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Carpy2001

Carpy2001

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Andrew
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Hi all, well that did not take to long lol, looks like I have hit a wall, it is nothing to do with the camera, just down to cost of everything, I dont have good editing facilities such as Lightroom or Photoshop due to the cost, I am using Adobe photoshop express which is free, I would like to do macro, but lenses cost to much, and would need a Flash of some sort, but again it is more expense, I would like some better lenses (only have kit lenses) but again more expense lol, plus only have the local park to photograph, I won't go out in the streets as I have already been threatened a couple of times,(people saying that I better not be taking pics of them), 1 toe rag even went for the camera, not sure if he wanted to steal it ot to break it, either way he won't make that mistake again lol. So now i am not sure what to do, just leave it for now and see how I feel when the sun eventualy comes back (sick of wet weather) dont want to damage the camera as it is not weather sealed, and it does'nt look like it wants to stop raining anytime soon. Maybe a bit down in the dumps at the minute, but just seems everything I try I end up having to stop doing due to cost, gave up playing snooker due to hourly table rates at my local club (and risk of covid due to wife being at high risk with no real immune system, plus she is disabled and I am her carer), stopped drinking due to cost and covid (not a bad thing). I cant just get up and go for a walk either lol, due to hip problems, so looks like I am back to just watching youtube vids all day lmao. Oh well such is life, it suck trying to live on disability lol, and anyone that says the disabled get loads of money are either deluded or beleive what they read in the papers to much lol.
Sorry for the rant Andy
 
There are alternatives to macro lenses, such as a Raynox adaptors or extension tubes which are significantly cheaper.

Whilst flashes are ideal, for still life subjects you could use ordinary lamps

There are free photo editing apps such as GIMP, Darktable and Raw Therapee
 
I hear you Andy. I am a full time carer for my disabled wife and it feels a bit like when you do get an hour or two to get out, the heavens open!

I'll give a +1 for Darktable which is an exceptional free editing program.

Perhaps you could consider photography around the home. Not far to travel and not weather dependent! A decent table lamp (or two) can give pretty good light on smaller subjects and while you don't need to go macro (although you could with a 2nd hand Raynox as mentioned above) you can still go small. Perhaps try some Intentional Camera Movement. You can do that anywhere, and definitely don't need good gear to do it. Abstract stuff concentrating on shape & texture can also be done quite easily without going out and give you good practise for manual control and composition. Get inventive with an egg and a couple of forks! It'll all help for that time when you can get out.

I hope things improve for you. Taking a break is also an option.
 
Life is rough for so many people at the moment so I definitely sympathise. I'd hope that most of us with half a brain have stopped falling for the cruel vilification of those on benefits by now but constantly having to defend your existence is tough. Keep your chin up friend.

Maybe have a scout around YouTube for some home based photography projects you can take on? I remember a load of those videos cropping up during lockdown and it coincided with me first picking up a camera so I definitely worked my way around the house with a kit lens at that point.

It's easy to get sucked into the new equipment needed cycle but so often it's not necessary to have the latest and greatest. Keep posting your photos, it's been great seeing your improvements!
 
Don't worry too much about the kit, think about composition, subject matter, light etc. I take loads of photos at my local park, it is amazing what you see if you look. The autumn colours are still there.

A reply I made a while ago.

Not normally popular when I suggest it but think about Still Life.
You can arrange the objects to give good composition, choose the colours to create harmony or to clash, try different numbers of objects – is 1 best or 2 or 3 etc. Move everything around so that the light is from a different direction, diffuse the light, reflect the light, shade the light. Try different focal lengths at the same, and different, distances. Underexpose, overexpose by different amounts to see the effect. Experiment with different apertures for DoF. Change the ISO to use small apertures at shutter speeds where you can hand hold the camera without shake, check the amount of noise when using high ISO etc.
While doing all that you do not have to worry that the subject is moving, or will disappear.
It really is worthwhile because once you have the subject set up you are no longer worried about getting a good/great picture, it is all about playing and learning.


