catching some sun

[mth44sc]

OK now Spring has officially started. Squirt is back...

And larger than life


OK - not so much

[Mira]

1. Myth44 - PLEASE tell me like I'm a two year old

How in blazes do you do this and what is your camera or secret to have such sharp photos.
Just two sentences, to not overload me ;-) for starters.

:toast: to your photos and squirt's return

[mth44sc]

2. More than ya wanted to know

Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/800)
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 400 mm
ISO Speed: 100

[Mira]

3. Thanks ! One day, and this is a promise, I will understand what you just said.

edited to say:

what you show me, that is different from other photographers, is a clarity and a zeroing in on your subject, which translates to having the subject in such focus that makes it pop and makes it sit in its background in a way that is unique.
The photo you posted of "The Reader" was just breathtaking to me, illustrating this as well, or any of the children's shots.

I know you're now thinking: she is describing depth of field and focusing without understanding what she is talking about, and this is precisely true.

But I maintain there is something you've got along those lines that is yours alone, and it speaks to me. And one day I will be able to make more sense in my understanding of it.

Tomorrow, I might show you MY alligator photo.
Start holding your breath.

[mth44sc]

4. with this camera

that really does all the work. just focus first and frame second...

[regnaD kciN]

5. Allow me to translate...

Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

8.2 MP D-SLR. Absolutely state-of-the-art when introduced. Now, the Mark III model has 21.8 MP instead...but costs around $7000.

Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/800)

High-speed exposure to freeze motion.

Aperture: f/6.3

Actually, a rather wide-open aperture, with consequently shallow depth-of-field.

Focal Length: 400 mm

A loooooong telephoto lens.

ISO Speed: 100

Low film speed for maximum freedom from noise.

Now, as far as I'm concerned, the aperture figure is the one that makes this really impressive. You speak of the photos being sharp, but using an aperture that wide means there will only be a small range of distances from the camera where everything will be in focus, and it will be very easy to take an out-of-focus shot. Look carefully at the first image. You will notice that the only part that's in focus is the alligator itself. Everything behind and in front of it is blurred. Getting that narrow a focus dead-on, as is done in that photo, is the most impressive part, IMHO.

In other words, the secret doesn't lie in the equipment or the settings, but in the skill of the photographer.

[Mira]

6. You were very kind to interpret and here is what happened as a result:

I went to my local Ritz camera store, put the camera (Sony Alpha 100) on the counter, and said:

I take pretty pictures at times. All I do is set automatic and push the button.
This thing can do a lot more, but I don't know how.

Your answer gave me enough to ask questions, and as a result this is the start of a new day.
I will be experimenting, and I am so excited.

I also have my eye on getting a Telephoto lens, 70 - 300 which I will do as soon as I learn how to maneuver with aperture and shutter speed and the wheel he showed me on my camera that controls them.
YES.
See, I doubled in age. I am now 4 from my original question where I said I was a two year old

Thank you RegnaD. Very much.