First image post 7d

Recently upgraded to a 7d through CLP. I'm in the middle of a major learning curve here and would appreciate considered (and considerate!) feedback.

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I can see what you're intent with this photograph is, but I think the perspective is off-putting. The foreground rocks are out of focus and the lighthouse is out of focus as well. The rock mid-ground is the only part of the photograph properly exposed and my attention is drawn to it, which makes this particular version uninteresting. I think a change in perspective would be the first step. Then choosing the proper f/stop to get focus detail on items of interest. Is it the rocks or the lighthouse? Both? The out of focus dark rocks are over powering.

You obviously have a creative eye. Keep at it! Post more examples of this same location if you have them. I'd like to see other images to compare to this perspective.

That was kind of a random pic. Here are some others. Appreciate your eye here. I'm accustomed to film, and still (and suddenly with much more attention) turning toward digital. The light was rough, as you can see.

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Yeah You have a good eye, but the focus points are off a bit. DSLRs are definitely different than film cameras.

I definitely like the second photo (park bench) better, but as you said, you're dealing with very harsh light and a bland sky. And as JTX said, your focus is lost somewhere.

This is an interesting area, which I'm sure you could create some great photographs if lighting were better.

Keep working at it!

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm struggling with the AF points. Trying to use spot focus which is usually pretty reliable, but when I recompose I'm all over the place on focus. Frustrating. Thanks for the views & comments.

Why not focus manually then? It would be very similar to film then.

I understand what you're saying about a learning curve with the 7D. One of the amazing things about the 7D is the focus system. I use the * button to focus. Recomposing is a snap since the shutter button doesn't focus.

Your light in these is about as bland as your sky. Later in the day. And I would crank down the f-stop, f20 is a bit high.

When did you find a sunny day on the west coast recently?

I'll have to explore the * button. Not there yet. Any tips you care to share, Titus? Terrible time of day to shoot. About 11 a.m. East coast. Just fooling around. And shooting into a blasting sun. Just starting with this camera. I'll post again when I get serious.

As to manual focus, I don't trust my eye to get the kind of crispness I will ultimately be after. Viewfinder just isn't doing it for me, especially if I want some subtle effects (um, which I miss here!)

Use the single AF point and move it around as needed - so if you are focusing and recomposing, the camera movement to recompose will be minimized.

For these, I'd have used smaller aperture and a polarizer. More of the photo would have been sharp, the sky would be much deeper blue, you could dial in exactly how you want the sun off the water to look, and they'd have more contrast and pop. Focus about a third of the way into the scene for a landscape quick 'n dirty rule of thumb...

7D is such a nice camera to shoot with but learning curve is steeper than many cameras...

DOF - http://www.dofmaster.c​om/dofjs.html - at f20 it's enormous and at 24mm it's even larger so focus and recompose shouldn't be a major issue. workerdrone's suggestion of single AF point, select for proximity to main subject is good. For landscape I would also use single shot AF rather than either of the other two modes.

Going from a 20D ti the 7D was a struggle for me. I found these short videos helpful in at least setting up the camera. - http://www.usa.canon.c​om …ctID=329&articl​eTypeID=48

I have resisted moving the AF point, but I think it is probably the wisest course. One more thing to juggle, though.
Didn't have a polarizer with me that day....
The lee filters... could be fun. But I'm not there yet.

mulchie wrote in post #12116065
You guys are great. I love this forum. It makes me feel like a kid.
I have resisted moving the AF point (so many moving parts!), but I think it is probably the wisest course. So... one more thing to juggle and get comfortable with so some day in the future I don't have to even think about it anymore.
Didn't have a polarizer with me that day....
The lee filters... could be fun. But I'm not there yet. No sireee. Not yet. Sitting uncomfortably but happy in the learning curve right now.

Once you get the hang of all the focusing options and features of this camera it becomes a lot of fun to use Without learning it you have just purchased an expensive point and shoot. Trust me you don't want to look like the women I saw on Saturday with a 7D and a 100-400L on Auto mode.

ChuckingFluff wrote in post #12116168
Once you get the hang of all the focusing options and features of this camera it becomes a lot of fun to use Without learning it you have just purchased an expensive point and shoot. Trust me you don't want to look like the women I saw on Saturday with a 7D and a 100-400L on Auto mode.

Not even trying auto, except to test against my own shots. Not at the fun part yet, though. More a harrowing recognition of how high the learning curve!
(I always thought the P mode was "P-robably...)

No no... P = Pro Mode.