Request for hints, tips, advice....
Discussion
Bit of a broad church question here. I've been popping in and out for a while, and have been looking at the quality of some of the photos on various threads and I'm amazed.
So; I don't have any spare cash at the moment, but have a 6 week period of recovery from a shoulder op and some existing equipment.
A canon EOS 300D
18mm - 55mm lens
70 - 300 lens
The question is, without spending money how do I start to improve my techniques. The answer I would expect/hope will come in the form of pointing me at various existing threads hidden away in here.
As I say, no work so no money (hopefully short term!) so I can't afford a photography course. And although I would like one, I can't afford an off camera flash/speedlight at present. So assuming that there is nothing intrinsially wrong with my kit, where can I find tips about improving clarity, sharpness, colour etc?
One primary question to start; should I be shooting in RAW? I don't have PS but did have a copy of PS elements. I can probably find the disc, however couldn't get it to work on my Vista machine. Or is there any other photo manipulation software that I can use that won't cost the Earth.
Any links to existing threads or general/specific advice from the PH Photography massive very welcome......
So; I don't have any spare cash at the moment, but have a 6 week period of recovery from a shoulder op and some existing equipment.
A canon EOS 300D
18mm - 55mm lens
70 - 300 lens
The question is, without spending money how do I start to improve my techniques. The answer I would expect/hope will come in the form of pointing me at various existing threads hidden away in here.
As I say, no work so no money (hopefully short term!) so I can't afford a photography course. And although I would like one, I can't afford an off camera flash/speedlight at present. So assuming that there is nothing intrinsially wrong with my kit, where can I find tips about improving clarity, sharpness, colour etc?
One primary question to start; should I be shooting in RAW? I don't have PS but did have a copy of PS elements. I can probably find the disc, however couldn't get it to work on my Vista machine. Or is there any other photo manipulation software that I can use that won't cost the Earth.
Any links to existing threads or general/specific advice from the PH Photography massive very welcome......
I'll have a look at GIMP and the exposure link - thanks.
I guess I'm interested in 3 areas: scenic shoots, including animals, people and cars. But what I want is to emulate some of the photos posted on here in terms of their sharpness and clarity. Some look almost 3D. And getting the lighting right.
So all general hints 'n' tips.
I guess I'm interested in 3 areas: scenic shoots, including animals, people and cars. But what I want is to emulate some of the photos posted on here in terms of their sharpness and clarity. Some look almost 3D. And getting the lighting right.
So all general hints 'n' tips.
Edited by T40ORA on Tuesday 26th January 12:24
4hero said:
Sit back, relax, put your feet up and read understanding exposure
+1Actually, + about 100
Great book. See also "Learning to see creatively", "Photography and the art of seeing" and "The photographer's eye".
Photography is not just about sharpness, contrast and the other technical aspects. It's about 'seeing' something and capturing it.
Another thing is knowing your equipment. You have to develop an understanding of how aperture, shutter speed and ISO all contribubute to exposure (the earlier recommended book will obviously help with this) and how the camera's calculations can be "fine tuned" with Exposure Compensation (EC). Read user guides for your camera and make you know what all the controls are for and how to access them.
Fortunately, you are "spoiled for choice" these days when it comes to on-line support in the way of user forums, tutorial videos etc. But at the end of the day, you've just got to get out with your camera and start experimenting.
Looks like you've got access to some tasty automobilia! Start there with some test shots. Think about what you're trying to achieve, what angles would look good and how lighting might be affected by location, time of day etc. Post some examples here for comment, take on board the advice and then try again. I would concentrate on lighting and composition before worrying too much about "effects" etc.
My wife tells me I spend too much time "studying" photography and not enough actually doing it. She's probably right. Don't make my mistake ...
Fortunately, you are "spoiled for choice" these days when it comes to on-line support in the way of user forums, tutorial videos etc. But at the end of the day, you've just got to get out with your camera and start experimenting.
Looks like you've got access to some tasty automobilia! Start there with some test shots. Think about what you're trying to achieve, what angles would look good and how lighting might be affected by location, time of day etc. Post some examples here for comment, take on board the advice and then try again. I would concentrate on lighting and composition before worrying too much about "effects" etc.
My wife tells me I spend too much time "studying" photography and not enough actually doing it. She's probably right. Don't make my mistake ...
Honestly it depends on where you are starting from. Are you an absolute beginner or have you been taking pictures for a while and want to improve?
