Any Novice Photohraphers Here?

[theantiquetiger]

I recently picked back up a hobby I enjoyed in college, photography. I'm still re-learning how to use a camera (Canon EOS Rebel XSi). I just purchased a 70-300 telephoto/macro lens (be in this week).

I'm still learning Photoshop as well, that crap is hard.

Here is a few of my shots, nothing much:

[Mikey]

That baby feet picture is kind of creepy

[MicromanZone]

Some great shots there! One of the best things about digital photography is there is no fear of wasting shots or running out of film. So I would recommend to just keep on taking pictures. Don’t worry about other folks. Just shoot what you like.

if it helps about 12 years ago I got my first digital camera and it revived my desire to be a photographer since I was a kid. And I started shooting like crazy! Somedays I would just go out and take 100+ shots, come home and filter through the best. Now 12 years later, I have a better instinct and control and can usually get the shot I want in 1 or 2 shots; it’s all about experience and learning how to use the camera as a true extension of your eye. And I would have never had been able to do that if I was using film: Film and processing is too costly cumbersome and complicated for learning. Much better to go digital and then if you understand the benefits of film compared to digital, experiment with it if you wish.

Fair warning though: If you get introduced to someone who has shot on film for years there is a good chance you will get your ear chewed off about film being better than digital. Ignore that B.S. It’s like guys at guitar stores criticizing everyone’s purchases; it’s just nonsense “experienced” folks give others to give them a wee bit of hazing. Digital is great nowadays and anyone who says otherwise is deluded.

Best of luck in your new hobby!

[theantiquetiger]

I enjoyed developing and burning my own film but yes, it is too much money and work compared to digital these days.

Just learning my camera (which I've had now for 2 years) is a pain in itself. My old Pentex I had in college was simple, set the f-stop, set the speed, etc and shoot.

I've basically been using a $700 camera as a point and shoot for two years now, rarely setting it in manual. "Manual" mode on my camera is used loosely. You need a PhD to learn how to work it.

[MicromanZone]

Well, what you can do is set it on “auto” and then if there is a shot you like, review the EXIF info in Photoshop or even in the camera to see what the camera settings were. Helps you better understand shutter speeds and f-stops and such.

[theantiquetiger]

Well, what you can do is set it on “auto” and then if there is a shot you like, review the EXIF info in Photoshop or even in the camera to see what the camera settings were. Helps you better understand shutter speeds and f-stops and such.

That's great advice, I never thought of that. I understand what the settings are (basically multiples of 2), it's just figuring out how to set them on my camera. The lens I have now doesn't even have f-stop settings on it, they are in the camera. One thing I like about my camera, it has about a dozen programmable settings in the manual mode, so if I know what I want, all I do is got to it (if it is programmed).

Like I said, you need a PhD to work this camera.

[theantiquetiger]

A picture of my youngest from her recital a couple months ago. I never cared for the original, but I've been playing around with Photoshop (actually Gimp). I live how it came out,but wish the B&W would be sharper with contrast and textures

The original



Edited Version

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Cool work! Yeah, I love digital over film for the same reason. I can take dozen of shots of the same thing and look for the one I like out of the bunch.

[samurainoir]

Great shots. I'm using a Rebel as well, and love it.

Mostly doing Portrait photography is what I enjoy most. Some of my friends have flattered me by using my shots of them for their professional use... including one of the CBC anchors and a green party candidate.

[Tothiro]

Well, what you can do is set it on “auto” and then if there is a shot you like, review the EXIF info in Photoshop or even in the camera to see what the camera settings were. Helps you better understand shutter speeds and f-stops and such.

Yeah see, I really do wish I had more knowledge about the technical end of traditional film. I've used point and clicks for a long while, mostly just on whatever shots I can grab while traveling... I used to love the framing capacity of the old Canon Photuras, and then quickly became a digital convert, but I still just have a cheap-o camera.




Photoshop is invaluable I think, especially since the recent releases have come so far in manipulating exposure data.
I like staging portrait stuff, but have never really tried to rope others into being my victim.

[theantiquetiger]

Great shot of that bus!!! Is it PS'ed or was the bus actually covered with all that paint?

[theantiquetiger]

I know alot of people don't care for them and I am not a big fan of them either, but I was surprised how simple it is to turn a shot into B&W and leave a splash of color. I just learned it yesterday (teaching myself PS)

This fire engine took me five minutes

[Tothiro]

The paint was as photo'd... It was parked in a field by a lean-to kind of shack house with electrical cords running back and forth. I talked to the owners a bit and that experience came complete with the oh-my-god-we're-all-going-to-die feeling that you sometimes get with abandoned building exploration.

All I did was nudge the hue/saturation levels.

[theantiquetiger]

Once again, that shot of the bus is awesome!!!!

This is probably my best shot so far in my short time of getting back into the hobby.

If only I didn't have that glare on the boxes on the top shelf. This was taken inside, no flash