New to the Forum

[CrazyCrease]

Hi My name is Chris and I recently bought the Cannon Rebel XT from Future Shop. Well, it was more of a gift for the family as I am an expecting father(1st one). But, when I got home I realized that I have a very nice camera here. So... my wife and I have decided that we are going to persue this new hobby. I have a few pictures here that I would like to post and maybe get some feed back on. I have been reading a lot of posts on your page over the past few days and have seen some excellent adivse. I must tell you, as a complete newbie to this, I have found some of the advice very advanced with regards to settings and such. I have read parts of the manual that it came with re: Macro, moving shot, landscape ect. Now I have set out to take pictures. So, please if you can, crituque the photos with the very basics. I ask this so as to not skipp basics because i really would like to excell at this....I am having so much fun already!!:D



new to this too so bare with me as i try to upload these images.... o ya dont really know if i am resizing this right either

[CrazyCrease]

These are a couple more. I think I am looseing some of the effect by using paint to stretch and scew. Is this true?

[MattyB]

those shots look good, i can't really critique as i'm an ameture, but i'll give you some advice for sizing

if you don't have photoshop 7.0 or CS - get it. it's your best friend for post processing (tweaking images after they are on your computer)
you can simply open the image, and goto Image - scroll down and click "IMAGE SIZE"
and with the "Constrain Proportions" box TICKED (meaning 'don't stretch or skew, whatever goes higher must go longer and vise versa') then you can make the Width 800 pixels (perfect size to be viewed on this website without having to scroll the page across)

that way you won't stretch your photo's - and you'll make them big enough for us all to see the detail and greatness :P haha

also, there is so much stuff to play around with on photoshop, have a look in the "post processing" threads on this forum, or google "photoshop tutorials" - they can really make a difference - and are LOADS of fun.

anyway, if you need any help with anything, don't hesitate to ask!

and IMO (in my opinion) those photos look great!

-matt

[Viking Joe]

I'm also a new D Rebel XT owner and am learning quite a bit from this forum. Your pictures look great. I've already learned one thing here. Photography is addicting and expensive. I never knew what a 100-400L was three weeks ago and now I can't stop dreaming about it. I wish you and your wife luck with your new hobby. My wife and I are learning together also. I've already started dropping hints that it would be nice if we each had our own SLR. (Maybe a 20d for Christmas?) Have fun.

[PhotosGuy]

then you can make the Width 800 pixels (perfect size to be viewed on this website without having to scroll the page across) Try to keep vertical pics below 600 so we don't have to scroll to see the whole thing, too.
Looks like you have a pretty good eye. I hope you didn't just take one shot of each of these. Shoot a lot & move around a bit. Each shot may lead you to another better one. When you think you've "got it!", then shoot some more & look for ways to improve on what you're getting. If it's a static situation, consider how shooting at a different time of day might help with the lighting & presentation.

Here's a starting point I usually work from. 99.999% of the time I shoot RAW on "M", so...
Walk around & find the point to shoot from to get the perspective I need.
Pick the lens to get it. If no zoom lens, then adjust my position to accomodate the lens I'm using.
LOOK around - is this really where I want to be?
Set the ISO.
Adjust the focus point.
Pick the f-stop to get the right amount of DOF.
Set the shutter speed.
Reset the ISO?
LOOK around - is anything changing?
Take the pic.
Repeat as needed. ;)

#1 Scroll the pic up a bit to the top of the screen. Doesn't it look better without the sky in it?
#2 Lots not happening on the left. Did you shoot any with the caterpillar in the left third of the frame?
#3 Framing doesn't always work, like the dark leaf in the right-foreground. Move in a bit & maybe up to get rid of the distracting light area at the top-right.
Keep at it & have fun! ;)

[CrazyCrease]

wow excellent tips thank you!

does anyone know of any good online basic Digital camera courses that arent to expensive?

[PhotosGuy]

Look at the top of...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13