Posts in Category: Tutorial

Q: Fisheye & Zoom

On 21 Sep ’10 by Bill W. With 2 Comments - Advice, Lenses, Nikon, Photography, Q and A

Due to the fact that I have a photography blog, and my friends know that I like talking about cameras and the like, I tend to get related questions every once in a while. I’ll always answer them directly, and sometimes ask if it’s okay if I post their question and the associated answer on my blog.  The following two questions were posed by my two friends Taleah and Nick regarding the next lens purchase they should make.


[Question 1]
Taleah’s gear: Nikon D40 body, 18-55mm lens, and a 55-200mm lens.

Taleah’s question: “What if i got this lense? [sp]”  After this basic question that everyone asks at some point, she posted a link to the following lens on Amazon (click picture).

Answer: Taleah, why do you want a fisheye?

I needed to answer her question with a question.  Similar to the analysis of a crime, i had to determine the motive behind Taleah’s interest in a fisheye lens.  As I suspected, Taleah was enchanted by the impressive shots that one can capture with a fisheye.

Due to the shape of their glass components, fisheye lenses “bend” the light that enters the lens and capture a much wider perspective than other types of lenses.  You’ll get a better idea from the pictures below.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I am a fan of (well-done) fisheye photography for its artistic quality, the fact that you can capture a lot of shot in one click of the shutter, and its distorted/unique viewpoint.  But keep reading…

Buzzing Like Neon
Autumn at Graceland Cemetary

While these images create a “wow” factor, this style of photography has little use in every day picture-taking, which is what I explained to Taleah.  They are “one-trick-pony” lenses.  Many people see these photographs and think, “I need a fisheye lens because it’s so cool!”  Just like many people see HDR photography and think, “I need to learn how to do that!” (I may or may not have gotten reeled into that second example.)  At some point, if you really want to take these types of pictures, then by all means, buy a fisheye lens.  But for the money, you’re better off buying a more versatile lens, especially at the beginning of your collection.


In the end, I suggested that Taleah buy a prime lens with a small “f-stop” value instead of a fisheye.  Specifically, i suggested purchasing the Nikon 35mm f/1.8, which is a lens that I own.  It is a sharp, fast lens that produces great low-light images in the same price range as that fisheye.  In my opinion, well composed photographs with good depth of field are worth more than a “cool” fisheye lens.

[Question 2]
Nick’s (girlfriend’s) gear: Nikon D40, 18-55mm lens

Nick’s question: “I need your opinion on what would be a good zoom lens… Something that’s in the range of $200 to $300, [or] any lens that would be useful for her.”

Answer: Everyone needs a zoom lens.  Everyone.  If you’re just starting out, like Nick’s girlfriend, that can be an entry level Nikon 55-200mm VR lens – the best zoom lens for the money (between $180-$220).  Plus, you look really cool holding it.  Anyways, this lens comes with the added (awesome) bonus of image stabilization or “Vibration Reduction” as Nikon has titled it.  I also own this lens and it has served me well for over two years, so I’m speaking from experience (in case any of you were doubting me).

Side note: at the wedding I photographed this summer, I rented a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II lens for the weekend.  It is a great lens.  I want one.  Unfortunately, it costs over $2,000; otherwise, I would definitely recommend that lens to everyone.


That’s all for this Q & A.  Hopefully, it was helpful.  SEND ME YOUR QUESTIONS.  I’d love to provide some advice/opinions.

Dynamic Theater

On 9 Sep ’10 by Bill W. With 3 Comments - Advice, Black and White, Chicago, Comparison, HDR, Photography
Today’s post demonstrates my ongoing affair with HDR photography.  For those who don’t know, HDR is an acronym for “High Dynamic Range.”  (If you want to know more about HDR photography, my recommendation is visiting this site, The Golden Sieve, as Justin Kern presents a great explanation.)  My interest was piqued about this time last year when I first discovered this “dream-like” genre of imagery.  Since then, I have done some research, experimenting, and exploration into this new level of dynamic range (the high level).  Now, I would not consider myself “obsessed” nor would I suggest that I rely on HDR for the majority of my images, but I do believe that it adds a level of excitement to an image that may or may not have been possible otherwise.  Please see below.
Here is the original image – completely unprocessed.  It’s a nice picture, but I was looking for a little something more, due to my desire to produce some cool HDR imagery.  Two exposures and a lot of processing later, the second image was generated.
I have to admit – this was really only my second ever attempt at HDR, so the image is a little “gaudy” for my current tastes.  I was trying to create a WOW factor instead of refining/improving the photograph.  While I could have revisited the files last night and reprocessed to create a “better” picture, I think it’s only fair that I show you this image as I originally presented it.  Future posts will reveal my current “feel” for HDR so that you, the reader, can see my development as it relates to the purpose of HDR, in my opinion.
Instead of reprocessing last night, I did experiment with “black and whiting” the HDR image.  Just like any photograph, black and white doesn’t always “work.”  Sometimes, you NEED the color.  HDR is provides a greater amount light information resulting in better depth and a more complete image – like your eye actually saw it.  This usually requires color to set the HDR image apart from the “normal” image.  Although I don’t plan on turning many of my HDR pictures into black and white, I was happy with this result.

Let me know your thoughts, opinions, compliments, and critiques by posting a comment below.  I actually have another series lined up from the same night on which I took the above photograph(s).  Keep an eye out for that in the near future.  Next up, though, will either be a basic photography tutorial or possibly an answer to a question posed to me by a friend.  Thanks for reading!