Newbie on manual

[luvsadog2]

I just got new Manfrotto tripod gear today, so these are some of my first attempts at shooting manual .. C&C much appreciated.

[Robert_Lay]

Nice control over the background in both shots.

Exposure and color balance good in both.

Composition in the second is a little too static. Needs something to move the eye around.

As it is, the eye seems to oscillate back and forth between the center of the bloom and the greenish hot spot in the lower right periphery of the blossom.

Yes - it's a nit-pick.

[luvsadog2]

Thank you for your comments, Bob -- this is a learning experience for me as I've used the cam on automatic until today. I don't know what I was afraid of, i.e. taking it off the big green square, lol -- this is much more challenging and fun. I'll try the rose shot again in the morning and see if I can come up with something more interesting and in better focus -- there was a slight breeze today in addition to getting familiar with using the new tripod.

Thanks again!

Carla

[Michael Vermont]

#1 The eyes automatically are drawn to the white star in the middle of the purple peddles, I'd have get closer and cut out the background and fill the frame with the purple peddles as well as the star and really bring out the sharpness of the stars, depending on what lens you're using there's small fluffs around the star that would be stunning to see.

#2 Love the vibrant colours! :) This one is not in sharp focus either, have you tried to adjust that diopmeter thingy near the viewfinder to get sharp focus when you look through it? Nice shot :)

[luvsadog2]

Thank you for the comments, Michael. Good points, but I'll have to wait for the next bloom to unfurl fully to try to capure the star in the center. Luckily, I got the purple flower from a bush in my yard so I'll have another chance. Thanks for pointing out the diapmeter thingy -- I realized I wasn't getting crystal clear shots, so maybe that was part of the problem. I'll play with it and see if I can do better. Still such a newbie, but having fun learning!

[Michael Vermont]

Thank you for the comments, Michael. Good points, but I'll have to wait for the next bloom to unfurl fully to try to capure the star in the center. Luckily, I got the purple flower from a bush in my yard so I'll have another chance. Thanks for pointing out the diapmeter thingy -- I realized I wasn't getting crystal clear shots, so maybe that was part of the problem. I'll play with it and see if I can do better. Still such a newbie, but having fun learning!

Not a problem, keep trying and learning, photography is a very rewarding experience :)

[luvsadog2]

Yes, I'm having fun with it -- as well as getting addicted to it and this forum!

[luvsadog2]

Here's another version of the purple bloom .. cropped it a bit more.

[Michael Vermont]

Here's another version of the purple bloom .. cropped it a bit more.

That's very good :) Try placing it off center a bit, so one's eyes are drawn to it and prompts you to move around the frame, just to give you an idea :)

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee355/thearchangels/A3/Untitled-1-1.jpg

[luvsadog2]

Thanks, Michael .. yes, it looks better off center, thanks. Too bad I have to go to work in the morning -- would much rather play with the camera!

[Michael Vermont]

Thanks, Michael .. yes, it looks better off center, thanks. Too bad I have to go to work in the morning -- would much rather play with the camera!

Anytime :) Don't be a fool, call in sick and shoot all day I say, I'll keep you company :P

[luvsadog2]

Yes, it would be fun, but if I want to save up for the 100mm 2.8 macro lens, I'm going to have to go to work!

[Michael Vermont]

Yes, it would be fun, but if I want to save up for the 100mm 2.8 macro lens, I'm going to have to go to work!

What you mean something like this?

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee355/thearchangels/ImpersonatingLights/20090316-08h04m56s.jpg

I just got mine today :D Oh god I am a cruel person, you better not befriend me :P *shoos you off to work*

[luvsadog2]

Yes, Michael... you are cruel, and a tease to boot, lol .. putting that lens just out of my reach, ha. I just spent over $400 on a Manfrotto carbon tripod/joystick head this weekend, so I'll have to wait a little while for the 100mm.. so at least show me some pics you took with it so I can see what I'm missing!

[Michael Vermont]

Yes, Michael... you are cruel, and a tease to boot, lol .. putting that lens just out of my reach, ha. I just spent over $400 on a Manfrotto carbon tripod/joystick head this weekend, so I'll have to wait a little while for the 100mm.. so at least show me some pics you took with it so I can see what I'm missing!

It's not every day that someone mentions a lens that I just woke up with FedEx at my front door delivering :P I had class today so didn't get around to use it, but will definitely give it a decent workout in the days to come and come and show them to you! Speaking of tripod, what model is the joystick head? I need to a new tripod and have settled for one of the manfrotto (055R or something like that can't remember) and have been looking atht he joystick head, would you recommend it?

[luvsadog2]

Okay Michael, I just saw your website .. while you may be a tease and unjustifyingly cruel to a newbie such as myself, you are also a brillant photographer .. I'm in awe! Here's one of my best shots taken last year with the XT .. let me know what you think.

[luvsadog2]

Oops, meant to post the clean version of the shot, sorry!

[Michael Vermont]

Oops, meant to post the clean version of the shot, sorry!

Now that is a fantastic shot! There's plenty of lines and repetitions and the tonality leans over the smooth gradient from left to right, I like it a lot :D
Only thing I can recommend would be to boost the contrast a bit as it looks bit flat, this is what I mean:

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee355/thearchangels/A3/photo.jpg

Otherwise terrific composition :cool:

[luvsadog2]

Michael, thank you so much for the compliment and for the much improved version of my shot -- I'm still getting used to the idea that I can "improve" my shots with PP, so it didn't even occur to me to play with the contrast. I love taking architectural and nature shot, especially anything with pattern and/or texture -- but trying to experiment with everything as much as possible.

Thanks again!

[Michael Vermont]

Michael, thank you so much for the compliment and for the much improved version of my shot -- I'm still getting used to the idea that I can "improve" my shots with PP, so it didn't even occur to me to play with the contrast. I love taking architectural and nature shot, especially anything with pattern and/or texture -- but trying to experiment with everything as much as possible.

Thanks again!

Anytime hon, if you like you can always shove some shots over and I can bitch to you about them :P

[luvsadog2]

Hi Michael.. since you offered, here's another couple of shots for you to bitch about .. can't wait to see what you do with these! Carla

[luvsadog2]

It's not every day that someone mentions a lens that I just woke up with FedEx at my front door delivering :P I had class today so didn't get around to use it, but will definitely give it a decent workout in the days to come and come and show them to you! Speaking of tripod, what model is the joystick head? I need to a new tripod and have settled for one of the manfrotto (055R or something like that can't remember) and have been looking atht he joystick head, would you recommend it?

Sorry, I missed this earlier missive .. I got the Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 (3-section carbon) and 322RC2 joystick ball head, which was highly recommended by the guy at the camera store and seems to be a pretty popular choice from some of the threads I read about tripods/heads. The tripod is definitely on the low end of the carbon models, but I was told it would be more than sufficient for my gear. I'm enjoying the 322RC2 joystick head -- it's made using the cam on a tripod so much easier. My old tripod was a Slik U-6000 which I got at a thrift store .. enough said, ha.

[Michael Vermont]

Hi Michael.. since you offered, here's another couple of shots for you to bitch about .. can't wait to see what you do with these! Carla

Hmm... I should start charging for this!
I'm not a big fan of cropping to be honest, I like to frame my shots before I push the shutter, it'll take longer to get the shot but it forces you to be better than the last shot.

For the leaves, again go in closer, get a tighter crop (the top leave is distracting), move it away from the center, the background bokeh is bright and beautiful, put it to use, so whilst your eyes lead to the top left the bright background will push your eyes around. Also increased contrast.
http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee355/thearchangels/A3/leaves.jpg

Same idea, figure out where is the most interesting focal point is, the bottom of the plant was a bit dull and flat, so tighter crop, there's lots of dark areas and highlights and the tip of reds, increase contrast can bring them out :)
http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee355/thearchangels/A3/plant.jpg

[luvsadog2]

Wow, what a difference your editing made .. I really appreciate the tips, thank you. So how's the 100mm 2.8 working for you? Let me know if you post and in which forum so I can take a look -- thanks again!