First Post: San Francisco

[RioJoe]

This is my first post after I purchased my 20D with kit lens, one month ago which I love.
Attached are two images.
The Bird of Paradise is from Mission Dolores. Setings are iso 100, Av mode, 1/200 and f5.6.
The photgrapher on the bow of tour boat was on the SF bay close to the bridge. Settings are iso 100, ladscape mode, 1/320 and f14.
I have another 100 or so "keepers".
Please comment.
Thanks very much.

[grego]

Regarding the second one, everything is underexposed. For a sillhouette, expose for the highlights in the background. And if you are patient enough, you should wait till she puts the camera to her face. But congratulations on your new purchase and keep shooting.

[MAD DOG]

I think the second had the potential to be a nice shot.

A little time spent with the owners manual checking out how the different metering methods affect your photo's exposure would pay dividends.

I know I had to with my 10D.

Shows good potential though.

[rammy]

First one is a little over exposed on the plant, focusing looks a little out and I am not a fan of a mid sized DOF. Did you have the kit lens at the long end? Get a 200mm+ lens, or a faster lens, that will give you much better DOF. I like to see backgrounds either completely thrown out of focus to draw attention to the main subject, or include it if it augments the shot. This one does neither. Not sure what you are trying to acheive composition wise? Just shoot the plant full frame next time with minimum DOF.

Second one, there are so many things you could have done on this at the taking stage. Where did you focus? I presume it was set to AF? Looks blurry, maybe it was the motion of the boat. Level the horizon (how many times do people suggest this, it should be automatic by now). An ND Grad would have helped balance the sky/sea with the person. Or go the silhoutte route as suggested by grego. You could also try multiple exposures (bracketed maybe) and then combine.

Keep practicing, you'll "get it" in the end and good luck with the 20D.

[RioJoe]

Regarding the second one, everything is underexposed. For a sillhouette, expose for the highlights in the background. And if you are patient enough, you should wait till she puts the camera to her face. But congratulations on your new purchase and keep shooting.
Thank you very much, grego.
Yes I see what you mean.
I have another landscape shot of her with camera on her face- great call.
:)

[RioJoe]

I think the second had the potential to be a nice shot.

A little time spent with the owners manual checking out how the different metering methods affect your photo's exposure would pay dividends.

I know I had to with my 10D.

Shows good potential though.
Thanks, Mad dog.
I cleaned it up with PS.:)

[RioJoe]

First one is a little over exposed on the plant, focusing looks a little out and I am not a fan of a mid sized DOF. Did you have the kit lens at the long end? Get a 200mm+ lens, or a faster lens, that will give you much better DOF. I like to see backgrounds either completely thrown out of focus to draw attention to the main subject, or include it if it augments the shot. This one does neither. Not sure what you are trying to acheive composition wise? Just shoot the plant full frame next time with minimum DOF.

Second one, there are so many things you could have done on this at the taking stage. Where did you focus? I presume it was set to AF? Looks blurry, maybe it was the motion of the boat. Level the horizon (how many times do people suggest this, it should be automatic by now). An ND Grad would have helped balance the sky/sea with the person. Or go the silhoutte route as suggested by grego. You could also try multiple exposures (bracketed maybe) and then combine.

Keep practicing, you'll "get it" in the end and good luck with the 20D.

Thanks, Rammy.
You have a very sharp eye. The first one was indeed bracketed and I posted this one thinking that this one is a little warmer. I agree Mid DOF is unsatisfying.
I leveled this and another shot of the photographer. They are far better.:)