Goals

[Saknika]

Does anyone have any photography-related goals?

Personally, I'm trying to save up for the AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens, which is about $900. Sooo... that'll take a while. >_>; I'm soon to get the background stand I need for my studio equipment though, which is pretty awesome!

[comicIDIOT]

I have expensive goals! I want a Canon 5D Mark II (2.7k) & a 50mm Prime f/1.2L USM lens (1.1k). I borrowed the 5DMII from my school and I like it - my fisheye is so COOL on a full frame - but can't figure out the HD Movies yet. The lens would be for portraiture, borrowed this too. I'd then invest 100$ into my 400D and get it converted to Infrared.

More reason for me to nab a job when I get home. I'm not sure what I want first. Probably the lens as I don't need 21MP's of photo just yet and my portraits need to take off so a new camera body can wait.

[Saknika]

50mm prime for portraiture? :-\ I'd go with more of a 100mm or 150mm prime. Telephoto is better than wide angle for portraits.

[comicIDIOT]

Seriously? What's your reasoning? I've heard that 50mm is the best option because anything after that your subject will start to appear flatter (as telephotos tend to do) and anything less (as a 35mm Prime) will add distortion.

[j10asen]

Doesn't the depth of field get shallower with a telephoto lense? Dosen't that make selective focus better as well?
I always heard 105 to 135 mm are best for portrait photography. Perhaps 50 mm is best used for full body shots for example weddings, etc.

[Saknika]

50mm is better for group shots. But generally, telephoto doesn't flatten things, it compresses them. So what happens is the background seems closer to the middle ground seems closer to the foreground. But the depth of field is beautiful. The problem with anything below 80mm is it's wide angle, and wide angle distorts. So if they have a large nose, while it won't be as noticed usually, a wide angle lens is going to amplify that and really exaggerate the issue. Generally speaking, telephoto lenses are meant for portraiture, wide angles are meant for groups and large areas, and macros are for close up OR portraiture. Then you have the fisheye that's a special effect lens, and the tilt lenses that mimic view cameras and are REALLY cool.

[danielazarc]

Let's just say that material-wise, my goals are immensely expensive. Much better photo cameras, and HD-recording cameras. I don't have any particular models in mind yet since I won't have the funds for quite awhile (and I have more important priorities), but I'd love to eventually get one or both.

Skill-wise, I'd just like to improve everything I know so far and get to know some new techniques as usual, doing whatever I can, and pushing my current camera's abilities to the maximum.

[Accebera]

Jul 28, 2009 21:51:10 GMT -5 Saknika said:

50mm is better for group shots. But generally, telephoto doesn't flatten things, it compresses them. So what happens is the background seems closer to the middle ground seems closer to the foreground. But the depth of field is beautiful. The problem with anything below 80mm is it's wide angle, and wide angle distorts. So if they have a large nose, while it won't be as noticed usually, a wide angle lens is going to amplify that and really exaggerate the issue. Generally speaking, telephoto lenses are meant for portraiture, wide angles are meant for groups and large areas, and macros are for close up OR portraiture. Then you have the fisheye that's a special effect lens, and the tilt lenses that mimic view cameras and are REALLY cool.

The other really great thing about using a telephoto lens for portraiture is that you don't have to get right up in your model's face to fill the frame. With a telephoto, you can keep your distance and give your model breathing room. =]

[firequall]

24-70 2.8L.
16-35 2.8L.
2x 580EX II.
3x PocketWizard Plus II.
Edirol R-09HR audio recorder.
Maybe a 14 2.8L and/or 5DMkII.

Followed by an approved artist's grant, the interest from a few editors for a few story ideas I have in mind and the money to pursue them (~$7,000, partially funded by grant money).

[Saknika]

Pocket Wizards are GODLY. I definitely support that goal.

Good luck getting your grant as well!