Newb with an XT

[blaazed]

Prince
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee330/sewootgame/_MG_4086_edited-1.jpg

Ornament
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee330/sewootgame/_MG_4228_edited-1.jpg

GFs aldo necklace
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee330/sewootgame/_MG_4561_edited-1.jpg

experimenting effects
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee330/sewootgame/_MG_4643_edited-1.jpg

uncommon tom
http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee330/sewootgame/_MG_4786.jpg

thanks in advance.

[Pilot Dane]

First. Have fun with the new camera and take all the photos you can. It looks like you are off to a good start.

This is the "criticism" section so I'll focus on the criticism but don't take it bad. Your shots all look good.
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The metadata shows you took all these shots at ISO 1600. It looks like you did not have much light to work with for any of these shots. When I had my Xti anything above ISO 400 was for emergencies only.

Try setting the display on your camera to show the histogram (the graph). When you look at all but decorations photo you will see the histrogram shifted heavily to the left (dark/under exposed). If all your shots are shifted to the left (a bit dark) try entering a exposure compensation in your camera so most of your shots are all the way across or centered in the histogram. The exposure compensation will give you slightly longer shutter speeds which means you will have to work harder to hold the camera extra still; but good because your camera will do better at high ISO if exposed a bit more.

#1: The background out of focus keeps your eye on the dogs face and the red bandanna adds some color to an otherwise all white scene. I there is nothing distracting up top I would open the crop up just a bit on top to include all of the dogs head. I just don't like seeing it cut off unless you had a reason.

#2: The colors are good but the narrow depth of field is distracting. I would like to see more of the main group of ornaments on the left in focus maybe f5.6 or 6.3 but this will make it harder to hold the camera steady.

#3: Probably my favorite. The sparkling colors are mesmarising. The ISO noise is annoying but the shallow depth of field and off center crop work well. The underexposure and solid primary color background really shows the noise.

#4: I'd like it exposed more but keep the depth of field just as you have it. The flower just out of focus gives it some artistic flair.

#5: Macro fun to play with but... This is a good example of narrow depth of field. Try a lot of light so you can still get in close and get more in focus. We have all seen our money a million times so it is hard to do anything new and interesting. Try getting in close on things that most people don't know so well. Dead bugs are fun to practice on (they don't run away) since you can pose them on a leaf to look alive and get a good macro to show detail that most people never see.

[capt_tast]

Nice shots. Congrats on the New Camera. I recently upgraded from an XT to a 50D.

[whin9000]

these pictures are really nice and a really good start. Some of them are a bit grainy though but I'm still working on that myself. Also ZI'd suggest getting a tripod, it takes long to set up but helps a lot.

Sorry for budding in, but Pilot Dane, you said about setting the histogram up. You only can do that after you have taken the picture right?

[blaazed]

Thanks for the input everyone. Just picked this up and now im in the market for a nifty fifty and a 55-250 IS. Good lenses for the money ive heard. Thanks again much appreciated.

[capt_tast]

Nice job. Those are good lenses for the money.

[Pilot Dane]

The histogram can be accessed anytime. Just press the triangle shaped play button to view your pictures then press the info (maybe "display") button to scroll through various screens.

The histogram is very helpfull on a bright sunny day when you have trouble seeing your screen. The histogram is easier to see than the photograph and you just have to look at the shape of the curve and see if it is centered or shifted to the left or right to tell how your picture is exposed.

It is really pretty easy to understand once you start using it. Left is dark (underexposed) and right is bright (overexposed).
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Blazed. You are going to have fun when you get the longer zoom lens. A whole new world opens up if you like photographing wildlife.

I know it is a ways off, but if you ever put an L lens (like the 70-200L f4) on your camera you will be truly amazed at what it can do.