If you had to choose..

[kimapali]

between getting a tripod or a flash, what would you get RIGHT NOW if you didn't have it? I can only afford one this month, the other next month.

[gjtoth]

between getting a tripod or a flash, what would you get RIGHT NOW if you didn't have it? I can only afford one this month, the other next month.

Tripod and learn to use existing light. Tripod is an ABSOLUTE necessity according to everything I've read.

[ladyups]

between getting a tripod or a flash, what would you get RIGHT NOW if you didn't have it? I can only afford one this month, the other next month.


I agree with Gary...the tripod is a must...the flash is also great but could be put off till the second purchase. I just bought an Amvona tripod off Ebay with a ball head and I love it...gave 30.00 for it and it's worth more. It is quite sturdy and easy to use...I love how quickly I can snap the camera on and off the tripod.

[coffee]

If it's only a matter of a month before you have both, I think it would depend on what you are going to photography for that month. If you are going to do quick shots around the house, I would go for the flash. But if you have a built in, then that may work good enough for now. It you are going to be doing outside work in less than sufficiant lighting, then certainly a tripod. Because you will need a longer shutter time and will certainly need the tripod for that.

But hey, don't settle on a very cheap one of either. I made that mistake and hate my tripod, and will have to get something else in time. I have a Canon 430EX flash that I love. So do a little homework before you purchase either, so you know you will be set up for many years to come.

[dkippen]

Kimapali -

I'd go for the tripod as well, and as Joseph says, get a good one. This will be the case where you get what you pay for.

[coffee]

Debbie,, I would like to see more of your images. Do you have any you can add to your ProudPhotography portfolio?

[dkippen]

This weekend. After transferring pictures and documents to the new computer, somehow or another, everything I worked on Saturday was gone or corrupt, but I do have the original files. Looks like tomorrow will be a good day for that. It's been a busy week at work and home - took me 2 1/2 days to set up new computer and that was with taking Monday off.

[coffee]

Ya I know how computers can be. I have 3 of them networked in my house. They sure eat up a lot of time keeping them up and running. Now I have to get my laptop fixed. I made the mistake to sitting it on the foot rest of my couch. It slid off when I got up. Broke the hindge(sp). Can't close it up anymore. So it has to go in and get fixed.

[dkippen]

OOOOH - I hate when that happens.

We only have one computer, I'm pretty much the only that uses it. I get real anal about setting the folders the way I want, then have to get rid of the extra "garbage" software - which surprisingly, this computer didn't have a lot of, then go through and reinstall the different programs I have.

[Snappers]

Deffinatly a Tripod. It is the most important, then you can concentrate on your flash afterwards

[proz]

I have to say Tripod for sure. I much prefer natural light to flash

[sophiesue]

Yes i would also say tripod as I use this heeps more than an external flash

[kimapali]

If it's only a matter of a month before you have both, I think it would depend on what you are going to photography for that month. If you are going to do quick shots around the house, I would go for the flash. But if you have a built in, then that may work good enough for now. It you are going to be doing outside work in less than sufficiant lighting, then certainly a tripod. Because you will need a longer shutter time and will certainly need the tripod for that.

Joseph, I'm mainly doing indoor shots of my daughter. I'm much more interested in photographing people than landscapes and abstracts. My only concern about getting a tripod is setting it up all the time while chasing my daughter or other people around. Also, the built-in flash on my camera creates some horrible shadows, but I need something because my pictures are coming out too dark.

Still deciding...thank you so much for the input!

[Snappers]

Kim, If you do go for a flash, be very carful on which one you choose. I have one but even with a diffuser on it, it is still a little strong for indoor use.

It's well worth paying that little bit more to get the type that is more controlable or even off camera flash which is what I would like.

[jonrayner]

Definitley a tripod!

[kimapali]

Well, I did get a dedicated flash for my camera, and the difference is HUGE! There's a little diffuser on it but I also ordered an external one to put on it. I've been practicing bouncing the light in different ways. I think the hardest part is working to get the right shutter speed and aperture combination. I've decided to move to manual mode to force myself to learn all of this! I've also been reading "Understanding Exposure" by Brian Peterson, which has been a HUGE help!

My husband is a sushi chef (lucky me! :D) and has asked me to take some pictures of different rolls, sashimi, and nigiri for their website. He also wanted me to take pictures of the sushi bar itself and the chefs. The bar is inside a night club, so there won't be much light. Because of this I decided to also get a tripod (bad Kim, it's not in the budget!) so I can take those extreme close-ups of the sushi (and use f/3.5-5.5) and also so I can take pictures of the sushi bar in the low-light situation. I did some practice shots tonight so I could work out the details! It's a lot of pressure, and hopefully I do a decent job. I'll post some of the pics I got later on.

Thanks again to everyone being so nice and helpful here! :o

[LensBaby]

Kim I can't wait to see some of those shots!

[coffee]

Which flash and tripod did you get?

[Snappers]

Nice one Kim. I also have the "understanding exposure" but I have not read it yet. It is having the time to get into it.

[jerryph]

I have both a tripod and a flash... and let me tell you that for me, a flash gets used WAY more than a tripod.

Let's look at a few of the possibilities:

Tripod:
- self-portraits
- night and low light photography with long exposures
- macro (if you have a macro lens)

Flash:
- Day photography (yes it improves day shots a lot!)

- evening/night photography at short shutter speeds (opens up the world of shooting after the sun goes down... lol)

- indoor photography (well ok, anywhere there is low light and moving subjects to shoot)

- and if you can trigger the flash off camera, well thats where we enter a whole other world. The common term today that they call it is being a "strobist". It gives pictures a whole different feel.

Just choose from what you think best serves your needs now, and go for it!

Edit:
Oops! Seems Kim already went for the flash AND tripod! I bet you are enjoying both a lot, it changes the dynamics of how and what we shoot tremendously. Now let's see some pics of that sushi! :)

[jerryph]

Nice one Kim. I also have the "understanding exposure" but I have not read it yet. It is having the time to get into it.

Awesome book. It is likely one of the most highly recommended books on photography out there anywhere. After hearing all the praise this book received, I had to get it myself. Awesome pictures, wonderful explanations... highly recommended!

For people wanting to get into flash photography, 2 other books that come with equaly high recommendations are:
- Light: Science and Magic (explains the physics of why and how to acheive certain effects)
- Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers (this is the one I am reading now... GREAT for people who have access to off camera flash!)

[kimapali]

Which flash and tripod did you get?

I will have to admit that I got a cheapo tripod, a Sunpak that cost me $20. I needed it fast and I just wanted something functional. I got the Fl-36 flash for my Olympus so I wouldn't have to mess too much with settings since I'm not at all familiar with the ins and outs of flashes yet!

I've been taking pictures with the flash already, and what a HUGE difference it has made! I used it when I took some sushi pictures last night for my husband, as well as pictures of the sushi bar itself. I bounced the flash off of various walls and straight up, at an angle, etc. to see what would produce the best lighting. I also took some pictures of my friends and shooting the flash straight up in a dark night club illuminated their faces very nicely! I'll post some of these pictures after I'm done making dinner. :o

[dkippen]

Can't wait to see them!! And then next month you'll get that nice tripod?

[LensBaby]

Jerry who is the author of the book Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers? Thanks!

[gjtoth]

Jerry who is the author of the book Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers? Thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lighting-Guide-Portrait-Photographers/dp/1584281251/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203299323&sr=8-1

[coffee]

When you do get a better tripod, keep the cheaper one in the truck of your car so you always have one with you.

[kimapali]

Can't wait to see them!! And then next month you'll get that nice tripod?Yes, I plan to get one, most likely an Amvona since I've heard good reviews here. Unless, of course, anybody else has any suggestions for a stellar tripod, I'd always appreciate it!

Anyway, the pics are up. I can't figure out how to take the workstation out of the background in PS Elements, it's really bugging me. I tried my best though to crop it out, but I think it's distracting!

Also, any suggestions for how to make the colors of the sushi bar stand out even more?

Thanks guys!

[kimapali]

BTW, is anyone else's spouse annoyed by how much money is spent on photography supplies and equipment? :D I really don't care, I think it's more productive than buying shoes! ;)

[dkippen]

As long as the bills are paid first and there's money left over, my husband couldn't care less what I spend.

[dkippen]

Kimapali -

I hope you don't mind, but I tried to elimate the workstation. Let me know what you think.

[kimapali]

Kimapali -

I hope you don't mind, but I tried to elimate the workstation. Let me know what you think.OMG how did you do that? That's awesome! Thank you! :D

[coffee]

I like the pic. I think in a composition like this, I would like to see all the food in focus. You make it look Yummy. :-)

[dkippen]

Kimapali -

I duplicated the layer a couple of times, so I had something to go back to if I messed up.

On one layer, I used the magic wand to delete some of the unwanted elements in the background. Then, using the magnetic lasso, I created a selection around the plate, copied it to a new layer. Rearranged the layers so I could resize the plate and reposition, then went back and erased what showed through, then flattened all layers.

[LensBaby]

My husband is the OPPOSITE of annoyed. He is always saying "why don't you buy this or why don't you buy that" He is the one that bought me my high definition wide angle/macro lens. He is even thinking of getting his own camera so we can shoot together. How cool would that be? We would be fighting over my printers and my lights now I can just see it!

[jerryph]

Jerry who is the author of the book Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers? Thanks!


I'm sorry I should have included that... Bryon Peterson.

This is a link to it at Amazon... clicky here! (http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated/dp/0817463003/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203328691&sr=8-1)

[ladyups]

BTW, is anyone else's spouse annoyed by how much money is spent on photography supplies and equipment? :D I really don't care, I think it's more productive than buying shoes! ;)

Nope, my hubby doesn't care...course I've earned the bulk of our income for the past 24 years. He's just happy to see me happy...

[dkippen]

My hubby can't really complain about what I spend. He hunts and fishes - alot. We don't do the "well you spent this much, so I'm going to do the same" cuz I could never spend what he has into his hunting and fishing and boat.

[jerryph]

I could never spend what he has into his hunting and fishing and boat.

Don't be so sure. Someone once a while back made a calculation how much it would cost if they bought most (but not all) the Canon lenses. They came up with a $21,000US number. I see that as being very possible... seeing that Canon has ONE lens that is very rare but is $99,000 by itslef. :eek:

How is that for spending?

[kimapali]

Don't be so sure. Someone once a while back made a calculation how much it would cost if they bought most (but not all) the Canon lenses. They came up with a $21,000US number. I see that as being very possible... seeing that Canon has ONE lens that is very rare but is $99,000 by itslef. :eek:

How is that for spending? Speaking of lenses, do you have to buy lenses from the same brand as your camera? And if not, what an good and "affordable" wide-angle?

[jerryph]

No you do not. Alternate names for you to look at are Tamron and Sigma. I own several Sigma lenses and am VERY happy with them.

[dkippen]

Kimapali -

I have one Tamron and the rest Canon, 2 of which are very nice, the other two came with the camera. When I can afford to upgrade/replace, for myself, I'm going with Canon.