Water Splashing Pictures with the Nikon D90!

So many people are amazed at what are really simple pictures... For this update on the D90, I will attempt to show you how to take water splash pictures such as the one below.

Now to take pictures like this, it is really quite simple... There are just a few preparatory setup things, but then after that, it's just take a bunch of pictures! The directions are as follows:

1) Take a shallow basin or bowl of some sort... You want it to be as monochrome as possible.

White works the best, but black will do in a pinch. (You'll want to place this underneath something you can hang a string from...)

2) Fill it all the way too the top with water. I personally put a towel underneath mine. This helped keep the mess clean.

3) Take a plastic Ziplock bag, and fill it with water. Then, punch a paper clip through the top. Then attach this paper clip to a string. From this, you can suspend it from anything above the

basin. (I personally used a fan, and attached the string to the pull-chain.)

4) Poke a very small hole in the bottom of the bag. The goal is to achieve a very slow drip. Ideal times are about 3-5 seconds between each drip.

5) Lean a piece of plain, white paper behind the basin. This is for the reflective benefits, and to provide a uniform background.

6) Place lights around the basin, out of camera view... What works best is lighting from the side, and bouncing it off the card behind the basin. If you have Nikon lighting, all the better. You'll want to use it. Otherwise, a flashlight works really well, because it has focused light.

7) Place your camera on a tripod, and set the focus. If you place a pen or something right where the water is dropping, you can manually set the focus. Make sure you turn it onto manual! You can do this by switching your lens to 'M', and switching the little toggle on the lower left on the front of your D90. (You also want to check to make sure you are photographing the full water

splash...)

8) Take pictures! Here's where you can have fun. You'll have to adjust your camera for the first few pictures, but then after that, take as many pictures as you can. I'd recommend placing your camera on 'M' mode, so that you can control all the settings.

As far as what settings to use, here are some of the settings I used on my D90, and how to access them.

Shutter: somewhere between 1/250-1/1000. - This can be changed by spinning the back scroll-wheel.

Aperture: Set this as low as possible. - You can change this by spinning the front scroll-wheel

ISO: You'll want this as low as possible, due to your uniform background, and the high risk of grainy images. This will depend on your lighting available, but it will most likely be around 1000-1600. - This can be changed by pressing the minus button the back of your camera and then spinning the back scroll-wheel.

To gain the different colors, you will want to change your white balance. To do this, you have to go into your menu... On your D90, do the following:

Press the menu button -> go to the Shooting Menu, the second tab from the top -> Go down to the fifth option, White Balance -> Hit OK -> Press the right arrow key to enter the Auto fine-tuning -> This will bring up a grid with colors on it. Move the little black box around, and experiment to determine which colors you like the most. It works the best to move your preset to the extremes of the grid. (i.e. upper right-hand corner)

So now you know how to take the amazingly awesome water splashing pictures! You can easily spend hours doing this, by experimenting with lighting, white balance, shutter speeds, filters, multiple splashes, dropping a cup at once, and possibly even trying a steady stream of water effect.

Have fun, and remember, the more pictures you take, the higher the odds of just one turning out. I took about 200, and of those, I uploaded/shared about 10-12.

Posted on 7:22 PM / 0 comments / More

Getting the most out of your money?

So as a college student, I am constantly facing the challenge of juggling multiple to-do lists. The big question always arises: How do I insure that I use my camera on a regular basis, and make sure dust doesn't accumulate on it?

The simplest solution? Carry the camera around with you. Buy a bag or something to throw all your junk in, and just carry it everywhere you go. I've got a Tamrac bag, one strap, and it works amazingly well! It's large enough for me to put both my cameras in, along with my additional lenses, flash, filters, and random other accessories. It slings over my back, and I have gone on runs before with it on my back...

Second idea: Make it easy to upload. Seriously. It's as easy as that. If you just make the process to upload pictures really easy, it will make you much more likely to take pictures in the first place. I got a new computer, and it now takes about a tenth of the time it usually takes to upload. Since then, I've taken many more pictures, and I've found myself more likely to pick up my camera in the first place.

Third idea: Find things to focus on. Every time you pick up your camera, try to focus on a new aspect of using it that you don't normally try. For instance, if you normally take on say, Aperture mode, try switching to Shutter or Manual Mode. You'll be amazed how much more you appreciate your camera, and all the wonderful things you can do...

So until next time, I'll leave you with one of my new favorite pictures, of my youngest nephew.

~unclejoe

Posted on 6:56 PM / 0 comments / More

So What Does The New D3100 Do To The D90?

Well folks, you've been hearing about upcoming releases from Nikon for the past few months, but they are finally meeting the expectations... With the release of some amazing point & shoots on Tuesday, the D3100 has been confirmed and released to the public. If you are like me, you are always asking how the latest events apply to the D90... So what does the D3100 do to the D90? Think the meteor that killed the dinosaur. That's what it does. The D90 is now behind the curve, and unless you really really want that drive motor, get the D3100.

