Oppo, How's My "Photography"?

"TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut" (twincharged) 06/06/2014 at 13:36 • Filed to: kia optima, kia k5

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At the time this was taken, this Optima had less than 30 miles on the clock.

WhatDaFunk > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/06/2014 at 13:41

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Nice pics! What did you use to take the photos?

Party-vi > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/06/2014 at 13:42

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Like dis.

Party-vi > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/06/2014 at 13:43

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Like dis.

phenotyp > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/06/2014 at 13:43

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How do you like the Optima (so far)? I mean, obviously, you like it enough to have bought it. I think it's a great-looking car, but I don't have any personal or first-hand experience with one. I've been half-thinking about trying one out and trading in the 5er, but I haven't actually gotten in one, yet.

Party-vi > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/06/2014 at 13:43

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Don't like dis. Can't see the car too well.

Party-vi > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/06/2014 at 13:43

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I feel like the taillight should be in the center of this picture.

Party-vi > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/06/2014 at 13:44

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Eh. Too dark again.

brakesnow > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/06/2014 at 13:44

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Better than mine! Have to say KIA's new styling is quite good, never thought I would be saying that in my lifetime.

Party-vi > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/06/2014 at 13:44

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I like the perspective of this shot, but I miss the butt of the car.

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/06/2014 at 13:44

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What camera gear are you using? I have a few tips.

quarterlifecrisis > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/06/2014 at 13:46

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I like the first two, good lighting. Composition/crop on the first doesn't do much for me.

horspowr1001 > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/06/2014 at 14:18

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Nice work, you definitely got an eye for playing with lighting and framing your shots well. Keep it up! BTW did you post-process these in anything at all?

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/06/2014 at 14:40

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The scenery could be better in the lighter ones, and the headlights couldve been on for the darker photos, but overall, nice perspective.

heliochrome85 > phenotyp 06/06/2014 at 17:14

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I leased one, a 2011 Optima EX-Premium. Had it for 3 years and it was fantastic, if generic. Ultimately, i work too hard to not drive something I love, and thus returned the car back to Kia at the end of the lease, and picked up this:

For the first time in a very long time, I lust for my car. Its deep and its real.

phenotyp > heliochrome85 06/06/2014 at 17:23

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I can see that. I'm driving a 550i now, and I like it more than I care to admit. Even if it isn't a manual, it's RWD and drives like a bad motherfucker. It's no MR2 in terms of handling, but, hey, it's a whole lot more comfortable, quieter, better-equipped, powerful, and grown-up. I don't love it like I did the MR2 (doubt I will any car again), but I respect the hell out of it.

heliochrome85 > phenotyp 06/06/2014 at 19:21

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the 5 is a great car, although I'm a bit weary of the 550i, due to the relatively rare engine and its associated parts. The 535i is the sweet spot of that line up.

phenotyp > heliochrome85 06/06/2014 at 19:26

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Since I was buying used, I was more wary of a used turbo-anything. Of course, in the first 4 months of owning it, it spent 3 months in the shop getting every single plastic or rubber part in the engine bay (along with a whole lot more) replaced. Thanks to the warranty I bought, nearly $17k worth of work cost me about $2500 out of pocket, and I now have a pretty much brand-new engine. I'd really like to trade it for a 3-series diesel, if I can find one.

heliochrome85 > phenotyp 06/06/2014 at 19:49

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the diesels don't make sense in the US. The milage is OK at best. My car gets 36 on the highway at 75mph. consistently. The diesel, which is sold at a premium, and whose fuel is about the same cost as my car's premium octane, is low-mid 40s at best. Plus you run into the rarity issues. Ultimately, BMW is mismanaging their diesel lineup if they want it to succeed.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > horspowr1001 06/07/2014 at 04:50

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No post-processing at all! I make it a rule to myself to not edit photographs in any way whatsoever because I like to keep things as natural as possible. IMO, the world can offer great opportunities for stunning photography - you just have to know where and when.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > WhatDaFunk 06/07/2014 at 04:56

