= Stefan's Weekly Singapore City/Landscapes =
- Thread starter SomeFormOFhuman
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SomeFormOFhuman
Senior Member
Hi,
I'm using a Lee Big Stopper, it's a 10 stop filter.
I also own a Hoya NDX 400, is a 9 stop one.
I'm using a Lee Big Stopper, it's a 10 stop filter.
I also own a Hoya NDX 400, is a 9 stop one. Hi,
I'm using a Lee Big Stopper, it's a 10 stop filter.
I supposed u should be using lee filter system??currently looking at filter system no money to buy lee
Looking at hitech hopefully it's not expensive like lee haha
Mythmaker
Senior Member
Which ND filter would you recommend as the first ND filter? I notice you are using Tiffen's ND1.2 filter for most of your shots... would you recommend it getting it over the NDX 400 as the first filter? Cos 9 stops seem quite alot... haha =D
Trying to decide which to get for my first ND...
Amazing pics btw, truly inspiring for new photographers like me =D
Trying to decide which to get for my first ND...
Amazing pics btw, truly inspiring for new photographers like me =D
pluginbaby
Member
Amazing photos! Thoroughly enjoyed browsing through the 14 pages.
SomeFormOFhuman
Senior Member
Yeah I'm using Lee. Do consider the Lee and settle the best. For instance there's nothing wrong buying a Cokin for a start, but if you plan to upgrade to a HiTech, then later to a Lee, it's costly because of what you already have. You can sell your previous upgrades but you won't get the exact amount you bought for.
Hitech is good. It's gives a good bang per buck - way better than Cokin. But if you're serious about colour casting issues and don't want to see any of those magenta casts, go with the Lee.
Tiffen's ND 1.2 is good enough for most day to day, twilight morning and evening shoots for simple blurring out effects like waves on the beach ie. Punggol Beach without having to increase the f stops. NDX 400 and Lee Big Stopper is best used for mid day/afternoon with good sunlight and nice moving, fluffy clouds. The effects will be good. It's your choice, really.
But there's a word of caution though; if you use the 9 stop filter at low light/dusk hours, it'll take you minutes to get the shot to the correct exposure. Add on to the camera's noise reduction processing and that'll take you even 20 or even 45 minutes for just one shot. :bigeyes: By the time when the shot is processed the sun is down.
I experienced that, lesson learnt. Come early. Thank you!! There'll be more incoming! Stay tuned!
Hi Stefan, is it possible for you to PM me the location of Sembawang state land?
It has been a thorough pleasure browsing through your photos.
PM Sent.
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Yeah I'm using Lee. Do consider the Lee and settle the best. For instance there's nothing wrong buying a Cokin for a start, but if you plan to upgrade to a HiTech, then later to a Lee, it's costly because of what you already have. You can sell your previous upgrades but you won't get the exact amount you bought for.
Hitech is good. It's gives a good bang per buck - way better than Cokin. But if you're serious about colour casting issues and don't want to see any of those magenta casts, go with the Lee.
Tiffen's ND 1.2 is good enough for most day to day, twilight morning and evening shoots for simple blurring out effects like waves on the beach ie. Punggol Beach without having to increase the f stops. NDX 400 and Lee Big Stopper is best used for mid day/afternoon with good sunlight and nice moving, fluffy clouds. The effects will be good. It's your choice, really.
But there's a word of caution though; if you use the 9 stop filter at low light/dusk hours, it'll take you minutes to get the shot to the correct exposure. Add on to the camera's noise reduction processing and that'll take you even 20 or even 45 minutes for just one shot. :bigeyes: By the time when the shot is processed the sun is down.
Thank you!! There'll be more incoming! Stay tuned!
PM Sent.
after looking ard, i finally settled with lee filter holder, but pro stopper n big lee is out of stock...gotta wait...
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Sing Liang
New Member
I love your pic! Hope I also can this type of pic!!!
SomeFormOFhuman
Senior Member
Nice. Hope you'll get hold of em'.
It's a good setup, no doubt about it!Lovely catches! Some of them look totally un-Singapore to me, which is GREAT!
Thanks.
I'm glad you guys liked them. Singapore has alot to offer.SomeFormOFhuman
Senior Member
Wave Catching Take II
5 Image HDR/DRI using ND 0.9 soft graduated filter + ND 0.9 for smoothed water effects. Punggol Beach, Singapore.
Once again, a simple outing with no mighty plan to create a mighty image. Just this to enjoy myself.
