Think Tank Part I - Make Money with Your Images!

If you enjoy photography, a good logical step is to try and make money from your hobby. Then you can spend more time doing what you enjoy. Selling your photographs takes time and dedication, but it is possible. Lots of people do it, and you can too.

Almost every professional photographer started out in some other field: Elliott Porter was a doctor, Ansel Adams was a pianist, Galen Rowell was a mechanic, Bob Krist was an actor. I am still a Business IT Advisor but you never know. If these people can start from nowhere and sell their work, so can you.

The nice part about selling photography is that anyone can do it -- you're not dependent upon physical ability, age, or background. It's more about art and energy. The photographic market is so open that every photographer and publisher I've met is pleased to give ideas and suggestions.

Get Out there and Shoot!

Swamped with work for the last two weeks! But hey, it's also a good time for me to stop thinking and start shooting! As you can see, my collection of shoot is growing steadily but surely. After all, its about the pleasure of shoot that gets me excited, and not so much of the technicalities.

Hence, do make time to get out there and practice that you can apply what you have theoretically learnt so far. As for me, preparation work is now been done that I can be ready for my trip to Manila Philippines. Articles found [here] can help you get ready in a more systematic way.

Enjoy reading!

Biggest Physical Print Output from Nikon D90

Burning question - what is the biggest print size we can get out of our Nikon D90's 12.3 MP images? To calculate (in inches) the largest photo-quality print you can make from a digital file, using its native resolution, meaning no interpolation, divide the vertical and horizontal pixel counts by 240.

If you are making images for commercial publication or other critical applications, or if you want exhibition-quality prints from commercial printers, divide the pixel counts by 300.

Let’s take an image from the Nikon D90 as an example. It makes a high quality jpeg image at 4288 x 2848 pixels. Using the formula above, that would generate a native print size of 17.8″ x 11.8″ at 240 DPI. Now remember, this assumes you haven’t "pumped" up the image in Photoshop.

The next step in the formula is to take this print size and multiply it by 25%. That is the largest amount of image interpolation the picture can stand and still maintain reasonable photo quality - in my opinion.

Sigma Lens - Good Alternative of Nikkor Lens?

In this competitive and stifling lens manufacturing market, its a consumer market out there, with more-for-less slogan broadcasted from every camera retailers around us. This brings me to review some of the more promising lens manufacturers that seek to convince me of their better value lens.

And with the credit crunch that won't be leaving anytime soon, I thought it would be good for me to seek my next lens purchase possibly on a non-Nikkor name tag. After all, its been almost 20 years since I used a generic lens maker like Sigma (on my dad's Minolta Dynax 5i) but I am willing to check them out objectively.

So, for the next few weeks, I would be testing them out and giving you my opinion on each Sigma lens I tried. If it matches my current two-lens library in all that I am so familiar with, why not? After all, Sigma and Tamron claim full compatibility with Nikon DSLRs.

Exploring Macro Photography with Nikon BR-2A Macro Adapter Ring

For as cheap as $49.95, I am ready to explore the world of macro photography with my trusted Nikkor 50mm F/1.8D lens and Manfrotto 190XB tripod. According to Nikon, the reverse ratio gives the Nikkor 50mm F/1.8D a 1.1:1 ratio, quite close to live size shooting mode.

Let me go get the Nikon BR-2A ring before I write further.

Merging Images Real-time on Nikon D90

I am sure by now, all of you are quite conversant with the Nikon D90's post "Image Overlay" capability but its more of a post processing work you are doing here. If you really want, the fact is that you can do it on-the-fly with the Nikon D90's Multiple Exposure feature (in shooting menu)! Turn it on and shoot up to 3 images before the camera auto-layered them into one image for you. Talk about creative possibility here...another cool feature I discover today.

Now, based on the manual, this intended feature is to enrich one single shot (preferably on a tripod) with its auto-gain engine. Sort of moving into the HDR arena but not quite. But results show that it does give the final result an added boost in color and tonal spatial gradients. Some folks use software like Photoshop to do this but I must say its cool to be able to do it right with our Nikon D90!

Repeating Flash for Nikon D90 Built-in Flash

If you own the Nikon SB-400 speedlight, repeating flash option is not available for your use with the Nikon D90. In those instances where you see its use, you have to rely on the built-in flash to get the job done.

