Gaming Photog and editing

I have begun a new hobby.....one right after the other right?....and I am trying to start a small modest Photography Biz. I am in the process of purchasing equipment and software to make some killer pics. Let me know if you would like me to record your next blood bath or some cool new minis you have painted.

Big D has made a light tent for photographing minis and getting close up of smaller items. Do you know how to put your camera into macro mode yet? Macro mode coupled with the light diffusion from a light tent makes for some very nice closeups. You'll have to bring your camera over and take some shots of models for us.

I have learned to use my Kodak point and click to a better degree than when I bought it. I am in the marker for a Canon 50D 15 MP camera. But I can definitely make some great photos with what I have now. I use Photoshop Lightroom 2 to edit them to their final cut. I will post some still life I have created recently, but I will certainly come over and take some shots of the game oriented gear. They won't be 100% awesome until I spend a few minutes with the photos and some lightroom 2.

Here are a few edited photos I have worked on in the last few days (I hope this doesn't take too much room):

Are you doing anything next Saturday the 20th? I was going to take pictures of the games and minis at the tournament at HT. If you are available, maybe you want to come in and take some?

If I am not at the lake (depends on the weather), i will def. be there.

The pics above are sharp by the way. I like the sharp lighting contrast on them.

Thank ya sir. Those were just first stabs of editing older photos. The high contrast is really brought about by more saturation and brightness. Some others are "aged" and will be closer to gray scale (less Saturation). Anyway......Now that I know what I am doing with my modest little point and shoot they are much better. Now I have been looking at several MACRO lenses. Holy COW. These bad boys are almost as much as the camera, and in most cases are more expensive. I think I can get away with the nice lens that comes with my new camera for now. But macro would kill!!!

My wife got me a digital SLR camera for my birthday and I've been playing around with it, but still have a lot to learn. Are you using Photoshop or GIMP for your editing? I've just recently started to mess around with more than just simple cropping in GIMP, and still have a lot to learn there as well.

Hi Fulminata. Welcome.
Yes they are very complicated to the newb. I am still waiting on mine. ha. I have messed around with several DSLR's to find the right one. What did you get exactly?

As for software, I am currently playing with Photoshop Lightroom 2. I haven't gotten the new CS4 yet, but you can bet I will. Nothing compares to it for digital composites. Light Room is just a finishing tool. Very easy to operate the basic functions. You can download a free trial from Adobe for 30 days to learn it. I know you will like it.

Anyway I hope this has helped a little. Please don't hesitate to ask me anything. I am still learning and quite novice, but I will help where I can.

C.S.

Free is good, trial not so much I'll probably stick with GIMP until I run up against something that I simply can't do with it, but could do with Photoshop. So far that hasn't been the case.

I got a 10MP Olympus E-520 after doing a bit of web research. It had the best reviews and features among the low-end DSLRs, and so far I've been happy with everything except the built in flash, which has a number of minor issues, some of which are simply things I need to get used to (like keeping my fingers out of the way so they don't cast shadows on the subject ). The main issue is the relative difficulty in getting accessories for an Olympus when compared to a Canon or Nikon, but I actually see that as a feature since it prevents me from buying a new accessory every time I walk into Target or Best Buy

There isn't anything wrong with the trial, except that when it is over it no longer works. HA. I actually looked a the GIMP. Not bad. I will try it out if Mac supports it.
I def. need PS CS4. I have 6 and it sucks compared to CS4.

Hope you like your cam. Olympus is a great brand. I don't know how they stack against the big boys (Nikon and Canon) but I am sure it gets the job done for your level. I think I said before I was looking at Canon 50D, but now I am looking at Nikon D300. Big difference in price though. We'll see.



Anyway, have a good one. We'll see you later.

I use the Gimp on my Windows box and on Linux and my Mac. It is a bit tricky to set up on the Mac but it works fine once you get it up and running. The Gimp is just different enough from Photoshop to be a bit tricky if you are real familiar with Photoshop. I have only ever used the Gimp and I have pretty good luck with it and I am absolutely horrible with design.

Like I said....I am going to try it out to see how I like it. But I am a total Photoshop user. It's the same fro me switching to MicroStation from using AutoCad for 10 years. Its not really a matter of better or worse, but the fact that they are different. I am certain each has their strengths and weeknesses. What was tricky about the Mac setup? I refuse to dig out the Dell PC again. ha!

Hey Scoundrel,

Guess what my dear old mom and pop just gave me for my birthday (if you say anything about me being 31 I will hurt you)?

This!

Sweet man. Nikons are where it's at! I plan on purchasing my d200 from my neighbor in a few days. I am hoping it will kick butt.
Go to Barns and Noble or Borders and get yourself the D40 book. I bought one for the 90 and the 300. Good as gold. Everything you need to know....thats not in the user manual you got with your new cam. Enjoy!!

PS. I stopped by to see if you were home today....I was over that way......your cars were there, but I bet you were napping or out playing in the water.

Wildeyedjester wrote:

Hey Scoundrel,

Guess what my dear old mom and pop just gave me for my birthday (if you say anything about me being 31 I will hurt you)?

OMFG I wish I was 31. That would be like 16 years of coolness that I could gain back! My hair would grow back and my stomach would diminish. I would like, kill a 5th grader for that.