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Mythmaker
Senior Member
Tiffen's ND 1.2 is good enough for most day to day, twilight morning and evening shoots for simple blurring out effects like waves on the beach ie. Punggol Beach without having to increase the f stops. NDX 400 and Lee Big Stopper is best used for mid day/afternoon with good sunlight and nice moving, fluffy clouds. The effects will be good. It's your choice, really.
But there's a word of caution though; if you use the 9 stop filter at low light/dusk hours, it'll take you minutes to get the shot to the correct exposure. Add on to the camera's noise reduction processing and that'll take you even 20 or even 45 minutes for just one shot. :bigeyes: By the time when the shot is processed the sun is down.
Thank you for your advice! I'm also wondering about your GND filter, from your post you only mentioned it's 3 stops... what GND filter are you using exactly? =P
SomeFormOFhuman
Senior Member
Yeah 3 stops is more than enough for most landscape needs. I'm using a Soft grad Cokin Z121S, couldn't afford the Lee and it's way better than the Cokin P series itself. That thing has no colour casting issue. The only gripe I could probably say, well it could get dirty easily and its 2mm thinner than the Lee 0.6 hard grad which I use most of the time.
SomeFormOFhuman
Senior Member
Line of Fire [Rock Play]
9 Image HDR/DRI using ND 0.6 hard grad + ND 0.9 soft grad for darkened clouds + Tiffen ND 1.2 for smoothed cloud and water effects. Lower Peirce Reservoir, Singapore.
Found an interesting line of fire in the sky, no sunset though. These rocks are just no bigger than the size of a 15" laptop computer. =) Camera angle place relatively low near to the water to create an illusion as though bigger.
I actually shot this underexposed, because I wanted a dark, gloom-like dramatic finish to the sky and water. Rocks were manually toned mapped with higher exposures to place emphasis on them.
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SomeFormOFhuman
Senior Member
Two Distinct Forces
2 Image DRI using ND 0.9 + TIffen ND 1.2 + Lee Big Stopper for smoothed cloud effects. 17 stops in total. Dover Estates, Singapore.
Tried something that I don't really shoot often. Cropped and constricted its sides to exaggerate height.
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SomeFormOFhuman
Senior Member
2 more pieces of crap.
Cheap Trick [Panorama]
A simple two Image Panoramic shot. Something abstract, or the elements like the pipe, the meter, and the door has to be put together to function as a whole. Dover Estates, Singapore.
You guessed it right, this is the refuge area where people dump their garbage.
Cheap Trick? Couldn't think of a title whilst listening to that band. So it's a cheap trick by simply putting these elements together.... It is if you think about it.
Typical Postcard
2 Image DRI using ND 0.9 soft graduated + Lee Big Stopper. Central Singapore.
The kind of snapshot-like crap that everyone has. This.
Cheap Trick [Panorama]
A simple two Image Panoramic shot. Something abstract, or the elements like the pipe, the meter, and the door has to be put together to function as a whole. Dover Estates, Singapore.
You guessed it right, this is the refuge area where people dump their garbage.
Cheap Trick? Couldn't think of a title whilst listening to that band. So it's a cheap trick by simply putting these elements together.... It is if you think about it.
Typical Postcard
2 Image DRI using ND 0.9 soft graduated + Lee Big Stopper. Central Singapore.
The kind of snapshot-like crap that everyone has. This.
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edutilos-
Senior Member
Hi Stefan,
I do like a lot of your perspectives of Singapore, as I've said earlier before. You have a lot of good works. I just thought I'd share my thoughts upon seeing the statements I have quoted above (similar words have been posted previously as well). I wish to stress that this is just one perspective, and it is in no way meant to be judgemental (though inadvertedly, we as thinking human beings, do judge even when trying to avoid this, please disregard it if it does materialise).
The first point is that these are not snapshots or crap. They may not be all awe-inspiring, but they are not thought out haphazardly, and the arrangement of elements is pleasant. I'm not sure if you really think if they are "crap", but my own interpretation of such things is that if you post something online, usually you won't think too lowly of it - at least it will be ok for public scrutiny. This is the main reason why many people on CS get upset when negative comments are posted on their work. If you *do* think that they're crap, then I am puzzled as to why they are posted. If you don't, then there is no such need for pretense of self-derogation, the works stand as they are.
