I have a lot to learn!

[XJBANKER]

SO I bought the 40D right before this trip and used the wide angle lens that I borrowed from Everymilesamemory. Here are some of the results. I know I have a lot to learn with the settings and what is going to happen depending on what settings I have the camera on.

It was so windy here I had a hard time not blowing over.

I need a remote for this shot. I was holding the button down with a cold finger for 10 min

This was a horrible time of day for this spot I had to shoot into the sun

I couldnt reach the sweat shirt I normally use to tie Gabbys head down so this was my quick thinking anti head rattle device.

 

[Tucson T4R]

I understand the lots to learn thing. :sombrero: Still lots of great shots. Wide angle lenses are a whole new world to explore. I have just begun that journey.

Looks like a great start to me. :victory:

 

[DrMoab]

Steve.... I have to tell you, after getting back off this trip and looking at my shots I am a little disgusted with myself also.

I have been around photographers my entire life. I feel that I have a great grasp on how a camera works but technique, composure and the other "art" elements of photography is where I feel I need the most help.

What I do know most is this... The best way to learn is to go shoot....Shoot some more and then shoot a little more. Then go home, look at what you have done, see what you like and what you don't like and ask people you trust in the photography world to explain why the things you like work and the things you don't like don't work.

So...that being said, I think we just need to get together and go find stuff to take photos of. Even if it's around town or at the city park. A few of the people I know are doing projects where they are taking a photo a day. There is no better way to refine your skills than just doing it.

 

[Wander]

You and me on the learning front. I like the shot of your little girl's shadow-it has a gun slinger feel to it. looks like a great trip!

 

[XJBANKER]

You and me on the learning front. I like the shot of your little girl's shadow-it has a gun slinger feel to it. looks like a great trip!

Thanks I was hoping that the overland hats words were more in focus

 

[photoman]

Considering this was your first trip out with the camera you have nothing to be frustrated with. Time of day has a large play in getting good shots. You have some good compositions here which is a very good thing. Look through your manual and read up on metering, selective focus, and then get familiar with how to quickly make those changes as well as quickly making changes to aperture, shutter, and ISO. That will take you a long ways to getting better pictures.

Like everything else it takes practice. So just keep shooting and playing with the settings.

 

[XJBANKER]

Other than time of day what would make these shots better? Should I attempt to play with them through editing? Right now they are straight from the camera.

 

[Wander]

As a father of a daughter that remembers this age my first thought when you said it was a bad time of the day was that it was past nap time and she was grumpy, which made her expression in that picture perfect.

 

[DiploStrat]

Sweat not the small stuff. The first and last images are darling!

 

[photoman]

Other than time of day what would make these shots better? Should I attempt to play with them through editing? Right now they are straight from the camera.

Yes- when shooting digital you will always need to play with them a little bit in editing. Some of these are out of focus but some can be made significantly better What do you have for editing software?


This took about 45 seconds in Iphoto which is standard on all Mac computers. Did this just to show you do not need to go out and spend the money on Photoshop CS5. Just start with a basic program. Lightroom or Aperture are a good second step before going to Photoshop.

Original:

Slight edit to exposure, black points, and a slight crop.

 

[spressomon]

Ditto on iPhoto being an amazing app! Beats the heck out of PSLE!

 

[XJBANKER]

I have a copy of light room that I have not tried to use yet

 

[XJBANKER]

As a father of a daughter that remembers this age my first thought when you said it was a bad time of the day was that it was past nap time and she was grumpy, which made her expression in that picture perfect.

It funny that you sAY that she was actually really happy, she did get about a 40 min nap, but she was actually pooping. She has some stomach issues and it is usually a battle to convince her that she will be ok and her tummy will feel better if she just let's it out. She asked if she could poop in all the flowers.

 

[Tucson T4R]

I have a copy of light room that I have not tried to use yet

I use Lightroom and really like it. It's a pretty powerful tool especially if you are shooting and working with RAW image files.

 

[Wander]

It funny that you sAY that she was actually really happy, she did get about a 40 min nap, but she was actually pooping. She has some stomach issues and it is usually a battle to convince her that she will be ok and her tummy will feel better if she just let's it out. She asked if she could poop in all the flowers.

HA! That's pure gold when she's a teen and needs to be humbled a bit- trust me on that, my daughter is 12 and it is SOOO much fun bringing little things that this up to her just to remind her that old Dad has a few aces up his sleeve:ylsmoke: