Basis skills/understandings

[g60mike]

i am very new at the whole photography scene and my pro1 was a very generous gift from my sister and dad (my sisters old camera)

i would like some basic understanding in the different aspects of photography and how they affect photos

like aperature, focal lenghts (that's correct right?) etc etc

how i can get the best out of my shots

i'm going away to mexico in 2 weeks and would like to take the camera for all the exciting places i will be going....mainly the beach :D

any tips/tricks/settings would be great

thanks

[EORI]

The Internet is filled with informational sites on understanding basic photography. Here are a few useful ones:

http://www.digital-cameras-help.com/basic-photography-tips.html
http://photo.net/learn/making-photographs/
http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/Top%20Page/Learn.html

Some do's and don'ts if you are focusing on beach photography:

1. Make sure you have a good zippered camera case to keep the sand out.
2. Get yourself a good lens filter to keep the ocean spray and sand blasts from harming the glass. You'll also want to get a blower brush, lens cleaner, and lens cleaning cloth.
3. Although it may sound counter-intuitive, when taking people pictures during the middle part of the day, use the camera flash. It will get rid of ugly shadows and light up faces.
4. After you get back to the hotel, use a slightly damp towel to wipe down the camera body. Use the blower brush and lens cleaner/cloth to clean the lens filter.

Have fun.

[Kristy]

I think you should check out a book called "Understanding Exposure" and play with your camera while reading.. experiment a lot with different lighting situations.. I don't know that you'll master it in 2 weeks, but you'll be well on your way! :)

[g60mike]

ok great thanks guys

any tips on where i can pick up the extra cleaning stuff? i already have a good case to keep it in, came with the camera from my sister

[EORI]

You don't indicate your location, but generally speaking, any local camera shop should have a lens cleaning solution and blower brush available. You should also try to get a microfiber lens cloth (I use a brand called "Microdear" which is among the best available quality).

You asked about a lens cap in the other post. Just take your camera to the camera shop and ask to try on some standard 58mm thread lens caps. If they don't fit, although it's a bit more money, you can try Lensmate: http://www.lensmateonline.com/newsite/Pro1.html

[g60mike]

i'm in vancouver canada...i assumed online would be the cheapest for products? shipping isn't an issue as it will go to my friend place

when i was in florida i tried goint to a bunch of shops to get a lense cap but all the generic ones don't fit, the lense concaves out and they either hit or don't clip on

thanks

[mattjs]

Couple more links:

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php -- scroll down for all the tutorials

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understanding-histograms.shtml -- a useful tool in your Pro 1

For settings, one thing you can do is use the camera specific search features at sites like pbase and http://flickr.com/cameras/canon/powershot_pro1/

Search for "beach", or "mexico" or "night" or whatever kinds of shots you want. When you see pictures you like, open em up. Then check out the shooting information (in flickr scroll down and on the right -- under additional information -- it's labeled as "more properties"). Aperture, shutter, etc. On short notice, it's a place to get some ideas about Pro 1 settings that'll work for you. Also, for settings and that kind of thing, be sure and use the search feature here for "Pro 1 beach" etc.

Take lots of pics with it over the next coule of weeks. In all different light, indoor/outdoor, with/without flash, etc. Another thing is be sure and read the manual cover to cover. And take it with you on your trip.

You might turn off the LCD by accident or something like that -- with all the buttons and menu options on these things, it happens -- the kind of thing where, without the manual, (and only having had the camera for a couple weeks) you might not know what you did, or how how to fix it. Can download a Pro 1 manual here if you don't have it -- http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=DownloadDetailAct&fcategoryid=356&modelid=9823

[g60mike]

Couple more links:

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php -- scroll down for all the tutorials

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understanding-histograms.shtml -- a useful tool in your Pro 1

For settings, one thing you can do is use the camera specific search features at sites like pbase and http://flickr.com/cameras/canon/powershot_pro1/

Search for "beach", or "mexico" or "night" or whatever kinds of shots you want. When you see pictures you like, open em up. Then check out the shooting information (in flickr scroll down and on the right -- under additional information -- it's labeled as "more properties"). Aperture, shutter, etc. On short notice, it's a place to get some ideas about Pro 1 settings that'll work for you. Also, for settings and that kind of thing, be sure and use the search feature here for "Pro 1 beach" etc.

Take lots of pics with it over the next coule of weeks. In all different light, indoor/outdoor, with/without flash, etc. Another thing is be sure and read the manual cover to cover. And take it with you on your trip.

You might turn off the LCD by accident or something like that -- with all the buttons and menu options on these things, it happens -- the kind of thing where, without the manual, (and only having had the camera for a couple weeks) you might not know what you did, or how how to fix it. Can download a Pro 1 manual here if you don't have it -- http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=DownloadDetailAct&fcategoryid=356&modelid=9823 (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=DownloadDetailAct&fcategoryid=356&modelid=9823)


that morguefile site was great...the lesson 2 helped alot

i'll check the rest out

thanks