The *OFFICIAL* Throwdown Photography Tips Thread

[caseydog]

Originally Posted by colonel00

The one thing I have found in reading reviews is many feel the IQ of the S100 is actually suffering a bit due to the CMOS chip as opposed to the CCD sensor in the S95. Everything else is notably better as you mention though. However, for half the price, it is hard to pass on this and then wait for a deal on an S100 later.

It's a good deal on a good camera. I just wouldn't buy a second one. By the time this one is ready for replacement, there will probably be something better on the market.

As for CMOS vs. CCD, there are a lot of myths out there about which is better, and why. Nowadays, CMOS and CCD are pretty close in both IQ and efficency. My current professional camera uses CMOS sensor. My last one used a CCD. I get excellent IQ with my CMOS, even high ISO settings, and can shoot up to 3,000 frames on a battery charge.

CD

[Gore]

The spare, CD, is because I am often traveling and end up with a much slower "spare" camera to take with me while this one is at home with the family.

[colonel00]

Order placed Got the camera and a case...and a sheet of expanded metal

[colonel00]

Deal is dead. Next closest price is back to $269 or more.

[caseydog]

A few months ago, I posted up a way to take great food pr0n with a point-and-shot camera, a window, and a table.

Some throwdown participants asked about making good food pr0n after dark. Well, I use some of my studio lights for that, but most people don't have that.

So, I set out today to make a super cheap lighting setup that anyone could copy.

I took a piece of 1X2 from my garage, and made a 2-foot by 2-foot frame. I stapled a white kitchen trash bag to it, and made a light "softener" with it. I used a spring clamp to attach it to my kitchen table, and took the shade off of a table lamp, and put a 150 watt bulb in it, and used that as my light source. I used my Canon point-and-shoot camera to take these pictures -- in Program mode. I only used Photoshop to resize the images for posting on the forum.

Here is what the setup looks like...



And, here is what the setup does...



Yeah, it's just a bunch of food props, but you get the idea.

Seriously, anyone can replicate what I did here. Some wood, a trash bag, and a table lamp.

I hope this helps.

CD

[landarc]

It means nothing to me, can you send the frame and trash bag to me for review?

[Al Czervik]

Thanks CD... That helps a ton. Looks like I have a fun little project for the weekend!

[Gore]

Hey, where'd you get that light bulb? Those are illegal now!

So now you're telling us that we've got to deal in contraband in order to win a throwdown?

[landarc]

I better stock up, I may have a chance now.

[caseydog]

Originally Posted by Gore

Hey, where'd you get that light bulb? Those are illegal now!

So now you're telling us that we've got to deal in contraband in order to win a throwdown?

Actually, incandescent light bulbs were never going to become illegal, they just had to be more efficient, but congress saved us from more efficient light bulbs by repealing the new light-bulb efficiency laws.

CD

[Grillman]

Back in the late 1970's when I got into Photography I used some special
light bulbs that were expensive; they were 500 watts each, and they
really made the electricity meter spin unbelievably fast.

Why?......because Photography lighting is based on "Color Temperature"
and the standard it is based on is our "Sun". (obvious choice)
This can get kind of complicated as the "Color Temperature" of the Sun
will change throughout the day by its position in the sky etc.

To keep it simple; you can buy some inexpensive Photography light bulbs
today that are CFL bulbs they are "5500 ° Kelvin" which is the "Color
Temperature" of the Sun for Photography purposes. As you can see in the
picture below they are MUCH bigger than a regular CFL bulb.
You can buy a 4 pack of them on Amazon.com for $21.

The pictures below show the "setup" I use to filmy my cooking videos for
my website cookngobble.com
But they work just as well for "Still Photography" too.

Yes....it is a junky little "setup" ....but I live in a junky little Condo. And it
works well for taking decent looking pictures. I still run the pictures
through a "photo shop" program to adjust them for contrast, cropping etc.
because I only have a $25 camera for "still photography" that is about
10 years old....but it works OK for now.

The Youtube video at the end is a cooking video I shot for my website; it
will show you how the Lights in the pictures below will work for lighting up
the "Scene".


.

.


Guacamole, Homemade - YouTube


Lastly here is the link for the "Light Bulbs" I used on Amazon.com

Amazon.com: Cowboystudio Full Spectrum Light Bulb- Four 45W Photography Photo CFL 5500K - Daylight balanced pure white light: Camera & Photo@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41wW4LTe1KL.@@AMEPARAM@@41wW4LTe1KL


.
.

[caseydog]

Using daylight balanced bulbs is not as much of an issue with digital photography, since you can adjust your white balance to match the color temperature of your light source to a large degree.

Mixed light sources are still a problem, as there is only one white balance.

On my setup above, I actually left the camera set on "auto white balance," and it turned out fine. The incandescent bulb was the only light source for the photo, so the camera handled it pretty well. The colors are pretty accurate.

BTW, I would not recommend lighting food from the front -- with the light coming from where the camera is. Your food will go "flat." I light mine from behind or from the rear-corner. The trash-bag diffuser and lamp above was at about 2-o'clock in relation to the food, with the camera at 6-0'clock. That creates shadows that give the food depth and dimension.

CD

[Will work for bbq]

Anybody have any thoughts opinions on the new S100?

[Chef Jim]

Originally Posted by caseydog

Actually, incandescent light bulbs were never going to become illegal, they just had to be more efficient, but congress saved us from more efficient light bulbs by repealing the new light-bulb efficiency laws.

CD

CD I was just going to say that!

Some really good tips here, Thank you.

[colonel00]

Originally Posted by Will work for bbq

Anybody have any thoughts opinions on the new S100?

I did a bit of research on the S100 vs the S95. If you read back a few posts I have made some comments. Also, search for a thread in the Woodpile about my upcoming trip to Alaska. Overall, the S100 seems to get mixed reviews and many people say the S95 is better for still photos. The S100 has full 1080p video and GPS and such so it has more features. I picked up the S95 just before Christmas for a steal so that made the decision for me and I love it. I would suggest first looking for a deal on an S95 as stores are clearing them out. If you cannot find one, the S100 will still be an outstanding camera. Check out the reviews on Amazon too.