There's some serious logic you need to understand while in the "Flash Cntrl for built-in flash" menu (e2) to use repeat flash. First, we determine its power output for each repeating flash - between full and 1/128. With that done, the Nikon D90 will automatically limit you to determine your desired number of times it fires. (Note - your desired value may not translate to actual number of times the flash fires). Take note that in its full capacity, the built-in flash can only reach up to 18m at ISO 200 / 20 Degree Celsius).


Hence, at say, 1/4 power, you can effectively reach subjects not further than 4.5 meter away from your camera. With that in mind, the power of the repeating flash you set is directly linked to the distance of your subject, which in turn, affects the total number of times your built-in flash can fire in one second!

Now, its quite sensible to set your shoot mode at shutter priority for repeating flash shoot. Hence, if you set your repeating flash to fire at 5 times per second, you should get five "ghost" images of your subject in motion during shutter release duration of that one second. Try it with your kids or a moving object.

My kids love it!

Critics - Image Sharpness at 100% is Meaningless on 4R Print

Do you rate the quality of your lens by the 100%-size sharpness assessment? That is to say, you blow the image up to its full size, and review its sharpness based on what your eyes tell you. I do that all the time.

And comparatively speaking, its a good gauge of picture quality from your computer screen. Take for example the Nikkor 18-105mm VR kit lens. I must confess it hits most shots spot-on in the sharpness department even at 100%. Move over to the Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 lens. It can hardly match the more expensive kit lens in that. So, in the above context, verdict is, the Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 is not a sharper lens that many people say it is. (Maybe these folks have not used a more capable lens!) BUT, here's the catch of my verdict - if you shoot your Nikkor 50mm F/1.8, at say F/2.8, and get it printed on a standard 4R-sized photo paper via say, an Epson T30, the subject is as sharp as a razor blade!!!

Is this good enough for me? Yes, considering its $100 price tag and the ability to shoot at much lower-light conditions.

Nikon Products / Accessories Prices At A Glance

Never have I seen such a wide range of Nikon lenses on an online shop so competitively priced - HK Supplies, that I am making a point to visit it in March 2009.

For you who simply wants reference price point, its a superb place to visit and even place your order!

Nikon D90 in Advertisement Shoot

Another excellent video advertisement entirely shot with the Nikon D90.

Enjoy!

Challenge #1 - Shoot with Only Nikkor 50mm in Philippines

Once in a while, its good to put up some challenge for yourself, constraining you to mind your shoot more consciously. For mine, it will be something I have been conditioning myself to do - use the Nikkor 50mm exclusively in my upcoming trip to the Philippines. This is also partly due to the luggage space I am planning to take with me.

In my last trip on the cruise, I succumb to using my Nikkor 18-105mm lens at the end when I board the ship as its seriously limited to shoot indoor with the 50mm lens. Hopefully, I will be forced to improve my fundamentals in this way.

We'll see.

Manual Focus for Sharp Image on Nikkor 50mm F/1.8

Another week, another chapter to fine tune my experience with the Nikkor 50mm lens. I have been absent for a few days due to work commitment but I am back to share my new findings with the 50mm lens I own.

To really appreciate and achieve sharp images out of this lens, I strongly concluded that manual focus is the only way to go! No means of narrowing down single-point focus etc. will yield consistently sharp focus. Only the gauge from your eyes can determine that via manual control of the aperture ring. But again, if this is not possible, attempt to shoot at F/2.8 to F/5.6 for sharp auto-focused images.

Otherwise, its goin' to turn soft and fluffy 95% of the time, giving you that reason to avoid its use subsequently. It gets worse on the more expensive Nikkor 50mm F/1.4 lens!

Lawrence Shoot Counter - 2400 Shots in 45 Days

Averaging at about 26 shots a day so far since my ownership of the Nikon D90, I think I am still under-utilizing my Nikon D90. Hmm...not good enough. But mind you, I am not suggesting you aimlessly and carelessly clock those shots but I think I can better integrate my shoot-life with my family and work life.

Let me review what can be done and I will get back to all of you shortly.

