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Hey!

Looking to store my pictures and files externally (I know, I'm currently being very bad storing them on my computer!)

What's the gold standard these days? Cloud storage? External hard drive? Cloud server?

sorry, misunderstood, thank you!!

to levels? or do i fix it first?

😭any way to hide it so it's not as noticeable?

Is this picture in any better of a position?

Any way to hide the white stool Jiffy is sitting on?

fabulous! At this point would I do levels or start to deal with the colour?

ok did a bit better with gaussian blur!

Ok - feeling a bit dumb here - i've used lens blur and set the radius to 100 - is there a way to make it stronger? it won't let me go over 100

ahhhh - in that case we are back to this  

Oops sorry! I applied the lens blur three times

ok i applied it 3 times... the left leg looks funny as I am currently in the process of taking out the leash!

haha! how about this?

any tips on masking around the hair? I tried to to use the hair replacement method and it didn't go very well and this is my best attempt so far...

So I found this tutorial on youtube, I love how they made the subject stand out from the background so that the focus is on the dog and it blends in a bit better.  I have this picture here (currently raw edits are waiting for approval in the raw class) that I love and want to revive and thought it would be a perfect one to try something like this on.  My question - I have been taking your levels class (I know I still have a long way to go) but how would a background change like this factor in to the levels work? like would I do it before or after would this be during the levels editing itself?

So since I posted this my 70-200 has gotten back a bit of life (what a roller coaster!)  As I was calibrating it, it was originally showing astigmatism however after changing a few things, it seems like its just showing soft focus.  Nikon won't touch it because its too old and it doesn't have the parts anymore, and a repair guy who I was talking to (who was very helpful through all this) is worried that if there is something going on (and he suspects there is), he won't be able to fix it.  So I have it calibrated to the best I can and I am going to take it out and see how it goes.  Unfortunately since I also found out, as I had suspected, my 50mm 1.4 is junk (can't be calibrated and out of warranty), It just leaves me with my 14-24 which really changes the pictures I am able to take.  Strangely enough, I have gotten sharper photos out of my 50 than i have with my 70-200 so my hopes aren't very high for all of this.  I have read several of your posts so I don't think you will be surprised to hear about the 50mm!

I have been talking to a few pro pet photographers and they all seem to have the 70-200, while I don't want to get it because 'everyone else has it', I can't deny why everyone has it - I think I've just been so disappointed in my own that I am looking at other lenses.  That being said, anytime I see a photo that makes me go 'wow' its either taken at the super wide angle (14-24) or the 105 or 135 length.  I would love to shoot studio primarily but I know in the next year or two, that's not going to happen, and when I'm outside I normally shoot at 200mm.  Originally I had the 135 on my list but read several places that the auto focus is very slow? I think getting the new 70-200 will be the smartest choice and will definitely rent the 105 and play around with it.  Maybe I will eventually get to carry both around!

As always, thank you so much for your time and help!

Welp, just found out my 70-200 vr is just a big ol paperweight.  Looking to replace it, originally was thinking with the second version of that lens but keep going back to the 105.  I LOVE creamy backgrounds but need something that will keep up with dogs (I focus on pet photography).  I was looking at the 135 but have read the autofocus is on the slower side.  I currently have the 14-24mm and the 50mm so looking for something with a longer reach.  I keep reading things on the internet (sharpness and how fast it focuses) that keeps me going back and forth between these two lenses.  I plan on renting both of these to check them out but was wondering what your thoughts are on these two? Or if there is another prime at a longer focal length you'd recommend? 

Thank you!!

Hey there!

I wanted to make some Christmas cards this year and was hoping I could turn one of these photos 'Christmasy'.  I have not done any levels editing on either of them yet (will post that in the levels edit) but wonder which of the flowers would be easier to turn red and green (and also if that is 'easy') and how I would go about doing that!

Thanks!

Yes that's why I refuse to try out a d4s or d5! I don't need any more gear envy! 

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE my d500 - but I do prefer full frame when I can get it - but if I'm just going for action my d500 is perfect!

Thank you for all your help!

Photos like this from Kaylee Greer (as well as a few others) are what made me want to go wide!

https://www.dogbreathphoto.com/t76o0ppvpqxqsg9o17fc12agp7ekx4

12 minutes ago, Brian said:

Oh, if you are looking for Dog Photos taken with the 14-24, just do a simple Google Image Search. You will see what I'm talking about with big noses and the distortion.

Yes!  I know its not everyone's cup of tea but I LOVE the big noses!  I find the images way more engaging! 

44 minutes ago, Brian said:

Aren't you glad you asked?

Yes!  I have never bought from this store but it makes sense when all of the other camera stores are around the same price (Henrys, vistek etc.) and then that one has one that both more and less expensive than the competition!  Will steer clear from that one! 

and yes the prices in Canada really are a killer!

1 hour ago, Brian said:

You really need VR / IS at the longer focal lengths

Perfect!  Realistically I will either be using flash or shooting at a high shutter speed to catch action so I am good without it!  I can't believe that image was taken without a tripod! - Although I rarely go under 1/500 so I guess I am just used to a different kind of ballgame (but that's still impressive)

33 minutes ago, Brian said:

Oh, just for my curiosity, what body will you be shooting with when you sell your D3?

I have a D4 and a D500 for back up!  I found my D3 was too slow to focus and I was defaulting back to my d500 all the time - as my d500 RARELY misses the focus.  There was a store closing and had a used D4 for sale so I bought it and have been much happier with it!  My d500 is back to being my back-up as well as my camera I take on hikes and other places where I just want a light camera!

Okay so these are the other two that I did - solid colour worked much better - not perfect but I realized it was going to be a tiny photo on the handout.

The second on was much more straight forward!

Those are gorgeous pictures!

Good to know about the 16-35!  I saw someone post about the 18-35 but to be honest I thought it was a typo and they meant 16-35!

I am currently selling my D3 and will be selling my sigma 24 1.4 so I will have a little money to play with so I may as well get the 14-24 - especially as it will be better long term.  These are my current favourites that I have taken with my 24 - and while I love them - I wish I could see what they would look like even wider (they might look terrible but I won't know until I try) - I just love how eye catching they look!  They create some fun expressions on the dogs and other furry creatures.  You're right - most of the time I will want to be close with a medium-ish f stop - but I will also want a few landscapes with dogs as the main focus point in there - so that will give me room to play with a lower f stop.

How important is IS? As I see the 14-24 doesn't have it?  I generally can't use a tripod as im often following the dog with my camera

Now this may be a very silly question but do you know the difference between these two?  I cannot for the life of me find the difference and I have not gotten a response from that company to my question:

https://mapleleafphoto.ca/nikon_afs_nikkor_1424mm_f28g_ed_lens_5286798.php

https://mapleleafphoto.ca/nikon_afs_zoom_nikkor_1424mm_f28g_ed_lens_5294022.php

Sorry! Will post my versions later - things have just been a bit crazy!

Thoughts on the Nikon 14-24 2.8 ED? I currently have the Sigma 24mm 1.4 Art and although I love it - it's not as wide as I'd hoped - I do pet photography and I find the photos (from other photographers) that I love the most are either taken on super wide lenses, or on the 70-200 lens (which I already have).  I started looking at the 14-24 and found very good reviews, but also found some that said the 16-35 f4 was just as good and lighter.  So now I'm a bit torn - my other lenses and camera (except my 50mm) are pretty bulky anyways so I guess I am already used to larger lenses.  But quality wise - do you know if the two are comparable?

Hope you are doing well!