First time ever using a camera

So my friend upgraded and I got his old camera. Its a Cannon Eos 350D. Read the book, a little on the internet and am a little overwhelmed by all the options and control you have over all the settings. So I took a few pics. Shoot me straight, haha....how are they? What mistakes did I make? How can they be improved? Any tips? Well here they are.

Took a pic of one of my goats.............

Shooting Mode- Portrait
Tv- 1/60
Av- 4.5
Exposure Compensation- 0
ISO Speed- 400
Focal Length- 34.0mm
White Balance- Auto

You've managed to pull off some excellent shots - I especially like the small shed.

I don't understand how you could have gotten the exposure so perfect on your first shots. Everyone one of the shots seems to have the highlights well placed, which often takes months and hundreds of shots to get good exposures, reliably.

Welcome to the POTN!

I think the OP was using the 'auto modes'.

Shots aren't bad for your first. My best advice for you would be to practice practice practice... learn what goes into a photo, technically: aperture (what you've labeled 'Av' should be f/... like f/4.0), shutter speed (what you have labeled 'Tv'... just type the numbers like 1/40), ISO... and learn how each affect your photos.

A great book to start with is Understanding Exposure On Amazon Here.

Good luck and welcome to POTN!

Welcome to the forum. You're off to a good start and this is an incredible place to learn more.

Robert_Lay wrote in post #7209374
You've managed to pull off some excellent shots - I especially like the small shed.

I don't understand how you could have gotten the exposure so perfect on your first shots. Everyone one of the shots seems to have the highlights well placed, which often takes months and hundreds of shots to get good exposures, reliably.

Welcome to the POTN!

Thanks. I took about 50 or so pics. I used a bunch of auto settings. I was experimenting to see what different settings(aperture,shut​ter, ect) would have on the pics. Just gonna keep shooting and reading until I get it right.

SamClarkPhotography wrote in post #7209404
I think the OP was using the 'auto modes'.

Shots aren't bad for your first. My best advice for you would be to practice practice practice... learn what goes into a photo, technically: aperture (what you've labeled 'Av' should be f/... like f/4.0), shutter speed (what you have labeled 'Tv'... just type the numbers like 1/40), ISO... and learn how each affect your photos.

A great book to start with is Understanding Exposure On Amazon Here.

Good luck and welcome to POTN!

I'll check out the book. I'm sure I'll be doing a lot of reading and practicing. Thanks.

Good start! I would definitely consider picking up some books if you are serious about taking pictures.

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Or you can find all the same information online, for free.

GenuineRolla wrote in post #7210983
Or you can find all the same information online, for free.

But not as organized and easily. Books are a generally straight-to-the-point and you don't have to weed out opinions as much.

I really like the first shot of the birdhouse. lacks a little bit of "pop", a little underexposed and lacking contrast - but the composition and subject are interesting.

GREAT FOR YOUR 1ST TIME!!

SamClarkPhotography wrote in post #7209404
I think the OP was using the 'auto modes'.

Maybe I should use them more often. Damned 5D Mark II!

Nice shots! Welcome!

SamClarkPhotography wrote in post #7209404
I think the OP was using the 'auto modes'.

Shots aren't bad for your first. My best advice for you would be to practice practice practice... learn what goes into a photo, technically: aperture (what you've labeled 'Av' should be f/... like f/4.0), shutter speed (what you have labeled 'Tv'... just type the numbers like 1/40), ISO... and learn how each affect your photos.

A great book to start with is Understanding Exposure On Amazon Here.

Good luck and welcome to POTN!

Looking at the EXIF data shows that for all but one of the above shots the Exposure Mode was Automatic Mode. The remaining image had no EXIF available.