FTS Problems

[aquaman3680]

I have always had a problem getting a decent FTS. It seems as if all the corals just kinda get washed out. I am using PS CS3 to try to correct them but I have never been able to get the corals not to mush together. I really need some help with them! I am not sure why but the highlights are too light and the shadows are too dark. Anyone know what could be up? I have tried changing aperture and messing with the ISO. Any ideas on what could be happening?

I am using a Nikon D50-

Any help would be much appreciated!

Matt

 

[JuniorMC8704]

awesome tank BTW...

If you want to send me the original files via email i can see what i can do with them.

Are you shooting in RAW? if not...retake them in RAW...then send them to me.

I realize they are going to be huge files, but thats alright.

 

[aquaman3680]

I will re take them in RAW in the morning and get them over to you! I have tried shooting in raw, but what are the advantages besides a much larger file?

Matt

 

[JuniorMC8704]

WAY better control over the picture in post processing...in jpeg the camera make "assumptions" as to what the picture should look like...in RAW you get a change to tell them what they are supposed to look like...thats RAW in a nutshell.

 

[aquaman3680]

I guess RAW has always confused me with all the curve and all that stuff, i just dont know what it does! I need to get a book or something on CS3 to try to fully understand it! Thanks for your input and willingness to help!

Matt

 

[JuniorMC8704]

Im working on a new How-To...ill include more RAW info in it as well

 

[aquaman3680]

Awesome! Thanks a lot! I have most of the other stuff in Photoshop figured out. Except how to save multiple actions to where you can apply them to different pictures without having to go through the actions again. Any idea how to do this. Mainly talking about borders and color changes.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[JuniorMC8704]

so you want to know how to group a bunch of actions together?

not sure, but ill look into it...not the best in PS myself...rev is my hero when it comes to PS...

 

[aquaman3680]

Well i dont know, I want to be able to increase the canvas size twice and add my watermark without actually having to do it, if that makes any sense!

 

[revhtree]

Man your tank is awesome! I also need some fts help myself! Junior get that how to done quick man!!!!

 

[aquaman3680]

Thanks Rev!

 

[aquaman3680]

Here is a FTS that I tried to mess with. Came out decent... I think-

 

[JuniorMC8704]

Heres the first one...i might need to make it smaller, but we will start here.

Just did this a couple minutes at work...the original was very dark, so i had to use fill lighting and other things, but given that i think its an improvement.

OLD

NEW

 

[JuniorMC8704]

OLD

NEW

 

[aquaman3680]

Wow that looks AWESOME! The only thing that I dont like is the noise but I think I can fix that. Are there any camera settings I should look at changing to make it better?

Thanks for your awesome PS skill!

Matt

 

[JuniorMC8704]

What camera again? lens?

There is noise because i had to add a lot of exposure +, and fill lighting.

Turn off all your flow, dont worry about the fish, and use a much longer exposure time, and higher f/stop. This will allow for more light in the darker areas. Bracket you photos so you take 1 as the meter reads, 1 with a step + and 1 with a step -. that way you are more likely to have one of them be optimally exposed. Thats the biggest challenge.

The other thing to try is changing your exposure to center weighted. If you leave it at Matrix or Auto, it reads the exposure of your light fixtures, and to expose those properly will leave the rest of the photo extremely dark.

 

[aquaman3680]

I have a Nikon D50 and am using the lens that came with it. I think it is a nikor 18-70mm? I have not been able to find anything on the camera that will allow me to bracket. I am looking to upgrade cameras to a Nikon D 200. Seems like a great camera!

Matt

 

[JuniorMC8704]

save for D300. The ISO noise is 5x times on the D200 that it is on the D300.

The D300 uses nikons first CMOS image sensor, and does an amazing job.

But, like ive told others, Glass is the most important piece of equipment.

Looking to getting some pro glass, and you will see night and day improvement.

also note, a macro lens in this hobby is a total blast.

 

[aquaman3680]

Yeah after looking and comparing the two I was thinking about getting a D300 instead.

Right now I have a Promaster 100mm macro lens. I know this is a pretty crappy one but what would you recommend for a decent macro lens?

Thanks,

Matt