Can you fix blemishes and stuff like that? Or is it just mostly color manipulation?

CalvinBall wrote:Can you fix blemishes and stuff like that? Or is it just mostly color manipulation?

You can fix some blemishes. I don't use that part too much. I use it mostly for coloring, cropping, alignment, etc. I basically have a set of presets that I have saved for certain looks, landscapes, people, lighting, etc and just apply them to a photo.

My workflow is pretty quick at this point but it took a lot of work and time to nail it down. I tend to take multiple photos of each subject so if one is blemished, another one may not be. If your subject itself is blemished, find a different angle. If I feel like I have a photo that may look pretty cool with heavy manipulation, then I will use photoshop.

I'd rather not waste time trying to fix blemishes, instead take it as a learning experience as to how to fix the shot with the camera so it doesn't happen again. In the end, that's photography. Also, make sure you're shooting in RAW.

great. thanks for the answers.

especially the RAW thing. dont think I have been doing that.

CalvinBall wrote:great. thanks for the answers.

especially the RAW thing. dont think I have been doing that.

No prob ... Lightoom and Photoshop and pretty worthless if you're not shooting in RAW.

some random person commented on an instagram photo asking if i do maternity shots. i DMd her and told her i just take pictures of my friend but would be willing to try. she emailed me. i think i might take pictures of a random pregnant girl. i dont know what i am doing!

lol

Thoughts on this lens?

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Zuiko-Dig ... 160%2C160_

It is a plastic body, which I think I am fine with. My other two lenses are plastic. Think it is just a matter of durability, but they have held up great.

I really want a decent lens for portraits that has a shallow depth of field. The other lens I have only goes as low as f 3.5 I believe.

I don't use portrait lenses so I can't comment on it.

what do you use to take portraits?

my resident painter

CalvinBall wrote:what do you use to take portraits?

i found a used lens on ebay that goes down to 1.4 (i think) for like $80 a few years ago (i have a nikon tho). it's great for shallow fields of depth

CalvinBall wrote:Thoughts on this lens?

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Zuiko-Dig ... 160%2C160_

It is a plastic body, which I think I am fine with. My other two lenses are plastic. Think it is just a matter of durability, but they have held up great.

I really want a decent lens for portraits that has a shallow depth of field. The other lens I have only goes as low as f 3.5 I believe.

I have no experience with it myself, and I don't think anybody here besides you, moma and I shoot Micro Four Thirds (I'm not sure Moma does actually, he may still use a Four Thirds DSLR).

When I'm interested in opinions about camera gear, I look for professional reviews online but also check out the dpreview forums. Especially with lenses, professional reviews can lead you astray because they really get into the weeds. Such and such a lens may exhibit some softness wide open, but ultimately, does it matter? Probably not unless you're a pro and maybe not even then.

From what I've read, this lens is a good lens and an outstanding value. I would get it, in fact it's on my wish list.

great. think i am gonna buy it. thanks for the direction. think it will be a lot more fun to play with the the zoom one purchased on the cheap. just havent found a huge need for that one yet.

CalvinBall wrote:what do you use to take portraits?

I generally don't.

phatj wrote:

CalvinBall wrote:Thoughts on this lens?

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Zuiko-Dig ... 160%2C160_

It is a plastic body, which I think I am fine with. My other two lenses are plastic. Think it is just a matter of durability, but they have held up great.

I really want a decent lens for portraits that has a shallow depth of field. The other lens I have only goes as low as f 3.5 I believe.

I have no experience with it myself, and I don't think anybody here besides you, moma and I shoot Micro Four Thirds (I'm not sure Moma does actually, he may still use a Four Thirds DSLR).

When I'm interested in opinions about camera gear, I look for professional reviews online but also check out the dpreview forums. Especially with lenses, professional reviews can lead you astray because they really get into the weeds. Such and such a lens may exhibit some softness wide open, but ultimately, does it matter? Probably not unless you're a pro and maybe not even then.

From what I've read, this lens is a good lens and an outstanding value. I would get it, in fact it's on my wish list.

Yep, still on four-thirds.

tonight is the maternity shoot.

anyone have some lightroom presets that they like? or a good place to get some for free?

i am not super great at LR beyond the basics. tone and colors are a bit harder so was hoping for some help there.

CalvinBall wrote:anyone have some lightroom presets that they like? or a good place to get some for free?

i am not super great at LR beyond the basics. tone and colors are a bit harder so was hoping for some help there.

There are a ton of good presets around for free but it's been awhile since I've downloaded any of them. I would just google around. It's time consuming, but not hard to figure out LR tone and colors. It's well worth it to figure it out.

Google is now offering the Nik software for free, for both Windows and Mac

https://www.google.com/nikcollection/

The Dude wrote:Google is now offering the Nik software for free, for both Windows and Mac

https://www.google.com/nikcollection/

anyone download this? i cant seem to get it to show in my presets.