So what's better about the D3100? Seriously? Just about everything. Starting with a 14.2 MP sensor, then introducing the first Nikon with 1080p video, auto-focus in Live View, boosted ISO, (to 12800!) and then to finish it off with a fancy new processor, the EXPEED2, and even more editing capabilities, including movie editing.

If you're like me, you are probably thinking to yourself, "man, I should have waited for this guy to come out..." So what is the point of even having a D90 anymore, other than the fact that you don't have enough money to upgrade? Well, personally, I like several features which kinda even out the playing field. 1) That nice info screen on top... Sure, it takes some getting used too if you came from a D40, 60, 3000, or 5000, but we all love that screen. It is immensely useful. 2) The little drive motor on the front. Seriously, this opens up auto-focus on how many more lenses? Life for me would be miserable if I didn't have auto-focus on my 50mm... and 3) the D90 isn't targeted for new parents looking for a vacation toy. Remember, you own perhaps the defining camera in photography history, the first SLR to have video, not to mention perhaps the best collection of camera components for under a thousand dollars.

So don't feel too bad about it... If one of your friends starts bragging about his/her new D3100, and how it is so much better than your dinky D90, just remind them about that second screen, the battery grip, those couple hundred lenses that you have auto-focus on, all those little features that separate a professional from the amateur. You don't have to worry about going extinct for another month... (The Photokina event coming up... Rumor says the D95, the replacement for the D90 is supposed to be replaced... Don't worry though, you still own one of the best cameras in town, regardless of price.)

So while all the action and coverage has been going to the cameras, with some amazing compact replacements, (check out the projector camera replacement... the S1100pj - http://www.dpreview.com/news/1008/10081709nikons1100pjs5100.asp) many people have been overlooking some of the new lenses Nikon released... Here they are, in a real quick list:

- 85mm f/1.4G prime lens

- 24-120mm F4G ED VR zoom lens

- 55-300mm F4.5-5.6 G ED VR telephoto zoom

- 28-300mm F3.5-5.6 G ED VR ultra-zoom

(all of these except the 55-300 are full-frame for those of you with anything D700 and above)

The lens y'all can get excited about is that 55-300 VR... If you are like me, you might have skipped the predecessor to this lens, the 70-300, and gotten the 55-200 instead, so you wouldn't lose the 55-70 range... Well, now you can have just two lenses, the 18-55 and 55-300. With all the latest technology, SWM, ED, VR II, all that, Nikon was able to top everything, and include a little something they call HRI, or High Refractive Index. This helps in harsh lighting environments, and I am sure it is well worth the money. Speaking of money, does anyone know what the price is for this one? Probably around $450. That's cheaper than the old 70-300!

So that's a little update on how the latest Nikon releases affect the D90... I'll most likely do a post on how the D95 is better, worse and the same as the D90... As much as it seems you are behind the curve, and you feel like the D90 is outdated, don't feel that way. It still produces excellent pictures, it has everything any photographer could ask for, and you shouldn't even begin to think about replacing it until you hit at least 75,000 shots... :P

Posted on 9:22 PM / 0 comments / More

How to Photograph Children with the Nikon D90

So one of the specialties I focus in is photographing children. My favorite subjects are my nephews, hence the 'uncle joe' moniker. The main problem with kids is they move. With fireworks, you usually know where they will be. A wedding, you know where the bride and groom will be, and it is usually planned out well in advance. With most engagements where you might be called to photograph, they are usually planned well in advance, and you can usually position yourself in the right place to capture the right picture.

So how can you capture those pictures you find when you buy a picture frame? I don't know about you, but my nephews are constantly moving, running around, jumping, and if you aren't in the right place, at the right time, with that split-second reaction, you won't capture the picture. So how do you do it?

There are really two elements to it. The first is lighting. Kids move around so much, and I know in my house, while the main two rooms are lit very well, my nephews wander around so much, and one of them in particular, prefers the darker rooms. So you need to make sure you have good lighting. I personally like my SB-600 for this. I usually leave it in portrait orientation, (one of the advantages it has over the SB-400) pointed at the ceiling. This allows for the more natural lighting look, and if you are photographing after dark, it can completely black out the background, while making it look well-lit. So while it might seem pointless, even in a well-lit room, you should still use the flash. The eye has a way of deceiving the brain, and making it look like there is more light than there really is.

