New G10, WP-DC28, & Aperture 2

[Tom Kreider]

Just wanted to say HI!

I'm beginning to explore underwater photography beyond fully automatic point & shoot. I just installed Aperture 2, the housing arrived yesterday, and the G-10 arrives tomorrow. (Merry Christmas to me)

I'll be using this set-up in two weeks off of Palm Beach FL, with JASA. I appreciate any suggestions and pointers. I'm really a novice. This will be my first foray into RAW and post production.

I'll post some pics shortly after the trip.

 

[M_Bipartitus]

Welcome to UW photography!

Just like the rest of your diving gear, if using your camera is second nature to you have a more relaxed and enjoyable dive. As such, my first suggestion is to get as much practice with your camera as you can before you go on your trip. Try to get to know all your camera functions before you get in the water. It helps a lot to know exactly what buttons do what function. When you get underwater, it's harder to see all the little icons near the buttons, so if you already know all the buttons it makes it easier. If you can, I'd also suggest a pool session before you go. Having a little experience underwater will make it easier in open water when you want to focus on diving and photo subjects. If you don't have a chance to get the housing wet, it's still valuable to get experience with your camera topside.

 

[GLENFWB]

I am not familiar with Aperture 2, but I will say that the Digital Photo Professional that comes on the CD with the G10 is an excellent program. You will need to use it to convert your RAW files. I find I don't use my Photoshop program anymore since getting my G10.

My only suggestion is experiment with which settings work best with the amount of light you are going to have. If you do not have a strobe...then really focus on the best settings for macro shots using the cameras flash. Not sure what type of housing you will have, but experiment with the diffuser and how you can get the most out of the light you will have.

Most importantly, read the sticky by Alcina http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/un...techniques-rebates-deals-look-here-first.html

I learned so much reading the information in this section...I still refer to the information contained in it.

Just wanted to say HI!

I'm beginning to explore underwater photography beyond fully automatic point & shoot. I just installed Aperture 2, the housing arrived yesterday, and the G-10 arrives tomorrow. (Merry Christmas to me)

I'll be using this set-up in two weeks off of Palm Beach FL, with JASA. I appreciate any suggestions and pointers. I'm really a novice. This will be my first foray into RAW and post production.

I'll post some pics shortly after the trip.

 

[Tom Kreider]

Thanks Glen!

I'll be using the Canon housing, WP-DC28. One of the nice things about Aperture 2, it has native support for the G10 and will directly read/process the RAW files.

I'm reading the tips now...

 

[Osseous]

I'll be curious to hear your opinion of Aperture 2 as you go. I've been debating whether or not to spend the money on it, or one of the Adobe products.

 

[M_Bipartitus]

I use Aperture for my topside photography. Personally, I found it to make more "sense" than Lightroom. Mainly, Aperture has a smoother transition between different tasks. For example, I may be rating various shots, trying to select some to send to clients. While doing this organizational task, I may want to make adjustments to the image to see if adjustments make an image worth keeping. In Lightroom this would require changing modes back and forth, but this not necessary in Aperture.

The only problem I run into with Aperture is with file management. In the last year, I've gotten about 350GB of photos. I keep most of them on an external hard drive, but some are on my laptop drive and this occasionally confuses the program. It's easy to fix, but I think Apple could have a better system for storage and archive. I suspect if would be better if I had enough space to keep everything in the "Aperture Library", but my laptop drive is just too small. I don't have much experience with database management in Lightroom.

As far as I recall, both are available as a 30 day demo, I would suggest you try both and see what you like.

 

[Tom Kreider]

Just back from Palm Beach...

The G-10 and Canon housing performed great! This camera is amazing. I've only spent a few minutes looking at the pics in iPhoto, but I know I don't need Aperture 2. What little touch-up is needed, is available in iPhoto. I plan to post a few pictures this weekend.

Also, I was using the Magic Filter and I love it!!! To be honest, the only thing I did that was not automatic on the G-10 was to frequently set the white balance and set the ISO at 800. I let it figure out shutter and aperture. I'm not a pro, not even close, but I'm very happy with these pics. I give all the credit to the Magic Filter and the G-10. Perhaps as I get better, I will explore more manual settings, but for now, I'm very happy! Hey, 11 dives in Florida makes for a great weekend!

 

[GLENFWB]

Glad it went well....but tell me, what is Magic Filter?

Just back from Palm Beach...

The G-10 and Canon housing performed great! This camera is amazing. I've only spent a few minutes looking at the pics in iPhoto, but I know I don't need Aperture 2. What little touch-up is needed, is available in iPhoto. I plan to post a few pictures this weekend.

Also, I was using the Magic Filter and I love it!!! To be honest, the only thing I did that was not automatic on the G-10 was to frequently set the white balance and set the ISO at 800. I let it figure out shutter and aperture. I'm not a pro, not even close, but I'm very happy with these pics. I give all the credit to the Magic Filter and the G-10. Perhaps as I get better, I will explore more manual settings, but for now, I'm very happy! Hey, 11 dives in Florida makes for a great weekend!

 

[diver 85]

Glad it went well....but tell me, what is Magic Filter?

click the link-----good little trick to have in the bag....


M A G I C - F I L T E R S

 

[ShagMan]

Glen, it's just a red color filter, good for OW "blue water" pics, to bring back the missing red.