Taking Photos with a SLR

[igotcabada]

Hello,

I'm borrowing a friend's Nikon D3000 to take some photos of my house and also my home theater room. Can someone provide some tips when taking pictures? I usually have a hard time taking pictures of rooms, is there a setting on the camera that will let you see more in the picture ( think its called pin cushion ) like this

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

Hello,

I'm borrowing a friend's Nikon D3000 to take some photos of my house and also my home theater room. Can someone provide some tips when taking pictures? I usually have a hard time taking pictures of rooms, is there a setting on the camera that will let you see more in the picture ( think its called pin cushion ) like this

You can send a PM to these 2 other members, 'naturephoto1' or 'Hammie' your questions. These guys know their stuff when it comes to this area!

[igotcabada]

Originally Posted by Fors*

You can send a PM to these 2 other members, 'naturephoto1' or 'Hammie' your questions. These guys know their stuff when it comes to this area!

Yes sir. You have an answer for everything

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

Yes sir. You have an answer for everything

But it doesn't mean I am always right (I am this time however. )

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

Hello,

I'm borrowing a friend's Nikon D3000 to take some photos of my house and also my home theater room. Can someone provide some tips when taking pictures? I usually have a hard time taking pictures of rooms, is there a setting on the camera that will let you see more in the picture ( think its called pin cushion ) like this

Originally Posted by Fors*

You can send a PM to these 2 other members, 'naturephoto1' or 'Hammie' your questions. These guys know their stuff when it comes to this area!

Thanks, Fors*.

The first thing is a tripod. You will not get a decent photo of any interior without one. Second is long exposure to compensate for poor lighting. The last thing you will need is decent software to process the photo with in order to fix any white balance issues (typically the orange or blue tint of a bad photo).

The tripod will help with blur and holding the camera still. This is e most important because no matter how well you do everything else, camera blur will kill the details.

Long exposure. Will help with poor lighting since it will keep the shutter open longer. You will want to play with whiat is best. One second may be too long. I think I try to shoot my basement setup at about half a second. I set the aperture to f/8 since that is usually the sweet spot for most lenses. I also turn the ISO to 200 to minimize grain in the photograph.

White balance can be set in camera, but it is not always accurate. If you shoot RAW (.NEF), then you should be able to fix the white balance without harming the original photo. This is usually the trickiest part of the process.

I hope this helps. I just happened to be lurking and saw the post.

Good luck and let me know if you have any additional questions.

[Fors*]

I'm still working on getting my pics better.....I have tried the above recommendations, but somehow I must be doing something wrong.....especially on screen shots!

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Fors*

I'm still working on getting my pics better.....I have tried the above recommendations, but somehow I must be doing something wrong.....especially on screen shots!

IMO, screen shots are the hardest, because they can blow out the whites if you do too long of an exposure. Hence the reason, I have never done screen shots. My Apple TV screen shot is about all I have been willing to give any amount of time to.

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by Hammie

Thanks, Fors*.

The first thing is a tripod. You will not get a decent photo of any interior without one. Second is long exposure to compensate for poor lighting. The last thing you will need is decent software to process the photo with in order to fix any white balance issues (typically the orange or blue tint of a bad photo).

The tripod will help with blur and holding the camera still. This is e most important because no matter how well you do everything else, camera blur will kill the details.

Long exposure. Will help with poor lighting since it will keep the shutter open longer. You will want to play with whiat is best. One second may be too long. I think I try to shoot my basement setup at about half a second. I set the aperture to f/8 since that is usually the sweet spot for most lenses. I also turn the ISO to 200 to minimize grain in the photograph.

White balance can be set in camera, but it is not always accurate. If you shoot RAW (.NEF), then you should be able to fix the white balance without harming the original photo. This is usually the trickiest part of the process.

I hope this helps. I just happened to be lurking and saw the post.

Good luck and let me know if you have any additional questions.

