Is it the lens or my skills?

[Carlos05]

I wasn't sure whether or not to put this in the lens forum or not so I thought I would try here first. I have been trying to get back into photography in preparation for my trip in a few weeks to Disney world. I have a rebel XT with almost 6000 shots but I've never really had a picture(s) stand out a lot or that are as striking as some that I have seen on this forum. I can't tell if its me or the lens/camera. I wanted to post some pictures I took yesterday and today and would like your opinion to see if it is indeed my photography skills (lack thereof) or the lens/camera combo.

I don't mean to drone and be pessimistic but I feel like I haven't improved over the past 2 years. Granted, being in grad school doesn't help since time is on an issue and since I am going to start vet school this august, I will have even less time that I did. Either way, even after almost 6000 shots I feel like I'm still lacking knowledge. I also can't really afford to buy "L" lenses because I don't have a steady job. Luckily, for this coming trip I am renting a 70-200 2.8 L lens so I can finally see and experience a "L" lens. I am also trying to figure out whether to rent a 35 1.4L, rent a 17-55 IS, or buy a 50 1.8.

Again, I apologize for the long post but I really could use people's experience and advice on this. Thank for taking the time to read this and I appreciate any comments you can provide.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/Carlos1583/test%20shots/image7.jpg
This picture was with the 50 1.8 that I tried out at the store yesterday. I don't remember the settings but I think ISO was 400.


The remaining pictures are taken with the 28-105 USM lens that I bought used a year or so ago.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/Carlos1583/test%20shots/image6.jpg
1/250; f/10.0; ISO 100 RAW to JPEG and cropped

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/Carlos1583/test%20shots/image5.jpg
1/160; f/11; ISO 200; RAW converted to JPEG and cropped



http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/Carlos1583/test%20shots/image4.jpg
1/200; f/13; ISO 200; RAW to JPEG and cropped


http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/Carlos1583/test%20shots/image3.jpg
1/1000; f/5; ISO 200; RAW to JPEG and cropped


http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/Carlos1583/test%20shots/image2.jpg
1/640; f/7.1; ISO 200; RAW to JPEG and cropped


http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/Carlos1583/test%20shots/Image1.jpg
1/640; f/11; ISO 200; RAW to JPEG and cropped


What do you think of these pictures? For a trip to disney world, would you buy a 50 1.8 or is it better to try a rent another lens in addition to the 70-200 2.8L? Thanks again for reading...

[Snapman]

You've no need to worry - You're equipment is adequate but you definitely need to post-process your images. All I've done with these is adjust levels and apply a little sharpening.

[ejay79]

I'll venture a guess and say that the equipment is probably just fine; the first few shots posted are fairly small but no problems jump out.

From what you have posted here, I think your composition skills need to be honed so you can make your subjects more interesting and appealing to look at.

Finally, the book Understanding Exposure would be a great read so you can start learning about how to better control and capture the light in your images.

I'm new to all of this, but it has helped tremendously to troll through these forums and try and articulate why I like certain photos and not others. This has been a great help in improving my picture taking abilities.

[rammy]

I can't tell if its me or the lens/camera.

It is the photographer and their level of expertise and experience, not the lens or camera that makes the picture :-)I personally always knew this, regardless of what people say. Yes an "L" will be a better lens to a kit lens but does one know how to take great pics in the first place?

I went from a 30D to a 300D recently. Considered to be a "big upgrade"? Not in my opinion.

Give a newbie a 1D that they have learnt how to use and a 300D to a seasoned professional and I know who will be taking the stunning pics.

I'm not really sure what you are trying to show with your posts? Are you asking if your lenses are good enough? If you are asking about your artistic skill then I think some compositional, DOF and exposure skills would be good :-)

[strmrdr]

do the same thing 6000 times and you don't learn a lot.
Getting good shots takes dedication and work.
Which is why a lot of people never get past just ok.
Change it up...
the book Understanding Exposure would be a good buy but really what you need is too explore Exposure.
Set the camera to AV mode and learn what effect different f-stops have, what effect iso has.
Remember the f-stop is about creative control and use it that way.
Shutter speed and iso are about exposure (keeping the speed fast enough to avoid camera shake and stop motion and the iso low for noise control being the important thing about them)
The aperture(f-stop) is the much more important element to good photos.
But even it is second to composition and lighting.

[Carlos05]

First off, thanks for the comments. These pictures are just examples and test shots really to show the "quality" of the pics with the setup I have. I should know that it isn't just the setup that makes the picture but I also notice that it does help. I did buy a book but I can't find it...I'll keep reading the forums and such.

Like I said, I don't mean to sound so negative...I just simply want to get better. Another issue is that there isn't much to shoot in a neighborhood here in Austin and I don't really travel a lot either to take pics. Patience will be the key here and I'll just keep practicing.

As far as post processing...I don't have photoshop anymore so I have to use zoombrowser.

[Snapman]

As far as post processing...I don't have photoshop anymore so I have to use zoombrowser.

You don't need Photoshop, as you can easily get started with a free download of Picasa :)

http://picasa.google.co.uk/

[rammy]

These pictures are just examples and test shots really to show the "quality" of the pics with the setup I have.

I think you are using the word "quality" in the wrong way. Your equipment can only do so much. It can't take "great shots". You do that :D

Another issue is that there isn't much to shoot in a neighborhood here in Austin and I don't really travel a lot either to take pics.

I disagree, In your house, in your garden in your street, in your city, there are great shots to be taken.

I think I understand how you think, maybe ;-) Do you think that a great view is a quality shot? That you can't take a quality shot unless the view you see, the landscape etc is great in the first place? If so then don't think like that. You can "find" a great shot anywhere, just spend some time looking and finding it.

Try looking at something in an unusual way; imagination, or lateral thinking. Don't go for the norm, break some rules. Be adventurous. You might not think at the time that it is the right shot to take, but take it and then learn about it afterwards.

Best of luck.

[strmrdr]

a bush/tree/mail box works great for learning the basics you dont need anything fancy too shot.

[Carlos05]

thanks for the advice everyone...

Since vet school is coming up, money is going to be too tight to buy a new lens (unless someone can convince me to buy the 50 1.8 ) As a result, I'll just enjoy the trip with the borrowed "L" lens and practice while I'm home for the summer.

[poloman]

I would suggest another Bryan Peterson book entitled "Learning to See Creatively". Also, "Beyond Portraiture". I am sure these should help you.

[NFRs2000NYC]

I have been doing lens research for the past year. I have read almost every review on almost every lens I can find. Something I found out was, unless you are a REAL pro, that is surgically precise with a camera, you will never see the benefits of L glass. There are plenty of pro's that use good after market glass. I have seen plenty of Canon lenses that are pure crap. Just because it says Canon on it, doesn't mean it's any good. In fact, most people when they get their first SLR, grab the 18-55, a lens that is about as good as shooting through a dirty beer mug. There are many lenses, sub $500, that are award winning lenses, and are just as good as L glass. Do your research, and you can get fantastic lenses without the L glass price tags.

Just some thoughts for you...a very nice arsenal for a hobbyist...I don't think anyone will disagree...

Walkaround: Tamron 17-50 (Award Winning Lens)
Walkaround Prime: Canon 50mm 1.4
Wideangle: Sigma 10-20 (Just as good as the 10-22 Canon)
Macro: Sigma 150mm (award winning)

With those 4, you can stop worrying about lens quality, and concentrate on improving your craft.

[Littlefield]

I am a hobbyist and disagree I have a 70-200 f4 LIS and I get a lot of benefit from using it.

[NFRs2000NYC]

Don't get me wrong, it's a great lens. However, the question is will HE? More often than not, most people wont see the benefits of L glass, especially if their photography skills aren't on par with the lens. For a simple analogy, a Ferrari isn't fast around a track if the driver can't drive.

[cdifoto]

I have been doing lens research for the past year. I have read almost every review on almost every lens I can find. Something I found out was, unless you are a REAL pro, that is surgically precise with a camera, you will never see the benefits of L glass. There are plenty of pro's that use good after market glass. I have seen plenty of Canon lenses that are pure crap. Just because it says Canon on it, doesn't mean it's any good. In fact, most people when they get their first SLR, grab the 18-55, a lens that is about as good as shooting through a dirty beer mug. There are many lenses, sub $500, that are award winning lenses, and are just as good as L glass. Do your research, and you can get fantastic lenses without the L glass price tags.

Just some thoughts for you...a very nice arsenal for a hobbyist...I don't think anyone will disagree...

Walkaround: Tamron 17-50 (Award Winning Lens)
Walkaround Prime: Canon 50mm 1.4
Wideangle: Sigma 10-20 (Just as good as the 10-22 Canon)
Macro: Sigma 150mm (award winning)

With those 4, you can stop worrying about lens quality, and concentrate on improving your craft.

Think in reverse:

Having a quick, accurate, quiet, and sharp lens (and body!) helps the photographer be surgically precise.

[NFRs2000NYC]

Think in reverse:

Having a quick, accurate, quiet, and sharp lens (and body!) helps the photographer be surgically precise.

:D I guess it's the chicken/egg battle we have going here. When you have a lens that good, that fast, etc etc, its like traction control in a car. Makes you look like a hero, but in reality, it wasnt you. If you can shoot well with a slow lens, think about how your shots will look with a super fast lens. Again, I do agree that it is a FANTASTIC lens. However, certain lenses CAN be replaced with cheaper aftermarket counterparts of equal quality.

[Snapman]

I feel it's a pity that this thread has turned into a debate about lenses when I thought that the original posters question had been answered. As far as I can see, judging by his images, he would be well advised to brush up on technique, ie. lighting and composition, before blaming his existing equipment.

[NFRs2000NYC]

I feel it's a pity that this thread has turned into a debate about lenses when I thought that the original posters question had been answered. As far as I can see, judging by his images, he would be well advised to brush up on technique, ie. lighting and composition, before blaming his existing equipment.

That was the point in my original post.

[tomd]

I went from a 30D to a 300D recently. Considered to be a "big upgrade"? Not in my opinion.


Rammy: do you mean 300D to a 30D?

Tom

[rammy]

Rammy: do you mean 300D to a 30D?

Tom

Oops, erm yes :oops: Thanks Tom.

[superdiver]

I like the dog pictures! I bet, from looking at the pictures you posted the problem is more with subject, rather then equipment or skill...cuz the pictures dont look bad, just boring...\

I bet once you get to Disney you will get some great shots...subject is a HUGE factor...IMHO....