Running a Photo Challenge

I'm running a weekly photo challenge on FaceBook for the month of July.  This week's challenge:  what is your favorite shoes?  So naturally, my favorite shoes are flip flops.  Here's an example photo I submitted to help my friends think outside of the box:

Flip flops and sea shells

Here's what I submitted for my photo challenge:

Backdrop/Background Support System

Since I tend to be a DIYer with my hobbies, I thought about building my own background/backdrop support system for portrait photography.  After much research, I decided against it.  I'm not handy with electric tools and overall it would have been a lot of work.

My brother sent me a link to Cowboy Studios.  I looked around and saw some pretty good support systems.  I knew the main bars that holds the fabric had to be strong.  I've read where other manufacturer's mid section would sag under the weight of the muslin or paper.  I decided on their 10 foot Premium Heavy Duty System (901).  I searched my favorite site and was able to apply my rewards points.  Another great deal.

Way before purchasing this support system, I had already purchased the fabric.  I was at my local G-Street Fabric store and rummaging through their clearance tables when I found this wonderful fabric:

The fabric is not close to being white, but for my use it will do for now.


Here's the Cowboy Premium Heavy Duty (901) Support System:

Here's where the top bar sits on top of one of the adjustable stands:

The two top bars connected (slide one bar into the other and turn 90 degrees):

The logo on one of the stand's leg:

One of the sturdy stand legs:

The storage bag.  The two outer pockets hold the two stands and the inner holds the 4 support bars:  

The bag zipped up and ready to go:

My temporary studio setup with fabric draped over the bar (only have two support bars put together):

For the first few sample pictures I've taken with a fairly wide open aperture, the creases and wrinkles from the fabric don't show.  I will have to invest in a portable steamer later.

I went with a portable system as I do not have the space to setup a permanent studio.  Setup of this portable background system doesn't take too long to install or take down.  Basically, I setup and open the two stands and adjust for height.  I take two, three or all four bars and connect them.  I move my stands apart to fit the length of two, three, or four bar widths.  I lift the bar and place it on top of the stands.  I place and screw down the wing nuts on the pole/stand.  That's it!

Daylilies in Full Bloom

This week is definitely Daylily week for us.  Our gardens are in full bloom with these beauties.  My 85mm is the current lens of choice.  I'm still trying to get the feel for this lens.  I hope to get some portraits done this weekend for my remaining test shots.  In the mean time, I'm enjoying this lens and the beautiful results I'm getting.

Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G Bokeh: Daylily Pictures

I went out and photographed a daylily.  I wanted to see the results of the different aperture settings and the bokeh.  I also wanted to find the "sweet spot" for my new lens.  Here's the results at different aperture settings:

85mm, f1.8, 1/8000, ISO 100

85mm, f4, 1/2000, ISO 100

85mm, f8, 1/500, ISO 100

85mm, f11, 1/250, ISO 100

85mm, f16, 1/125, ISO 110

I set my D7k to Aperture mode and since the flower was in bright sunlight I set the exposure to -0.7.  My post production (PP) changes included cropping, adding copyright notice, and reducing the file size for posting on the web.

Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G: Low Light vs Compact Speed Light

After I mounted my new lens onto my D7k, I took some sample pictures in a room with low light.  I had an incandescent lamp turned on to the left of the following book samples:

85mm, f1.8, 1/125, ISO 2800 (no flash & handheld)

85mm, f1.8, 1/125, ISO 400 (SB-400 compact flash & handheld)

Can you see a real difference between the two pictures?  In the first picture, the low light no flash picture looks quite good.  In the second picture, I bounced my compact flash towards the ceiling.

So far, I like the results I'm getting with this new lens.  More to come....

My New Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G AF-S Fixed Lens

I couldn't wait.  I had some rewards points that I converted to gift cards and applied them towards my new lens. Yes, it was a great deal as we ended up paying 40% of the cost.  What a nice early present!  Thank you hubby!

Here's the packaging the lens came in:

Nicely packaged from the vendor

Inside the Nikon box:  plastic container, manual, and warranty card

The plastic container containing the lens and hood  pulled out of the box

The plastic container opened:  hood and lens

Nikkor 85mm f1.8G AF-S lens with B&W filter

I will be "playing" with this FX lens this weekend and report back my findings!

NOTE:  Photos taken with my 40mm micro lens and SB-400 compact flash

Trying Out a New Filter by B+W

To use a filter or not to use a filter.  That's the topic I've been reading at a photography forum recently.  There seems to be an equal divide amongst those who do and those who don't.  I prefer to use a filter on all my lenses.  I use it to protect my lens from dust, moisture, and scratches.  For the last few years, my choice has been the Hoya Pro Digital UV filters.  Until now.

As I've been researching and reading reviews for my future 85mm prime lens, I've been seeing B+W filters popping up as recommendations.  I've never heard of that brand.  I found a lot of photographers who gave that brand a high rating.  I thought I would give it a try.  After all, I'm a gadget gal at heart.

Here's a picture I took in the early evening with the new filter attached to my 40mm micro lens.  The only editing I've done is to crop, add my copyright, and resize the picture for the web.

Here's the box the filter came in.  I guess I should have taken a picture of the filter before I attached it to my lens.  See what happens when I get a new toy?  Excitement overrides reasonable thoughts.

B+W Clear UV Haze Filter with Multi-Resistant Coating

The quality of this filter is much nicer than my Hoya.  The B+W is a black brass filter ring and constructed with a high quality Schott glass.  It definitely feels sturdier.  The coating on the filter lens has Multi-Resistant Coating (MRC) which causes water to bead up and slide off the filter.  Not that I have any plans to get water on  my lens.  The filter absorbs UV light and reduces the bluish cast of daylight.  The B+W filter is suppose to combat flare and ghosting and doesn't need to be cleaned as often.  We'll see how it performs and I'll be sure to report back the results.  I can tell you that I'm really liking it.  

**  Update 06/22/12  **
I took a picture of the B+W 67mm filter that I received to go with my 85mm fixed lens:

B+W 67mm filter inside its case

It's a thin filter that threads nicely on my lens.  I highly recommend this filter as it protects my lens and doesn't hinder the clarity and color of my photos.