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28 Oct 2011

Five of my secret photography weapons

Lots of people ask me what gear I use. I am far from a tech head but like all of us I have my favourites.

I don't think great photography is necessarily about the gear you use it is about how you use it! I started photography using a 28 year old second hand Nikon FM2 and loved that thing. At the time it cost about 200 euros. I have taken so many wonderful images with that camera and adored it's simplicity.

If only the new digitals were so easy to focus with the split screen (are you listening Nikon and Canon)!!!!

Lurrrvvee, lurrrvvve love these guys. The leica system is rangefinder and it is a totally different way of putting a photo in focus to the SLR's and I love it. Leica had the great intelligence to use the same system with their digital M8 and M9 and all analogue lens can be used on the digitals.. The lens quality is AMAZING!! The analogue Leica's have the most incredible stillness when you take a pic there is no slam of a mirror as in the SLR's but a whispher fine curtain that opens and shuts...mmmmm.....  They cost a bomb and it hurts to get news lens but they are worth every cent. Simplicity here is the key.. Great for reportage and people pics.

Value for money the 5D Mark II is irresistible.. I have always been a Nikon girl and have only recently made the switch. The colour rendition of the Canon is exceptional and out does the Leica in this area. 21 Megapixels for the price is a gift.. Merci Canon. The focus system like all digitals annoys me. Focus and recompose!! This isn't photography guys..

Whilst a lot of photographers prefer Lightroom I love DXO. The boys over at DXO are scientists and have been studying lens deformation and the composition of our favourite films.. THANKS GUYS. The DXO white balance is superior to anything I have tried. Brings back terrible tungsten colour casts from the cold!! Love this program.. And DXO filmpack makes your colour images into rich black and white images just like our favourite films. You can select all your favourite films and see the difference in blacks, whites and brightness.
Gawdy Gawdy.. Once I figured out how to make an action it soon became my all time favourite photoshop trick whilst I went for a coffee.. A boring laborious job that can take hours (like resizing, adding borders) doing it manually can be done in a flick of mouse with an action... Love you photoshop!!



And on the seventh day that gave us Hipstamatic!! In traditional photography I loved using the
crossed colour process of putting a positive film in a negative developer and vice versa.. The closest and truest colours I have seen to cross processing are on the Iphone using the Hipstamatic app..If only there was a plugin for photoshop as good as this. . Gorgeous colours and so many lens, film combinations and the app is a design joy. And best of all I always have it with me..



I hope you have enjoyed hearing about some of my fav's. I wish you all a warm and happy weekend.

Carla xx


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19 comments:

  1. John28 October 2011 at 15:30

    I use digital {TZ3, FZ50 and Olympus C8080W] but somehow can't enthuse over it. Maybe a bit of a tool-head, to use your expression. I just love using old SLRs, rangefinders {M3 and various Russian] as well as old Canonet, Olympus Trip, XA, Mju II and others. I guess I just like the feel and I agree over the focus issue. No shutter delay with an Olympus Trip, can't say the same for digital compacts costing 10 times as much.

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  2. Unknown28 October 2011 at 17:41

    I so loved reading this Carla, thank you! I have been lusting after an M8 for awhile {just have the D5 for now} but I liked what you had to say about the Nikon for color--which is something I need to think about. I am looking for something where I can get in tight for details with as much clarity and color as possible--any thoughts?

    xo Mary Jo

    http://On-PCH.com
    www.trustyourstyle.com

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  3. Unknown28 October 2011 at 20:01

    Fantastic tips. Thank you, Carla! I love you xoxo !!

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  4. James Nel28 October 2011 at 21:13

    I have a lot less but love the simplicity too ... I have a point and shoot, no additional lenses, no filters and no photoshop...
    Have a great week-end too

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  5. peggy braswell28 October 2011 at 21:27

    I used to be a stylist + am just coming into my own with a camera. Thanks you for all the tips. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  6. Marrianna28 October 2011 at 23:18

    Thank you, Carla, for sharing your tips and tools. I have a Canon DSLR and just haven't used it too often because it's heavy. I'm getting lazy. Anyway, I will look at the Leica's but probably won't get one. What I will get when my current T-Mobile contract is expired, is an I-Phone. I definitely LUST after one. In the meantime, it's me and my Blackberry. Keep of the great work. Your photos are fantastic.

