Newbie with a 20D [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

antigravity

10th of March 2005 (Thu), 12:12

Hi guys! I just got myself a 20D about a month ago, and so far I've been really happy with the shots I've been taking. However, I notice that some, if not most of shots taken by other people with the same camera get better looking shots. My problem with my shots is mainly the saturation of color and the brightness. I just can't seem to get these settings right.

I was hoping maybe someone could give me a few tips on how to work my camera better? :)

I'm still using the 18-55mm lens that came with the kit, I believe this is the same as the one in the Rebel kit.

Thanks! :D

Jon

10th of March 2005 (Thu), 12:19

Have you tried comparing the shooting modes they are using to what you're using? if you're using the "Basic" (pictogram) modes, you're using canned settings you can't vary much. With the "Creative" modes, you can control in-camera post-processing to a degree, as well as the metering. In addition, are their shots straight out of the camera, or have they done some PhotoShopping? A little of that can make a big difference skillfully applied.

For basic exposure, don't rely on how the review looks on the LCD. The LCD display's set brighter than you'd think so tou can read it outdoors. Turn on the image Info setting and use the histogram to see how your exposure is. The histogram should be stretched across the entire (or at least most of, and centered) width of the graph.

OceanRider

10th of March 2005 (Thu), 12:25

i got my 20 D and it was much lacking the brightness that you say.....I goi the senor cleaned and wow what a difference! I shoot a blue sky to see whats on the sensor and it was almost black (figurative speaking) prior to cleaning then the blue sky went BRIGHT blue again after the cleaning. Give it a try!!

Joel

antigravity

10th of March 2005 (Thu), 12:28

Thanks Jon and OceanRider for the replies. I will try both of your suggestions. :D

I usually use the "Creative" modes to shoot, I'm really not happy with how the Basic modes work. :lol:

tim

10th of March 2005 (Thu), 13:20

Trust your histogram, and have a look at these two (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0735714118/qid=1107206467/sr=8-3/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl14/104-5217262-5940749?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) books (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/032127878X/qid=1107482395/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-5217262-5940749?v=glance&s=books&n=507846). Also, a basic class might help with camera operation and composition - it helped me a lot when I was starting out.

antigravity

10th of March 2005 (Thu), 20:03

aam1234

10th of March 2005 (Thu), 20:35

Which parameters your cam is set to. You can play with them to give you the desired results.

antigravity

10th of March 2005 (Thu), 21:40

Which parameters your cam is set to. You can play with them to give you the desired results.

I usually use the AV setting.. but then most of the shots end up either too dark or too bright, or sometimes when I do get the brightness I want, the colors don't show up too well.. :o

Sorry, I'm a total noob at this :lol:

aam1234

10th of March 2005 (Thu), 21:47

I think if you post some examples with EXIF data here, some people might be able to give you a better advice. As for colors, you can increase the saturation in parameters.

Big_B

11th of March 2005 (Fri), 01:47

I agree with aam. We could give you some advice, but there would be a certain amount of guessing involved. I think we'd have a much clearer idea if you posted a couple of examples.

(and don't apologise for beeing a neewb. We all started that way :))

antigravity

11th of March 2005 (Fri), 03:24

Thanks everyone! I'll post some shots as soon as I get the time..

Avalonthas

11th of March 2005 (Fri), 21:12

Do you do any sort of post processing or do you just print the images as it was snapped. Because post processing is essential in digital photography and it can really improve ur image and make just about any adjustment u need. Shoot RAW of course.

antigravity

13th of March 2005 (Sun), 10:49

I just started using Digital Photo Professional.. Just came up with the first batch of pics with post-processing..

BTW, where can i get the EXIF information? Besides the one in DPP which I can't copy? :D

some shots I took today..

http://img207.exs.cx/img207/2637/dpp00399ye.jpg

http://img199.exs.cx/img199/3774/dpp00399vb.jpg

http://img158.exs.cx/img158/9697/dpp000585tl.jpg