Connecticut Renaissance Faire - Oct 11th Photos

[RVNOMAD]

Here's a link to photos from the Connecticut Renfaire in Hebron, CT, taken last Saturday:
http://www.pbase.com/rvnomad/connrenfest

Enjoy!

Other Festivals:
Washington State 2007: http://www.pbase.com/rvnomad/renfaire_2007
Wisconsin 2008: http://www.pbase.com/rvnomad/wirenfaire
New England 2008: http://www.pbase.com/rvnomad/kingrichard

[AbleArcher]

Nice ones.  I had the 70-200mm f/4 for my 30D and it was probably the sharpest zoom I have ever owned.  I returned it though for the  2.8 version in order to shoot sports.

Anyway, I'm using Nikon now, but I do wish they offered a 70-200mm f/4.

[RVNOMAD]

Thanks AA! 

I sent you an email.

[Lazuras]

Excellent photos Dan!!

I personally love using my 40D and 70-200 as well (though I have the f/2.8 version). I also get some of my sharpest, best saturated photos using it.

I do have a question - it looks like you're using an off-camera fill flash - I'm just curious as to what settings you typically use on your flash. You're getting some excellent fill.

Again, wonderful shots (and the rest of your galleries as well),

~Mark

[RVNOMAD]

Thank you Mark for your kind words.  Yes, that 70-200mm is a sweet lens.  I've seen quite a few of the 2.8 versions at the Renfests I've attended but only one other f4.  I use the 1.4X extender most of the time to give a little more reach.  I find it allows me to shoot from a little greater distance which can result in more stealthiness and more candid expressions when folks aren't aware you're aiming that long white tube at them.  

Thank you for the feedback on the fill flash, Mark. That could't have come at a better time, as Connecticut was the first event I used fill flash for.  I've seen some beautiful fill flash shots by other Renfest photographers, so knew it was possible, but it just seemed a bit hit and miss whenever I tried it.  I did settle on one setting at ConnFest after a little trial and error.  I shot AV mode with the flash shutter speed Custom Function on "Auto" rather than forced at 1/250.  I use the Canon 550EX flash and set it up for "high speed synch" and also "minus 2" negative flash compensation.  As I'm sure you know, you can change the compensation in camera, too, but at first I was needing more than the minus 2 that the camera maxed out at, so went to setting it on the flash instead.   I've asked your question to other photographers and they all basically do the same thing except for the flash compensation amount and that varies from photographer to photographer.  I'm sure there must be other settings that also work well.  For Conn, I used Auto ISO and f 5.6 for most shots to get subject isolation.  I also spend quite a bit of time in Photoshop making the images more presentable. 

That was a long answer to a short question.

Thanks again Mark and happy shooting to you.

Dan

[Lazuras]

Thanks for taking the time to reply in such detail!

I typically shoot in P, Av or M modes when out to faire depending on the environment. If at all possible I prefer taking a measurement and shoot in manual mode as long as my light is constant. However, as you know, the faire environment is far from static and you have to deal with dappled light in the trees, to bright sunlight out at the joust to coloured light at some stages.

What do you have your white balance set to? I've been using custom white balance and using the Digital Calibration Targets from Photovision to get accurate white balance and also checking my exposure levels. I've noticed much better saturation levels since I started using it (as opposed to using AWB or Daylight).

I haven't tried setting my custom function on my 40D to AUTO - will have to try that one out. I usually have my flash set to -1 to -1 2/3 stops and on manual mode so I get consistent lighting.

Lately I've been using several light modifiers on my fill flash to get better wrap-around fill when shooting portraits. The last one I've been using is the Lumiquest Softbox III - produced some rather nice fill light, though it does draw quite a bit of attention.

What kind of post-processing do you perform on your photos? I have to say that most of them are very, very nice. Do you take the time to do manual processing on each one or do you have a set action and batch process them?

Again, thanks for the info!

~ Mark