next week or 2, vid might take some time cause i'll be busy playing GT4 next week too lol

[ikon2003]

I have a similar camera: Cybershot 3.2. If you're indoors, it can be a little tricky. Most of my shots worked without use of flash, but on the spinning displays (ie- the really nice cars: SLR, CGT) - flash was needed, otherwise it becomes blurry.

As for taking photos, just snap as many as you can, try and get some cool angles, and hope for the best.

[tigerx]

ok, how about focus? like if i was to take an up close engine shot of say a ford mustang GT. what setting would i hvae to use? at this moment, everything is on automatic in my camera lol.

[dingo]

this should be in the Computer section I think....my only advice is don't use the flash :)

[saadie]

take lotsa battries .. and if its a cybershot .. the you would prolly need 6-7 pairs of rechargable 2 amp's cells to fill all those memory cars .... IMO dont take pics on 5MP's ... its just a waste of space .... just take pics on 3.2 MPs they will do great ...
i guess there is enuf light to take some good pics .. so dont use the flash ...

[TT]

- No flash
- Tripod if possible and if there is not lot of ppl (a tripod or monopod is not pro stuff and you can find them for 15 to 20 bucks I suppose)
- If no tripod, try to use the camera like you would use a not-digital one, by looking thourgh the visor, ence placing it on your face -> less movement, easier to take sharp pics.. usually shutter speed in Motorshows if you let it auto is around 1/30, 1/50 sec, elaready enough to come home with 90% blurry pics
- do not rush to post the original pics or batch resized ones, take your time to edit them with Photoshop :)


As for vids, I don't think it is a good idea.. why to have a video of a standing car?

BTW, with a 1 GB card, no need to take pics at a lower res. 4 MP isn't that much afterall and even at max size/max quality you would be able to store probably 350 ore more pics :)

[mike_sayer]

Yeah definately don't use a flash, with show cars you just get a lot of cold light and glare. The lighting in arenas isn't usually good enough for normal shutter speeds because it's artificial and usually coloured. So this means you have to us no flash and longer shutter.

A cool trick i was working on last time i was doing car photography at a show was to use a longer exposure, at least 2 seconds with a smaller aperture (def. need a tripod or flat surface for this). If you find a car with people walking around it a lot, you'll get a photo of a sharpy-in-focus car with a blur all around it. It's tricky to get right, but it looks really good if you do.

Depending on how busy it is you'll prob have trouble getting clear shots...a lot of people don't realise you're trying to shoot and amble around in front of you.

At the end of the day, your camera's automatic mode is pretty capable, so if all else fails just to stick to that.

Good luck!

[tigerx]

- No flash
- Tripod if possible and if there is not lot of ppl (a tripod or monopod is not pro stuff and you can find them for 15 to 20 bucks I suppose)
- If no tripod, try to use the camera like you would use a not-digital one, by looking thourgh the visor, ence placing it on your face -> less movement, easier to take sharp pics.. usually shutter speed in Motorshows if you let it auto is around 1/30, 1/50 sec, elaready enough to come home with 90% blurry pics
- do not rush to post the original pics or batch resized ones, take your time to edit them with Photoshop Smile


As for vids, I don't think it is a good idea.. why to have a video of a standing car?

BTW, with a 1 GB card, no need to take pics at a lower res. 4 MP isn't that much afterall and even at max size/max quality you would be able to store probably 350 ore more pics Smile.

yes TT, lol i saw that Tutorial that you posted, definately gonna try that.

BTW, wut's "exposure"?

[BADMIHAI]

BTW, wut's "exposure"?



It refers to the time the shutter stays open. I don't think the crappy Sonys can go over a second and doubt they have manual exposures. Just leave it in auto and try to use a tripod with no flash.

The best tip from me: Have fun and experiment with different angles. As for taking awesome shots, you shouldn't worry. I'll also be covering the Toronto Auto Show. 8)

[TT]

BTW, I fear you can't put a polarizer filter on your camera can you? I am buying one for Geneva's motorshow since it really seems to help especially indoor :)

[BADMIHAI]

If you are talking to me, I can put a polarizing filter on my camera. The big problem is getting one until tomorrow. *runs to the camera stores*

[TT]

I was talking to Tiger actually ;)

But I am sure you could find one.. I don't know why I waited a whole year myself :bah:

[antonioledesma]

after all these tips, and having the shots of your life.... when you are in your home... you'll have the best shot of your life... but with an asshole in it!! :?
it makes me so mad, if I make room for other ppl so they can have their photos, why they can't do the same????

another trick with 1/30 speed... breathe and hold it while you take the pic, it works like a charm

we'll be expecting those pics :mrgreen:

[tigerx]

BTW, I fear you can't put a polarizer filter on your camera can you? I am buying one for Geneva's motorshow since it really seems to help especially indoor Smile

lol this will make me look like a dumbass, but filter? polarizer? polarizer filter?

[ikon2003]

Just one thing in reference to what TT said - normally, I would agree with holding the viewfinder up to your eye to get a more steady shot, but I have found it doesn't work so well with the Cybershots. The viewfinder and the LCD are actually different, and when I use the viewfinder in my cybershot, it excludes objects and includes objects that i didn't intend. The LCD is a much more accurate as far as gauging what you want in your picture.

