Thursday, March 31, 2005

Your "good" companion : Tripods

My first tripods cost about US$70, which is a 2 section tripods. Good quality, worthy and heavy.

At my first photography class, the tutor asked a question how to improve the sharpness of your picture. Because I was too fresh to photography then and therefore I could hardly answer. The tutor said and emphasized that ONLY TRIPODS can help; no matter how fast your shutter speed and how firmly you hold the camera, ONLY TRIPODS can enhance the sharpness.

He even advised that no matter in what situation you are, shoot with tripods. I followed his advice through out the photography course and shot all my pics with tripods. Yes, he was(is) right ! Most pics I shot were very sharp though not good. But shooting with tripods is really really a nightmare because it is too HEAVY.

I still agree with the tutor's opinion but I will not follow it anymore because I prefer my pic with a bit acceptable blur than carrying a tripods all day.

My US$70 tripods has been placed inside the cabinet over 5 years already. How about yours?

ADVICE: Buy tripods with section as less as possible and as heavy as possible. 2 sections tripods is the base line. More sections and lightweight make your tripods shake.

posted by conrad yiu at 11:25 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Accidental Shot


Chat under Arc de Triomphe

These pictures were shot at summer 1995. It was my last summer holiday and I spent it in Europe with my friends. I carried my father's Nikon F801 (I sold it for financing my later Nikon FM2 after few years) with 28-85mm f/3.5 lens. It was my first time using a SLR, my first time using that Nikon F801. What should I expect?

We took around 20 rolls during the whole trip and finally got, personally I believed, SOME good "accidental shot". This proved my first (five years after that trip) photography tutor's advice: "shoot-more pay off".

After some years' so-called learning photography, I am still a beginner. I am planning to take a trip someday (hopefully in the near future) and shoot as much as possible. Should the result be better (more good accidental shot) ?


The Sound of Music ?


Enjoy the wind at Zaanse Schans


Park at Warsaw


Illuminated the silence of Prague

posted by conrad yiu at 5:01 PM 0 comments

Bidding on ebay

I do suggest people, including me, bidding for their favourite photography equipment on ebay if they are in financial problem.

I did it quite a numbers of time, quite sucessful.

Before placing any bids, check the following:
1. Feedback of the seller, the most important, NEVER bid if seller got too much negative feedback;
2. Ask for shipping cost or whether the seller will ship to your country (I had been told one time by a German that he will never ship any goods to Hong Kong);
3. Check the market price of the item and set your ceiling price;
4. Placing bid only near the end, I mean the last 10 second, of the auction, your winning chance shall be maximized;

Good luck!

posted by conrad yiu at 2:20 PM 0 comments

First time with my Nikon F


Pelican

This is my second time "shooting birds" and the first time with my Nikon F, around 40 years old camera. The picture I would describe as acceptable as well. The available light was too limited on that Sunday afternoon. I could hardly hold the camera with my Nikkor 180mm lens; too heavy!



Little bird



Twins

posted by conrad yiu at 1:50 PM 0 comments

Monday, March 28, 2005

First roll with my Nikkor 180 f/2.8 through my Nikon FM2


Mandarin Duck


This is the first time I use my Nikkor 180f/2.8 with my Nikon FM2. Image is only acceptable due to the cloudy day. The place is Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Garden located at mid level of Central, Hong Kong.




A big mouth

posted by conrad yiu at 1:30 PM 0 comments

Just me ....


Just me ....

posted by conrad yiu at 2:30 AM 0 comments

Day One

First time to write here....
I have just commented a message regarding the bloom of compact DC of which the pace of new models is so fast that consumer can hardly digest it.
Do those people, upgrading (buying a new one and throwing away the old one) their compact DC every 3 to 6 months like photography? Not talking about how much they know about photography (I know nothing either), but how much they like taking photos? Or simply they want to own a new model with full of advanced feature like held by others on the street?
Should it be a shame by using a film based compact camera, like my recent collective Olympus XA, on the street? Think about it.

posted by conrad yiu at 2:00 AM 2 comments