Introducing my wife to our D70 ...

[seedyrom]

Well, I've had my D70 at work for nearly a week.
I have been too scared to take it home, as I don't think our new baby will be that well received by my wife.

I'm after any tips on breaking the news that this big, ugly (subjective) item will be replacing the lovely, silvery happy snappy we currently use (well it will for me, she can continue with the coolpix). I am ready to receive a yelling on the cost ... and I havent even sourced some good fast glass, or an SB800 yet.

I'm sure I will be put to the "well what does it do so well?" test. And will be asked to take a photo of our son to show it off.



My problem is thus.
Our child has a fairly pale face, which generally reflects the flash and over washes out the pictures. Should I use a flash and lower the white balance, or turn on all house lights, and increase WB to create a more natural look. I have been doing a bit of reading, and i'm thoroughly confused.

I'm guessing my best bet would be to leave it at auto, shoot from a distance with flash to reduce light reflection then use photoshop to crop a close up of face, and then still use photoshop to enhance the picture.

That being said, I could have just done all that PP work with the point and shoot camera.

Oh, and I was thinking of shooting continuous to hopefully snap a diamond in the rough. Oh ... such decisions to be made ... I guess if this is my last post, send in the hounds ... i'll probably be in a shallow grave somewhere



Does anyone have an opinion on what an absolute beginner should do to show off the D70?
Or should I just cop the critism for the pictures not being remarkable, and let the rewards come later as I get better?

Hopefully will have its home christening to post up later tonight.

Cheers,
seedy.

[Justin]

ahhh - I think your passion for photography is not in doubt. You have joined a users group, moved on from a p&S, maybe you are looking at some of the community college courses.

No-one's going to win if it's just an argrument on why bother when we had a P&S, your obvious passion for photogoraphy will win the day!

And with all change management it's rejection through to acceptance.

Just wait till later this week when I tell my significant other I have upgraded from the d70 to d200... it's arriving this week, time is running out.

[seedyrom]

are community college photography courses good ?

I've always been a firm believer in "you get what you pay for"
yet there are some courses out there that seem rather cheap compared to others.

[Justin]

They are the best - but I think I got a great teacher, Jenny Templin. Check out sydney community college, start with the photography essentials, then the photography extension.

The tutor is listed for each course, I can't speak for other teachers, but I did hear Jenny is a lot more practical (more shoots) than other teachers. e.g. it is an 8 week course, she does it in 4 weeks because you do 4 shoots as well as 4 classes, then you review your work in class each week.

[admajic]

seedyrom! Welcome to the forums. I was in the same boat when I bought my D50. I discussed it with the wife and she still wasnt happy. I still went and bought it. So I guess put up with the ear bashing that will ensue and show her how great you make the kids look. My wife is happy with the new family pics. Just dont let her touch it straight away if she has a tendency to throw things

Good luck! Adam
ps. Dont forget to show us the great shots you take!!

[Glen]

Seedy, just stick it on Auto and let her take a few shots. The camera will work out if flash is required. If your wife likes the results she gets, she will like the camera Then you can start playing with it. Good luck

[Greg B]

seedy, you stand on the precipice of the unknown. How will the GLW react? You probably know better than we do. What do you do to soften the blow? Trickier.

One word of warning however, not many of us take our best shots first up. These cameras require a bit more user input than the P&S variety, and as a rule that will take a bit of time to develop.

However, you are under pressure now.

What will it do that the other camera couldn't?

----It will enable you to learn more about photography, give you an opportunity to develop your photographic skills, and give you the opportunity to take the interest to another level

----Photography is an inclusive interest, you can take shots while the family is together, when you are out, and at special occasions

----Photography is not dangerous (although be careful about being a moderator on a photo forum)

----Let's experiment, take a shot of the youngen now, and then you can see how much better you can do in a month

What you don't say

----this is only the start, wait until you see what else I'm going to buy

----I thought that having a big camera like this would attract women

----It is you and the camera, or the camera. Don't make me choose.



Good luck

[DVEous]

... Obsolete ...

