How to be happy when there’s nothing really to be happy about (playing w/ camera

[S21FOLGORE]

More about “shooting without messing around white balance”, and “fix in the post” and “Fujifilm film simulations”.

So, for someone like me, “setting the camera’s white balance at one fixed value and don’t change it” works really well.
It cuts down preparation time (I can shoot quickly), less prone to make mistakes, and, perhaps most importantly, it frees my mind (one less thing to think about).

These photos were taken yesterday morning.
I saw deer through the kitchen window while I was making coffee.
I turned off the stove, run to the bedroom and grabbed X-H2, and walked outside as quickly as I can without making sound.
What that means is I had no time to make any adjustment in camera setting.
(BTW, when I turn off the camera, I always turn aperture ring to wide open, and turn the focus ring to infinity. (I don’t use zoom lenses, I don’t use auto focus lenses) So that when I pick up the camera next time and turn it on, remove the lens cap, focus ring and aperture ring turn to ONLY ONE DIRECTION. (With Canon FD lenses, that means I rotate focus ring to CW, aperture ring to CCW.)

JPEG image the camera generated
XH2C4680 by T K, on Flickr

Edit RAW file, but only the brightness and aperture
Clueless_1 by T K, on Flickr

LUT applied, then some filters applied in PS.
Clueless_1_1 by T K, on Flickr

JPEG generated by the camera
XH2C4683 by T K, on Flickr

After editing with LUT and filters
Clueless_2_2 by T K, on Flickr

Original photo (Camera generated JPEG)
XH2C4691 by T K, on Flickr

After the edit
The Deer Hunter_1 by T K, on Flickr

Original photo (camera generated JPEG)
XH2C4695 by T K, on Flickr

Cropped, brightness and aperture adjusted
The Deer Hunter_2 by T K, on Flickr

LUT and filters applied
The Deer Hunter_2_2 by T K, on Flickr

Some people may think they would be perfectly okay with camera generated JPEG image, after seeing “before and after” images.

So far, I like the idea of shoot everything with 5500 Kelvin white balance.

[S21FOLGORE]

August 17th. Photos

So I went to my “Secret Base” today.
(every superhero needs secret hideout. Mine is located right behind San Rafael PD. Not as nice as Porco Rosso’s hideout. But, it works for me.)

Prco’s hideout


Mine



The main reason was to do quick sight-in of newly acquired Weihrauch HW45.
But, I also took some pictures.

I guess you can tell which one is the original and which one is edited.

Deer_1_2 by T K, on Flickr
Deer_1 by T K, on Flickr

Deer_2_2 by T K, on Flickr
Deer_2 by T K, on Flickr

Deer_3_2 by T K, on Flickr
Deer_3 by T K, on Flickr

Deer_4_2 by T K, on Flickr
Deer_4 by T K, on Flickr

These two images are straight out of the camera. (X-H2 with vintage Canon FD50mm f1.4)
No edit, at all.

Summer of 1983 by T K, on Flickr
Summer of 1983_2 by T K, on Flickr

Kinda off topic. But, YAMAHA motorcycles’ advertisement phots were more artistic than the others (back in the early 1980s) …

[S21FOLGORE]

I originally wrote this for another motorcycle forum.
But, I thought this might be useful to some of you, or at least entertaining.

Now, I am not good at editing photos, at all. But I do color grading on video regularly.(Again, I don’t claim myself any sort of expert…)

Anyhow, here’s one example how I do. (Creating B&W image)

After the edit
Deer_4_Noir by T K, on Flickr

Before the edit (Adjusted brightness / exposure and contrast in RAW file, then exported as JPEG. If you are going to print, I guess you want to export as TIFF?)
Deer_4 by T K, on Flickr

Starting point
Screen Shot 2024-08-21 at 8.34.25 AM by T K, on Flickr

Load 3D LUT (to make it B&W image)
Screen Shot 2024-08-21 at 8.34.42 AM by T K, on Flickr
Bring the opacity down to 70%[/b][/i]
Screen Shot 2024-08-21 at 8.37.05 AM by T K, on Flickr

