Studio impressions

From our recent recording sessions, impressions from two different cameras. The first is from the T2i. I took the image through a double glazed soundproofing window with the lens fully zoomed. The reflections off the window glass were very cooperative, as were the musicians.

Johny Blood and Adrian playing

Lens: Canon EF-S 15-85mm at 85mm.
Settings: 1/8 second at f/5.6, ISO 800.

This image of the tuba was taken with the G11. The G11’s articulating LCD screen makes high and, as in this case, low angle framing super easy. For dramatic effect, in post-production I added a bit of vignetting in Nik Silver Efex then overlayed the black and white layer with the original using the layer palette’s “Color” menu selection.

Tuba in studio

Settings: 6.1mm, 1/60 second at f/2.8, ISO 400.

Canon T2i and G11 making impressions at the studio.

Red tulip

A very cool feature of the Canon G11 is its “Macro” function. I’m not exactly sure how close the lens can be to the subject and still focus, but one to two inches away focuses pretty much every time. However, getting a “keeper” close-up, especially handheld, is a bit of a crap shoot. My method: take six to ten shots and hope for a good one. I think this very tight shot of the sexy bits of a red tulip that just bloomed next to our driveway is a good one. The image is virtually straight from the camera–no color or saturation tweaks, no black point or contrast boosts, no overlaying of layers, no clone tooling of fly specks. I did crop it slightly on the bottom and left side, but that was the extent of the post processing.

Red tulip close-up

Camera settings: Manual mode, Macro function, 6.1mm, 1/125 second at f/4.0, ISO 100.

Canon G11 getting real close.

Old bone

Like I said in my last post, we had a busy weekend in the studio recording songs for our next album. While the horn players were working their magic inside, I was out and about in the overcast, drizzly weather grabbing images. This old skull hanging on the wall outside the studio caught my eye. I took several shots of it, but this straight on, close-up view was my fave.

Old bone

Lens: Canon EF-S 15-85mm at 35mm. 1/125 second at f/5.6, ISO 200.

Canon T2i shakin’ them bones.