[TheForge] Photography was: Re:The True Path in the 24th century.

[Kenneth Mayer]

>From: "Jeff Harding" <jharding@kconline.com>

>Date: Sun, 3 Mar 2002 03:19:45 -0500
>
>   For me, "good photos" would be the problem for sure.  Perhaps
>someone here could give some basic photography techniques to improve
>pictures.  I'm sure some simple things would make a great difference,
>basic how to light, basic education on film type... stuff the people
>that know think everyone knows, and people that don't know, don't know
>to ask about, sure seems like if my eye can see it the camera should.

The best advice is to attend an intro photography course.  Maybe at your
local community college or adult-ed program.  There's also The Nikon School
(there should be a link on the Nikon www site).

Slower speed film has a finer grain and will produce a sharper image.  It
also tends to cost less.  Kirkland brand, sold at Costco, is actually Agfa
and has about the best color balance for most work.  Kodak Tri-X still has
the best black & white tonal qualities.

Use diffuse light to control shadows.  The worst time to take outdoor photos
is during bright sunlight; the best is an overcast day.  Indoors, there are
techniques like using reflected light or tent lighting.  Fill flash can be
used to compensate some lighting problems.

Always angle the light source from the side when shooting a flat surface or
you will have a "hot spot" from the reflection.  Turn off the camera's
built-in flash in this situation.

A fixed focal length lense will produce a sharper image than a zoom lense.

Using a small aperture increases the apparent depth of field, but also blurs
the image.  There are lighting techniques and devices that allow sharp
images where a small aperture would otherwise be required.

Practice using slide film.  Record your camera settings so you can compare
results.  If you shoot negatives, the processing machine will correct the
prints for exposure and color balance unless you special order the
processing without correction.

There are numerous books on the topic.  Check your local library or
bookstore.  There are also numerous photography magazines.

There are numerous usenet groups.  Search for the rec.photo.??? groups.

I know of only 3 honest mail-order vendors (B&H, Adorama, Camera World of
Oregon).  Get a B&H catalog and drool. ;-)

Spend the money for a sturdy tripod.  You can also use a quadpod and lab
jack for photos of small objects.  The quadpod makes tenting easy.

Ken
:-)