(Tho if you're going high res - 4MP+ - you can always just step back, get a lot in the picture, and then crop it to how you want later).

[TT]

Tiger, a polarizer filter is just a lense you can screw in front of the regular lense. There are also other kind of filters like UV ones and more.
The polarizer one basically is used especially in indoor condition to drastically reduce any form of reflection by "purifying" the light that comes into the camera.

for a short tech explanation:

In order to answer this question, you'll first have to know something about light. Light can be regarded as a flow of particles (called photons), or as an electromagnetic wave. I'll try to stick to the wave theory. So, light can be regarded as a waveform, oscillating in an arbitrary direction perpendicular to its direction of motion. There will be waves oscillating up/down, oscillating left/right and all that's in between those two.

A polaroid filter only allows to pass the component of the oscillation that is directed in the polarizing direction of the filter. So only the waves that are oscillating in the polarizing direction can pass the filter unattenuated. All other waves will attenuate according to the formula:

Amplitude after polarizing = Amplitude before polarizing * cos (theta),

where theta is the angle between the oscillating direction of the wave and the polarizing direction of the filter.

The overall effect is blocking out half of the available light, and 'directing' the other half.


Just one thing in reference to what TT said - normally, I would agree with holding the viewfinder up to your eye to get a more steady shot, but I have found it doesn't work so well with the Cybershots. The viewfinder and the LCD are actually different, and when I use the viewfinder in my cybershot, it excludes objects and includes objects that i didn't intend. The LCD is a much more accurate as far as gauging what you want in your picture.

(Tho if you're going high res - 4MP+ - you can always just step back, get a lot in the picture, and then crop it to how you want later).

Ah dang, true. In my camera, the viewfinder actually shows exactly what is in the LCD.. it is actually just another micro LCD screen, not a regular old style one. Of course if the field of vision doesn't match, it could end up is a mess LOL

[TT]

It is pretty simple. we are talking again about a lense you add to your camera. It is meant to add to the natural zoom capability of your camera.

[sikx5]

Well dude, turn off the flash, i left mine on auto and switched between macro. try to make sure there are not direct lights in the images you take, take your time, be patient, dont be afraid to sit down, bend over, and rest on your knee when taking pics. :D

[Darkel]

Just one thing in reference to what TT said - normally, I would agree with holding the viewfinder up to your eye to get a more steady shot, but I have found it doesn't work so well with the Cybershots. The viewfinder and the LCD are actually different, and when I use the viewfinder in my cybershot, it excludes objects and includes objects that i didn't intend. The LCD is a much more accurate as far as gauging what you want in your picture.

That's right, I didn't have any digicam which shows exactly the same thing in the viewfinder, simply because it's not possible I think :|

I know I can screw a few filters on my V3 (high angle, panoramic, close up and so on) but I still have to find a polarizer filter. It can be really useful in a motorshow but it will probably depend on the price ... does anyone know how much it would cost ? I mean, for a non-professionnal cam :mrgreen:

Oh, I just wanted to say that in year 2001, at the Frankfurt auto show (I was younger of course) I had the good idea to use the close up mode, and all my pics turned as blurry as possible, so don't forget to try it before taking hundreds of pics :mrgreen:

[TT]

The price should be around 60-70 €, with circuilar polarizer flters costing a bit more than liner ones. But a circular one is a better option for automatic cameras like ours because a linear one could make the light sensor go crazy and totally overexpose pics..

Actually after considering the idea a bit more, in the end I decided this year again I will go to Geneva witthout the filter. afterall I have a new camera and maybe it will be enough to have decent pics.

I fear even a circuilar one will sensibly slow down shutter speed, and since I am sure it will be a nightmare to use the tripod, I'd rather have a slightly faster camera even if a bit more glare here and there

[Darkel]

A polarizer would cost €155 for mine :shock:
Sonystyle online ... I guess the lubricant is in the package :roll:

[ikon2003]

^hm, ny auto show is coming up.... lil over a month. which reminds me, i should post my pics from last year. still havent gotten around to doing that. i'll prolly go to the show on the 3rd, and maybe get some accessories for my camera - a tripod might be nice. there's really not much that you can add to one of those point-and-shoot digital cameras tho...

[TT]

Thanks dude, but actually I know basically nothing :D I just learn by trying :D

As for my camera, it was posted many times before and I even included that info in my website :P

Anyway, it is a Canon Powershot Pro 1

[tigerx]

Thanks dude, but actually I know basically nothing Very Happy I just learn by trying Very Happy

As for my camera, it was posted many times before and I even included that info in my website Razz

Anyway, it is a Canon Powershot Pro 1

it's suprising that you carried that EVERYWHERE.

[Darkel]

Oh, if you knew how many people would feel alone without their digicam :P

[TT]

Thanks dude, but actually I know basically nothing Very Happy I just learn by trying Very Happy

As for my camera, it was posted many times before and I even included that info in my website Razz

Anyway, it is a Canon Powershot Pro 1

it's suprising that you carried that EVERYWHERE.

My camera is ALWAYS with me. I think in the past 3 months I went out once or twice without it, and never for more than 30 minutes!
I also always have with me a pocket tripod and 50% of the time (and of course 100% when I go out during the night), also the big tripod.

This is how you maximize your chances to get nice cars pics dude ;)