Powershot S400 Owner in Need of Help!!!

[int0xicatedxluv]

Hello.
I NEED HELP! haha.
I'm the happy owner of a Powershot S400, and have been since earlier this year. I've really gotten into photography since, but its all been self taught. As with most things, I finally hit a point when I realized that my angles and things are good....but I don't know anything about the technical side of photography (lighting, etc etc).

I dont know how or what to use, and when.

The biggest thing to me right now is I would like to learn how to get sharp, crisp, well lit photo's, and I don't even know how to start. I've done some reading online, but it's not really registering with me. Its so complicated jumping around from Apeture, to exposures, etc etc.

A lot of my photo's come out muddy, and not very clear. I"m a graphic designer, and have tried playing around with thigns such as Levels, and sharpness in Photoshop, but its just doesn't achieve the same effect that others do wtih an untouched photo alone.

this is an example of what I'd LIKE to achieve. I love the lighting in this picture, and its so clear...

http://www.pbase.com/dewmuw/image/36010247.jpg

I've attached some of my recent photography...help / suggestions / tips are GREATLY appreciated!!
I'd REALLY like to learn how to get some beautiful black and whites. the only time I ever get decent B/W's is out in the sunlight, and even then they tend to look muddy.

http://www.groovesessions.net/digital/lightbulb.jpg



http://www.groovesessions.net/calico_horz/inside_the_cave.jpg



http://www.groovesessions.net/my_photography/116_1615.jpg



This was one of my better b/w's. Actually I think I'd say its my BEST.
http://www.groovesessions.net/my_photography/b_w_shot.jpg



http://www.groovesessions.net/my_photography/front.jpg



http://www.groovesessions.net/my_photography/joshua_tree.jpg


This is one of my favorite pictures, but again...ITS MUDDY!!
http://www.groovesessions.net/my_photography/pier.jpg



http://www.groovesessions.net/my_photography/sidewalk.jpg



Lighting was okay on this one..but again, it was daylight.
http://www.groovesessions.net/my_photography/sunset_hollywood.jpg


Hopefully these provide you with a sense of my style, and possbily what I need to work on to become a better photographer!!! THANK YOU!!

[Andy_T]

Hi INT{whatever} :wink: ,

welcome to the forum.

You have posted some nice photographs!

However ... the first photo (you posted as reference of the look you *would* like to achieve) looks very much like an IR (infrared) photo to me. This changes the colors, so that the grass and the treeleaves actually look white instead of darker.

It's very difficult to get that effect with a normal camera without infrared filter!

As to the other points you stated ... I think the problem of the digital ixus is that it sacrifices some functionality and performance for the size of portability. This is sometimes rather limiting.

Have you ever thought about getting another camera?

I'm not talking about spending 1000$ on a new digital SLR or something, but maybe picking up a used Canon G3, S45 or A75. You can keep your Ixus as a portable camera (it's just great for that), but if you want to do some 'serious photography', you are prepared.

These models offer you a lot more flexibility. Not just can you use filters, adapters, a flash ... but you have so-called 'creative' shooting modes. That means you can set aperture, shutter time and ISO sensitivity according to your photographic needs and not just rely on 'portrait' 'landscape' or other 'boxed modes'.

Just a thought.

Best regards,
Andy

[int0xicatedxluv]

I'm not talking about spending 1000$ on a new digital SLR or something, but maybe picking up a used Canon G3, S45 or A75. You can keep your Ixus as a portable camera (it's just great for that), but if you want to do some 'serious photography', you are prepared.


Hmmm. So the G2, S45 and A75 are better camera's than the Powershot S400? When I bought the Powershot back in Janaury, the salesman at the camera store told me it was the top of the line Canon camera, and one of the best digi cams on the market, so I went with that.

Are those Camera's you listed Digitals? I would definetly love to be able to play with appeture, and all that on a cam. On the Powershot all I can adjust are the exposure levels, which I havn't learned to really use correctly yet.