The second point is that just because a lot of people have the same perspective of a subject (or subjects) does not subtract from the value of one's work. To give an example, a lot of British photographers have captured Durdle Door in Dorset (I would like to think that you have seen photos of the location before); but it never seems to get tired as long as the subject is captured well, and the light is great. Similarly, the Merlion in Singapore, MBS, Shenton Way, etc... All these are landmarks which many have ventured to photograph. It still remains that what one tries to convey through his/her photographs is unique.
Anyways, just sharing some thoughts aloud, hope you are not offended, as I meant no offense.
Back to the work -
I do like the HDB shot that you have posted recently, though I wonder if there is actually a need to "constrict" the shot. It's still very nice, nonetheless, though I might personally boost the contrast just a smudge more.
Line of Fire - nitpicking here, the actual sky is brighter than the reflection of it, my suggestion is to tone the brightness of the reflection down to avoid this.
I like The Lietenant a lot, it is a very good idea which has been executed well. Without the inclusion of the human subject, this would have been a lot less. The colors do not really go well together though, for me... Suggest to convert this to a BnW, which would help with the pensive, contemplatory mood that you seem to wish to convey here.
Cheers.
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SomeFormOFhuman
Senior Member
edutilos said:
Hi edutilos, sorry for the lateness of my reply.
I appreciate what you have written. I think it's pretty well said. I'll keep it short though, (Wifi here sucks and the keyboard is just... You can't type on)
Thanks for your share edutilos. =) Hahaha, Maybe it's my own way of being unique though. It's just my own definition of my own work. I have to come clean here. I just dislike shooting something that everyone else have done. Well that's just me. I always strife for originality and difference in my work. To me, when I shot that skyline, it is as though I am not putting enough effort to do what I have planned in mind. Sure, we shoot to enjoy ourselves but I think as a serious amateur, an enthusiast who is willing to push himself to discover new ways and willing put his ass on the line and put some changes instead of just shooting something if not, *most* photographers have already done. It's just my belief I apply not only in photography but in my other creationist hobbies which I do in the course of my daily life; architecture, interior design, painting, stage design, model making, pottery, videography, Simcity 4... (Ah, good ol' game
)For me, I always believe in a driven philosophy that the best is yet to come. What I have created in my works and that includes the other fields as stated above, I see no point to dwell in thoughts to think highly of them because you cannot ride on one achievement forever. :bsmilie: :bsmilie: You have to "invent" new ways or at least be inspired by others in the same field of work (especially in design) you always do to make things look interesting and not bore. And if my own works bores me, that means I have failed. It's time to think of something different and exciting, and that no else has done it. I mean, let's give the audience some credit...
Well as for that commentary on why my works are crap and I still upload them, well maybe I was a little hard on myself as I'm simply ripping off an iconic image that everyone has taken and there's nothing different about it. Haha, I still upload them to gain a wide spectrum of opinions from the audience.
Be cool edutilos, your opinion really matters! It does matter because at least someone cares and took the time to share his thoughts about them, and for me to think thoroughly about them. It's chicken soup for the soul. :thumbsup:A big THANKS to you!
edutilos said:
Couldn't agree more with that. I guess its the filters. I saw the same issue in the original RAW too. When I get back home I'll fix it ASAP. Thanks for pointing that out! =)
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SomeFormOFhuman
Senior Member
Two more B&Ws!!
Launch
2 Image DRI using ND 0.6 hard grad + Lee Big Stopper for smoothed water and cloud effects. East Coast Park, Singapore.
Only can be seen when the tide is low. Had alot of noise and grain however.... Can't seem to find a way to remove grain. I didn't brighten the image either.
Symmetrically Almost
2 Image DRI using ND 0.9 + Lee Big Stopper for smoothed cloud effects. 13 stops total. Bishan HDB Estates, Singapore.
As Singapore experiences monsoon rains nearly everyday at this December period, the dark looming clouds are an advantage.
It rained exactly the next minute when the camera finished processing this shot. Guess I got lucky.
Launch
2 Image DRI using ND 0.6 hard grad + Lee Big Stopper for smoothed water and cloud effects. East Coast Park, Singapore.
Only can be seen when the tide is low. Had alot of noise and grain however.... Can't seem to find a way to remove grain. I didn't brighten the image either.
Symmetrically Almost
2 Image DRI using ND 0.9 + Lee Big Stopper for smoothed cloud effects. 13 stops total. Bishan HDB Estates, Singapore.
As Singapore experiences monsoon rains nearly everyday at this December period, the dark looming clouds are an advantage.
It rained exactly the next minute when the camera finished processing this shot. Guess I got lucky.
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