Real or not!!

[ankitj]

So I have recently gotten into photography and started paying attention to light, composure, color, sharpness..etc. My process is I take a photo study it, try to identify faults and retake the picture, if the scenario/subject allows.

But I see a lot of photos posted in this forum that just look too good and no mattter how hard I try, I cannot seem to get that quality.

I understand equipment used has a lot to do with the quality of the photo, and I use a XT with a Tamron 17-50mm. But post processing a photo in PP and calling it a great shot, is that the new photography standard?

What standard does a new amatuer photographer use to truly understand what makes a good photo, without all the PP processing?

[advaitin]

Your XT is probably a fine camera. The lens is more problematic. It is always possible to get a lemon, even with the name brand. Borrow or rent a couple of different lenses and see if your base results differ.

Having said that, the photographic process, even in the days of film, could mean a lot of darkroom work to get the image you visualized. The digital age is the same, with different techniques and tools to get the same results.

Without a selection of your images to review, it's difficult to say what problem you may have. If you post, make sure you mention the EXIF data: What MM the lens was at, what shutter speed and aperture, Ev, ISO and whether you shot handheld or with monopod or tripod and if you used flash.

[Bob_A]

Nothing beats a properly exposed/composed image, but I'm afraid that to get the most from your equipment some post processing is required.

Post processing is required by any photographer who shoots film also. Jpeg straight out of the camera is like shooting slide film, or like shooting print film and having it processed at your local Walmart. For prints made from digital at Walmart or Costco (or any other lab):

1. They apply auto-color correction ... just like when they process print film
2. They apply auto-contrast correction ... just like with print film
3. They appy auto-exposure correction ... just like with print film

so ... when you shot film, or when you send your digital files to someone to get printed, they hide/mask most of the problems from when the image was taken.

Serious amateurs that shoot film typically do their own darkroom work. Switching to digital was much easier for them since the corrections made in photoshop are pretty much identical to the ones made in the darkroom to get a decent print. For example:

- Adjusting exposure times to correct for poorly exposed negatives
- Adjusting contrast using polycontrast filters
- Dodging and burning to darken overexposed highlights or bring out shadow detail
- Adjusting color for a poorly exposed or developed negative, or for small WB issues
- Correcting small composition problems by cropping and straightening

Some even applied an Unsharp Mask (USM) to improve sharpness (sandwiching together a lighter positive with the negative and exposing them together).

About the only difference I see with digital is that if you shoot RAW it is also necessary to apply a small amount of sharpening to counteract the softness introduced by the anti-aliasing filter in front of the sensor. If you shoot jpeg a bit of sharpening is applied, even with the camera set to the lowest sharpening setting.

[Road_Rebel]

i have the same problem :(

i feel that im only good at motorsports photography

[Mintie]

Your XT is probably a fine camera. The lens is more problematic.

Maybe, but probably not. I use that lens and its more often than not, beautiful.

[advaitin]

Maybe, but probably not. I use that lens and its more often than not, beautiful.

Please note that I said it was possible to have a lemon, even with the name brand--by which I meant Canon. I have used Tamron and Sigma lenses with good results, but a one-lens user who isn't getting good results may need to compare his or her lens with others.

[Kuma]

I like Bob's well thought out post. All those things ring true to me in my head although I never did any film darkroom stuff.

When I first went digital I didn't know much about post processing (and I still have a lot to learn) and it was a struggle. I wanted to spend my free time shooting my camera but I had to make time to learn how to pp. After lots of reading I've just come to terms that pp is just part of digital photography.

Its a good thing that your always critiqueing your own photo's. Probably with few exceptions the rest of us look at our own photo's and always see room for improvement. Family, friends and co-workers look at my photographs and give me nice compliments which feel really good. But I can see in my own shots where I goofed up and where I need to improve.

I'm blown away when I see a truly stunning shot posted on the forums or in a publication and I see that it was taken with lessor gear than mine (not that my gear is great by a long shot). But I'm really impressed with the good eye it takes in some of these creative shots. And I think thats what drives me to improve my own skills as a photographer.

Keep on shooting and having fun. The way your going in a year from now you'll look back at your photos and think "boy have I improved". :D

[chauncey]

ankitj, I don't know at what stage you are in this photography hobby, but the very first thing to be mastered is a thorough understanding of exposure.

We have a Critique Corner section at this site, don't hesitate to use it.
PP is your friend, don't hesitate to use it as well.

Check the stickys at the top of the pages in the various sections.

[SuzyView]

When I joined the forum in 2005, I thought I was decent, but then saw the work others were doing, even in the bird and macro forums, the work was wonderful. I got a little depressed. Then I decided that I needed to really learn about the equipment and the art of getting the correct exposure, as suggested above. I did not take a lot of pictures then, and I definitely did not twist all the knobs and press all the buttons my camera had. I went from the green box to Manual in two years and have not looked back. I shoot pro now and travel all over the world. I still don't think I'm as good as most here, but at least, I'm learning a ton and having the time of my life. I meet with POTN friends regularly, and we teach each other how to use the new equipment. That alone has been the best learning experience for me. Some of the moderators here are excellent photographers but they don't post images too much. Jon does a calendar each year for his charity. Mo shoots weddings and portraits. I shoot events. But we are always trying to do better. The PP is key. Once you master the camera, get in front of the computer and work it out even better. The days of P&S work is over if you are truly interested in making your images wonderful.

[ankitj]

hmm sounds like I am going to have to post some of my pics.

I have a good understanding of how to work with aperture, shutter speeds and ISO settings.

I think my problem is lack of experience with different scenarios. Working, school and life in general are preventing me from spending as much time as I would like to gain the valuable experience.

Seems like it's time to change my "Priority" settings. :wink: