Aug 2, 2012 | Field Reports
I am a filter nut, always looking for a great filter to solve my problems. The problem is, I go through a lot of them not finding ones I like. I really love to use split grad neutral density filters, it’s a leftover from film days. The problem has been that for digital, I’ve had to carry the Lee .9 4×6 but as you might know, finding them is like finding ghosts. At the same time, they are a pain to carry. Well, Schneider now has a .9 (that’s 3 stops) split grad neutral density soft edge 77mm and it’s gorgeous!
Here’s kinda of a classic use of a split grad. These photos have no processing, Jpegs out of the D800. The subject is the dwarf pine on the knoll. The top image is straight, the bottom is with the Schneider 77mm .9 split grad. In the top image, the white clouds put the eye up and away from the pine. At the same time, the exposure is down for those white clouds so the spot of light on the knoll is darker. With the Schneider split grad attached, the clouds at the top of the frame are now held back so the brightness of the light on the knoll pops out.
Here’s another example everything the same with the results the same. There are a couple of reasons why I love this filter and recommend it over all the others I’ve tried. First, the neutral density material in this filter is gorgeous rendering no funky color tint. It’s glass and spectacular and in brass mount that is smooth as silk. And ya, you’re paying for all the quality. But you must be asking, “Why bother, I can do that in post?” True, you can but here is why I use them. First, clouds often “burn up” so you loose detail. If it’s lost in the capture, you can’t get it back in post. That’s why I wanted a .9/3 stop because .6/2 stop just isn’t enough for digital. Next, this was shot with the D800, that’s one big ass file. You start adding to that file in post and you have a massive file! When you can get it in capture, you have a smoother gradiant, smaller fill and cleaner highlights. Now I’m testing some other really cool filters I’ll be telling you about shortly, but I’m really excited about this new find!
Jul 31, 2012 | Field Reports
Jeff Cable is at the his first Olympics as the official photographer for the USA Waterpolo Team. He’s not only shooting, but blogging his experience and it’s a great read. Just check out his entry for the life in a day posting! Jeff is doing a great job, check out his work!
Jul 27, 2012 | Field Reports
Kelby Training is comin to the office in two weeks to film my next class, Getting Started in Wildlife Photography. So I called a staff meeting this morning to start getting everything prepped. The meeting was going well until some of the models got an attitude. I have two weeks to get them in line. Now if you’re wondering how I got this photo of this Allen’s Hummingbird, you’ll just have to watch the class :-)
Jul 25, 2012 | Field Reports
“Is the 1000x really worth the price?” Man, is that a really valid and common question. I can honestly say for most photographers, it’s not. Do I need it, like life or death need it? Oh man, do I! Right now I’m running the 32GB & 64GB 1000x and just ordered some 128GB 1000x and here’s why.
Current bodies can now take advantage of the higher speeds of these cards, I found this out firsthand on a commercial shoot recently. Shooting the D800 on CH with my finger never letting up on the shutter release, I was so pleased to see them damn big files getting sucked in lickity split. And as I’ve mentioned before, the D4 is cranking 100+ on a burst with these cards. While I don’t need that speed every time I go out shooting, not even every week, but all I had to do is experience that speed once when I did need it and I was sold on their value.
When it comes to ingesting images from the 1000x cards, you might have to buy new readers. The 1000s cards work with the ExpressCard Reader (be sure to get the driver) or the USB3 Multi Card Reader. Now the USB3 works fine as is but if you update its firmware, it goes even faster! Now this investment might not be right for you, that makes perfect sense. The savings of time at both end of the process for me did make sense. Hope that answers the question.
Jul 24, 2012 | Field Reports
There are a number of photographers out there I have a lot of admiration for. It’s because they are out there doin it, following their heart and making the clicks. One of those is my dear friend Jeff Cable. I remember the first time we went shooting together, I couldn’t shake the guy. Talk about a ton of questions…sheeesh! Nothing has stopped Jeff though from pursuing his photography despite working long hours around the globe in his “day” job. In that spirit, Jeff is at the summer Olympics as the official photographer for the USA Waterpolo Team. Jeff is blogging about his experiences and it’s well worth your reading. I encourage to you read it if for no other reason then to know that everything in photography is possible for everyone! Well done Jeff!
