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Post by fernwood on May 29, 2018 13:54:31 GMT -5
Hoping someone here understands this.
I was a professional photographer for 10 years. Owned/co-owed my own business. Specialized in on site photography of people, animals, farms, etc. Also did photo restoration of heirloom family photos. This was from 2002 until 2012. We used a combo of digital and 35 mm cameras. Had everything needed from macro to landscape. Could photograph animals for registration purposes (when do digital photos were allowed). Fidgety children were no problem. Several award winning macro photos of plants, animals, fish and insects. My co-owner suddenly passed away from a stroke in 2006. I did what I could to keep the business going for another 8 years, but no longer had some equipment. What I had either died (digital SLR) or became outdated (SLR).
I could not replace what was lost. Now relying on a simple phone camera with minimal adjustments. It is so frustrating to me not to be even able to photograph a rock and have the gloss/details in focus. Have spent over 500 hours trying to figure it out with no luck.
Tried photo tents with a combo of natural/LED lighting. Tried outside. Tried flash. Tried different background colors. Tried combos of many.
Purchased several cameras from places/people who were a scam. Nothing worked. Some would not focus. Some were broken upon delivery. No refunds.
My budget was $250.00 for a DSLR camera. Spent $800.00 for junk. Did not need any lenses or anything else. Just the body.
I have spent over 6 hours trying to get a good photo of a cabochon I made. Either it is in focus or the gloss shows and it is blurry. Cannot get both to happen in one photo.
So frustrated right now. So embarresed That I can no longer even take a simple photo.
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saxplayer
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2018
Posts: 1,327
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Post by saxplayer on May 29, 2018 14:52:57 GMT -5
I'd wait to see what GarageRocker says, he takes some of the best photos I've seen. Sorry you're frustrated - I'm sure there is an answer out there!
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Post by mohs on May 29, 2018 15:21:42 GMT -5
Taking a picture of a rock is hobby onto itself ha ha
I can understand your frustration Not quite at the same level
in those early days hanging a rock'n heart in a tree at just the right time of sunset with hand held Canon was a major goal of mine.
didn’t have the time, money, tri-pod, or inclination to get any more fancy than that.
anyway good luck in your endeavors!!
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Post by rockjunquie on May 29, 2018 15:56:53 GMT -5
Well, I, for one, have seen a huge improvement in your photos since you got here. You certainly don't need to be an award winning photographer to share here. So, I don't see why you are so down on yourself. Frustrating - sure. But, not the end of the world. It'll all work out. Patience.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,881
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Post by Tommy on May 29, 2018 16:22:34 GMT -5
Purchased several cameras from places/people who were a scam. Nothing worked. Some would not focus. Some were broken upon delivery. No refunds. My budget was $250.00 for a DSLR camera. Spent $800.00 for junk. Did not need any lenses or anything else. Just the body. I'm sorry you ended up with bad experiences on your search for a DSLR. I don't mean to pile on but I felt a bit awkward that I didn't get any responses from you or anyone else to my offer of the Canon E0S Rebel XTi with lens. I thought it was a nice camera but as I said at the time, I know squat about cameras so I gave it away to a neighbor a couple days ago. Personally I use my cell phone for every single photo I've ever posted on this board, or Etsy, or anywhere else. Point and shoot is the trick for me
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on May 29, 2018 16:53:53 GMT -5
fernwood - I also have a photography background, just not as an income job. For photographing my cabs & jewelry I bought a Canon EOS Rebel T3i a few years ago because of an Android app called DSLR Controler. At the time it seemed like the best app for controlling a DSLR via an Android device. The Nikon options weren't as good then. I'm sure now there are lots more options for all makes of cameras. It lets me hook the camera to my 7" Nexus 7 Android tablet & view, focus, expose & shoot via the tablet. I don't have to look through the viewfinder, or at a smallish LCD or even touch the camera to take the shot. Instead of a tripod I bought an articulating monitor arm & a Manfrotto grip & had a machinist make an adapter to connect it all together. I can position the camera without loosening or tightening any knobs. The next part is lighting. I tried light tents, but found them hard to use, so I just have 2 cheap articulating draftsmans lights with CFL bulbs. I put a high tech paper towel diffuser over each. I find that positioning the lights more to the sides of the cab rather than above minimizes the glare spot but still shows a sliver of light that makes the cab look more 3D than flat. Here are some samples: My photos on FacebookLynn
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Post by fernwood on May 29, 2018 17:04:46 GMT -5
Hey Tommy, I sent you a response via PM. Was it never received? Please let me know. For me it is just that some specific stones will not photograph well. Especially those with sparkle, gloss or various surface levels. I have always been my own worst critic, as I am a perfectionist. Appreciate the votes of confidence from some and advice from others.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 29, 2018 17:11:45 GMT -5
Hey Tommy , I sent you a response via PM. Was it never received? Please let me know. For me it is just that some specific stones will not photograph well. Especially those with sparkle, gloss or various surface levels. I have always been my own worst critic, as I am a perfectionist. Appreciate the votes of confidence from some and advice from others. Some stones are extremely difficult to photograph- even for the best photographer. It's just the nature of the beast.
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Post by vegasjames on May 29, 2018 17:50:20 GMT -5
It is hard to get good pics of stones with a phone camera. Lack of a polarizing filter to cut glare, can't put a hood on to block light from other directions, etc. I just bought a new DSLR for this reason. The tube in my Nikon autofocus lens sheared so I could not use the camera and to replace just the lens was so expansive that it made more sense just to buy a new camera. I am very happy with the new camera.
Would your lenses work on a Nikon D40?
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,881
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Post by Tommy on May 29, 2018 19:07:02 GMT -5
Hey Tommy, I sent you a response via PM. Was it never received? Please let me know. Whoops, bummer. No I didn't receive it. I looked through my inbox again thinking it might have missed it because I had 20 auctions closing right about then but I'm finding nothing.
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Post by fernwood on May 30, 2018 9:05:51 GMT -5
No worries Tommy. It was just not meant to be.
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