[at-l] Slides

[bullard@northnet.org (James Bullard)]

At 11:23 AM 2/4/01 -0500, mtn0613@mail.newnanutilities.org wrote:
>James, my last post got the axe at the end of it, so I am re-posting it.
>
>Guess I should explain my reason for carrying the Cannon and not my point 
>and shoot (Nikon Lite Touch Zoom 80 AF). I was just not happy with the 
>photos when I got them back. The Nikon is a nice camera and I do like it, 
>but you have to admit it has its limitations. As I get older the photos 
>are becoming more important to me, no I don't plan on selling them or am 
>I  thinking of turning pro, Its just a hobby and a way I can capture what 
>I truly love about the AT. The Cannon provides me the opportunity to use 
>the longer lenses, when standing on a ridge at say 3000 to 5000 ft and I 
>see a small farm or homestead in the valley below I can take a better 
>photo to view later. With the Nikon and the same shot I would get the 
>photo back and say to myself, what the heck was I thinking when I took 
>this photo :)
For me the only reasons to carry an SLR are 1) lens choice, I can put on a 
zoom lens with greater range than is available on P&S cameras and 2) 
accessories such as filters, sun shades etc. I don't use filters a lot for 
color but 2 I like are polarizers and 81B. A polarizer cuts haze and 
reflections and the 81 filters warm the light on overcast days. 81 filters 
are a faint pinkish-orange. they come in A, B or C with A being the 
faintest and C being the most intense. They're especially good for skin 
tones or autumn leaves when the sky is cloudy and grey. A sun shade helps 
prevent lens flare but a hat or your hand held to cast a shadow on the lens 
will work too.

>So far this is what I carried on my first shake down hike with the new 
>camera, this includes the camera, lens, uv filter, polarizer filter, 5 
>rolls color slide film, mini tri-pod ( it will attach to one of my Lekis 
>with a Velcro strap) for a total of 2 lb 6 oz. I can live with this, its 
>not too much weight for section hiking.
I have one of those tripods somewhere (I put it away one fall and forgot 
where). Campmore sells them. They're very handy.

>I will look into the Tarmons you mentioned above, maybe I can hold off for 
>awhile and save up for one, I really don't want to add another lens if I 
>don't have to. Also, I will look for Kens book.
The book is available though ATC (at a discount if you are a member) or you 
can order direct from Ken. If you don't still have the address from the 
'cat on the pack' thread, email me off-list and I'll send it to you. He 
charges full price but autographs it for you and pays the postage. It is 
not a photo instruction book. He really doesn't talk much about the taking 
of photos. He does list his equipment in back and the photos are great 
examples of what can be done with limited equipment. Don't fall into the 
trap of believing that more or better equipment will automatically give you 
better pictures. The manufacturers have been promoting that myth ever since 
George Eastman introduced the original Kodak (You snap the shutter. We do 
the rest). In the end it is the skill of the photographer in the use of 
whatever equipment he/she chooses that determines how good the photos will 
be. And to avoid becoming too discouraged remember that the photos in the 
books are the cream of the crop. For every one you see, dozens were 
trashed. Ken shot 137 rolls of film. 137 times 36 exposures is 4932 photos 
taken. There are no where near that number in the book.

If you are interested in an instructional book dedicated to photography for 
backpackers I recommend "The Backpacker's Photography Handbook" by Charles 
Campbell published by Amphoto. Charles is hard core including high mountain 
climbing. The cover of the author shows him standing on a snow covered 
slope surrounded by ropes and 'biners. He is holding a rangefinder 35mm of 
the sort that presaged today's P&S cameras. His photos are super. He even 
has his own version of the zone system adapted for color.

>Again, I'm in your debt for the info, I can see why you teach this stuff, 
>or did teach, you have the temperament and ability to explain it with out 
>belittling the novice or student, thank you.

No problem. We all start somewhere and I love talking about making pictures 
almost as much as being in the woods and doing it.

Saunterer