Show Some Spine

Brought To Book

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

These shots were taken some months ago, with a Pentax K10D that I was testing. I had the camera for about a month and I really enjoyed the weight and balance ratio, as well as the fact that the controls were all so well placed that I could change settings without removing my eye from the vicinity of the viewfinder. I used the camera in various light conditions and I shot a variety of objects. I had just shot a couple of frames of the shimmering hologram spines of some Guinness World Record books when I thought this view would be even better. I guess any image that forces you to look twice at it reinforces my theory - that even shots of the most mundane objects in life can be interesting. Yes, there is art everywhere. We just need to look for it.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

The Right Exposure

Your Advice Will Help Merisi Make Her Decision

Raindrops on roses. I took this shot with a Pentax K10 digital SLR.

Her wonderful photographic essays from Vienna, Austria, have held my attention for several months, but now Merisi wants your help. In her own words: "Would there be any way that you could ask for opinions from your vast readership?" Yes, I’m always happy to help a fellow blogger and I’m sure you’ll support me on that.

Merisi wants to buy a digital SLR and wants your advice and guidance. She writes: "I am still thinking about staying with Sony. I love the Zeiss lens of my little pocket camera very much, I feel insecure reguarding other brands. I was looking into the Sony Alpha 100, but my husband says I should go for the Alpha 700 (Euro 700 or 1.500 resp., with an 18-70mm lens). In the film days, I used a Pentax and had a professional Nikon, still have, somewhere."

Whatever your opinion, please leave a comment here for Merisi. It doesn’t matter whether you leave a couple of words, one sentence or a long, detailed message. It’ll be a great help to Merisi and could become a great reference point for other bloggers who have the same dilemma.

Some months ago, I started answering readers’ photography-related questions on my Get The Picture posts on this blog. In this case, since I’m familiar with the terrific variety of Merisi’s work, I’ll start the ball rolling by telling her to invest in the Pentax K10D (a digital SLR) with a versatile 18-200mm zoom which is great for a) travelling and b) having a variety of options with a single retractable lens. But Merisi and I both want to know what your advice is ….

Bloom or bust. I also shot this using a Pentax K10 digital SLR.

Macro Makeover

It's The Smallest Details That Count

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This picture was taken some months ago when I was experimenting with the macro settings on a Pentax K10D that I was testing at the time. I got some great results with this camera, and this shot here shows is a very intricate design on a hand-painted miniature stool from India.

Macro is a great way to shoot, but it's always an interesting learning curve. I've just answered an email from US blogger Jenera Healy. In response to my cobweb pictures in the post Web Sight, she wrote: "I'm so jealous - I've not been able to get a good clear shot of a cobweb at all. the focus is always off or something else goes wrong with the photo."

As I said to Jenera, macro shooting takes a bit of practice. If you are keen are close-up shots, check the macro settings on your camera and experiment for best results. I recently saw an interesting post called Difference in Lighting for Macro on WhoDatDare's blog with some interesting feedback.

I also had a query from YesBut, asking for the details on the photo Mary Had A Little Lamp. The shot was taken with my Pentax K100D and my shutter speed was 1/60 aperture F8 and the ISO speed 800.

Camera Conscious

Let's Focus On The Task Ahead

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

On Tuesday I got an interesting question from Merisi, who is based in Vienna, Austria and whose site is updated regularly with some eye-catching photo essays and short, snappy text.

``I see that you are a professional photographer,'' said Merisi, ``do you have a site with more of your photos? I am only snapshooting with a little Sony Cybershot, which unfortunately gives me once again spots on images taken with zoom. I am thinking about upgrading a notch or two, wide angle, more zoom, without losing the Sony's capability of taking low-light shots without flash. May I ask you if you have any suggestions?''

First up, Merisi, I am very flattered that you think I'm a professional photographer. Do allow me to qualify that. I'm a professional journalist who just happens to love photography. However, when I have this second novel out of the way, I'll be doing a bit more serious photography for a while, before going on to my next novel.

I've had a good look at the nature of your photography and I think I might be able to answer your question, while addressing the issue that you also enjoy close-up shots as much as I do. There are a couple of camera-specific posts on my blog at Giving Cameras The Right Exposure and Putting Cameras in the Picture and I guess those will help others with similar queries to yours.

I reckon what you really need is a versatile camera with a decent (but not overpowering) zoom, a great mid range and terrific macro. Like you, I also take a lot of low-light shots. I use a Pentax K100D with a Sigma 18-125mm lens that does all of the above, but I recently had the pleasure of testing a Pentax K10D - which has a brilliant macro. To see one particular result, go to Mug Shot and you'll see what I mean.

Scout around and you'll find several cameras that have the 50 per cent extra length on their focal plane. Confused? Naaaah, this just means you have a focal length equivalent to a 150mm lens while shooting with a 100mm lens. I would also advice you to go to a camera dealer and spend some time testing the gear that matches your requirements and your budget. It's unlikely they will let you test each camera for an hour or so outdoors, so just shoot various objects in the store and compare results before making your final choice.

I wouldn't buy a car without test-driving it. Similarly, I'd recommend that anyone keen on buying a new camera actually tests a few different models and makes before making up your mind. Good luck and let me know how you go.

Click here: Pentax K100D. Shutter 1/60, F 5.6. ISO speed 800. Flash disabled.

Mug Shot

Has Someone Been Using Ceiling Wax?

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Here's a couple of shots I took with a Pentax K10D, an updated version of the K100D that I own. I was sitting at my desk at work and took this shot, focusing on the rim of my dark blue coffee mug. Then I reversed the focus, trying to get a clear shot of the surface of the water in the mug. I was pretty impressed by how clearly I could see the reflection of the ceiling panels and the fluourescent lighting above me.

These are just low-resolution versions of the two shots, but the high-res images are pretty impressive. Interesting experiment all round - but I realised later that the reflection would not have been so clear if there had been tea or coffee in the mug. And as regular readers know so well, I do not digitally enhance my shots in any way. What you see here is exactly what I shoot. Nor have the images been sharpened with the aid of a computer programme.

Staple Diet

They're Ready To Pin You Down

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I'm testing a Pentax K10D digital SLR at the moment, so I'm giving it a real workout, capturing a variety of images of as many light conditions as possible. This image just shows three staplers of different brands and styles - and it looks like they're going to eat you for lunch!