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A Sony Alpha 99! It's a long overdue replacement for the ageing Lumix FZ50 I've been using for years. It's a huge jump in technology I tell you.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 06/07/2014 at 05:04

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Sony Alpha 99, with (if I remember correctly) a 24-70mm Carl Zeiss. It's a long overdue replacement for the old Lumix FZ50 I've been using for years. My dad loves photography and decided it was time to splash some cash on something new. I'm still trying to figure out the usage of all the functions, but I'm getting there. Recently, I've been a fan of taking long exposure shots so I might post some on Oppo later...

Zerofret > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/07/2014 at 13:13

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Teach me your ways

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > phenotyp 06/07/2014 at 13:37

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Oh it's not mine! It belongs to a colleague of my dad's, although I had a hand in convincing her to buy it. She wanted to upgrade from her hideous old Nissan Versa and her needs were specific - it had to be bigger than the Versa, it couldn't be European (she had owned an Alfa in the past and the cost of maintaining it makes her pale to this day), it had to be value for money and it couldn't be red (she's superstitious). She was leaning to a Mazda 6 which I showed her, right up until the moment I realised that she could buy a Kia instead. She was won over by the price - the Optima was just under US$25,000, whereas a similarly specced Mazda 6 would've been at least US$32,000. For a limited discount offer, she got so much for so little.

What's great about it is that the Optima gave her the confidence to drive faster - her old Versa used to pitch and roll about everywhere and was unsettled over bumps, so she always drove slowly. The Optima's suspension is firm, but never uncomfortable and quiet at speed. She never stops thanking me for introducing her to such a great car and she'll ask me again for advice come selling time, although I bet she won't be selling it for a long time...

If I do have to nitpick, then I'd focus on the rear seats. The ones on the left and right are fine, but the one in the middle isn't particularly good for adults - I'm only 5ft 7in and my head bumps against the ceiling. Also, the opening between the trunk and interior is a pretty awkward shape. But overall, a very impressive car.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Zerofret 06/07/2014 at 13:51

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uhhhhhhhhhHHHHHHHHHH.

...rule of thirds?

Really, what I do is look for the right moment. I usually like to take pictures of things that involve great landscapes or backgrounds. I also try to keep the subject a little to the left or the right, but not too far. By positioning it to the side, one's eyes are drawn to the subject, rather than looking straight on. The person viewing it has to engage in looking at the picture, rather than look at it head on.

However, if a great background is not possible, try to get close and get the subject to fill the image. To make that interesting, try to crouch down or go high instead of taking it at eye level.

I also make it a rule to make the photo look good with what you've got at hand, rather than resort to editing.

phenotyp > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/07/2014 at 15:40

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Right on. Thanks for the scoop. I should go check one out, I think, just to see.

BJ > phenotyp 06/07/2014 at 23:11

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I had one as a rental last week, and it was quite nice. Comfortable seats, good ride, lots of trunk space. The interior materials were nice, visibility was good. It is a big car, and feels like it - I drive a Passat wagon and this is more car to handle. The steering was very good at all speeds.

There was a lot of road noise, but this might have been the tires (can't recall the brand, Nexen maybe). I did mostly city driving, but the one time I was on the highway I gave it the beans and there was a bit of engine noise, but not too much. At cruising speeds it was quiet.

Honestly, I was impressed and would recommend looking at one if you're shopping.

case-sensitive > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 06/10/2014 at 08:51

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Nothing wrong with that, however, even Ansel Adams PP'd his shots / manipulated nature a bit (removed offending sticks, rocks, etc). With a little PP many of these could go from great to amazing.

For example, #6, if you brought up the shadows, and brought down the highlights just a bit, you'd bring out the side of the car, and also bring out some more of the sky.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > case-sensitive 06/10/2014 at 09:00

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I could give it a go...

((but sometimes I'm too lazy))