Originally Posted by Hammie

IMO, screen shots are the hardest, because they can blow out the whites if you do too long of an exposure. Hence the reason, I have never done screen shots. My Apple TV screen shot is about all I have been willing to give any amount of time to.

+1 on those. Tripod and long exposure (for poor lit areas) are keys to taking good shots. The software thing is a good recommendation as it can fix issues that are created by your surroundings and limitations by the camera. Screen shots are the hardest. I can vouch on that as I've had the damnest time getting some that look decent. The ones I took now still don't look up to par with what I'm actually seeing. I'm getting Canon 7d this month and lenses that should help with the poor lighting issues that my place has.

[ldgibson76]

Originally Posted by SeanMF

+1 on those. Tripod and long exposure (for poor lit areas) are keys to taking good shots. The software thing is a good recommendation as it can fix issues that are created by your surroundings and limitations by the camera. Screen shots are the hardest. I can vouch on that as I've had the damnest time getting some that look decent. The ones I took now still don't look up to par with what I'm actually seeing. I'm getting Canon 7d this month and lenses that should help with the poor lighting issues that my place has.

Sean, what place are you talking about?! The one you are planning on moving from due to unforeseen cousin's girlfriend issues!?! Your next dwelling could and should have all the lighting you need! I'm only picking! You're m'Boy!

[phansson]

Originally Posted by Fors*

You can send a PM to these 2 other members, 'naturephoto1' or 'Hammie' your questions. These guys know their stuff when it comes to this area!

You need to include SeanMF or he might put a "hit" out on you......

[Kirsty_Mc]

Take the lens cap off... seriously!!!

It's done more often than you'd think

[ldgibson76]

Originally Posted by phansson

You need to include SeanMF or he might put a "hit" out on you......

That's because he's "The Don"!

How's it hangin' Phansson?!

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by ldgibson76

Sean, what place are you talking about?! The one you are planning on moving from due to unforeseen cousin's girlfriend issues!?! Your next dwelling could and should have all the lighting you need! I'm only picking! You're m'Boy!

Well the current residence has poor lighting. Then again I have blackouts for the windows and half the living room is enclosed in black curtains. It always has been difficult for lighting. A touch floor lamp behind the couch and the track lighting above the screen is all it has. I've got the hang of taking pictures in it though now. Idk the living situation and how it will pan out. Not a big deal really. I've got it worked out I think.

Originally Posted by phansson

You need to include SeanMF or he might put a "hit" out on you......

Originally Posted by ldgibson76

That's because he's "The Don"!

How's it hangin' Phansson?!

Does someone need a beating? I'd be happy to give it to them. I don't think you can put me in the same league as Lou (hammie) or Rich (naturephoto). You guys realize up until a little over a month ago...I've maybe touched a dslr once or twice and took a few pictures off that. Heck I didn't even really have a point/shoot digital camera till this past Christmas.

[phansson]

Originally Posted by ldgibson76

That's because he's "The Don"!

How's it hangin' Phansson?!

Hey ldgibson,

not good, after the tee ball whipping that we took tonight, I am sitting down with a bottle of Petron.

How are you brother......

[phansson]

SeanMF,

I expected the baseball bat/beating a dead horse. You are becoming so predictable.

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by phansson

SeanMF,

I expected the baseball bat/beating a dead horse. You are becoming so predictable.

They need more smilies that are violent. Like say one of a horse's head cut off left on the bed or something....

Time to hang the art work I got in the bedroom and put in a movie. Might go out tonight but the next 5 days are going to be long...lack of sleep...so I doubt it.

[ldgibson76]

Originally Posted by phansson

Hey ldgibson,

not good, after the tee ball whipping that we took tonight, I am sitting down with a bottle of Petron.

How are you brother......

So your tee-ball team was issued a smack down, huh? Hey man, I know how you feel. Last summer I coach my youngest daughter's summer youth basketball team and it's brutal! Between the bad calls, the out of control parents and a total lack of competitiveness out of some of her teammates, I said, I can't do this again!