Nice images of my M3 in Europe

[BenTrovato]

Awesome pictures!

[Merlosso]

Those are some excellent pictures. Nice work. You should submit the one of the two of you in the BMW Motorsport shirts to BMW. If I didn't know any better, I would think it was straight out of their catalog!

[bavarian19]

[thorny]

Originally Posted by Merlosso

Those are some excellent pictures. Nice work. You should submit the one of the two of you in the BMW Motorsport shirts to BMW. If I didn't know any better, I would think it was straight out of their catalog!

Thank you. I probably should, huh?! I must admit I do have a tad more BMW apparel than what someone would consider normal

[cghempel]

Stunning photos! I wish that I could shoot pics of that quality

Is there any way you could post high-resolution files? I would love to use that first one and the one taken from the balcony as my desktop

[thorny]

Originally Posted by cghempel

Stunning photos! I wish that I could shoot pics of that quality

Is there any way you could post high-resolution files? I would love to use that first one and the one taken from the balcony as my desktop

Thank you sir!

If you are interested, here is my recipe. A nice Digital SLR camera, I shoot with Canon 5D, then even more important is lens, you gotta have at least one high quality zoom lens, I prefer Canon L optics. They are expensive, but a nice camera and cheap optics is a waste of money, so if someone goes as far as buying a high quality camera, a nice lens is a must. Other than that - to shoot landscape you'd need a sturdy tripod; I use Gitzo, and a cable remote to prevent vibrations. To shoot portrait I use flash a lot.

Once you get all this, there is nothing to blame Just get out and shoot, try different angles, different time of day, inclement weather, etc. Avoid shooting in harsh sun. But no matter what you shoot watch your histogram, ideally it has to be shifted to the right without anything being blown out or severely underexposed. If you end up throwing away 15 exposures and keeping 1 - you're doing great. To get quality there is no other way than to shoot RAW, forget about jpeg. Your camera must be always set to shoot RAW unless you’re shooting a drinking party.

After that it is all about post-processing. There are a few masters of Photoshop on this forum, but Photoshop can be rather intimidating, and it is time consuming even for pros. I use it, but none of the pictures featured in this thread were processed in Photoshop, other that batch processing of resolution to fit the requirements of this forum. I process my RAW images in Lightroom 2. There is 3, but i haven't got to upgrading it just yet. This tool will take your images to a whole new level. Yes, I recommend reading a book on it, but it is a fraction of difficulty of mastering Photoshop. It has a lot of features, but all you really need to know is the Develop module. Its “General-Auto Tone” preset makes wonders, and you can google a bunch of other people’s presets and play around with them all day. Just don’t over-do it, it is easy to get carried away with all the controls.

That’s about it. It does take some dedication, not everyone is willing to carry around a backpack with photo gear and tripod and then sit and process the raw material.

Good luck!

PS I'll try to upload some high resolution images to some 3rd party web site and post a link right here.

[brandons]

Anyone ever mentioned that you look like Jerry O' Connell?

[thorny]

Originally Posted by brandons

Anyone ever mentioned that you look like Jerry O' Connell?

ooh, that's a stretch

[Shaun@AW]

looks great

[cghempel]

Originally Posted by thorny

Thank you sir!

If you are interested, here is my recipe. A nice Digital SLR camera, I shoot with Canon 5D, then even more important is lens, you gotta have at least one high quality zoom lens, I prefer Canon L optics. They are expensive, but a nice camera and cheap optics is a waste of money, so if someone goes as far as buying a high quality camera, a nice lens is a must. Other than that - to shoot landscape you'd need a sturdy tripod; I use Gitzo, and a cable remote to prevent vibrations. To shoot portrait I use flash a lot.

Once you get all this, there is nothing to blame Just get out and shoot, try different angles, different time of day, inclement weather, etc. Avoid shooting in harsh sun. But no matter what you shoot watch your histogram, ideally it has to be shifted to the right without anything being blown out or severely underexposed. If you end up throwing away 15 exposures and keeping 1 - you're doing great. To get quality there is no other way than to shoot RAW, forget about jpeg. Your camera must be always set to shoot RAW unless you’re shooting a drinking party.

After that it is all about post-processing. There are a few masters of Photoshop on this forum, but Photoshop can be rather intimidating, and it is time consuming even for pros. I use it, but none of the pictures featured in this thread were processed in Photoshop, other that batch processing of resolution to fit the requirements of this forum. I process my RAW images in Lightroom 2. There is 3, but i haven't got to upgrading it just yet. This tool will take your images to a whole new level. Yes, I recommend reading a book on it, but it is a fraction of difficulty of mastering Photoshop. It has a lot of features, but all you really need to know is the Develop module. Its “General-Auto Tone” preset makes wonders, and you can google a bunch of other people’s presets and play around with them all day. Just don’t over-do it, it is easy to get carried away with all the controls.

That’s about it. It does take some dedication, not everyone is willing to carry around a backpack with photo gear and tripod and then sit and process the raw material.

Good luck!

PS I'll try to upload some high resolution images to some 3rd party web site and post a link right here.

Thank you very much for the advice! I am new to SLR cameras and such as I just purchased my first SLR in July. It is nothing fancy (Sony A33 I believe) but it is definitely enough to fuel my growing interest in photography. I also purchased a zoom lens.

I will give what you said a try. I have been playing around with the zoom lens lately and have actually captured (in my novice opinion) some great photographs. I am sure Photoshop and Lightroom can help enhance.

Thanks again and awesome photos! I look forward to the high resolution images, I bet they are even more stunning.

[tlav17]

Originally Posted by thorny

Thank you sir!

If you are interested, here is my recipe. A nice Digital SLR camera, I shoot with Canon 5D, then even more important is lens, you gotta have at least one high quality zoom lens, I prefer Canon L optics. They are expensive, but a nice camera and cheap optics is a waste of money, so if someone goes as far as buying a high quality camera, a nice lens is a must. Other than that - to shoot landscape you'd need a sturdy tripod; I use Gitzo, and a cable remote to prevent vibrations. To shoot portrait I use flash a lot.

Once you get all this, there is nothing to blame Just get out and shoot, try different angles, different time of day, inclement weather, etc. Avoid shooting in harsh sun. But no matter what you shoot watch your histogram, ideally it has to be shifted to the right without anything being blown out or severely underexposed. If you end up throwing away 15 exposures and keeping 1 - you're doing great. To get quality there is no other way than to shoot RAW, forget about jpeg. Your camera must be always set to shoot RAW unless you’re shooting a drinking party.

After that it is all about post-processing. There are a few masters of Photoshop on this forum, but Photoshop can be rather intimidating, and it is time consuming even for pros. I use it, but none of the pictures featured in this thread were processed in Photoshop, other that batch processing of resolution to fit the requirements of this forum. I process my RAW images in Lightroom 2. There is 3, but i haven't got to upgrading it just yet. This tool will take your images to a whole new level. Yes, I recommend reading a book on it, but it is a fraction of difficulty of mastering Photoshop. It has a lot of features, but all you really need to know is the Develop module. Its “General-Auto Tone” preset makes wonders, and you can google a bunch of other people’s presets and play around with them all day. Just don’t over-do it, it is easy to get carried away with all the controls.

That’s about it. It does take some dedication, not everyone is willing to carry around a backpack with photo gear and tripod and then sit and process the raw material.

Good luck!

PS I'll try to upload some high resolution images to some 3rd party web site and post a link right here.

your pictures are stunning. I'm pretty new to DSLR photography and I would love to be able to take shots like that. what lens are you using? thanks

[thorny]

Originally Posted by tlav17

your pictures are stunning. I'm pretty new to DSLR photography and I would love to be able to take shots like that. what lens are you using? thanks

Thanks a lot!

I'm using Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM - excellent walk around lens. if I had the money to buy just one, I'd get this one. http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx This is the best web site for canon equipment reviews, again in my opinion.

I also have Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM - this one has just stunning optics, it is a lot sharper than my 24-105, but it is not as versatile. If I had the cash at the time, I would have bought the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM, but it is a lot more expensive. Both of these are outstanding for portrait.

