can I get some advice?

[TS656577]

I'm a newbie at all of this and still learning so I'm trying to get criticism. I'm just using an XTi with some 35-80mm lens. I want to get something that zooms more, possibly a 75-200mm lens but I mostly have an interest in cars and nature so if anyone has any suggestions on lenses (not super pricey, im a broke college student) I'd appreciate it. Anyway, here are the pics

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x265/greddy_civic/IMG_9104.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x265/greddy_civic/IMG_9122.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x265/greddy_civic/IMG_9124_3.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x265/greddy_civic/IMG_9125.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x265/greddy_civic/1323.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x265/greddy_civic/IMG_9079.jpg

[jacktompson]

bw!:shock::shock::shock: pretty awesome

[PhotosGuy]

75-200mm lens You mean 70-200. the f/4 is a great lens & not as expensive as the f/2.8, especially if you can find a used one.
A walk by the river (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=2167717)

For cars, your 35-80mm is OK. The Kit lens is very cheap & pretty good, too. The light is more important than the lens you use:
Blown '37 Willys - A Beauty with a Beast! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=82861)

I'm moving this to "Talk".

[SnowManZ]

What exactly are you asking advice on? A cheapo lens?

Your pictures need work first, me thinks.

[_method]

images are very soft but, you seem to be headed in the right direction.

[TS656577]

What exactly are you asking advice on? A cheapo lens?

Your pictures need work first, me thinks.
Im more concerned with advice on taking pics with what I've got. such as camera settings/angles/editing/lighting/etc. I feel the pictures are slightly fuzzy and not very crisp. Basically I just want tips to make my pictures better. I know they need work which is why I'm asking for advice :D

[lambocars]

Shooting cars isn't as easy as it looks, I've had to learn the hard way ... on my own, but these days you have lots of sources to learn from ... like this forum.

As for equipment, I would also advice getting a 70-200 f4, it's a very nice and sharp lens ... but can only be used if you have enough space between you and the car (and ideal around the track by the way !)

For the normal shooting I would say the 18-55 IS version is a nice, not too expensive, basic lens, naturally the 17-55 f2.8 IS is way better, but it's also a lot more expensive.

As already mentioned, I would seriously get into post processing, that can save most of your shots anyway, straight OOC (out of camera) shots rarely make it to the cover of a magazine anyway, so good pp skills are what it takes to make it as a professional car photographer.

Take a look at this post : Silver BMW M3 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=838005) also make sure to check out the linked tutorial to this image, it clearly explains all tricks it took from start to finish, including angle, setting and more importantly for you post processing.

Do feel free to take a look at my list of tutorials on car photography, I'm sure you'll find some interesting tips and tricks that will help you on your way ... and best of all : it's free !

Mark

[PhotosGuy]

Im more concerned with advice on taking pics with what I've got. It's always nice when the question asked in the first post is the question that you really want/need answered? ;)
See the links in my Sig.

[DC Fan]

Im more concerned with advice on taking pics with what I've got. such as camera settings/angles/editing/lighting/etc. I feel the pictures are slightly fuzzy and not very crisp. Basically I just want tips to make my pictures better. I know they need work which is why I'm asking for advice :D

Car pictures from a XTi and a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, roughly the same equipment mentioned in the first messages of this thread.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20100212a1066.jpg



http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20100212a0989.jpg

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20100212a0938.jpg

How?

Fill the frame. Make the car the unquestioned subject of the image.

Don't choose an angle that looks like you're just standing and looking at the car. High or low angles can be more interesting.

Get close. Telephoto lenses are useful for action pictures where you need to stand back, but a car portrait works best when you're close.

[TS656577]

It's always nice when the question asked in the first post is the question that you really want/need answered? ;)
See the links in my Sig.
Haha, sorry for the confusion. I've got ADD pretty bad and sometimes I just get so many ideas floating around in my head and I can't express it in a proper way. Thanks though! I've got so many questions I want answered and all of that so hopefully after this semester (I'm a busy mechanical engineering student) I can learn more and get more experience.

DCFan, those shots look great.

I think my biggest thing I want to learn about is lighting.

[PhotosGuy]

I think my biggest thing I want to learn about is lighting. It's mostly about having an image in your mind before you start, & then refining what you see in front of the camera. Besides the links I pointed you at, see...

FAQ - Studio Lighting (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66140)

** IMPORTANT LINKS: Studio Lighting **" (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138912)

I've got ADD pretty bad and...(I'm a busy mechanical engineering student)... Not going to be designing any bridges, are you? :D

[TS656577]

It's mostly about having an image in your mind before you start, & then refining what you see in front of the camera. Besides the links I pointed you at, see...

FAQ - Studio Lighting (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66140)

** IMPORTANT LINKS: Studio Lighting **" (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138912)

Not going to be designing any bridges, are you? :D

Haha nah. Im more interested in the fluid dynamics and material properties portion of engineering. I really want to design after market car parts. I'm waiting for spring to go attempt other pictures. Id love to get a different lens and flash until then.