Food Photography

I know, It's been a while! And to make it up with you, here's some treat! 

Shutter speed: 1/25s Aperture: f/3.5 ISO 800 Focal Length: 50mm

Shutter speed: 1/30s Aperture: f/2.8 ISO 800 Focal Length: 50mm

Shutter speed: 1/40s Aperture: f/3.2 ISO 400 Focal Length: 50mm

You will find more on my Flickr! page, so please do visit! Happy Easter!

Tilt–Shift Photography

As defined by Wiki, Tilt–shift photography is the use of camera movements on small- and medium-format cameras to simulate miniature scene. These movements are: rotation of the lens plane relative to the image plane, called tilt, and the movement of the lens parallel to the image plane, called shift. This genre of Photography can be done, of course by using a special and expensive tilt-shift lenses.

http://media.the-digital-picture.com/Images/Other/Canon-Tilt-Shift-Lenses-Tilted.jpg

The good news is, this effect can also be achieve digitally! That's right, by use of Photoshop or any other image-editing softwares, the fake miniature effect is possible. That saves us a lot of bucks! And I'd rather call it, Tilt-Shift Photography Effect.

Here's a brief overview of the process - 

1. Choose a photo taken from above. Please avoid overhead shots as it will not illustrate a shallow depth of field.
2. Manipulate the focus to give emphasis to your subject. Then blur out everything!
3. Increase color saturation
4. Boost image contrast.
5. Adjust Levels, Curves, etc as needed.

And here are the results.

Shutter speed: 1/30s Aperture: f/5.6 ISO 400 Focal Length: 36mm

Shutter speed: 1/80s Aperture: f/5.6 ISO 100 Focal Length: 50mm

Those shots were taken a couple of months ago from the view of my office building. Like I said, a high-angle shot would be the best candidate if you're looking for an image to practice for. This gives an illusion as if we are looking down toward the miniature model, which is our main goal here, right?

There are a lot of tutorials online if you need a more detailed instructions on how its done. Here's a sample! Go try it end enjoy!

The equipment.

I must admit, it took me a couple of days before realizing that I never mentioned my gear in my first 2 posts. So I am dedicating this 3rd to them.

http://tonemagazine.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/canon-100d-tone-731-328x331.jpg

A 3-year old Canon 1000d (Rebel XS). Just like any photographer does, I gave her a name! I call her Cammy. Canon + Camera = Cammy! Lame name isn't it? haha. She's a bit old now. Do you think it's her time to retire? Please say yes and help me persuade my wife! ;)

Attached to it is a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. Its Auto focus system though is already malfunctioning (I told you, the body and the lens should now avail of their retirement plan) so I have to use my second lens most of the time. 

http://www.grainlab.com/images/can_ef_18_50_1a.jpg

A nifty-fifty Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Prime lens. This is perfect for portrait shots. Bokehlicious baby!

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NPICS1/DI622_MARKII_3_L.JPG

A Nissin Di622 Mark II external flash. It has both Canon and Nikon mount and relatively cheaper than its competitors. Curious? Read more about it here.

And for long exposure shots, a Joby Gorillapod and a cheap Wizen 10ft Aluminum Tripod.

Now, the list is done. I was thinking of putting them into action, a project maybe. How about water drop photography? Not bad huh?

Meet my little kid, Justin.

Shutter speed: 1/500s Aperture: f/7.1 ISO 100 Focal Length: 28mm

Photo above was shot in Boracay, Philippines. It was during the rainy season and we were just so lucky that the sun showed up and gave us its bright sunlight. Perfect weather allowed me to shoot Justin who couldn't get enough playing in the sand and of course, in the beach!

Being his no.1 fan, I have shot a lot of photos of him, and I mean a LOT! Here are some of those.

Shutter speed: 1/60s Aperture: f/8 ISO 100 Focal Length: 55mm

Shutter speed: 1/40s Aperture: f/2.2 ISO 400 Focal Length: 50mm

Shutter speed: 1/50s Aperture: f/3.2 ISO 800 Focal Length: 50mm

Such a cute boy, even the Hong Kong people adores him.

Shutter speed: 1/40s Aperture: f/5.6 ISO 800 Focal Length: 20mm

One element you need to consider in composing an image is the use of lines. In the last photo, notice how the ceiling lights and its reflections on the floor create converging lines that add a sense of action to the photo (now I'm talking "Photography"). To learn more about lines and composition, you might want to visit Darren Rowse's article in Digital Photography School.

That's it for now. It's a Sunday so I have to enjoy it and I am sure you will too!

There is always a first time for everything!

Yes, this is my first blog! And by that I meant, my very first in the world of blogging.

So why "The Hobbyist Photographer"? 

Firstly because I love photography. I enjoy taking photos, especially of my cute and active kid. Obviously, I am not a Pro and I don't do photography for a living. It is my HOBBY and I want to keep it that way. 

Secondly, everyone nowadays has camera and takes pictures, and that makes them a photographer. So technically, I can call myself a PHOTOGRAPHER, can't I? 

That makes me The Hobbyist Photographer! ;) 

What's in store for you?

Basically, this will be more of a photo blog. I am just planning on sharing my photos here, with a short write-up of - How I took it (in-camera settings), where I took it and maybe a short description of the model/subject. 

Everything else will be spontaneous. Hope you'll like it! Happy new year everyone and happy shooting!