Photography Phrustration

[JavaBrewer]

No idea what's going on with your camera but this kid is awesome!

[maxnine11]

Any camera is going to have trouble with this scenario in auto mode:



The subjects are in the shade and back-lit, and the sun is shining directly into the lens through the leaves. (note the lens flare above the ball holder's head).
To properly expose the subjects, you would have to spot meter on the children, and live with the blown out highlights in the background.

Before you condemn the camera, use the available light to your advantage, not as a troublemaker.

Good luck !

[tweezers74]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

No idea what's going on with your camera but this kid is awesome!

This! He is totally adorable! Eye catching!

[Maxim S]

The photos you're getting look exactly like stock JPEGs on Auto out of a DSLR/Mirrorless with a kit lens to me.

The difference between the LX3 and the NEX is probably that the LX3 was doing more optimization in camera. I don't have an NEX handy to check things out, but it's worth messing around with the JPEG settings in the camera and seeing what you get. Also, shoot in P instead of Auto, the camera will still do SS and Aperture automatically but it won't make other random crazy decisions without you knowing.

[dtw]

Shaun is that the camera we talked about? If so sorry it is giving you trouble. I think the pics have great color saturation and the dynamic range there is pretty impressive.

Semi related note - I didn't realize you were doing your own production layout for the line sheets etc. I would suggest getting a color calibrated monitor if you haven't already (with a color thermometer etc). Well worth the money. We are using one at the studio for the high fidelity color work. Check out LaCie...

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

No idea what's going on with your camera but this kid is awesome!

YES! EJ was pretty amazing, and loved the camera. When we were rolling around on the ground, he got totally leafed. Took awhile to get everything out of this hair. he's only size 3 (we sample in 4) so we can use him for at least 2 more seasons. Wonderful parents, so nice, and very proud.

Shot in 100, I think it's pretty much perfect. The Sony does color the best I've ever seen.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Maxim S

The photos you're getting look exactly like stock JPEGs on Auto out of a DSLR/Mirrorless with a kit lens to me.

The difference between the LX3 and the NEX is probably that the LX3 was doing more optimization in camera. I don't have an NEX handy to check things out, but it's worth messing around with the JPEG settings in the camera and seeing what you get. Also, shoot in P instead of Auto, the camera will still do SS and Aperture automatically but it won't make other random crazy decisions without you knowing.

Thanks Max, I'll go to P and work with it more. Looks like operator error. We may have some of the boys in the office for stills, so a good opportunity to fool around with it.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by dtw

Shaun is that the camera we talked about? If so sorry it is giving you trouble. I think the pics have great color saturation and the dynamic range there is pretty impressive.

Semi related note - I didn't realize you were doing your own production layout for the line sheets etc. I would suggest getting a color calibrated monitor if you haven't already (with a color thermometer etc). Well worth the money. We are using one at the studio for the high fidelity color work. Check out LaCie...

This is one step up actually, a little newer model. It looks like it's not the camera, more me. One thing I've noticed is with time compressed but more to do after the accident, I just need things to work. I may actually pay someone to work on my car!

Good advice on the monitor, it's a nice Samsung and calibrated, as is the MacBook Pro. Both have to be as I'm working with Pantone textile color books. If what I see on the screen isn't close or exact to what's in the book, that's a problem! It's the differences between photos and camera settings on the same monitor.