Here's a post I did on another forum. Copying here for this site.

*Just noticed, this is for a more "intricate" reading. I'm very stoned, so disclaimer has been done*

Just wanted to give you all a little peak into my photography world. A lot of you have mentioned you like my photography etc, and I just wanted to show you what I have to work with as a starting image in HPS lighting. I'm sure you're all familiar with that overly yellow, blown out, insanely over exposed shot of a flowering bud in hps. Well, most of that can be sorted with some good filters and post editing.

As for filters, there's little lens attachments you can get for your Digital SLR camera that don't allow certain spectrum's to pass through etc. I still need to get a big filter set, and some new lens'. Anyways...

Most of the ability to snap a shot in the tent during flowering stems from my post editing in a program called "Lightroom 4." This is an extremely powerful (and some-what complicated) piece of real photo, editing software. It's especially made for editing the .RAW format that a Digital SLR is famous for taking. I'm taking images with my Canon EoS T3 in RAW format, then uploading them to Lightroom 4 for post editing, before I export them as .JPG no larger than 1200x800 and also no larger than 488 kilobytes.

This allows me to adjust the exposure, contrast, B&W, clarity, color spectrum etc etc etc (I could go on!) Now, when you get a shot in natural light, or proper flash being bounced off a ceiling with the right backdrop.. you can produce pretty epic shots even with an iPhone. But post editing is just amazing to help the process. NO, it's not cheating.. I'm not in Photoshop using brushes to touch up areas or make it like things were / weren't there... all Lightroom does is allow me to manipulate the RAW shot that was taken. It allows me to subtract yellow spectrum for blue, and make the picture more clear, sharpening how it looks!

Here's an example. The yellow picture is original, un-edited.. and the next.. well.. speaks for itself.

What I'm getting at, is know your limits (1200 x 800 and 488k .JPG) and know what you can do within those limits. Now what I have to say isn't just for anyone with a Powershot, or super easy shot 3000... granted you can post edit them too.... it's more for people using "better than low end" cameras.

I, myself, have an entry level DSLR. A Canon EoS T3 a.k.a. 1100D. You can purchase this now for $429.00 here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...=9SIA1CZ0D38980

It has less focus points (freakin' 7 of them tho!!) and less megapixels, but still blows any other non DSLR out of the water!! Also, most of the power of a great shot is in the composition of the shot and the lens used. Luckily, the lens that comes with the camera (15-55 mm) is quite decent for a starter lens.

I'll add more on to this after another bong rip and a break to reflect. Also, any questions that may be asked.

Remember, this is the exact same shot, just post edited in Lightroom to bring out what was already there. :aok:

*Take note, I've learned myself since writing this up, but the general point is still here in this thread*

Never use flash, if you do, make sure to bounce the light with a swivel head external flash, and bounce it straight up. OR, you can use a difuser.

I use Manual mode, and set most my settings manually. Sometimes, there's a neat "Creative Mode" that works decent for taking general pics to post-process. Settings vary, but most of the worth is done outside of the camera and in Lightroom. As long as the original image is taken with everything steady and focus'd, you can do anything to it properly.

As for macro, it's all in the lens my friend. I'm using my kit lens (comes with camera.. it's 15-55mm) and it takes them pretty close, but my best bet would be to buy a Macro lens. (Santa??!?!?!) :)

Once you have at least a starter DSLR camera (digital that shoots in RAW format) you are on your way to excellent pics. It's more so in the lens too, never forget that. It's mostly in the lens and photogs composition.

Glad to have helped. I'll help you anytime 4u, just hit me up! I owe you anyways.

Nice looking Plants. Good Job.

OH and the Photo Thingy,,thats cool too.

I'm going to be teaching 4u and Shortbus some basics on Skype sometime soon. You're more then welcome to join.

And YES a filter is surely one of the best FIRST steps to do!