Practicing before buying my DSLR

[smaisch]

Decided to buy a Canon XSI or 40D, so I am honing my skills with my wifes Canon Powershot SD1100 IS.

It is a limited point and click, but I am more trying to work on composition, lighting, and some post work.

Please, all critiques are welcomed. Honesty is appreciated so I can better myself before my camera arrives.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9473453@N02/sets/72157617596246130/

Steve M.

[MattMoore]

For the most part your composition is fine.

I think the only cons with those shots are white balance, exposure (in some), and lighting.

IMHO get the 40D over the XSi, the ergos on the Rebels piss me off.

[smaisch]

For the most part your composition is fine.

I think the only cons with those shots are white balance, exposure (in some), and lighting.

IMHO get the 40D over the XSi, the ergos on the Rebels piss me off.

Thanks Matt.

When you say exposure and lighting are cons, can you be more specific as to what I am doing wrong, and a best practice to correct it?

The lighting used was two softboxes and the wall was back lit with shop lights.

Oh and FYI. Checked out your site. You are an amazing photographer.

[MattMoore]

Lighting :
I think you may be getting light contamination from the flash and the shoplights (since both are different color temps...unless you are using color correction gels on the flash and then setting the correct WB). Seems like you are WBing for one light, but not the others (for flash, but not the shoplights or vice versa). Some have a tint to them (probably caused by the flash being colored by the green wall).

Exposure (applies to some but not all) :
Tthe outside shot's background (sky( and underexposed in the subjects face...easily remedied by fill flash.

[snyderman]

I think that's a great idea. Did the same thing with my little Canon A-series point and shoot. Many of the same features are in the menus of the P&S cameras are there--you just need to dig a little deeper for them.

For me, it was a really good learning process and good practice as well. It paid off, because I had a much better understanding of exposure when my first 30D came along.

BTW, your shots at flickr are pretty darned good for the P&S camera!

dave

[smaisch]

Lighting :
I think you may be getting light contamination from the flash and the shoplights (since both are different color temps...unless you are using color correction gels on the flash and then setting the correct WB). Seems like you are WBing for one light, but not the others (for flash, but not the shoplights or vice versa). Some have a tint to them (probably caused by the flash being colored by the green wall).

Exposure (applies to some but not all) :
Tthe outside shot's background (sky( and underexposed in the subjects face...easily remedied by fill flash.


No flash used on either. I turn the flash off on the Powershot because it is so intense it washes out all the other lights. I used a softbox light on a stand as the primary, and a softbox on stand as the fill at about 50% power. Then I lit the wall with a shoplight and diffused it with a colored film.

How do you white balance for both light colors?

[smaisch]

I think that's a great idea. Did the same thing with my little Canon A-series point and shoot. Many of the same features are in the menus of the P&S cameras are there--you just need to dig a little deeper for them.

For me, it was a really good learning process and good practice as well. It paid off, because I had a much better understanding of exposure when my first 30D came along.

BTW, your shots at flickr are pretty darned good for the P&S camera!

dave

Thanks Snyder! Good to hear some positive feedback. I come from the Indie Movie world, so I have a slight leg up when it comes to composition, rules of third, coaching subjects, etc. But I am finding movie lighting and still lighting are in two different worlds.

But if I am nothing, I am willing to learn and persistant :)

[MattMoore]

I think we're getting mixed up when we talk lighting.

So when you say "softbox light" do you mean continuous light through a softbox or a flash/strobe through a softbox?

I read softbox as a flash/strobe through a softbox, hence my remarks about differing color temps (flash vs worklights). A flash through a softbox is still a flash.

[smaisch]

I think we're getting mixed up when we talk lighting.

So when you say "softbox light" do you mean continuous light through a softbox or a flash/strobe through a softbox?

I read softbox as a flash/strobe through a softbox, hence my remarks about differing color temps (flash vs worklights). A flash through a softbox is still a flash.

I own no strobes or flashes. Only flash is on the point and click camera, and I disable that.

I use constant, or hot lights like the picture shows. Mainly because its all I own.

[tonydee]

A great collection... I think it's past the stage of technical compositional issues and a genuine expression of personal style and interests, and I wouldn't presume to pick fault with the images or choices. I'm particularly impressed with the second shot - it's so rare to see a soft shot that actually works brilliantly. Main thing is getting a camera and lenses that will give you less noise. To that end, you might want to check out the nifty fifty while you're buying. I'd also suggest a 40D over a Rebel... better build quality, and you get to learn the layout/ergonomics of all the upper Canon models, but either can take fine pictures in the right hands. Cheers, Tony

[smaisch]

A great collection... I think it's past the stage of technical compositional issues and a genuine expression of personal style and interests, and I wouldn't presume to pick fault with the images or choices. I'm particularly impressed with the second shot - it's so rare to see a soft shot that actually works brilliantly. Main thing is getting a camera and lenses that will give you less noise. To that end, you might want to check out the nifty fifty while you're buying. I'd also suggest a 40D over a Rebel... better build quality, and you get to learn the layout/ergonomics of all the upper Canon models, but either can take fine pictures in the right hands. Cheers, Tony

Tony, thanks for the kid words.

Reason I was shooting for the XSI is that my budget is around $1200 to $1500 for all accessories. I figured the XSI is about $300 cheaper than the 40D, and I could get a nice flash, memory card, etc etc with the extra money. But I have some thinking to do. Not buying till June.

[tonydee]

Reason I was shooting for the XSI is that my budget is around $1200 to $1500 for all accessories. I figured the XSI is about $300 cheaper than the 40D, and I could get a nice flash, memory card, etc etc with the extra money. But I have some thinking to do. Not buying till June.

If there's a few hundred between the crop-bodies, can understand your indecision. Better glass may make more difference to IQ than the choice between those bodies.

I'm not familiar with pricing in the U.S., but I assume those are new body+kit prices you're considering? If so, a second-hand 5D would be another option worth pricing.

Cheers, Tony

[smaisch]

If there's a few hundred between the crop-bodies, can understand your indecision. Better glass may make more difference to IQ than the choice between those bodies.

I'm not familiar with pricing in the U.S., but I assume those are new body+kit prices you're considering? If so, a second-hand 5D would be another option worth pricing.

Cheers, Tony

In the US the XSI kit tends to run around $699 from a reputable source. The 40D (when you can find it) is around $899 body only. 50D around $1000 body only.

I concur. I believe the glass, and the person behind it are the most important factor.

I am the type that tends to shy away from used or refurbished equipment. I know its my own paranoia in most cases and probably unwaranted, but that's just how I feel.

[tonydee]

I am the type that tends to shy away from used or refurbished equipment. I know its my own paranoia in most cases and probably unwaranted, but that's just how I feel.

Me too actually... for some reason, I've bought a few guitars second hand since coming to Japan, but not my habit generally and never any camera gear. Never sold any either, even though there's a few things I don't really want any more. I'm just weird.

I suppose I think that my 5D has been looked after very carefully (though clocked up a lot of shutter releases), and therefore feel it'd be a bargain given what I paid for it and how little it would fetch if I had to sell it second hand... but of course you don't know what you're getting if you haven't been the owner....

[twalker294]

I feel quite the opposite about refurbished equipment. Over the years I have bought many factory refurbished cameras and I've never had any trouble out of any of them. The 40D that I am shooting with now is a Canon factory refurb and I paid $699 for it about 3 months ago. The way I see it, factory refurb cameras have been gone over much more thoroughly than new ones which simply leave the assembly line and get boxed up. A refurb has been tested to make sure it is in perfect working order. Just make sure it's a Canon factory refurb and you should be fine.