Tip - Automatically Capture Multiple Shots in Self Timer Mode

If you ever shoot on tripod delayed-timed for a family portrait (with small children), you will soon learn the big possibility of a re-shoot due to the lack of eye contacts of the younger subjects when you failed to coax them to look towards the lens upon shutter release.

Fear not for help is at hand on the Nikon D90! Here's what you simply need to do. Under the C3 Menu item - Self timer, simply ensure "Number of shots" are set to 3 (or to a maximum of 9 shots) before your next shoot. In this way, the elapsed timer will result in a release of a salvo of multiple continuous shot on your subjects, giving you a higher probability of getting a good family portrait with good eye contacts.

Choose the best and delete the rest. Easy cheesy lemon squeezy...

Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 DOF Table Guide

We all know the shallowness of the DOF (Depth Of Field) on a big aperture setting lens, but has often been left clueless as to where exactly are those range of sharpness (in meters/feet) when we focus on our subjects.

So, to help you and me, follow the attached guide for your shoot with the 50mm lens. You will find yourself consciously shooting sharper pictures in no time! Want more focal length measurement? Check it out [here].

Have fun...

Side Track #1 - Creating A Photo Slideshow DVD

I know this has nothing to do with our Nikon D90 but may be relevant to some of you who choose to show off your work (maybe to prospective clients?) on a DVD instead of some online image carousel service.

Hence, if the formula below is applicable to you

Nikon D90 + Mac OS X + Macbook (with DVD Writer) = Sleek Automated Happiness to Create DVD!

click [here], otherwise click [here].

Insanity Normalized with Lens Reverse Adapter Kit

Its been coming to a month now that I have been reviewing the absurdity yet effectiveness of shooting with a reverse mount of my Nikkor 50mm lens on my Nikon D90. Each picture I saw affirms me that its a twist of genius as opposed to insanity.

Attaching this $10 adapter kit on the Nikon D90, my 50mm F/1.8 lens is instantly transformed into an outstanding macro lens! Check the top image out for result!

Accurate Custom White Balance Alway with Nikon D90

Its been a while since gray cards and stuff are introduced to help photographers hone in on getting the right White Balance temperature. Frankly, it was more of an art prior to this invention. However, in the recent development of "lens cap" version of such WB tool, a company with a product called ExpoDisc seems to nail this art work more towards science and predictability.

In a way, experience in measuring K temperature is being superseded with high-tech gadgetry. So, for a mere $69.95, your skills in shooting better-balanced images is acquired.

War Journalism with Nikon D90's Older Brother - Nikon D70

So with all the theoretical blizzard of Nikon D90 being war-proofed for some action, I did not believe that it can actually be used by anyone on any real war front, not at least until I came across Ashley Gilbertson's visual account of the Iraqi invasion with his Nikon D70!

Check out his gear and his full visual journalistic account [here].

It sounds so bloody interesting against our current job, does it?

Dye Printing Versus Inkjet Printing of Shoot

Remember my last review of the Epson photo printer? The one that has a small footprint but boasts print economy? Well, to my discovery today, its considered a dye-print type printer that does just that at the expense of print quality.

But we know Epson as a superior print company endorsed by many professional photographers. And in my pursuit of "better" perfection in my print out, I have decided to go back to the more cumbersome but higher-resolution inkjet printer from Epson.

Pitching against the supreme Epson Stylus Photo R1900 printer, I decided to give the Epson Stylus Office T30 a try due to her $89 price tag! Call me cheap but breaking news of the spiralling-down economy just make me reconsider how good is actually enough. At an almost bleeding edge print resolution of 5760 dpi (Dot Per Inch) by 1440 dpi, I objectively believe its sufficiently sharp for 4R or even A4 sized prints.

If you are a Machead, please don't just simply setup the printer driver on your Macbook Pro and attempt printing via Nikon ViewNX. Use the supplied Easy Photo Print software to get it at the highest resolution possible on your first print. Or be ready to burn a few photo paper on your first few attempts. My experience can be your gain...

So how's the print quality, you would ask? Superbly sharp I must say at $89! O yes, I recommend the inexpensive Canon Matt Photo Paper MP-101. Home run on every print. Word of caution - use the white-colored side of the photo paper to print on.