splathrop wrote:
Okay, I started at the end and worked my way backward to page 10. Full disclosure: I shoot Canon for now, but longingly considered switching to Nikon for this camera, because I sell very large prints of my work, and the resolution would help. Decided not to make the switch; maybe this thread shows why. Or maybe not. It's not as if nobody is getting it right with the D800.
My first thought is that most contributors to this thread ought to get in touch with Thang, and figure out what he/she is doing about post-processing. Thang is getting color and contrast right, as are a few others. They prove you can make sensational images with this camera. Also, the avocet dipping its beak is a masterpiece, and wonderfully presented. So kudos to KirkB. When I saw his work on page 37, I thought, "This is going to be good!" But it hasn't been good, mostly.
There are a lot of images here that would be terrific, but they just die for want of the right color and contrast. Seems like an inherent feature of D800 output. Or maybe everybody is flattening contrast by lifting shadows, just because they can.
But that wouldn't entirely explain why the people in so many images look like cancer patients—even the kids. Nor would it explain the subdued colors in landscapes, or even in inherent color festivals like a balloon launch.
This camera may be a great tool, but right now if I were shopping for a wedding photographer I would put it in the contract: no D800s allowed. Because not enough people seem to have mastered what to do with the raw images, and I wouldn't want to take the chance. I suspect that some of this might be learning how to use the camera's strengths judiciously, instead of willy-nilly. Or maybe it's something I don't understand.
But who knows? Talk to Thang and KirkB. Or stop getting all ga-ga about resolution and dynamic range, and start looking at your pictures with an eye to judging whether color and contrast also need some attention. ...Show more →
splathrop wrote:
Okay, I started at the end and worked my way backward to page 10. Full disclosure: I shoot Canon for now, but longingly considered switching to Nikon for this camera, because I sell very large prints of my work, and the resolution would help. Decided not to make the switch; maybe this thread shows why. Or maybe not. It's not as if nobody is getting it right with the D800.
These are highly subjective things. Personally, I kind of like a lot of the muted low-contrast shots as it makes me pay more attention to subtle tones and gradations. To each his own. If we all shot the same kind of photography and had the same processing style, it would be a pretty dull world. And photography as an art form begs to get out of the box.
biggbird wrote:
^Lovely shot as always sb, that one footprint really makes it IMO! And yes, beautiful muted colours :P
Almost too scared to post any of my shots now, hope the colours are ok for some... :P
All taken on a recent trip to Nepal on our walk to Gokyo and back.
Thanks!
Wow, I'm super jealous, Nepal looks amazing! Great shots, love the comp. in the second especially. Good leading lines in the third slowly take your gaze to the rear mountains.
I had the pleasure of photographing the Waggoner family this past weekend. They were celebrating Nana's 90th birthday and this was the first time they were together for a family portrait. Congrats Nana on reaching 90!
It’s been years since I’ve logged into FM. Too much work as a sports shooter put a damper on shooting for fun and participating in forums. I’m starting to turn that around, and decided to peek into this thread as I just purchased a D800. Don’t physically have it yet, but looking forward to it. First camera equipment purchase in years. Some excellent photos in this thread, but it is apparent after looking at a few pages of this thread that it is the photographer, and not the equipment.