Like lots of people you may not be keen at first but once you start the details take over, and you get engrossed.
 
As already suggested, try looking for things around the house to photograph - ornaments, flowers, fruit, etc. can all make interesting subjects which you can study how they change with different light - both distance and angle of the light source will change the shadows on the subject.
If you have a tripod you don't need to worry about the 'amount' of light - the camera will happily spend 10s taking a shot if it needs to, and you can keep the camera position constant so the only thing that changes between shots are the aperture (to investigate depth of field) and the lighting, both under your control.
 
Check out close up filters, cheap enough and will get you a lot closer then the kit lens. Aslo check out cheap on camera video lights, these are often enough if your close to your subject like macro.
 
Don't let the lack of high priced gear get you down, most of the time I wander around with an EF-M 15 to 45mm lens yes it is no Canon L series and it is limited to f/4.5 at the wide end but I still have lots of use out of it. I would not discount an older compact camera either my old Canon G11 may only be 10 megapixel (?) but turns out decent close up pictures and can be bought used for under forty quid a perfect carry around use anywhere camera.
Talking of anywhere, you don't need to go to expensive new places to take interesting pictures, when you get out to go to the shops, take a new route and take pictures of what you find, after a while you will see pictures that you can make all around you.
 
don't dismiss your local park. especially now with autumn/winter with the colour changes of the trees and plants. as for flashes well do you really need one ? as was said above you could use a longer exposure to take a picture, also if you have a mobile phone most have a torch feature which you can use to add needed light, granted its nothing like a flash but as they say every little bit helps right ? I also have issue getting out (need a rollator ) and can understand the issues of getting to different places. just keep trying Mate. Im sure there are loads of great pics out there just waiting for you to see with your camera !
 
I got some extension tubes off of Amazon, the JJC ones I have are only £33.00 and work well on standard lenses. If you do want to go out, but your camera in a normal backpack so it doesn't look a camera bag, and keep it on your back so it can't easily be taken. As long as it's not chucking it down, most cameras can handle a bit of rain.
 
Like said before dont worry about needing loads of expensive gear ( its nice but not essential) In fact Id say you are possibly better off without it at the moment. I spent the first few years with a single lens not a zoom they weren't about back then a 50mm. I did lust after more lenses and did eventually save up and got a 200mm what I did find was I carried it around then would put it on and take a couple of shots not because I needed it or to improve a shot but because I had it and I was going to use it come hell or high water. In fact I dont think I ever even printed them ( it was back in the film days).
It still happens I bought a set of extension tubes about 3 years ago and only used them for the first time a couple of months ago. Im sure that if you put your mind to it you can find things around the house to photograph you dont need flash or studio lights use window light and reflectors of a mirror or white card to control the light intensity and direction. Im sure you will have fun experimenting check out utube for ideas plenty of them on there.
Good luck and enjoy.
 
Golly Andrew, but don't lose heart.

I don't do macro, just the odd close up flower or leaf etc shot. Close up filters and tubes are options plus as macro is often manual focus (maybe) a cheaper film era macro lens could maybe be an option? I've never had a weather sealed kit but after years taking pictures in any and every weather I've never had a failure with just taking common sense measures.

On the software side I bought Adobe CS5 years ago and I think it was in the region of £600. These days I have CS2023 and just pay the monthly subscription. I did resist this for years but now the £8 or so goes out of the bank every month and at lest I get the updates. I do appreciate that £8 a month may be unaffordable to many but for some there may be savings elsewhere, for example when we go out we often take a flask and sandwiches as having them in a cafe can cost... what... for two people? £15 easy a visit these days for two hot drinks and a bite to eat?

Good luck if you can see a way forward.
 
GreenNinja67 said:
What camera do you have Andy? @Carpy2001
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I have a Panasonic G5 MFT, it is a nice little camera that I am still learning to use, but trying to learn from youtube vids can be a bit hard at times, one person says this another says that lol, trying to work out the little nuggets from the rubbish when you have very little experience is hard to do. I am not dismissing my local park but I am in there 2-3 times a day, everyday, so it gets a bit stale I suppose would be a good word for it lol.Oh well soldier on I suppose, things will get better or they wont lol.
PS I have a set of close-up filters.
 
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I sympathise, Andy! Having the desire to do something is way more important than having a high priced gear, and there are photo editors that are either free or one-time buy, so more budget friendly- https://photography.tutsplus.com/articles/best-photo-editing-software-pc-free-paid--cms-36447 As others said, focus on composition and lightning, try to explore your city. Some places might still have Halloween decorations on, Christmas lights are also going up pretty soon, there will be a lot to photograph without actually going anywhere.
 
yeah youtube like everywhere will give conflicting advice.
Give the various things a try and see what works for you. When you find someone whos advice works for you subscribe to their channel
 
Carpy2001 said:
I have a Panasonic G5 MFT, it is a nice little camera that I am still learning to use, but trying to learn from youtube vids can be a bit hard at times, one person says this another says that lol, trying to work out the little nuggets from the rubbish when you have very little experience is hard to do. I am not dismissing my local park but I am in there 2-3 times a day, everyday, so it gets a bit stale I suppose would be a good word for it lol.Oh well soldier on I suppose, things will get better or they wont lol.
PS I have a set of close-up filters.
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Right, found the extension tubes and a MFT to Pentax K adaptor.

@Carpy2001 Drop me a PM with your address and I'll send them to you.

My other half is a carer for her father (85 & a rare form of dementia) so I know how hard this is and can get very depressing.

Don't want anything for them mate, just want you to get a bit of enjoyment out of them.

Terry.
 
Thanks all, but just looking at the images I have taken so far, Macro seems to be what floats my boat so to speak lol, I appreciate landscape shots but dont get enthused by them, street photography can be great, but not around herelol, like I have said, I have already been threatened a few times when wandering around the local streets and industrial estates. I just like the things you dont normaly see or seeing things from a different perspective such as the inside of a flower rather than just the flower. I might have to sell my snooker cue lol, don't use it anymore, and maybe look at some of the off brand lenses like 7Artisans for example.
 
Carpy2001 said:
Thanks all, but just looking at the images I have taken so far, Macro seems to be what floats my boat so to speak lol, I appreciate landscape shots but dont get enthused by them, street photography can be great, but not around herelol, like I have said, I have already been threatened a few times when wandering around the local streets and industrial estates. I just like the things you dont normaly see or seeing things from a different perspective such as the inside of a flower rather than just the flower. I might have to sell my snooker cue lol, don't use it anymore, and maybe look at some of the off brand lenses like 7Artisans for example.
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Er, read my last posts Andrew
 
andrewc said:
I've seen some clever photos using model cars where they've been made to look like studio shots of full size cars, or with model backgrounds. Could be a fun project.
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I had thught of something similar with model trains lol, I think I need to try and find some sort of back ground that could be used for model photography, something that does not involve building a huge scenic landscape lol, just something to pop behind the trains or cars or planes or whatever it may be, look my brain is starting to overload now lol.
 
Carpy2001 said:
I had thught of something similar with model trains lol, I think I need to try and find some sort of back ground that could be used for model photography, something that does not involve building a huge scenic landscape lol, just something to pop behind the trains or cars or planes or whatever it may be, look my brain is starting to overload now lol.
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I use sheets of coloured card, foam board , fabric ( sheets , towels whatever is to hand).
Try still life , bowls of fruit, eggs and while you go round the park pick up fallen leaves, conkers etc
 
Another option indoors is stop motion animations - I have been doing a few of these with my son, whilst he is in hospital.
 
It took me a few minutes to figure out why it would not work at first lol, finally got the camera set to "shoot without lens", and all is good now.
 
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