[seedyrom]

HAHAHA

thanks guys for the great responses.

Big thanks to Greg, i'll definitely not mention the fact that even as an absolute novice, im looking for more additions.

Hen-pecked eh ? yeah ... well my mother prepared me well for being dominated

[obzelite]

Pretty sure the d70 will deliver pictures very superior to the coolpix.
I got the go ahead on my d70 after I borrowed a 300d and showed the wife the difference baby pictures looked compared to my G2 at the time.
What I didn’t expect was her ‘whatever’ when I asked about the d200.
Best time to break any news that will result in pain is one week after pmt ends I’ve found.
I’m one week away from breaking the news I’m getting a new RC car and I don’t predict any problems. It’s only taken me 10 years to work this out, and the window of opportunity only lasts 2-3 days. Thank the lord I don’t have those sorts of hormones.

[admajic]

The difference is youve been married for 10 years. Im only on year 6
Its taken me ages to get out from under the thumb. But finally I am able to get out of the house on the odd week night and buy somthing expensive once a year I guess one day Ill get a new lense and can only dream of owning a D200...
The joys of being married.......

Cheer
Adam

[mark]

Here is what I used to do. Worked with everything but the Surfboard and Motorbike.

Put it back in the box. Wrap it with a nice bow. Buy a mushy card and give it to her as a present. Then ask if you can use it once in a while.

Now that my wife and I have been together for 18 years I don't have to go to those lengths anymore. Something for you to look forward to.

[obzelite]

well it shouldnt be long then, i think end of year 7 she finally gave in and realised that she either throws in the towel and tries her luck elsewhere or accepts my 'problems' and learns to deal with them.
Although she still has a list of projects that i started and need to finish before she reckons she will be happy with me, but the good thing is she realised things get done quicker when i'm allowed to get my gagdets and toys
bit more work and it could be a perfect relationship. i may even get my own room to sleep in.

[gecko]

Welcome to the forum and good luck
I recall a thread on a similar topic recently that was full of good advice (and funny experiences)....
My lens lust is on hold pending upgrade of kitchen applicances....

Cheers
Gecko

[ozimax]

What about flowers? New sewing machine? Queensland holiday? Myer expense card?

[NikonUser]

Buy her a nice set of sparkley ear-rings or other item that she will love...

Tell her you love her and when you saw the above earrings in the shop you just had to get them for her...

Next wait a few minutes for her to soak up the feelings of love and how great you are...

then... how can she possibly be mad at you now?

Good Luck

Paul

[Colcam]

Welcome to the mob sir. Don't be a stranger here. Lots of friends and help to be had.
On the 'fessing up side of things: Up front with her up front my man, pointing out that the D2x that you ordered firstly at $6,500.00 was going a bit too far in your considered opinion, so you dropped right back to the D70. As mentioned, switch it on full auto and ask her to shoot a couple of shots of you with the kids/pet. Then leave the manual out with the camera while you are absent (As long as she is not ropable, it should be okay.)

On the learning side, Camera clubs and places like this are the best to gain the necessaries. Ask all of the dumb questions and READ THE FAQ section plus all of the other subjects that may suit your interests. Look at the really great images and ask yourself what is it that makes it great.

The flash on the pale face of the bub should be better set on low and use with a diffuser over the front of the flash to soften it (white handkerchief if you don't have a proper one) You should be able to quieten the result down in CS2 PS with Shadow/Highlight, etc.

Good to see you here, we all look forward to hearing more from you.
Col

[seedyrom]

Thanks guys.

I survived ... just.

Came clean about the cost, and have promised not to whinge and moan when the mortgage payment is due.





Now I can snap away and more importantly learn.

Cheers,
seedy

EDIT: did a little post processing to sharpen the images slightly ... Maybe I should wait before jumping in to the deep end

[Finch]

HAHAHA

thanks guys for the great responses.

Big thanks to Greg, i'll definitely not mention the fact that even as an absolute novice, im looking for more additions.