And the last one in my bag is Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM. This is not an "L" lens, but it is very very sharp (just as good as "L") and offers super wide aperture. Since it is a fixed focal length lens aka prime lens, I use it very seldom. I wouldn't recommend buying it unless you have a specific use for a 50 mm lens or a wide f/1.4 apperture.

[MDSKIER]

Originally Posted by thorny

Thank you sir!

If you are interested, here is my recipe. A nice Digital SLR camera, I shoot with Canon 5D, then even more important is lens, you gotta have at least one high quality zoom lens, I prefer Canon L optics. They are expensive, but a nice camera and cheap optics is a waste of money, so if someone goes as far as buying a high quality camera, a nice lens is a must. Other than that - to shoot landscape you'd need a sturdy tripod; I use Gitzo, and a cable remote to prevent vibrations. To shoot portrait I use flash a lot.

Once you get all this, there is nothing to blame Just get out and shoot, try different angles, different time of day, inclement weather, etc. Avoid shooting in harsh sun. But no matter what you shoot watch your histogram, ideally it has to be shifted to the right without anything being blown out or severely underexposed. If you end up throwing away 15 exposures and keeping 1 - you're doing great. To get quality there is no other way than to shoot RAW, forget about jpeg. Your camera must be always set to shoot RAW unless you’re shooting a drinking party.

After that it is all about post-processing. There are a few masters of Photoshop on this forum, but Photoshop can be rather intimidating, and it is time consuming even for pros. I use it, but none of the pictures featured in this thread were processed in Photoshop, other that batch processing of resolution to fit the requirements of this forum. I process my RAW images in Lightroom 2. There is 3, but i haven't got to upgrading it just yet. This tool will take your images to a whole new level. Yes, I recommend reading a book on it, but it is a fraction of difficulty of mastering Photoshop. It has a lot of features, but all you really need to know is the Develop module. Its “General-Auto Tone” preset makes wonders, and you can google a bunch of other people’s presets and play around with them all day. Just don’t over-do it, it is easy to get carried away with all the controls.

That’s about it. It does take some dedication, not everyone is willing to carry around a backpack with photo gear and tripod and then sit and process the raw material.

Good luck!

PS I'll try to upload some high resolution images to some 3rd party web site and post a link right here.

Thanks for the info I might have to try a nice SLR after I get my new M3. But for now the PHD Push Here Dummy camera works good for me.

- As others have stated the picture of you and the Mrs. in the white BMW T-Shirts is tops.

Thanks for posting.........

[HeartMD]

Congrats. and top notch pictures. Seriously they look very pro especially the second one.
Congrats

[saeedg48]

great photos!

[thorny]

Originally Posted by cghempel

Stunning photos! I wish that I could shoot pics of that quality

Is there any way you could post high-resolution files? I would love to use that first one and the one taken from the balcony as my desktop

If someone can recommend a website where I can post high resolution images for free, I'll be happy to do it. I tried Flikr, but with free account it is not possibleto share hi res..

[diablito]

Looks like a great time...amazing captures, stelvio pass with the rain drops over the carbon roof..wow! just amazing!

[Z K]

You can try Google's Picasa.

I have a paid Flickr account so it allows for unlimited full size pics.

[e1000]

epic!!!!!!!!!!

[BimmerRob08]

Nice! Man I wish I could move back to main land Europe with my M3!

[EdM5]

Fantastic shots

[tlav17]

Originally Posted by thorny

Thanks a lot!

I'm using Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM - excellent walk around lens. if I had the money to buy just one, I'd get this one. http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx This is the best web site for canon equipment reviews, again in my opinion.

I also have Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM - this one has just stunning optics, it is a lot sharper than my 24-105, but it is not as versatile. If I had the cash at the time, I would have bought the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM, but it is a lot more expensive. Both of these are outstanding for portrait.

And the last one in my bag is Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM. This is not an "L" lens, but it is very very sharp (just as good as "L") and offers super wide aperture. Since it is a fixed focal length lens aka prime lens, I use it very seldom. I wouldn't recommend buying it unless you have a specific use for a 50 mm lens or a wide f/1.4 apperture.

cool! thanks for the advice