A few processing and misc. questions

[makf1127]

Hi all,


I'm fairly new to photography and one of my inspirations is a teacher I had when I was studying abroad. I'd really like to know what he does to make the photos look the way they do, but unfortunately I no longer have his contact info.



I was hoping that I could post a few photos from his website and perhaps some of the folks with more experience than I could give me some insight into what kind of techniques he used. Please note that for me this site doesn't seem to like to load multiple photos simultaneously in different tabs, so you may have better results by opening them individually.


I know that he uses a 350D with a 24-105 f4 IS, but as far as other equipment (polarizer, tripod, flash, etc.) I'm not sure.


Here are some of my more specific questions:


1.) For many photos I have trouble producing rich colors -- a lot of my shots turn out dull. Here are a few shots in which I really like the colors in, but have been unable to produce in my own work:


a.)[/url][url="http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=47699991&id=2244753683]http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=47699991&id=2244753683 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=47699991&id=2244753683)


b.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=31569512&id=1624530375 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=31569512&id=1624530375)


c.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554649&id=5832033594 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554649&id=5832033594)


d.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554649&id=5831979890 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554649&id=5831979890)


e.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554332&id=5902757010 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554332&id=5902757010)


f.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554332&id=5902757024 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554332&id=5902757024)





2.) What kind of angles could have used to get shots like these?


a.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554332&id=5902757468 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554332&id=5902757468)


b.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=30222819&id=1422778750 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=30222819&id=1422778750)





3.) I always feel sort of awkward getting good shots of strangers like this... any tips?


a.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=30222814&id=1422778072 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=30222814&id=1422778072)





4.) These seem to have some special processing that I also have no idea how to do.


a.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=47699991&id=2244753320 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=47699991&id=2244753320)


b.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=30222823&id=1422781262 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=30222823&id=1422781262)


c.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=30222818&id=1422778620 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=30222818&id=1422778620)


d.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=30222799&id=1422776634 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=30222799&id=1422776634)


e.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=30222794&id=1422773807 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=30222794&id=1422773807)





5.) In some of his shots, he makes clouds look very close to the ground. How does he do that?


a.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554658&id=5614121918 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554658&id=5614121918)


b.) http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554319&id=5832164137 ("http://photo.163.com/dingding7000/big/#aid=111554319&id=5832164137)





6.) Do any of these strike people as HDR shots?


7.) Any ideas for what equipment he might be using besides his 350D and 24-105? I use a 400D and a 24-105 f4 so it's been very frustrating to not be able to get some similar results.





My questions are still fairly vague, but any insights would be greatly appreciated. I realize that it may be tedious to go through each picture and analyze the techniques used, but general tips or good reference sites would also be greatly appreciated.


If nothing else, I hope you enjoy the photos!


Many Thanks,


Nick

[barba]

<div>





What are you using for editing? Are you shooting RAW or using one of the jpeg styles?


1) I would use curves in Photoshop. It can really punch up the contrast and color.


2) A helicopter?


3) Ask to take their picture (or get a less obtrusive camera for street scenes on the sly).


4) Looks like a Holga/Lomo camera or something that replicates that look digitally.


5) Weather and a low angle I guess


6) Not really. Very subtle if it is.


7) It sounds like you already have a great lens and body.



</div>

[makf1127]

Thanks for your reply, barba.


I am shooting in RAW and typically do my editing in Lightroom, but sometimes photoshop as well.


For 4.), I assume that you were referring to a). How about some of the others? The sand in b) and the texture of the water in d) are a couple of my favorites.


Best,


Nick

[Sheiky]

Hey Nick! Welcome here, I'll try to answer some of your questions, but keep in mind I only started 1,5 years ago and am pure hobbiist.



1.) For many photos I have trouble producing rich colors -- a lot of my shots turn out dull. Here are a few shots in which I really like the colors in, but have been unable to produce in my own work:


To be honest, colors like that you should be able to get quite easily with your camera and lens combo. They don't seem very saturated so I guess you might want to take a try out at how you shoot yourself in regard to the lightsource you have. I mean, try out different shots whit for instance the sun as your mainlight and try how it interferes with your colors in different angles (sun in the back, sun from side etc etc) Most of the time the best results I get are with the sun from the back, but just in an angle. In clock terms: 4-5 and 7-8 o'clock.



2.) What kind of angles could have used to get shots like these?


Aerial no doubt. Or he should be some kind of daredevil and stands on the edge of a very high cliff [:P]



3.) I always feel sort of awkward getting good shots of strangers like this... any tips?


Can't help you out here. I've got the same problem [:)] Just ask is probably the best way to go, but you need some guts to do that.



4.) These seem to have some special processing that I also have no idea how to do.


Hmm can't help you a lot here either. The shot of the fishermen looks pretty real to me though and is just a result of the dynamic range boundaries the camera enjoys.



6.) Do any of these strike people as HDR shots?


No not really.



7.) Any ideas for what equipment he might be using besides his 350D and 24-105? I use a 400D and a 24-105 f4 so it's been very frustrating to not be able to get some similar results.


Nope but a polarizer is never a bad idea [H] You will really like the results and it can also bring out a lot of color and contrast in a composition.



I realize that it may be tedious to go through each picture and analyze the techniques used, but general tips or good reference sites would also be greatly appreciated.


Perhaps this is a place to try out:http://digital-photography-school.com/ ("http://digital-photography-school.com/)


Thanks for your questions Nick and and good luck with your learning path! [Y]

[bob williams]

but general tips or good reference sites would also be greatly appreciated.


Nick,Here is a list of refrences/resources that I posted on my website thatI have found very useful http://rwilliamsimaging.com/resources.pdf ("http://rwilliamsimaging.com/resources.pdf) Please notice that TDP (This site is at the top of the list). Good luck and keep asking questions.





Bob

[makf1127]

Thanks for all of the good tips guys, they were very useful :)


Nick