Improving One's Photography

[Marko]

I'm a staunch advocate of getting as much right in the camera as you can. Even a slight change in WB can give an image a very different appearance. While the built-in functions of most cameras do a decent job of estimating WB, a calibrated WB is always best. I've been using an Expodisc for about four months now, and while a little pricey, I find it's very convenient, and the results are excellent.

I agree. Get as much done in camera and your life will be easier. I too use auto white balance most often. Most notably when i shoot in the day or use flash which is the vast majority of the time. When my predominant light source is OTHER than daylight, I set the white balance to that light source.

I have not used the Expodisc T.I. but have heard very good things about it. Have you done any side by side tests with and without it T.I. ? I'd love to see some comparison shots if you have. Also care to describe how to use it for those that may not know?

many thanks!
Marko

[jjeling]

I always set my white balance to a white object when indoors and never use the tungsten or fluorescent presets. It is the first thing I do before shooting pictures. There is one thing that annoys me the most, thats when a picture is taken and when it comes time to review it, its blue! Thats just not cool. Unless Im in plain daylight(daylight) or in deep shade(shade) then the white balance on my camera is manually set.

[tirediron]

I have not used the Expodisc T.I. but have heard very good things about it. Have you done any side by side tests with and without it T.I. ? I'd love to see some comparison shots if you have. Also care to describe how to use it for those that may not know?

many thanks!
Marko

Yeah, the side-by-side comparison is on my list of things to do (along with a bathroom renovation, repairs to my truck, a couple of weddings to shoot... ) Anyway, as to use: The Expodisc is essentially a translucent white filter which attachs to your lens via a friction fit vice convential threads (because it only needs to be there for a moment) and is calibrated to produce a known WB.

Use is very simple: Attach the Expodisc to your lens, and then set your camera to record a custom WB, remove it and you're done. It's important to remember that you have to record a new custom WB for changes in light/colour temperature. With it in place, your camera will also function as an incident meter (though I've found this rather too clumsy to be practical).

My overall impression has been very good, but there are some downsides; (at least with Nikon). It's often difficult to record a custom WB in low light, and if you're in a subtling changing environment, say a bright day where you have a slowly encroaching overcast, it's easy to forget to update the WB, resulting in an off tone.

Aside from those minor niggles however, and the price ($130 in 77mm) it's an excellent piece of gear, and worth the steep price.

[Mad Aussie]

Barefoot's 'Doris Jean' photo just reminded me of something I do to improve.

If I see a photo online that I'd realy like to be to take myself I save that photo into a folder called 'Photos to do'
Then I slowly delete the photos from that folder as I manage to satisfactorily achieve similar photos of my own. It helps to push me and keep me focused.

[jjeling]

Barefoot's 'Doris Jean' photo just reminded me of something I do to improve.

If I see a photo online that I'd realy like to be to take myself I save that photo into a folder called 'Photos to do'
Then I slowly delete the photos from that folder as I manage to satisfactorily achieve similar photos of my own. It helps to push me and keep me focused.

Ditto! I usually do this in my head though.

[Mad Aussie]

Ditto! I usually do this in my head though.

Gigabytes of room in there I'm sure!

[Gem]

I've got a book going where I paste in pictures that I like and try to critique them--what makes them good? What could have been better? How might I have done it differently?

Then I put in my pictures and and compare them--How are they different? How are they the same?

Photos from National Geographic (my brother was kind enough to let me cut his up ) work particularly well!

[kat]

I've got a book going where I paste in pictures that I like and try to critique them--what makes them good? What could have been better? How might I have done it differently?

Then I put in my pictures and and compare them--How are they different? How are they the same?

Photos from National Geographic (my brother was kind enough to let me cut his up ) work particularly well!

I do the same thing! From day one till now!! It's funny what little time can do for changes and I can't wait to see how much better it all is when I review my book come this time next year!!

[AcadieLibre]

I never even look at the White Balance, for me personally it is a useless function. If I am shooting in good light conditions the auto works perfectly. When I am shooting in low light conditions I do all my adjustments in post processing because I know before I take the shot what the final look will be and never does the white balance matter.

[GregL]

....If I see a photo online that I'd realy like to be to take myself I save that photo into a folder called 'Photos to do'
Then I slowly delete the photos from that folder as I manage to satisfactorily achieve similar photos of my own. It helps to push me and keep me focused.

That sounds like a great idea... I'll just put it into my Photos to do folder and give it ago. Sounds like a good exercise to help me improve.