Hen-pecked eh ? yeah ... well my mother prepared me well for being dominated

Being henpecked, dominated, under the thumb? Luckily I don't know what that means as my wife is very understanding (I guess it helps that I make some money from selling photos, writing articles and doing the odd nature photography workshop).

Glad you broke the news and didn't end up with a black eye!

Good luck with your new toy

Cheers

Michael

[Oscar]

Great candid shots and, I see, another photographer in the making. BTW I have my wifes pemission to say I'm not hen-pecked.

[seedyrom]

Great candid shots and, I see, another photographer in the making.

yep, I told him when he's finished reading the book, THEN he can play with daddy's toy

[Dargan]

You have a good apprentice there CDRom, some charming first images. Get him in some natural morning light and you will have a winner. See if you can borrow a portrait lens after you get some experience with the kit lens from some of the Sydney group and watch out for NAS. I got my FE2 on the same pretext of offspring archivist many years ago, and 4 children later I am still taking pictures with the same excuse. Just think of your future purchases. Do you think it will work for the D200?

[robw25]

Buy her a nice set of sparkley ear-rings or other item that she will love...

Tell her you love her and when you saw the above earrings in the shop you just had to get them for her...

Next wait a few minutes for her to soak up the feelings of love and how great you are...

then... how can she possibly be mad at you now?

Good Luck

Paul

geez paul .... that sounds like you have used that deceitfull line before .. onya !!! ..."we do what we do to get what we want" ... a saying taught to girls from birth .... how can we men win eh ?

[bindiblue]

Welcome to the forum Seedy, glad things worked out for you,, now the Big jump is working out your camera, I went from PS to D200, what a jump that was, I am now in my 3rd month and still learning slowly,, so happy learning, if all fails,, ask the son, it looks like he has it all under control,  PS Thanks guys for giving away all your little secrets, about getting around us women,, are we really that bad,,

suzanne

[Colcam]

Yay! All is well. Good on ya' boyo. Nice lad you have there and as he grows he will become quite used to having a father with only one big eye in the middle of his face that goes click a lot.

Try getting down to his level as much as possible too, but watch the backgrounds when you do. Your images look like they needed just a tad more flash.
Are you up to speed with Photoshop or Paintshop Pro?

It only gets better from now on.
Col

[Greg B]

Well done seedy, good looking lad there too. Glad things worked out, it can be difficult I know.

And Suzanne, women aren't that bad, not that much different to men when it comes to not really understanding what is important to the other. For example, I have never been able to see the attraction of a diamond ring. I know about the attraction, just can't fathom it. My wife is the same about cameras - she loves photos etc but struggles to understand why one more enormous expensive lump of camera gear is necessary when we already have 10 cameras!!

(Although I am extremely lucky that she rises above all that and is very gracious about it)

[admajic]

Welcome Back! Good to see you got some photos and not a broken camera
As Col said, get down to your sons level when taking shots of him it makes the shot so much better. I set my flash to TTL (auto) seems to work fine. Can also turn on red etc.

Try using AV mode and prob set it to f8 for some sharp shots.
Adam

[tasadam]

Another way of getting acceptance to the D70 world with your other half - since you don't need the P&S any more, accedidentally drop it in the bath - better still - give it to the son to "play with" while you're not watching, get a cash settlement on insurance, and buy more gear with that, since you don't need it any more.

Joking, of course
Welcome to the world of DSLR and enjoy!

[Hyena]

I'm in a similar boat to you seedy. I'm getting married in 6 months and the missus-to-be is spending a fortune on a wedding dress and other associated stuff so I decided to buy myself a toy. Normally we fire up at each other for "wasting" money on non essentials with high mortgage repayments and upcoming wedding costs, but as the story goes the D70 I just bought is largely for us to take good photos on our honeymoon

She's been pretty good about it, except every time I say "my new camera" she reminds me that it's "our new camera" heh

I think the biggest drama is going to be actually taking photos when out with her - even with my old P&S she got bored and agitated standing around while I composed shots, fiddled with settings and moved around to shoot things from different angles.