[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by jmg

Honestly, it's just a case and no one cares what it looks like under your desk. let the cat scratch it! Are you concerned about the wires?

I'm a stickler for productivity and my desk is the size of a long folding table. Desk real estate is almost as valuable as home real estate.

edit: My work computer has it's own little stand off to the side. You could do that if you want to keep it off the ground.

ok well it also has a fancy window and I like to look at my fancy cable management.


For me the PC is basically just for editing and games. If I we doing a lot of work with books and papers it wouldnt be set up the way it is.

[M_Six]

So I got asked to cover an event here next week because they need high end photos and the requester thought my camera technology would work out better for this.

Sooooo, it's the technology. Ah, silly me.

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by M_Six

So I got asked to cover an event here next week because they need high end photos and the requester thought my camera technology would work out better for this.

Sooooo, it's the technology. Ah, silly me.

Hehe, "You must have a really nice camera!"

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Hehe, "You must have a really nice camera!"

And van Gogh had some really nice paint brushes, I'm sure.

[08njSTEP]

And a really fast car makes you a great driver.

[justanotherdude]

Anyone know any dedicated photography forums they recommend?
I used to have one I was on quite a bit a few years ago but I think it died out.

[Weebl]

POTN is a nice source

[M_Six]

Agreed. POTN is the best.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php

[justanotherdude]

Originally Posted by Weebl

POTN is a nice source

Originally Posted by M_Six

Agreed. POTN is the best.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php

Awesome, thanks!

[Pixel8ed]

Been on POTN forever. Used to be awesome when it basically was just Canon centric. But with the update they did a few years ago, they lost me.

[Banana Hammock]

Originally Posted by Pixel8ed

Been on POTN forever. Used to be awesome when it basically was just Canon centric. But with the update they did a few years ago, they lost me.

Oh man I guess it's been a while since I've been on POTN.

I had no idea they're not Canon only anymore.

[M_Six]

I love the new forum software. After they worked out the bugs, it's become the best forum site I've ever seen. And the guy who owns and runs the site, Pekka, wrote the software himself. It's really amazing what it can do. I wish he'd go commercial with it.

You can tailor the site to your liking. I show only Canon and Fuji sections. The rest are hidden.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Agreed. POTN is the best.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php

Hmm, never tried it. Just signed up.

Dave

[Itsed65]

I have been on POTN for years. Great site.

[justanotherdude]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Hmm, never tried it. Just signed up.

Dave

Just signed up as well. Guess I'll give it a go.

[Mik3ymomo]

Fredmiranda forums are pretty decent.

[John Tanglewood]

What's the take on autofocus vs manual focusing?

I have been shooting for years and only using auto, as I find it difficult to get that sweet spot quickly when manually focusing.

Any tips or suggestions on that front?

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

What's the take on autofocus vs manual focusing?

I have been shooting for years and only using auto, as I find it difficult to get that sweet spot quickly when manually focusing.

Any tips or suggestions on that front?

I use AF 99.9% of the time, usually only considering MF when shooting a landscape on a tripod and focusing in LiveView. I use MF for astrophotography and long exposure photography or panorama stitching.

I don't know which body you use, but learn to steer the AF point or AF sector. Also, learn to Focus Lock and recompose, for when you don't have time to steer the AF point. In many cameras, the AF point selected by the camera will light up, so that you can see what it's focusing on. Make sure that you have this function enabled.

Modern DSLRs are not designed for MF. Way back, we had ground glass focus screens and even split-screen aligners. That's generally all gone. However, if you use MF, with most camera/lens combination you can get a focus-confirm beep when the camera thinks you're in focus. Consider enabling that.

Make sure the AF point is one what you want in-focus. Some people turn ALL the AF points. That's fine, so long as you know what the camera is choosing. All bodies are far from infallible. Watch what's going on. Considering narrowing down to one or one-expanded AF point, if the subject that needs critical focus is buried in a bunch of other stuff, like a rabbit in a briar patch.

[Mik3ymomo]

There are some lenses out there that are manual focus but the glass is excellent. It keeps the price, size and weight down. I have a couple of those lenses. I shoot with a Nikon and some of the manual focus lenses have focus conformation chips in them so they work with the auto focus system as far as conformation in the viewfinder.
The ones I use are labeled as Rokinon lenses but they have a few trade names they go by. I have the 14 F2.8 and the 85 F1.4. They are a fraction of the price of the Nikon autofocus equivalent. It's not always about money. I also own lenses that cost as much as a used car. But if I can get a manual focus lens that is purpose built for something I can manually focus for then I don't mind doing it as long as the glass is decent. It's also a very good option for those on a strict budget. I feel compelled to post examples but I think you get it.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

What's the take on autofocus vs manual focusing?

I have been shooting for years and only using auto, as I find it difficult to get that sweet spot quickly when manually focusing.

Any tips or suggestions on that front?

There is nothing wrong with AF, so long as you are using it correctly. dcstep mirrors my sentiment. Choose your AF point, focus lock and recompose. I use manual focus on landscape, night shooting, and long exposure, mostly because I am on a tripod and my focus point is off center, so I have to use live view and zoom in on my focus point. Live view is the way to get really pinpoint sharp focus, especially if you are shooting with a large aperture.

[Mik3ymomo]

I would like to add that there are times when you will need to manually focus. If you shoot at night and set up long exposures, do time lapse's and light painting you will very likely need or will absolutely need to manually focus the lens and completely shut off the autofocus system.

Also the autofocus systems are good but they rely on contrast and sometimes you won't get really good contrast. Lastly some lenses have such razor thin depth of field like say a 50mm F1.2 or an 85 F1.4 that you will want to focus it yourself for the best results.

For instance; shooting people. It's difficult to get the camera to focus directly on the eye. It wants to pick up the cheek or nose or forehead/hair etc. with a very thin DOF you run the risk of getting the eyes soft in the shot. My opinion is that the eyes should be the sharpest part of a portrait or animal.
The more you shoot with your equipment the more you will realize it's shortfalls and do your best to work around them for the best images you can produce.

[justanotherdude]

So I'm in a bit of a rut. Lately (past six months to a year) I've been feeling like I might be in an area where I can start selling photos and as of late, presets. My problem is as soon as I get around to setting up shops or actually trying to get attention I lose confidence and my photos suddenly don't look as nice.

Anyone else experience this too?

I think sometimes I get excited or focused and end up getting ahead of myself. Part of me wants to wait till I'm good enough that people just kind of find me on their own while another part of me what's to go build my brand now.

Oh the joys of being a young photographer.

I'm just venting.

Meh.