Quick question for the digital users
Discussion
Right then, I'm a film user for the forseeable future, only using a digital camera to take snaps, so could you digital users answer a pondering of mine please 
When you're lining up a shot, do you ever think about how you can process it later before you press the shutter? For example, would you ever change locations just so it will be easier to clone something in the background out? Or do you take what you think is a good shot then think about how to make it better afterwards?
Just curious about the thought process behind it
Nige.
When you're lining up a shot, do you ever think about how you can process it later before you press the shutter? For example, would you ever change locations just so it will be easier to clone something in the background out? Or do you take what you think is a good shot then think about how to make it better afterwards?
Just curious about the thought process behind it
Nige.
My thought process is the same as Phil's. After years of shooting slide film composition is everything. It's a little easier with digital, inasmuch as if the the exposure is a little off you see it straight away on the histogram, so you adjust and shoot again. It's great to be able to take a chance too, it doesn't cost you anything to experiment, where as with C46/E6 it meant a lot of waste (film/money)
Martin.
PS - EOS1n+winder for sale!
>> Edited by V6GTO on Wednesday 2nd November 18:37
Martin.
PS - EOS1n+winder for sale!
>> Edited by V6GTO on Wednesday 2nd November 18:37
I'd add one other thing. Digital is HARDER to use than film in some ways. You've got so much more dynamic range with film, you can royally 
up and get away with it. Granted digital warns you there and then and you can have another go.
Saying that, would I go back to film? You're kidding right?
up and get away with it. Granted digital warns you there and then and you can have another go. Saying that, would I go back to film? You're kidding right?
My thinking has changed:
Doing mainly landscapes, I hate bloody pylons, telegraph poles etc. Using film (and going straight to paper/slide) they were the bane of many a shot. Now I don't mind if they are in frame, as I can lose them after in PS. I just have to be careful that they are not obscuring details. I also don't like vapour trails from planes (too man made for a quiet landscape) - so they go too.
I now automatically think of taking shots exposed for sky and then land (when the difference in brightness is big), knowing I can blend the two back home. I still use a ND grad a lot, but actually find it less accurate (I also don't like putting bits of plastic in front of the lens!)
This was two shots blended to keep the sky detail with a very dark landscape >> www.stevecarter.com/picofmonth.jpg
But the main thing is the complete mind set change regarding how many shots one can take (as mentioned above). I often sit by a loch shooting sunsets, and where once I might have taken a whole roll (36), I now take ten times that or more. Add in the fact that I nearly always bracket each shot (5 frames at 1/3 stop intervals) digital has been a exposure liberation!
I held onto very good film SLRs for years - but they just never got used.
Steve
Doing mainly landscapes, I hate bloody pylons, telegraph poles etc. Using film (and going straight to paper/slide) they were the bane of many a shot. Now I don't mind if they are in frame, as I can lose them after in PS. I just have to be careful that they are not obscuring details. I also don't like vapour trails from planes (too man made for a quiet landscape) - so they go too.
I now automatically think of taking shots exposed for sky and then land (when the difference in brightness is big), knowing I can blend the two back home. I still use a ND grad a lot, but actually find it less accurate (I also don't like putting bits of plastic in front of the lens!)
This was two shots blended to keep the sky detail with a very dark landscape >> www.stevecarter.com/picofmonth.jpg
But the main thing is the complete mind set change regarding how many shots one can take (as mentioned above). I often sit by a loch shooting sunsets, and where once I might have taken a whole roll (36), I now take ten times that or more. Add in the fact that I nearly always bracket each shot (5 frames at 1/3 stop intervals) digital has been a exposure liberation!
I held onto very good film SLRs for years - but they just never got used.
Steve
If you have ever seen films of professional photographers in the past ('60s and '70s) they shot a large number if pictures and chose the best. Digital cameras give everyone that luxury that I personally could not afford with film.
Taking "snaps" implies a more transient process. They are more of a record of a place or event. Some of my pictures are technically and artistically flawed but people with an emotional attachment to the subject say they are great.
Hugh
Taking "snaps" implies a more transient process. They are more of a record of a place or event. Some of my pictures are technically and artistically flawed but people with an emotional attachment to the subject say they are great.
Hugh
I tend, like Steve, to think far more about blending possibilities. Obviously not an obvious option with film, so I guess this is the biggest difference. Having never been a fan of sticking things in front of a lens I've never really mastered grads - so now I don't bother!
With RAW shots you can just make some adjustments and convert two images to get more detail. Then in more extreme cases take two images in the camera. I'm really getting to enjoy PS-ing images together, now.
I sometimes think about the possibilities of a B&W image (or even selective colour) before I hit the button.
I also found that I had ideas about merging two images from some gardens recently. I could see a particular statue working in a specific "frame". So in some ways, digital is helping me to be a bit more imaginative.
Overall, whilst I can sometimes see the odd pylon or aerial, I still try and work on the basis that a good capture with the camera is the best way forward.
With RAW shots you can just make some adjustments and convert two images to get more detail. Then in more extreme cases take two images in the camera. I'm really getting to enjoy PS-ing images together, now.
I sometimes think about the possibilities of a B&W image (or even selective colour) before I hit the button.
I also found that I had ideas about merging two images from some gardens recently. I could see a particular statue working in a specific "frame". So in some ways, digital is helping me to be a bit more imaginative.
Overall, whilst I can sometimes see the odd pylon or aerial, I still try and work on the basis that a good capture with the camera is the best way forward.
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