The second aspect, and while it may seem slightly more of a no-brainer, is to not worry about the equipment too much. Don't bother switching lenses to get the optimal shot, putting filters on, etc. This will only cause you miss the one shot you need to get. Also, you will want to use a zoom lens. Unless you are willing to keep trying to get that one shot out of a hundred, use a slower zoom lens so you can keep up with their movements. And this part really depends on what type of photographer you are. I prefer to stand back, and not be at the center of everything, snapping pictures. As such, this means I use my 55-200mm VR primarily, because it has such a wide range, but it also can be used in darker situations.

You also will want to make sure you have batteries. Most of the time, you will most likely be waiting. This means you will be watching the kid, usually through the camera, constantly repositioning yourself and readjustin g your camera settings, primarily the zoom, to match the surroundings. This wears your battery down, so you will want to watch the level as the day or event goes on.

I would recommend setting your camera on AF-C, or autofocus-continuous. This means the

camera will constantly be readjusting the focus as the subject comes closer or further. You can change this by pushing the closest button the top of your D90, that has the letters 'AF' printed on it. You'll have to hold that button, while spinning the back scroll-wheel. (Note: Most people usually already have the camera set to AF-A; The reason for switching to AF-C is because kids can stand still, your D90 isn't as smart as you, and might assume they are standing still. Trust me, I have had blurry pictures of kids come out because they started moving, doing something worthwhile capturing, and the camera refused to change fast enough.)

So now, just a quick recap:

1) Lighting: Usually your own, but watch for the ambient light.

2) Lenses: Use a zoom lens. This way you can capture within a wider area.

3) Camera settings: Set everything to move fast. Most importantly, AF-C

Posted on 6:05 PM / 0 comments / More

New Team Member for D90 Blog

Many of you don't know me, in fact, most likely all of you don't know me. On a whim, I approached the owner of this blog, and asked if he would be interested in adding a team member to the blog. To my surprise, he responded in the affirmative, so from now on, all of the loyal readers will be receiving updates from both of us.

My first official action on this blog is to inform y'all to what gear I have, what I like, and what I don't like. I have listed them below in chronological order of buying them.

- D40 - What I started with. If you can find one, get it! It is cheaper than the D3000, and virtually identical in almost all respects.

- 18-55mm - This is the kit lens that comes with the D40. It is a great first lens, and is very versatile, not to mention cheap.

- 55-200mm VR - This stayed on my camera most of the time until I got my latest lens. It is with every bit of $50 to get the VR.

- SB-600 - This flash will do everything you need and more. I wouldn't get the SB-400, because you can't bounce it in portrait mode, and the SB-900 still has problems, not to mention the larger price.

- D90 - My current flagship. I use this 95% of the time, and I don't have any complaints with it.

- MB-D80 - If you don't have one of these, but you do a lot of shooting, it is well worth it! It works seamlessly with the D90, (although I did have to bend the contacts a bit...) and it allows for days, sometimes even weeks of continuous shooting.

- 50mm f/1.8 - Perhaps the greatest budget lens ever. If you don't have one, get one! They are cheap, they have a great construction, amazing bokeh, and some of the best focusing ever!

- Tamrac 8x Velocity - If you like moving, and don't like sitting down to change equipment, get one of these! They have every size you need, and when you pull the strap tight, your movements aren't hampered at all!

- Sandisk Extreme III 8GB - This is extremely fast, plus it is practically built for the D90. I have heard that it supports over-clocking for up to 30MB/s, and as far as I know, the D90 is one of the few, if not the only camera that offers over-clocking features.

- Gary Fong Puffer - If you can't afford a flash to bounce the light, this is the next best thing. It attaches to the hotshoe, and diffuses the built-in flash very well!

- Zeikos Close-up Filters - I got these because I wanted to get into macro photography without the cost. The only downside is it shortens the depth of field quite a bit, and you have to get right up on your subject. Overall, worth the $20 I had to pay for a set of 4.

That's a quick rundown of all my equipment. I am a Nikon junkie, and really try not to buy anything non-Nikon if I can help it. Obviously, some things you need to stray from the golden path, but for all the main camera equipment, stick with Nikon, and you can't go wrong. They engineer their products so well, and they will last you possibly for the rest of your life.

Another recommendation I have if you are a risk-taker like me, is buy the expensive stuff from Ritz Camera. By doing this, you can buy their insurance, which covers everything except theft and fire. Take it from me, if you are about to get a flash, get insurance on it! The idea of charging something up, and letting it go repeatedly is a bad bet, and I am about to take my flash in for the second time this year to get repaired/replaced. Not a bad bet, as the price of another flash is just about the same as every bit of insurance I have bought within the past two years. So while some people take care of equipment, and might not need to worry about insurance, I think it is better to err on the side of caution, plus it allows me to let my friends use my equipment without having to worry about it constantly.

So now you know a little bit more about me. I am looking forward to keeping y'all updated on the latest goings-on in the Nikon world, and specifically with anything related to the D90.

~unclejoe

Posted on 1:24 AM / 0 comments / More