DSS #43 - C&C My First Challenge & DSLR

BinaryFx · February 2, 2010

A brief intro - I have been a member for a few years, hanging out in the Post Processing forum. I recently bought my first DSLR, an Oly E520 with twin kit. I have a lot of experience with post processing, however I am very new to DSLR cameras and photography as an artform. Anyway, I am here to try and learn by taking part in the DSS challenge.

I am here to learn and am very open to C&C on everything to do with this new "hobby", be it technical, composition, cropping etc!

Firstly, a couple of questions, if I may...

* If one is not wishing to upload a full resolution image when submitting a final image to the challenge, what are the minimum pixel dimensions allowed?

* How can one attach more than one image in the same post in this C&C topic thread? Or do I have to make separate posts for each image?

Cheers,

Stephen Marsh

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~binaryfx/
http://prepression.blogspot.com/

BinaryFx · February 2, 2010

CaC-1
First of two possible daytime entries.

No editing done, wishing feedback, thanks!

Stephen Marsh

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~binaryfx/
http://prepression.blogspot.com/

BinaryFx · February 2, 2010

CaC-2
Second possible daytime entry.

No editing done, wishing feedback, thanks!

Stephen Marsh

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~binaryfx/
http://prepression.blogspot.com/

BinaryFx · February 2, 2010

CaC-3
OK, I know that it is iconic and has been done to death, however I may as well take advantage of having this in my home city!

No editing done, wishing feedback, thanks!

Stephen Marsh

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~binaryfx/
http://prepression.blogspot.com/

BinaryFx · February 2, 2010

CaC-4
And the final choice...

No editing done, wishing feedback, thanks!

These two day/night sessions were my first real go using this camera...I wish that I had a wide angle lense, the kit 14-42mm 4-3 lens is too narrow!

Stephen Marsh

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~binaryfx/
http://prepression.blogspot.com/

Aspecto5 · February 2, 2010

I'm not sure about the first question, but for the second, I upload my images to my smug mug gallery. Then having the share option open, I copy an embeddible link and post that link into the window like this one. I always click the preview post to see if it worked. Hard for me to explain and not sure if you have a smug gallery.

As for your images, I really like #1. The relfections in the windows of the clouds and sky is excellent. Not sure about the building on the right of it. Might want to see what it looks like with it cloned out. I'm sure others will chip in and fill you in on your questions though.

Oh! and excellent choice of camera.

I have the 520 and the 620.

Shoots2Little · February 2, 2010

To try and answer you questions check out this http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/1083138 . It is a tutorial on posting pictures from Smugmug(the owner of this sites online photo storage site).

The first thing you will need is an online site to upload your photos to, they will 'host' them for you. Instead of adding 'attachments' to your post, where you can only do one I believe, you use the little picture icon in the compose message window. You paste the url of your photo from the hosting site and every time the page loads it pulls your image from there, instead of taking up space and resources of DGrins servers. This also allows you to put many photos in one post.

Clear as mud? Check the tutorial for a walk through.

Chris

Oh yeah. I really like the first two shots, but agree the building to the right is somewhat distracting.

HoofClix · February 2, 2010

When you submit your final image to the entry gallery, keep in mind that they limit the viewable size to the "SmugMug XL," which is 1024x798 anyway, so I suppose that you could, if you didn't want to upload your full image, just resize your image to be no larger than those dimensions before your upload. I would suggest not going smaller then that, as 1024x768 is, imo, a good size for the judges in case they want to really take a look at the shot. Keep in mind also that SmugMug is protecting your image, so you don't need to worry about that part.

If you are just submitting to the Dgrin threads for critique, 800 wide, or 750x500 is an ideal size, as you don't have to scroll your screen to take a look to it. If you have a web presence, you should just refer your posts to your image that is already on-line. It is cleaner and a better quality image to view than are the uploads like you have posted above..

ic4u · February 2, 2010

I agree with the others comments on #1
BTW...Welcome!!!

tinamarie52 · February 2, 2010

I like 1 & 2, but 2 best. The horizon needs a little straightening, tho.

Welcome to the challenges. FYI- I tried using the upload from other hosting sites, but eventually found that having a smugmug account can't be beat. Follow the links that others have given you.

You can save $5 on your annual fee by using an existing smugmugger's email address or coupon code. Mine is 3PXCcjUBXmpUg, if you don't already have one. But again, you can use any member's email address to get the same $5 off. I think you'll like what you see from smugmug.

Chris

MarkR · February 2, 2010

The only thing I'd add is that #1 might be more interesting as a vertical crop -- would emphasize the tallness of the building and allow you to crop out the extraneous elements on the side.

Good job.

liflander · February 5, 2010

Welcome to the challenges!
I like #1 and #2, a lot! I like the geometry, so I would think about cropping out or reshooting to get rid of the stuff in the bottom left on #2. Also, you could work some post magic on these and transform them into more abstract or surreal images; I know I would try that!
Cheers,
Mark

travelways · February 5, 2010

Welcome to the challenges.
Your photos are very nice, but personally I think you should go closer to the windows.

BinaryFx · February 6, 2010

Firstly, thank you for the welcome and for reminding me about the differences between linking to (multiple) in-line images vs. uploading a (single) image.

Aspecto5 - A fellow Olympus shooter, I may have to start a topic in the hardware section where I can post my newb questions, I used to shoot with a "DSLR-like" Nikon P&S so things are a little different with a true DSLR and Olympus. Thank you for your vote of image #1 and suggestions.

Shoots2Little - Thanks for your votes, I like the geometry of #2, however I think that #1 is a stronger image, despite being shot "head on/centre frame" with large converging verticals!

HoofClix/Mark - Cheers, just what I was looking for in regards to the submission size, thanks! Many of the nightime shots of the Sydney Opera House were done hand held (I know, I know), before I set-up a tripod. Of course, about half of them were too blurred for use and the useable ones would be more useable at a smaller submission size due to very minor blur, thus my question. Anyway, nobody voted for the night shots anyway!

ic4u/Karin - Thank you for the welcome!

tinamarie52/Chris - Thank you for the tips and offer of coupon code for SmugMug!

MarkR - Thanks, I did not shoot this in portrait orientation as my kit 14-42mm lens crops out too much of the base. I will look at the cropping on this landscape shot as suggested. I would have thought that I would wish for a true tele lens as my first upgrade, however with only one day shooting with my new toy I can now see how versatile a wide angle lens would be.

liflander/Mark - Thanks for the votes, I could reshoot today right before the challenge ends, however I will have to stick with what I have due to the weather. I will try to keep your suggestions in mind for the future, thanks!

photo-bug/Tatiana - thank you for your comments, again I will try to remember in future shots - perhaps when I get a wide angle lense so that I don't miss too much of the shot!

Thanks again for the forums time and comments, it is appreciated!

Regards,

Stephen Marsh

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~binaryfx/
http://prepression.blogspot.com/

DSS #43 - C&C My First Challenge & DSLR

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