By Peter Phun, on August 10th, 2010%
Every so often when I clean out my closet, I’ll come across an item which is still in pristine condition just the way it was after I broke the clear shrink-wrap.
It starts me wondering, “What the heck was I thinking?”
You are bound to disagree with me, but before you post your comments, which I encourage you to, remember this:
The tools any artist finds indispensable is dependent on usage. And usage is dictated most by the types of subjects we point our lenses at. So with that in mind…
400mm telephoto f4.5
When I was in college in Ohio, I owned a 400 mm f4.5 telephoto lens. MInd you, this was in the old days of film and manual focus. In the Midwest where I went to school, that lens was only used in the best of lighting conditions. The aperture of f4.5 was way too slow for anything but outdoor sports which happen in good light. Those of you reading this have to realize even in today’s high ISO capability DSLRs, trying to get a shutter speed of 1/1000 sec is asking a lot.
Flash diffusers
Over the years I’ve bought some doozies. I once bought a diffuser which you inflate by blowing up like a beach ball.
I even had one that was a miniature umbrella that attached to the flash.
Diffusers for flash units or Speedlights/Speedlites are often not the problem. It’s the placement of the flash, being on camera.
Now I’m wondering as I write this if I’ll ever be seen with Gary Fong’s Lightsphere. Continue reading Photogear I shouldn’t have bought
By Peter Phun, on November 4th, 2009%
I play a sport which many in the US might consider “girly” called badminton with mostly Southeast Asians. Many of them are medical professionals like doctors.
Inevitably the post game conversation will always lead to the poor doctor being peppered with questions like, “I have a pain in this part, gesturing to show body part, do you think it’s serious?”
When my badminton buddies learn I’m a photographer, you can guess what they want to know, can’t you?
In my mind, the best camera is one that’s working and ready-to-go when I need it.
Continue reading What’s the best camera?
By Peter Phun, on July 31st, 2009%
Not everyone who picks up a camera wants to turn professional.
And I don’t want to be the one to break the news to some who do, that their pictures are bad.
If you have another career, you should stay with it. I’m already losing my shirt as it is, I don’t need more competition.
If you’ve been reading this blog a while, you’ll know I’m kidding.
But you might want to read my thoughts on taking your hobby to the next level, becoming a professional photographer.
Kicking back–I photographed this Indian child when I visited Malaysia more than 10 years ago. Jo’s images reminded me of many of my Indian friends who ran around barefooted. Originally shot on Kodachrome 64, I dug this out recently when I read that Kodachrome has been discontinued.
Continue reading Documentary Photography–fancy speak for storytelling with pictures
By Peter Phun, on May 13th, 2009%
Some of my phases of photography, I hope I’ve outgrown but it’s a battle, I’m only human.
But here’s more.
Contests
Contests serve a purpose. Besides the obvious, fame, prizes and cash, they get you off your rear end and give you a reason to be out and about looking at the world around you through that camera.
This is especially true if you aren’t very motivated and have little self-discipline.
Don’t enter a contest with dreams of making it big with one picture.
Continue reading My Phases of Photography Part 2
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