low light, high ISO, low contrast shooting sucks

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited February 16, 2007 in Wildlife
Hi y'all,

The weather the first two days of the MI IV shoot was extremely bad. someone asked me how I normally shot in such conditions and I told them "I don't, I go home and come back the next day".

Anyhow these from the first two days are mostly at ISO 500 and 640 :yikes.

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129305334-O.jpg

129305405-O.jpg

You could tell who had shoot with Ron Reznick by the way they did their handheld shots.

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Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"

Comments

  • Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2007
    True dat, Harry. We had a few rotten days ...didn't we. Difficult lighting is a real challenge. Nice job. Not sure I agree with your interpretation of high ISO ...though. I shot at ISO 800 and 1600 from time to time. eek7.gif:Drolleyes1.gif
    Mike McCarthy

    "Osprey Whisperer"

    OspreyWhisperer.com
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2007
    I know what you mean eek7.gif iso and nikon you need ear muffs :D I have a great flip shot in a no light day :cry :cry if you like blurr then it is a great shot rolleyes1.gif nice shooting Harry and it looks like everyone had a good time thumb.gif
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2007
    This has been the story of my life this winter for any cool adventures I take. Yours turned out quite well though.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2007
    Bird Man Photographer wrote:
    True dat, Harry. We had a few rotten days ...didn't we. Difficult lighting is a real challenge. Nice job. Not sure I agree with your interpretation of high ISO ...though. I shot at ISO 800 and 1600 from time to time. eek7.gif:Drolleyes1.gif

    Well the D2X goes up to ISO 800 so 640 is a high ISO for the D2X. If it went up to 1600 I would still avoid shooting at that ISO. I have viewed a number of shots at ISOs over 1000 and they always bring to mind the line from Jurassic Park: "They were so excited that they could do it they failed to ask themselves if they should do it". biggrinbounce2.gif

    I' just happy that the weather was great after the second day.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • BIG BROTHERBIG BROTHER Registered Users Posts: 268 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2007
    Good shots Harry under the extreme shooting conditions. I am going to have to try that long lense stance!
    ____
    Jim
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2007
    Think color, man. Stuff like this works.

    129305334-S.jpg
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited February 12, 2007
    As someone who frequently needs more than ISO 100, I say welcome to my world Harry!!:D :D

    Lovely shots especially #4 and #5.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • ShepsMomShepsMom Registered Users Posts: 4,319 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2007
    I think those pictures came out quiet nice. I especially like the 4th one. I'm still ISO challenged, but you did great thumb.gif
    Marina
    www.intruecolors.com
    Nikon D700 x2/D300
    Nikon 70-200 2.8/50 1.8/85 1.8/14.24 2.8
  • dbaker1221dbaker1221 Registered Users Posts: 4,482 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2007
    well done harry. thumb.gif perhaps the conditions were not great but think about the fun you had with friends doing it.
    **If I keep shooting, I'm bound to hit something**
    Dave
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2007
    jwear wrote:
    I know what you mean eek7.gif iso and nikon you need ear muffs :D I have a great flip shot in a no light day :cry :cry if you like blurr then it is a great shot rolleyes1.gif nice shooting Harry and it looks like everyone had a good time thumb.gif

    Actually I did better than I thought with the higher ISOs. If you watch your exposure you should do OK. The worst part of the shots was the lack of color.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • dallasdallas Registered Users Posts: 1,638 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2007
    Even in bad light your pictures are great........clap.gifclap.gif
    William
    http://woofwoof.smugmug.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2007
    Maestro wrote:
    This has been the story of my life this winter for any cool adventures I take. Yours turned out quite well though.

    Thanks, they came out better than I expected.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2007
    BIG BROTHER wrote:
    Good shots Harry under the extreme shooting conditions. I am going to have to try that long lense stance!
    ____
    Jim

    Thanks Jim and that hand holding technique is very effective.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 14, 2007
    wxwax wrote:
    Think color, man. Stuff like this works.

    129305334-S.jpg

    Yep it does but when the sky is gray, the water is gray, and the light is low its get hard to find too much color in a scene.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 14, 2007
    pathfinder wrote:
    As someone who frequently needs more than ISO 100, I say welcome to my world Harry!!:D :D

    Lovely shots especially #4 and #5.

    Thanks PF but if I want to do this kind of shooting I'll move to frigging Minnesota. :eek1
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • SeamusSeamus Registered Users Posts: 1,573 Major grins
    edited February 14, 2007
    Harryb wrote:
    Thanks PF but if I want to do this kind of shooting I'll move to frigging Minnesota. :eek1

    Or Ireland:cry , welcome to my world Harry, great shots as always,
  • NappaloniaNappalonia Registered Users Posts: 96 Big grins
    edited February 14, 2007
    As always, great shots Harryeek7.gif
    http://nappalonia.smugmug.com/gallery/580776

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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    Canon
    18-55
    85 1.8 :wink
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    Sigma
    70-300 DG APO Macro
    30 1.4:thumb
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 14, 2007
    ShepsMom wrote:
    I think those pictures came out quiet nice. I especially like the 4th one. I'm still ISO challenged, but you did great thumb.gif

    Thanks Maxine. When you shoot in the higher ISOs you really have to nail the exposure to avoid excessive noise.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • DeeDee Registered Users Posts: 2,981 Major grins
    edited February 14, 2007
    Nail the exposure
    quote: nail the exposure to avoid excessive noise

    So how do you do that? You're the second person I've heard say that about high ISO and excessive noise. So how do you know when you've nailed the exposure? Do you bracket?
    http://www.deegolden.smugmug.com
    http://www.twitter.com/deegolden
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 14, 2007
    Dee wrote:
    quote: nail the exposure to avoid excessive noise

    So how do you do that? You're the second person I've heard say that about high ISO and excessive noise. So how do you know when you've nailed the exposure? Do you bracket?

    I learned from the master, Ron Reznick. The easiest way is to simply review your histogram. Take a few test shots under the lighting conditions, chimp, review your histograms and make any necessary adjustments after your review.

    Even better when the weather was like what we were shooting in, go home. Go out when the weather is better. :ivar
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 14, 2007
    dbaker1221 wrote:
    well done harry. thumb.gif perhaps the conditions were not great but think about the fun you had with friends doing it.

    Thanks and it was a fantastic time.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • JenGraceJenGrace Registered Users Posts: 1,229 Major grins
    edited February 14, 2007
    You came away with much better shots than I did. :D
    Jen

    Gallery of mine...caution, it's under CONSTANT construction! | Photo Journal

    In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. ~Aaron Rose
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 15, 2007
    dallas wrote:
    Even in bad light your pictures are great........clap.gifclap.gif

    You're kind man Dallas.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 15, 2007
    Seamus wrote:
    Or Ireland:cry , welcome to my world Harry, great shots as always,

    Thanks Shay but I'm gonna stick to my world in sunny Florida. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 16, 2007
    Nappalonia wrote:
    As always, great shots Harryeek7.gif

    Thank you very much wave.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 16, 2007
    JenW wrote:
    You came away with much better shots than I did. :D

    If so that's because I've been doing it longer. Lets see how your shots came out. deal.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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