Create background copy layer, go
Filter>Gaussian blur, change blend mode to “soft light”, bring opacity down to 50%
Screen Shot 2024-08-21 at 8.37.53 AM by T K, on Flickr

Now, it looks like this
(This layer needs to be above Background layer and below LUT layer)
Screen Shot 2024-08-21 at 8.38.16 AM by T K, on Flickr

Create new visible layer above Gaussian blur layer, below LUT layer
Shift + Command + U (Desaturate), go
Filter>Other>High Pass, change blend mode to “over lay”
Screen Shot 2024-08-21 at 8.39.30 AM by T K, on Flickr

Go back to “Background copy” layer(Gaussian blur layer), adjust opacity

Opacity increased to 75%
Screen Shot 2024-08-21 at 8.41.14 AM by T K, on Flickr

Opacity decreased to 20%
Screen Shot 2024-08-21 at 8.40.51 AM by T K, on Flickr

I settled down at 36%
Screen Shot 2024-08-21 at 8.40.51 AM by T K, on Flickr

Go to LUT layer and adjust opacity
Opacity increased to 82%
Screen Shot 2024-08-21 at 8.42.33 AM by T K, on Flickr

Crop
Screen Shot 2024-08-21 at 8.44.10 AM by T K, on Flickr

[S21FOLGORE]

“Dirty Harry (1971)” last scene filming location

These photos were taken Aug. 19th.
This is where the last scene of “Dirty Harry” was filmed, although, there’s nothing resemble the movie scene anymore, except for one.

“The cottage”
Dirty Harry Cottage by T K, on Flickr

Screenshot
ScrrenShot Dirty Harry Cottage by T K, on Flickr

Painted in different color, but you can see, this cottage is still there, virtually unchanged.
Dirty Harry Cottage2 by T K, on Flickr

In the movie, right after that screenshot (you can see Scorpio and Harry are trying to point their guns at each other, through windscreen of the school bus), Scorpio turns school bus abruptly to the left, right front of the pickup truck in oncoming lane, hitting the fence of Hutchinson Co. Quarry.

Final showdown by T K, on Flickr

See the white building back there?
That’s where the last scene was filmed.
(Now it is Larkspur apartment. It IS a private property, although there’s no gate, no security guard or anything, (There might be security cameras, though), so it is possible to walk up there and take some photos and videos, but… there’s nothing, really. Just a modern, complex apartment and parking in Marin county. Nothing worth photographing.

Scorpio'sPOV1 by T K, on Flickr

Scorpio'sPOV2 by T K, on Flickr

I made a video, took some photos of “school bus scene” last year.


_DSF0055 by T K, on Flickr

_DSF0067 by T K, on Flickr

[S21FOLGORE]

Hill People Gear CARGO kit bag mini update, using as sling bag (Pocket Sling)


(1st Video)


So, I’ve been using this as “sling bag” lately. I purchased this shoulder sling (HPG calls it “Pocket Sling”) with the kit bag, at the same time.
I am normally not a fan of one shoulder sling bag, messenger bag style bag, etc.
BUT, I really like this one.

Bag front by T K, on Flickr

I also changed para cord zipper pull on the main compartment. (Changed to bright orange. And the top zipper pull has “glow in the dark” skull bead, from Prometheus Design Werx.)

Renger bead & zipper pull by T K, on Flickr

“Ranger bead” is not for land navigation, it’s for “counting scene# and take#”.
(If you don’t shoot videos, alone, this is totally irrelevant.)

This is a simpler version of DIY Para cord pace counter. I like this version better, than the one with decorative knots. (which is more common. I’m moving away from decorative knots, knife lanyard, etc.)
Beads are made by simple cow hitch knot, and main part is just overhand knot, nothing fancy, anybody can do it.

Bag rear1 by T K, on Flickr

Bag rear3 by T K, on Flickr

Bag rear2 by T K, on Flickr

And, I wrapped the top handle for X-H2 with leather strip.
leather wrapped top handle by T K, on Flickr

…just like my X-T4
X-T4 handle by T K, on Flickr

[S21FOLGORE]

For thumbnail picture of my next YouTube video, which one do you think has the most impact?
I just quickly edited RAW files in Capture One. I will (most probably add text, and do some tweaking in PS.
Just wanted to ask people’s opinion.
Thanks in advance.
(I’m off to work now.)

Youtube thumb by T K, on Flickr

Youtube thumb2 by T K, on Flickr

Youtube thumb3 by T K, on Flickr

[DarkMonster620]

For thumbnail picture of my next YouTube video, which one do you think has the most impact?
I just quickly edited RAW files in Capture One. I will (most probably add text, and do some tweaking in PS.
Just wanted to ask people’s opinion.
Thanks in advance.
(I’m off to work now.)

Youtube thumb by T K, on Flickr

Youtube thumb2 by T K, on Flickr

Youtube thumb3 by T K, on Flickr

Was a very good video, "rookie" ...  
I wished I had the patience to actually learn how to correctly sharpen knives or aim correctly with short sight glasses[I can only see the 3 dots, no more]

[S21FOLGORE]

What is this?

1-The Box by T K, on Flickr

It just came in Tuesday.

3-Inside by T K, on Flickr

A new belt…

4-The Belt_1 by T K, on Flickr

Why do I spend so much money on just a “belt”?

8-The Blet-Smoke_2 by T K, on Flickr

BTW, I used the “fog machine” for the first time…
(The photo above is “the right amount of effect”, I think.)

6-The Belt-toomuch smoke by T K, on Flickr

…too much smoke, obviously…

7-The Belt-still too much smoke by T K, on Flickr

,,,still too much (overall image looks too hazy)…

5-The Belt_No_Smoke by T K, on Flickr

No smoke effect. This picture is the cleanest, of course.
But I’m not after the “spotlessly clean image”.
The subject is backlit intentionally, and I shoot from the "shadow side".

And, why I can’t buy my belts at Banana Republic or Nordstrom, Amazon?
Look at the size… the belt that fits properly on 27-inch waist is not easy to come by.
(Also, can you see how thick it is?)

9-The Belt_size reference by T K, on Flickr

Yup. My waist is that skinny…

[S21FOLGORE]

Product photo challenge
Turning ugly, boring kitchen into (somewhat) cinematic !

Turn this …

1_Ugly Boring  kitchen by T K, on Flickr

…into these…

With Peter McKinnon LUT, “clean & tidy”, 72% opacity
BRCC_GUNSHIP_1_PM_Clean&Tidy72 by T K, on Flickr


No LUT
BRCC_GUNSHIP_1 by T K, on Flickr


With PM LUT “clean & tidy”, 68%
BRCC_GUNSHIP_2 PM_Clean&Tidy68 by T K, on Flickr

No LUT
BRCC_GUNSHIP_2 by T K, on Flickr

It’s NOT the steam coming from the coffee.
It’s this…
BRCC_GUNSHIP&LENSGO by T K, on Flickr

This is my second time using this cheap handheld fog machine.
Overall, I’m very happy with it.

[S21FOLGORE]

The Dark Knight Challenge (Camera Test)
Turn this ugly, boring kitchen into…

DSC00234 by T K, on Flickr

…something dramatic!

Camera test 10-31-2024_EDIT by T K, on Flickr

First, turn off the ceiling lights. (Just too ugly.)

XH2C5323 by T K, on Flickr

You can see where I mounted teal color kicker light.(aputure MC) Intensity lowered to 8% or so, with defuser on.


Turn on the key light (Aputure MT pro), tungsten light color, around 70% intensity, with grid on.

XH2C5322 by T K, on Flickr

That’s too bright. Lower the intensity (down to 45%)

XH2C5325 by T K, on Flickr

That looks better. Now, add some smoke…

Too much smoke…
XH2C5330 by T K, on Flickr

This looks all right…

XH2C5336 by T K, on Flickr

Adjust the exposure, bring down the highlight, bring up the shadow just a little bit, adjust the curve in Capture One.
Then, crop, making it looks like widescreen movie screenshot.

Obviously, light spill from the blind is a problem.
I need to put blue gel on the outside of the window, or completely block with moving blanket.
(Or, shoot before sunrise.)

Also, one might criticize, “Where all these lights are supposed to be coming from? This lighting Is so unrealistic.”

I guess I can move MC closer to the window. (So that it looks like the kicker light is coming from the light spill from the blind. That way, I don’t have to block or gel the window. The less prep work, the better. )
As for the key light, … I think the viewers can assume it’s from the ceiling (outside of the frame), even though the position of the light source is too low for that.

[S21FOLGORE]

X100V Photo/Video Quick Shooting … in the kitchen
(Turn the ugly and boring kitchen into Photo / Video shooting set)

Sukenari Salmon cut test_LUT by T K, on Flickr

This is how the “set” looks like.
Set by T K, on Flickr


You can see the main star (Sukenari R2 Yanagiba), co star (Salmon) on the cutting board.
You can also see Zoom H1N (audio recorder) on the window frame, Aputure MC on the bottom side of the cupboard.
(MC has magnets on the back, and it’s attached to the steel bar that I taped on the underside of the cupboard.)

[Monsterlover]

Your photos are cool. Always interesting

[S21FOLGORE]

Hi, thanks for the comment which is actually pretty deeply meaningful, to me.

I post photos on ADVrider forum’s photography thread also.
When I posted this photo,

Mill Valley-Sausalito Path by T K, on Flickr

One guy commented like this.
“<SNIP>
(The photo) looks like bad WB. The sunlit areas don't look sunny at all. I'd warm it up a bit and boost the saturation.

What were the WB settings for those? “

He didn’t read my description, or rather, ignored.
(Also, I DIDN'T ask an advice how to "correct" photo.}

“That photo (Mill Valley-Sausalito Path) was taken at around 4PM.( You probably missed that part?)
The sunlight at that time isn't "warmer hue" at all. It is still blue-ish white light. Not like warmer, orange-ish light in the morning or near sunset.
And, this particular area (Mill Valley, CA) is surrounded by hills and fogs, it's almost always "cool or cold".
At the time this photo was taken, it was chilly (despite the fact that we're in the middle of August and this is in sunny California )
So, the photo looks "cold", "isolated" "inhuman" on purpose.
I didn't want this photo to have "nice and warm" feeling.

He insisted, saying
“From my digital perspective, looking for accuracy:
(That Mill Valley-Sausalito path photo)  feels like real life would have been warmer.” (Despite that fact that I stated it WASN'T WARM AT ALL.)

After reading this post, I just decided to ignore this guy.
Digital sensor does NOT accurately reproduce what our eyes see.
NEVER.
Him chasing the “perfection” is one thing. (And it’s totally fine.)
But, commenting “BAD” on someone’s work, just because it doesn’t match with his preference is, well, I don’t know what to say.
It is like commenting on Pablo Picasso or Salvador Dali’s picture,
“That picture’s perspective is BAD, this picture’s figure proportion is off, it should be this way.”

Some people have very poor vocabulary. (So they tend to call everything that doesn’t please them as “bad”.)
Some people know how much they know, so they start preaching / criticizing others, but they don’t know how much stuff out there that they don’t know…

[Howie]

Life in the world of the internet.  Too many self certified experts.  My uncertified (made up word) opinion is if you created the image you wanted you were successful.

[DarkMonster620]

I enjoyed  your videos, Pt 1 & 2 of knife sharpening ... I know nothing, but, somehow, I sharpen them.

Need to get the correct tools