Like lots of things in life you have to nail the fundamentals. In photogrpahy terms as others ahve quite rightly pointed out this means understanding the links between aperture, shutter speed, ISo, all combined to give you the exposure you want to execute that image.
Your kit is not a limiting factor, just look through Flickr to see some fantastic images shot with exactly the same kit.
In terms of inspiration you could do a lot worse than nip to the local library on your time off and browse the books there, especially any big photo books just to see what other prople are shooting and see if they have style you want to recreate.
For on-line browsing I like Joe McNally's blog (general snapper and flash lighting expert), the Moose Peterson site (wildlife) plus the Luminous Landscape (many different topics)
Chris
Like lots of things in life you have to nail the fundamentals. In photogrpahy terms as others ahve quite rightly pointed out this means understanding the links between aperture, shutter speed, ISo, all combined to give you the exposure you want to execute that image.
Your kit is not a limiting factor, just look through Flickr to see some fantastic images shot with exactly the same kit.
In terms of inspiration you could do a lot worse than nip to the local library on your time off and browse the books there, especially any big photo books just to see what other prople are shooting and see if they have style you want to recreate.
For on-line browsing I like Joe McNally's blog (general snapper and flash lighting expert), the Moose Peterson site (wildlife) plus the Luminous Landscape (many different topics)
Chris
4hero said:
Sit back, relax, put your feet up and read understanding exposure
I'll be getting my copy before 1pm tomorrow, courtesy of Amazon. If its a good enough book for you to recommend, well...... 
OK - here we go in no particualr order:
If you can't afford to buy books, don't forget your local library. They should be able to order copies of books they don't have locally (providing you have a local library!)
How about a local photography club some people don't like them and find them a bit clique but it might offer you the opportunity to discuss technique and results with others and t
In terms of software, you've got a Canon camera so you should have a software disk which has a program called Canon DPP which is a very good Raw converter. IF you do shoot in raw then you will needa raw converter. I'm assuming from your comments that you've not done much with PS elements - if you can get it working on your Vista machine then it will help. There are plenty of training videos on the Adobe site and youtube so worth checking those out.
I've no idea how much knowledge you have so apologies if this is sucking eggs type advice.....
Some basic tips for improving sharpness
If you are handholding then try to keep the shutter speed shorter than the focal length. So if you are shooting with a 200mm lens keep the shutter speed faster than 1/200s (Don't forget the 1.6 multiplier with you APS-C camera). Brace the camera or yourself against something like a tree orwall.
If you have a tripod, use it; or use something else to rest the camera on. A small beanbag is a cheap and useful camera support. Use a remote release or the self timer to reduce any shake induced when you press the shutter.
Change your focusing so it is using an individual focus point rather than let the camera choose which point to use.
For landscapes read up on hyperfocal distance - this is a great resource http://www.dofmaster.com/
Look at them and compare them with others that you think are better and decide what is different. Learn to be critical of your pictures and by this I don't mean beat yourself up, identify what is good about the picture and what could make it better. Then take this information with you on your next trip.
Above all get out there and practice and enjoy yourself.
If you can't afford to buy books, don't forget your local library. They should be able to order copies of books they don't have locally (providing you have a local library!)
How about a local photography club some people don't like them and find them a bit clique but it might offer you the opportunity to discuss technique and results with others and t
In terms of software, you've got a Canon camera so you should have a software disk which has a program called Canon DPP which is a very good Raw converter. IF you do shoot in raw then you will needa raw converter. I'm assuming from your comments that you've not done much with PS elements - if you can get it working on your Vista machine then it will help. There are plenty of training videos on the Adobe site and youtube so worth checking those out.
I've no idea how much knowledge you have so apologies if this is sucking eggs type advice.....
Some basic tips for improving sharpness
If you are handholding then try to keep the shutter speed shorter than the focal length. So if you are shooting with a 200mm lens keep the shutter speed faster than 1/200s (Don't forget the 1.6 multiplier with you APS-C camera). Brace the camera or yourself against something like a tree orwall.
If you have a tripod, use it; or use something else to rest the camera on. A small beanbag is a cheap and useful camera support. Use a remote release or the self timer to reduce any shake induced when you press the shutter.
Change your focusing so it is using an individual focus point rather than let the camera choose which point to use.
For landscapes read up on hyperfocal distance - this is a great resource http://www.dofmaster.com/
Look at them and compare them with others that you think are better and decide what is different. Learn to be critical of your pictures and by this I don't mean beat yourself up, identify what is good about the picture and what could make it better. Then take this information with you on your next trip.
Above all get out there and practice and enjoy yourself.
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff