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flipstyle72
14th of January 2008 (Mon), 12:02
Here are a collection of shots I've taken since bringing the camera home. I'll post the data for you to see and critique for future improvements.

I really love the 50mm when lighting is good, otherwise it's a pita to get a focus. But I guess that'll come with experience. None of these are actual "planned" shots, just carrying the camera with me through-out the day and snapping what I like.

Thanks for looking!

Let's start off with one of our dogs. Rocky - aka Rock-Star aka Rocky Road
kit lens: Aperture: f/5.0, ISO Equiv.: 400, Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60), Metering Mode: matrix - actually, i think this on auto-program...it doesn't say in the data. But I know this is one of the first few shots I got. Kit lens.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc29/rmrdesigns/general%20photography/IMG_0183.jpg



Hand held 50mm lens: This one was on Action program. I was trying to capture his jumping bean impersonations. but the data as follows:
Exposure Time: 0.0010 s (1/1000), ISO Equiv.: 400, Aperture: f/7.1, Metering Mode: matrix, auto-white
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc29/rmrdesigns/general%20photography/205.jpg




My wife had to go get her "hair did" and Make-up for a function she was doing. These aren't her, but the girl who was ahead of her. (Of course, the wife was camera shy)
The data doesn't say which mode i was in again...I think it was P mode. I know I shot a lot in that the first week I got the camera.

Hand held 50mm lens: Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125), ISO Equiv.: 400, Aperture: f/2.8, auto-white, no flash
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc29/rmrdesigns/general%20photography/500.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc29/rmrdesigns/general%20photography/509.jpg

Exposure Time: 0.0100 s (1/100) (all else same as above) I had no control over her hair, sorry for the craziness. lol. she just finished makeup and was about to retouch the hair.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc29/rmrdesigns/general%20photography/517.jpg



same day as above, just stopping by a drive through daquiri shop to see a friend (yes, drive through alcohol served ready to drink - It's New Orleans)
Exposure Time: 0.0063 s (1/160), ISO Equiv.: 400, Aperture: f/3.5, auto-white.
No, we weren't drinking and driving...just stopped by to say "sup"

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc29/rmrdesigns/general%20photography/546.jpg




One of a relative over the holidays...not entirely sure why I took this all in a wierd angle, lol...but i did. I liked this one because it really demonstrated the blurred background.
Hand held 50mm Exposure Time: 0.020 s (1/50), ISO Equiv.: 400, Aperture: f/1.8, autowhite, matrix - again, i am guessing Pmode. I barely played in Manual at that time.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc29/rmrdesigns/general%20photography/179.jpg
flipstyle72
14th of January 2008 (Mon), 12:02
Here's one from this saturday night visiting a DJ friend of ours. This one I'd really like some input as it's in Manual mode (doh) and I'm trying to learn the best settings for low light situations and no flash. I simply changed up settings until I got a picture that looked clear on the view finder and crossed my fingers until I could see it on a big screen.

Hand held 50mm Exposure Time: 0.077 s (1/13), ISO Equiv.: 1600, Exposure Mode: Auto bracketing, Aperture: f/2.8, white-auto.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc29/rmrdesigns/general%20photography/IMG_3940.jpg




All C&C welcomed and taken to heart. Will love to be able to shoot as well as the rest of you guys. Really is a productive, fun and creative hobby. Anyone recommend websites to read up on or books to purchase, i'd also greatly appreciate.

and if anyone in the Greater New Orleans area or plan to visit, give me a shout and we can gtg for a photo tour of this rebuilding city.

Thanks!

Flip

NO PP done on any of the above, but feel free to play with them if you like.
Flo
14th of January 2008 (Mon), 12:50
I like #4 and 5.good shots.......I like the lighting and the colors are great.

Boxers are fast when they want to be.lol..
flipstyle72
14th of January 2008 (Mon), 13:07
I like #4 and 5.good shots.......I like the lighting and the colors are great.

Boxers are fast when they want to be.lol..

I had nothing to do with the lighting on those unfortunately. That was all the workshops light. I was just lucky in positioning.

Yes, most of the shots I have of him are brindle blurs...save for his sleeping ones.
flipstyle72
14th of January 2008 (Mon), 23:12
so hey guys, I'll even settle for a "Hey Flip, time for a new hobby buddy..." lol.

Ok, got some lighting from Fedex tonight and just took these playing around with them. Everyone has such a serious face on when they do them, so I figured to be true to myself and show off my character instead. Besides, i look too mean when serious.

I realized after seeing them on my pc that they are a bit out of focus...sorry!! would stay up and play some more but 5:30am cardio is telling me it's time for bed.

50mm, manual, 150/8.0 iso 100.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc29/rmrdesigns/general%20photography/4fd6ca6e.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc29/rmrdesigns/general%20photography/14a59cf7.jpg

converted to alpha in Fireworks (I know,i'm getting PS soon. Anyone have a pirated...er..spare copy? ;) )

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc29/rmrdesigns/general%20photography/5b6ee43b.jpg
Flo
15th of January 2008 (Tue), 11:00
This last batch is really quite dark on my screen.Somewhere along the lines,something is off......what lights were you using?? I played very little...others can do much better, but this helps somewhat with the brightness and contrast.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/14a59cf7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/4fd6ca6e.jpg

Maybe you could include your EXIF with the photos.I see there isn't one attached.
airfrogusmc
15th of January 2008 (Tue), 11:11
Way to much head room on #5...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/517.jpg
flipstyle72
15th of January 2008 (Tue), 11:12
yes, sorry...i had edited the photo and it stripped. I have the original though. I was just playing with those last ones though. I hope to have some time tonight and get it right.

Thanks!
flipstyle72
15th of January 2008 (Tue), 11:14
Can you elaborate? I'm totally green. do you mean too much below the head? If so, the hairdresser wanted me to get all of the hair so I tried to get it all the way to the tips.

Thanks!

Way to much head room on #5...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/airfrogusmc/517.jpg
airfrogusmc
15th of January 2008 (Tue), 11:22
To much room over her head. Theres nothing there to help your photograph so try not to include it. Notice the edited version is much tighter; not so much head room. The subjects head was almost dead center in the original. Try not to do put things dead center especially when you are learning.

I'm sure her body was far more iteresting than the dead space over her head if you can't crop as tightly as I did.

Also almost all of your images are centered.
flipstyle72
15th of January 2008 (Tue), 12:12
To much room over her head. Theres nothing there to help your photograph so try not to include it. Notice the edited version is much tighter; not so much head room. The subjects head was almost dead center in the original. Try not to do put things dead center especially when you are learning.

I'm sure her body was far more iteresting than the dead space over her head if you can't crop as tightly as I did.

Also almost all of your images are centered.

gotcha, thanks a ton for the input. I think because she was so short (4' something) compared to my height, I wasn't bending down.

So it's NOT good to always have the subjects dead center of the frame? In which cases might it be ok or should be done that way? (is that a stupid question?)

Anyways, taking anything and everything to heart so I can improve. Thanks!
airfrogusmc
15th of January 2008 (Tue), 12:57
Centered subjects can make for very static images. Sometimes thats what you might be going for but especailly in the beginning when your learning start with the rule of thrids its not the end all but a good place start to keep you images from looking static.

http://photoinf.com/General/Peter_Ensenberger/Improving_Your_Photography_Lesson_Two_Composition. htm

http://ct.essortment.com/photographycomp_rejl.htm

http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-photos/advanced-techniques/composing-photos.php

http://www.istockphoto.com/article_view_print.php?ID=13
There have been some threads here also on composition.
flipstyle72
15th of January 2008 (Tue), 13:11
excellent, thanks for the read material.



Centered subjects can make for very static images. Sometimes thats what you might be going for but especailly in the beginning when your learning start with the rule of thrids its not the end all but a good place start to keep you images from looking static.

http://photoinf.com/General/Peter_Ensenberger/Improving_Your_Photography_Lesson_Two_Composition. htm

http://ct.essortment.com/photographycomp_rejl.htm

http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-photos/advanced-techniques/composing-photos.php

http://www.istockphoto.com/article_view_print.php?ID=13
There have been some threads here also on composition.
airfrogusmc
15th of January 2008 (Tue), 16:17
You're welcome. Its a long road and we're all on it together. Learning is a life long experience.