In the end, I found that I have a LOT to learn about shooting with a tripod and remote shutter release. I have two consistent (and obvious) problems in the photos below. First, the big one, nailing focus. The focus in these shots are horrible. It continuously fell on an object behind me, like the fence in the first set, or the trees in the second. I need to play with my focal point settings, and figure out what's best when I can't manually set the focal point, but I haven't had the time to do it yet. The second problem is hiding the remote. See my hand up in the tree? I thought it was hidden. Smooth Sarah, real smooth. I could have cloned my hand out but, for these purposes, I didn't really think it was worth the effort. The same issue exists in all of the photos. How do you inconspicuously point and shoot the remote?
This last set is probably the best in my opinion. The focus is finally on for one thing (thanks to a rake stand in) and I did a better, but not great, job at hiding the remote.
The good news is that when I'm actually behind the camera shooting someone other than myself, which is what I'm doing most of the time, neither of these issues are a problem. I'll just have to play around and do some trial and error with the tripod/remote setup.
Since I'm on the photography topic...check out my most recent project...fake hardwood floors! I've been getting ready to do some newborn shots when our baby arrives (and hopefully other babies too!) so I decided to see how this works. There are, of course, much nicer, more portable solutions on the market, but they are expensive. For around $50, we were able to get a few thick pieces of plywood, some sealant, some laminate, and VOILA! Hardwood floors. (The 4x6' board is actually cut in half so it breaks down to, two 4x3' sections....which are still very heavy, but at least manageable!)
Not the perfect solution, but it should work well for the time being. Now all I need is a real baby instead of a doll!
I love the set on the fence! The colors, your posing and your bump!
ReplyDeleteGood idea with the stand in rake. I had to have my husband stand in to focus for a self portrait. Perhaps close down your aperature when focusing on an object on the same plan as you (the tree in the first set)
great idea to DIY your floor prop. And nice doll stand in lol. can't wait to see your NB shots. I mean your baby :)