my ducks

[2004ep3hatch]

ok please don't laugh lol, im learing about taking good pics. i had my 70-300 is lense on, my only good one. i tried taking in different modes. this pic came out ok i think. i could have made the iso higher so i could speed the shutter but i did not.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/alpine192/canon%203-23-08%20ducks/e1df6551.jpg

now this pic is nice but the colors are different i think. They colors looked washed out, i never changed the settings tho. at least i don't remember doing so. i was continus shooting mode. i just need to learn, its very fun trying :)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/alpine192/canon%203-23-08%20ducks/2d24c13b.jpg

[Robert_Lay]

First picture is far better than the second in regard to exposure and composition. The ducks are over-exposed and blown out in the second, and they are moving away from the scene more than into it.

For a 70mm focal length the shutter speed is "adequate", but it never hurts to speed up the shutter to a little faster than needed in hand-held shots just to be sure there will be no motion blur. Don't be afraid of ISO 200 or 400. They are safe. It's only in 1600 where you are going to be guaranteed to have noticeable grain (noise).

[2004ep3hatch]

First picture is far better than the second in regard to exposure and composition. The ducks are over-exposed and blown out in the second, and they are moving away from the scene more than into it.

For a 70mm focal length the shutter speed is "adequate", but it never hurts to speed up the shutter to a little faster than needed in hand-held shots just to be sure there will be no motion blur. Don't be afraid of ISO 200 or 400. They are safe. It's only in 1600 where you are going to be guaranteed to have noticeable grain (noise).

Yes, i was told about the exposure problem. i just need to understand more about adjusting it right.

[richardyoung]

I agree the first shoot is better.. but at least you are here trying to learn and get better.. which I think is great.. we are all here trying to learn something :-)

[Robert_Lay]

Yes, i was told about the exposure problem. i just need to understand more about adjusting it right.

It looks like the reason the second picture is over-exposed is that you were now shooting more into the sun. That will cause glare on the lens which reduces contrast and fogs the whole scene. It also causes a similar effect on the surface of the water. And, no, you did not use the same settings. The first picture was at ISO 100, f/5.6 and 1/125". The second picture was at ISO 400, f/6.3 and 1/320"

Couple of points that you could benefit from regarding exposure.

Since you are using the XTi, we have the same camera. The XTi has a great, built-in histogram display. It will be of utmost importance that you learn how to use that display as soon as possible, because it will be the quickest way to evaluate your pictures in the field.

Using the histogram display for evaluation, you next get a grip on shutter speed and aperture. Forget about the niceties of knowing whether to modify the aperture or shutter speed initially - just try to get the exposure correct. Later you can play games with shutter speed and aperture to arrive at the optimum settings.

In the case of the overexposed shot, you should be able to see the blinking Highlight Alert while reviewing the picture, and that should tell you to back off on the exposure and re-shoot until there are no blinking areas in the display.

You reduce exposure by stopping down the aperture (use bigger numbers), or you use shorter shutter times (bigger number in the divisor).

Above all - don't plan on "fixing" it in Photoshop. Plan on and practice getting it right before you leave the scene.

Hope that helps, because you're doing well in choosing your scenes.

[2004ep3hatch]

hey

ok i actually was trying to go by this. here is couple of new pics i took. what do you think. BTW i realized these geese lol, not ducks!!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/alpine192/canon%203-23-08%20ducks/1590a7e0.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a3/alpine192/canon%203-23-08%20ducks/70107080.jpg

[kmorgan]

If you turn on "Image editing OK" I can show you a nice treatment of your first image...

Kevin

[Flo]

Canada Geese;) I like the second to last one out of the series of shots...don;t be afraid to get closer.they really are pretty tolerant..

[LeuceDeuce]

Canada Geese;) I like the second to last one out of the series of shots...don;t be afraid to get closer.they really are pretty tolerant..

And you can get a nice shot of one trying to eat your lens :D

[ADAPTE]

I like the second one of the geese pictures, maybe a little less land and more water.

[2004ep3hatch]

If you turn on "Image editing OK" I can show you a nice treatment of your first image...

Kevin


Ok i have turned that on, edit as you want! I would like to see. thanks for all comments negative or positive! :)

[chauncey]

shooting in afternoon with bright sun is difficult, so much glare

[kmorgan]

Ok i have turned that on, edit as you want! I would like to see. thanks for all comments negative or positive! :)

Ok, here's my take:

http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/8899/2372965570100209210S600x600Q85.jpg

Full Size Here (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2372965570100209210WWscbh)

Kevin

[oatbill]

Although sometimes hard to resist try to fight the urge to center all of you subjects in the frame. I am no pro by any means but when I started I had to constantly remind myself that the center AF point was not a bullseye :lol:. Another thing that is beautiful about digital is that you can always crop to change the perspective a little. Just my two cents.

[2004ep3hatch]

those pics look great guys, yea i know. i forget about centering also. i should have had more water showing to show where the goose was going. there always there! so there is next time :)