I definitely find that some images, colour is really not the focal point of the picture - rather it's the different tones, the different textures, the contrasts between light and dark... That's when B+W is best used. I find it very hard to look at a picture and try converting it to B+W though....

I've found I'm desaturating colours a lot, but not always to a point of B+W, but just to get a muted look.

Matsuda - What softbox did you get with that?

I like the first shot, but I would crop it a little closer, maybe a square crop to get rid of some of the right side?

To understand B&W images, you really need to understand colour theory, or else the tones more often than not look weird. Just a straight desaturation in Photoshop looks terrible. B&W can have a certain timeless look that can be appealing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...PICT8243-2.jpg

Just a straight desaturation:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...243-Edit-2.jpg

B&W conversion after playing with various colour tones:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ld-Lake-BW.jpg

I used a Lightgear USA softbox to the left, I also have a huge ass Octobox but both these shots were done with just using one light.

I'll try it with a closer crop but I like having her offcenter. Can't wait to try these strobes more woo

ok, thanks for the info regarding B&W.btw, just sold my 17-40, passed it on after a month of free use..lol. think i'll go for a prime short lens. was not entirely impressed by the 17-40.

I have a 17-40...barely use it but can't bring myself to sell it because it's such a versatile lens.

Get that Sigma 50mm...someone get it so we know how it is!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...IMG_2818-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...IMG_2819-4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...IMG_2824-5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...IMG_2826-6.jpg

Senna is stalking other photographers again...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/...5f8fd45d31.jpg
My Ampelmännchen bottle opener. Forgot I had this thing'

RCubed- clever shot!



Fishin' Buddha's...

http://www.epicdevelopements.com/wp-.../buddafish.jpg

^haha, what are the odds. I was out there today, just a couple hours before you!

Where is that?

Instead of taking the right turn onto the bridge to Westham island, keep going straight. Its about a block up on the left, really neat looking house beside it.

Oh, that huge monstrosity of a house with the weird amalgamation of different Asian themes near Brunswick Point? I never noticed the Buddhas though. Cool.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...IMG_2830-7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...IMG_2867-8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...IMG_2875-9.jpg

^^ Awesome shots! Love the colors.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1342/...fc46ff4f_z.jpg

A few more toys for the NEX :)

how many of these manual lenses did you get? they look really fun

is the MF assist on the NEX kind of like liveview+5x/10x on a canon?

I got these, and a Chinon 50/1.4 K-Mount on the way from eBay.
Yeah NEX has a MF assist 7x/14x and its so awesome.

so why would you want 4x50mm f/1.4 lenses? To test them all out? and then decide which you like?

I want to collect them. These things are awesome. Haha
Each one has its own unique feel to it.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/...509c2d98_z.jpg

Can't wait until winter break so I can finally start shooting more frequently. Haven't found the time to go out and shoot actual things :(

Come out to the next meet up, I must try this camera :D

Will do!
I actually have 2. One converted for 720nm IR. :)