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  7. Anonymous29 October 2011 at 00:54

    Thanks for sharing this Carla. It really helps to know what others use and love when looking for equipment. I used an Olympus OM10 for film photography which cost $225 when I started out, and it's still a gorgous little camera.

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  8. leah of sang the bird29 October 2011 at 01:46

    This is a great post Carla! I'm on the lookout for a camera {at the moment i take ALL my photos whith my older model iphone}.
    Great tips!
    -Leah xxx

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  9. Al29 October 2011 at 03:11

    Very interesting. Leica is far out of my price range, and since I've already got several Nikon-compatible lenses I'll have to stick with that for the foreseeable future. But I love reading your tips, you certainly get consistently amazing results! (That's why you're the pro.)

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  10. Life love, clutter and other beautiful things.29 October 2011 at 03:11

    Oh wow thanks for sharing. It is so interesting to hear what professionals use and why.

    I 'play' with an old 450D ;)

    xox

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  11. Unknown29 October 2011 at 11:28

    Thank you Carla - you are so generous with your thoughts, ideas and tips. I lust after a Leica - and that's where it will have to stay! Have always been a Canon girl and I think I will stay a Canon girl. Apart from anything else - I have small hands and need a lighter camera - especially when heavy lenses are added. F x

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  12. Corrina29 October 2011 at 14:12

    Hi Carla, I'm so untecho and have sooo much to learn. I do get some really nice shots with my pentax DSLR it has two lenses a wide angle and a 200mm zoom. I like to do the unordinary like take macro kind of shots with my 200mm zoom which gets me some of my favourite shots. The pic on the header of my blog is of my sister Hannah and baby olive taken a few months ago in my studio room- which I did just that. Its one of my fav shots at the moment. I find my pentax really useable for a non techo like me. I can only covet the Leica's out of my price range right now. Thanks for your comments on my blog means alot xx Corrina.

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  13. JOTA ENE ✔29 October 2011 at 16:57

    ººº
    Beautiful photos ...

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  14. Francine Gardner30 October 2011 at 12:00

    Thank you for such detailed tips. I am still trying to fully understand my Nikon. I love styling and working with professional photographs over the years had given me such respect for the profession. I love traveling and travel photography is becoming more than a hobby.

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  15. this is Belgium30 October 2011 at 13:53

    Yes, I have heard before that one is either a Canon or a Nikon person..but you are both !! or both and then some
    I have a Nikon but think of myself as an eternal beginner.. I totally agree with what your opening statement though, therefore your post is entertaining but instructive.
    and I am becoming every day a little more of a i-phone photo fan (so easy and always with me too).
    great post and great pics!

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  16. Josephine1 November 2011 at 05:01

    I love it when you write about your tips! It's so great to see someone who's so generous with their knowledge and experience. I've noticed that my favorite photos of yours are often shot with film. Do you think shooting so often with film has helped you when you shoot digital? I noticed that in your photos, they never look overexposed and there is just enough light to make the skin look creamy and show off the details in the subject's clothes or facial features. Achieving that balance is something I really struggle with.

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  17. Georgianna9 November 2011 at 23:34

    Hi Carla, thank you so much for sharing this. I've also taken images I love with old/cheap/simple cameras and it's good to be reminded of that!

    I love your insight into the Leica system – David and I were just talking about this a few days ago and considering whether to invest in it. More for him as he shoots people.

    I also appreciate your thoughts on the 5D Mark II. That's what David shoots with so I'm familiar with what a great camera it is for the money, but that you switched from Nikon is most interesting. I'm nearly in despair because of no new Nikon DSLRs for so long and am really looking at switching. Of course I have a fortune in lenses so will have to weigh that carefully.

    Anyway, love this – thank you so much! xo

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  18. Anonymous21 November 2011 at 18:58

    Thanks for the great photography tips! I really like your blog. I just have a hard time reading the text, because of the font being used.

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  19. C. Whitney-Ward23 December 2011 at 17:44

    Carla - which Photoshop Actions do you have? I've been researching them...not sure which one... I use photoshop elements...thanks C

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