Frustrated

[charlie_merrifi]

I have been getting frustrated. Granted Ive only had my dslr for about a month but even with all the tips i get here my pictures just dont come out right. Out of focus, wrong exposure. Just cant seem to get them right. I thinik they look good after editing then post them here and they dont look so good. I appreciate all the criticism it defiantley helps. Anyone have any suggestions for me.

[yogestee]

Charlie,,you need to post a few examples so we can take a look and spot any mistakes..

[Mosca]

The best $100 I spent on photography was the on line class I took from Proud Photography. No affiliation, and I don't get anything for recommending it. My pictures are still not as good as many here... but some are. It's like accelerating your learning by about 3 years. It puts the basic principles of composition and camera manipulation in a nice, easy to follow order that makes sense.

[BigBlueDodge]

Charlie,

Welcome to the club! I don't think there is a single person on here that wasn't in your same position. I find that photography is something where you get out just as much as you put into it. You have to be willing to do your homework, read the itty bitty details, understand both the technical and artistic concepts to do well. All to many people think that just because a SLR camera costs so much that you should just be able to pick it up, point it somewhere, it the shutter button, and expect amazing photos. That's simply not the case.

Also, do understand that VERY few people post images straight out of the camera. Most people post process their photos before posting, so what you are seeing on here is highly likely not what came out of the camera.

[GregMik]

Dude....You have had your cam for a month.

Get out and take pics! It is digital. Ask anybody here how many pics they take that are crap. The more practice you get the higher the ratio of good to crap gets. But everybody takes crap pics most of the time.

Most of the guys that take the awesome pics on here have been at for yrs! Use it as your inspiration to get better!

If you find a person that takes the pics you would want to, ask them how they do it. Most on here are really helpful! All you have to do is ask!

Greg

[ironchef31]

For the next year, shoot anything, family events, birthdays, weddings. Join a camera club or take a night course. You will find that as time goes on, your photos will evolve as your skills get better. I think you need a history of photos to show you where your skills have been and where you need to go.
So shoot, post and ask!

[PhotosGuy]

You really should start with the "Sticky: Ben's Newbie Guide to Digital SLR Photography" that's above this thread. I thinik they look good after editing then post them here and they dont look so good. Maybe your browser is the problem. If what you're seeing here isn't what you saw when you were editing, then take a look at: Firefox (3.0.4) + add ons (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=602787).

Hang in there! It does get easier.

[Licepic]

I am a noob too and what works for me is read the tips and stickies on this forum then go shoot whatever I can find. Afterward I have a lot of "oh, that's what they meant." moments. Slowly, but surely I am getting the hang of it, but it's gonna take time. Also going to your local library and/or book stores to browse some photography books helps alot as well.

[neilwood32]

I am a noob too and what works for me is read the tips and stickies on this forum then go shoot whatever I can find. Afterward I have a lot of "oh, that's what they meant." moments. Slowly, but surely I am getting the hang of it, but it's gonna take time. Also going to your local library and/or book stores to browse some photography books helps alot as well.

Be prepared for many "doh" moments where you suddenly get something sorted and then think "how have i been doing it so wrong?"

Read as much as you can, listen to others when they talk about it, do courses if it helps but most of all - GO AND SHOOT DAMMIT!

Its not like film where every shot cost money to develop - digital costs nothing. Shoot 10 or 10,000 - its still cost nothing! All it costs is time and the more you put in the more you will get back in experience.

[matonanjin]

"Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson

[Mike]

It's not just you. I get that sometimes too but persevere. Also, there's nothing better than practise and I often look at pictures from the last year and compare them to 3 years ago and I can notice a big difference so don't lose heart, you'll get there. :)

[nicksan]

Put up some samples, and folks in here will be more than happy to help you.

That's what makes POTN a great place to learn!:D

All of us went through what you are going through in the beginning. I think the most important thing is when things go wrong, figure out WHY it went wrong.

Why did it underexpose the shot?
Why is the shot blurry or OOF?
Why does it look so washed out?

These are technical aspects of it and takes some practice and getting used to.

In terms of composition and style, look at other people's work, find something you like, and figure out why you like it.


I have been getting frustrated. Granted Ive only had my dslr for about a month but even with all the tips i get here my pictures just dont come out right. Out of focus, wrong exposure. Just cant seem to get them right. I thinik they look good after editing then post them here and they dont look so good. I appreciate all the criticism it defiantley helps. Anyone have any suggestions for me.

[polarbare]

Dude....You have had your cam for a month.

After you had been driving a car for a month did you feel capable of driving at Indy? Just give it time, take lots of pics, don't worry about "keeper rates" or upgrading equipment. Just shoot,shoot, and shoot some more and really study the good pics AND the bad ones. Learning what not to do and what doesn't work is an essential part of photography.

[number six]

After you had been driving a car for a month did you feel capable of driving at Indy?

Of course I did. I was 16 years old.

:lol::lol::lol:

[matonanjin]

Me too. But I had been driving illegally for two years:lol: