John Lawrence
Well-known
Don't forget if you make one from a pot or tub with a lid you can always cut a design into the lid for an 'effects filter'.
John
Tips and Tricks - Share Yours
- Thread starter dave lackey
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Don't forget if you make one from a pot or tub with a lid you can always cut a design into the lid for an 'effects filter'.
John
ibcrewin
Ah looky looky
I picked up an 3 yard length of black fabric from the fabric store, it's amazing how many things you can do with that and a couple of 99cent clamps from home depot. I've used it for blocking unwanted light, a background, and in serves as a "wall" in my darkroom.
Tim Gray
Well-known
Great idea. Too bad telephone books are going the way of the dodo.
biakalt
Long Tran
probably mentioned before, but 12526 (for Cron 35 ASPH) hood fits Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph snuggly. sticking bothside of the hood's inner ring with electric tape make it even tighter, no rotation.
John Lawrence
Well-known
They're also very useful for catching spiders, bugs etc. and disposing of outside.
Years ago we also used them in Africa for providing faeces samples for the Doctor - try that with digital!
John
Damaso
Photojournalist
The best tip I know of is to be patient... the pictures will find you...
leica M2 fan
Veteran
Excellent tips that deserve mention to most of us. Many of these tips I've used for years and some I wasn't aware of so thanks to all. Keep them coming.
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
Great idea for a thread. I'll try to think of something after I read what others have posted.
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RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
Me too. I have a 3x5 size card.
ferider
Veteran
Here are a couple:
- when you shoot a 35mm, the distance to the subject is the same as the width of the frame. Makes "hip-shooting" easy 🙂
- the height of a 35mm frame is the same as the width of a 50. For example, if you are out with your 35 only, and need a 50, shoot vertical and crop by half 🙂
- to focus fast and/or long lenses wide open, pre-focus, and do final focusing by moving.
- when it's dark, for people shooting, forget about your meter, shoot as slow and wide open as you can. Worry about exposure later.
Cheers,
Roland.
- when you shoot a 35mm, the distance to the subject is the same as the width of the frame. Makes "hip-shooting" easy 🙂
- the height of a 35mm frame is the same as the width of a 50. For example, if you are out with your 35 only, and need a 50, shoot vertical and crop by half 🙂
- to focus fast and/or long lenses wide open, pre-focus, and do final focusing by moving.
- when it's dark, for people shooting, forget about your meter, shoot as slow and wide open as you can. Worry about exposure later.
Cheers,
Roland.
SteveM_NJ
Well-known
the odd piece of background fabric as mentioned earlier - can also be used as an improvised "gown" or "wrap" or "shawl" for your model if you are looking to change up the wardrobe - in a hurry. (no need to change or undress - just cover up/wrap around them.
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mto'brien
Well-known
the 'softie' shutter lock trick has saved me untold blank frames since i read about it here on the forum. If you are using a soft release button, loop a cloth hair tie around your strap adjacent to it. If the shutter is wound and you are done shooting, hook the hair tie around the softie between the bottom of the softie and the camera body and it will prevent the shutter button from depressing accidentally in your bag, etc.
chris00nj
Young Luddite
Wax paper taped to a cardboard frame can be used a temporary piece of ground glass. Useful in checking accuracy of the focus of lenses (applies the most to front-cell focusing lenses).
Jamie123
Veteran
1) You can get large sized diffusion fabric at the garden center (used to protect garden plants from the cold) at much lower prices than Roscoe (or similar brand) diffusion rolls. Cover large windows with the fabric in order to soften the contrast. Is particularly useful when shooting digital with less dynamic range than neg film.
2) Wrinkled aluminum foil used as a reflector from the bottom works great for water-like reflections. Works with sunlight and hot lights, not so much with flash.
2) Wrinkled aluminum foil used as a reflector from the bottom works great for water-like reflections. Works with sunlight and hot lights, not so much with flash.
John Lawrence
Well-known
Another couple:
If you want to avoid the 'coat hanger in mouth' syndrome when taking a portrait, get the sitter (or sitters) to blow a raspberry, then take the picture immediately afterwards. You get a much more natural smile (and hopefully not too much spittle on the lens).
To get thoughtful shots of children under 5 years of age, place some sticky tape on the palms of their hands.
John
If you want to avoid the 'coat hanger in mouth' syndrome when taking a portrait, get the sitter (or sitters) to blow a raspberry, then take the picture immediately afterwards. You get a much more natural smile (and hopefully not too much spittle on the lens).
To get thoughtful shots of children under 5 years of age, place some sticky tape on the palms of their hands.
John
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
For a guy who doesn't shoot street, you sure have a lot of good street-shooting tips! I use the last two all the time. 🙂
Here are some more focusing tips:
- Get (and use) one of those DoF calculators for your smart phone or iPod. There are many, so if you shoot film be sure to get one that includes film formats. These are great if you do a lot of fixed/hyper focus-type shooting. Knowing focus ranges for your lenses can help you dial-in focus based on your favorite shooting distance.
- Most things on a city street are pretty consistent with regard to distance, the width of city sidewalks and streets, the distance between parking meters and street lights, even the lines on a sidewalk (this can vary block to block, but the sidewalk is usually the same width). By making a few basic checks with your camera, you can know the distances in advance and make various distance settings (multiples and divisions) on your lens in advance very quickly.
You can then use the distance information in conjunction with the DoF calculator to know focus ranges. This can help you pre-visualize certain shooting situations
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oftheherd
Veteran
Thanks, the samples example made my day.
I have also used film canisters (at least the older style) for holding liquids. I have kept rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and other unexpected substances for surprisingly long times. No feces yet, maybe another day.
rbsinto
Well-known
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Take a lens with you for a stroll along the shelves in the Supermarket or Drug Store, when you need a front lens, or front lens hood cap. You'll most likely find something whose cap, or shap cap will do vey nicely. And if whatever you finddoesn't fit snugly, shimming the inside edge with some strips of Dymo tape or even adhesive window draft-sealing foam will make it fit.
Velcro sewn on the epaulettes of your vest and on the camera strap will allow you to wear the camera hanging off your shoulder, and it will never, ever slip off as you walk around.
Velcro sewn on the epaulettes of your vest and on the camera strap will allow you to wear the camera hanging off your shoulder, and it will never, ever slip off as you walk around.
John Lawrence
Well-known
It was a bit rough and ready in those days.
I once took my 35mm canister to the local doctor where he examined my sample under his microscope (in between sips of whiskey). As I sat there sweating profusely and feeling terrible, I asked him what his opinion was. He replied, "9.2 for technical merit, 7.8 for degree of difficulty and 5.9 for artistic impression"!
John
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