Cape Cod

This weekend, I visited Cape Cod.
Maybe it's the change of direction that I'm trying to go into, but for once, I didn't go too crazy with the photos. Perhaps my concept of photos have begin to morph; before I used to think that taking photos was a way to capture the moment, story, documentary... However, with the number of technology available today, the art of "capturing" becomes a commodity. Rather than telling a story with multiple photos, why not do it with just one? Furthermore, as an artists, why not enhance the meaning, express how you feel within the photograph itself?

I guess there is a time and place for everything, and it really depends on what I'm trying to do. After some thinking, I ask mysef; Do I want to just take a pretty picture, or do I want to go in a direction that brings out my unique view?

There's no fun taking postcard photos - everyne can do this. Once I get the basic technique (and maybe get a nicer lens), the expression may begin. I'm still some ways from going to this level. But this weekend, I tried. Sometimes I wish I had 2 cameras; my dslr, and another point and shoot for just group shots or something. (*Sigh, I wish my hobby made things more simple, rather than more complicated with the extra baggages!)

In my mind, it's like writing an essay. Most of the time, the professor provides a subject to write about. After awhile, you discover your own voice to write about topics of all sort - sort of like a blog... a photo blog...hehe..

http://picasaweb.google.com/vienne.cheung/CapeCod

Tonight, the girls and I went to Boston Billiards. The dim setting made it perfect to take a few shots. I noticed that 1/60 has been perfect for getting the "right" mood. To demonstrate...

with the flash, 1/60, at f/ 3.5, iso 800

with the flash, 1/250, at f/ 3.5, iso 800

Total mood killer!

Due to bad weather, work and final exams, I didn't get to do much shooting this week. Instead, I shot at my auntie's 60th birthday party.

Banquet halls can be hard conditions to shoot at. I used ISO 1600 (which ofcourse left those grainy details..yuck). Binks tells me that with LightHouse, I can turn up the noise reduction, bring the picture to Photoshop and sharpen it.

Since I was using my EF 18-55 (my baby lens, as I like to call it), I couldn't decrease the F-Stop lower than 5.6. I also used my flash as well.

So it really depended on what I wanted to capture. If I wanted to focus on one area, I shot at 250 (leaving the background black). If I wanted to capture the entire scene, I shot at 60 (but no lower than that). However, @ F60, it also yielded a yellow tint - I think that is the lowest I'll go. F100 seemed to be the best setting. The pic of my little nephew is taken at ISO 1600, F5.6, 100.