An aquaintance of mine also has a Powershot S400, and she took this picture recently, and it came out JUST BEAUTIFULLY. I dont understand how her same camera achieves SUCH beautiful black and whites, and mine come out all frumpy and muddy !!! =/
So frsutrating.

http://www.yermentality.com/livejournal/11122004-MajaEnd.jpg

[Jon]

Hmmm. So the G2, S45 and A75 are better camera's than the Powershot S400? When I bought the Powershot back in Janaury, the salesman at the camera store told me it was the top of the line Canon camera, and one of the best digi cams on the market, so I went with that.

What he meant (we all know about salespeople) is that it was the best Canon he had in stock.

Are those Camera's you listed Digitals? I would definetly love to be able to play with appeture, and all that on a cam. On the Powershot all I can adjust are the exposure levels, which I havn't learned to really use correctly yet.
They're all digital. The G3's discontinued, as is the S45, so you might be able to pick them up used. The A75's the current "low end" (but still very capable) of the "A" series. They'll all allow you to set both shutter speed and aperture manually to get better control over your results.

For starters, you might want to try varying your exposure around the recommended when you see something you want to shoot. "Bracketing" will give you a better idea of where to go to get the results you want. If your S400 will let you see "Info", that includes a histogram which will show you where the brightest and darkest parts of your picture fall relative to the total range the camera's capable of.

[Jesper]

I'm not talking about spending 1000$ on a new digital SLR or something, but maybe picking up a used Canon G3, S45 or A75. You can keep your Ixus as a portable camera (it's just great for that), but if you want to do some 'serious photography', you are prepared.


Hmmm. So the G2, S45 and A75 are better camera's than the Powershot S400? When I bought the Powershot back in Janaury, the salesman at the camera store told me it was the top of the line Canon camera, and one of the best digi cams on the market, so I went with that.

The S400 is not bad, but it's not Canon's top of the line compact digital camera. Don't believe sales people!! They'll tell you anything just to sell you something.....

You can see all the Canon Powershot cameras on http://www.powershot.com

The Pro 1 is the most advanced (and most expensive) Powershot. The G-series, S1 IS and Sxx (S with two digits) are also high-end Powershot cameras.

But you have some really good photos, you see that you don't need the most expensive super duper camera to make beautiful photos!

If you want to learn more about exposure, aperture, depth of field, etc., go to a bookstore and have a look through the basic photography books. Choose one you like. A book is good to learn things in your own pace, step by step. The basics are the same for any camera, whether it is a compact digital camera or a medium format film SLR. First learn more about how it all works before you jump out to buy a new camera. Once you understand more, you'll have a better idea of what features you want in a camera, if you want to get a new one.

[IndyJeff]

Int, trying to learn from a book can be hard for some people, especially if they have no idea about what the book is trying to tell them, in otherwords a basic lack of understanding. Below is how I learned my way around exposures. The book was greek to me until I went out and did some testing. Then the book made a lot more sense.
Now try this, find something you can shoot, like a tree in the backyard. Take a notebook and pencil with you. Set your camera to take a shot on auto mode, I am assuming that model has different shooting modes. Now start with the shutter speed and apteture that the program was on and step up the shutter speed, one step at a time and make a note of what the image number is and what your settings were. When you get to a point where it is not exposing enough to take a shot, go back to the original setting and start down, one stop at a time with the shutter speed. Repeat the same procedure with the apt setting and leave it on the same shutter speed as the program mode said was correct. Be sure that you have plenty of time and write down each setting for each shot. Then when you get to the computer, you can see how the different settings change the exposure. It might even be a good idea to have someone do the writing part for you. Notice the color saturation, the background focusing, everything about the photo and compare the original to the test shots.
Once you can see what the changes do, you can apply it to any settings. Lets say your shooting on a cloudy day f8 @ 1/250. Now if you have done your testing you will know what is going to happen if you go up or down a stop or two. You will be able to chimp your shot on the LCD and make an adjustment which may allow you to get the look your looking for.

When I did this testing it was on night shots, and with film. Only cost me about $70. You, however, will find it to be much cheaper with digital. LOL

[thomascanty]

I'd say you have some pretty good pictures here. Looks like you've been to a lot of the same places I go, too.

As for this picture, sorry to be a nitpicker, but that's not Disneyland. It's Disney's California Adventure...
http://www.groovesessions.net/my_photography/b_w_shot.jpg

[int0xicatedxluv]

lol. you are right. I didnt' even notice that. I think I just roll Disneyland and DCA into one becuase I know so many peopel that work there, and grew up so close by haha.

IndyJeff: You are so right. I dont learn well through books AT ALL. I'm the kind of person where you show me something once, and I have it down, but I struggle wtih books.

I definetly liked your suggestion with testing the exposure, etc, but Does the POWERSHOT S400 have appeture adjustment settings on it? Does anyone know??? I know I have the Auto settings, and Manual where I can adjust the effects, and the exposure, but I've not seen anything on Appeture... =/ That would make that test process difficult! :P



They're all digital. The G3's discontinued, as is the S45, so you might be able to pick them up used. The A75's the current "low end" (but still very capable) of the "A" series. They'll all allow you to set both shutter speed and aperture manually to get better control over your results.


Is there a good Canons out there that i can get that has good pixel, and appeture adjustment settings?? I'd like to stay at a 4.0 Pixel setting if possbile.

Any suggestions on what would be the best to get???

[Jesper]

...I definetly liked your suggestion with testing the exposure, etc, but Does the POWERSHOT S400 have appeture adjustment settings on it? Does anyone know??? I know I have the Auto settings, and Manual where I can adjust the effects, and the exposure, but I've not seen anything on Appeture... =/ That would make that test process difficult! :P

Look at the camera and read the manual of the camera. Does it have the P, Tv, Av and M modes?

- Tv mode is shutter speed priority mode. This mode gives you complete control over the shutter speed. It allows you to select the shutter speed and the camera chooses the matching aperture to get a good exposure.

- Av mode is aperture priority mode. This mode gives you complete control over the aperture. It allows you to select the aperture and the camera chooses the matching shutter speed to get a good exposure.

- M mode is manual exposure mode. You set both the shutter speed and aperture yourself, and you must make sure that you choose a combination that gives a good exposure.

If your camera has Av and M mode, you have the ability to set the aperture manually.

Is there a good Canons out there that i can get that has good pixel, and appeture adjustment settings?? I'd like to stay at a 4.0 Pixel setting if possbile.

Any suggestions on what would be the best to get???

Most of the Powershot cameras have P, Tv, Av and M modes. Look at http://www.powershot.com for specifications and feature lists of each of the cameras. What do you mean with "pixel setting" and "I'd like to stay at a 4.0 Pixel setting" ???

[int0xicatedxluv]

Most of the Powershot cameras have P, Tv, Av and M modes.

I just looked through all of them and didn't see anything on any of them saying P, TV, Av, and M modes? What exactly should I be looking for it to say??? I must be looking wrong. :(

[Jesper]

Most of the Powershot cameras have P, Tv, Av and M modes.

I just looked through all of them and didn't see anything on any of them saying P, TV, Av, and M modes? What exactly should I be looking for it to say??? I must be looking wrong. :(

Well, looking at the specifications of the S500 (http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelTechSpecsAct&fcategoryid=145&m odelid=9825) (as the S400 is not listed on the Powershot website), I see: "Exposure Control Method: Program AE". Which means it always determines the exposure automatically and there's no way to manually control the exposure on that camera.

If it had the P, Tv, Av and M modes, there should have been a button on the camera with those letters, but it looks like there isn't........ :?

[Pugdaddy]

What does the P stand for, Jesper? I'm too lazy to go look it up in the manual right now.
By the way, Jesper, I just went to your site and a lot of your pics aren't showing up. I just thought I'd let you know.

[Jon]

P is for Program - Green Box with a (very) few over-rides.