Photography

[baseballboy828]

Best book: Amazon.com: The Digital Photography Book: Books: Scott Kelby


Remember, always buy a very solid Tripod. A $20 tripod will help, but to go that extra step in sharpness, step up to a $100 range one.

In terms of pure technique:

If you don't have a tripod, lean on a table, railing, large rock, anything.

Don't shoot in spots that are too dark, or the ISO will shoot up or the shutter speed down--resulting in bad shots

If you have to shoot in low light with a point and shoot, crank up the ISO manually (if your camera supports that). The ISO increases the sensors sensitivity to light, but also adds image noise, especially in cheap cameras. SLRs are far less susceptible to image noise at higher ISO, not immune, but less vulnerable. So on a point and shoot-be careful of ISO. Or buy some noise reduction software for your computer--like Noise Ninja (My favorite)

Take different angles--you never know which will turn out the best

Take lots of pictures--with digital, shooting from several angles and settings is totally cost-free, and increases the chance of getting a better shot out of the bunch.

Read lots of book--some things can only be learned from experience, and pros have that

Listen to photography podcasts--I like the Digital Story with Derrick Story

TAKE PICTURES-Just experiment and carry your camera around. Ignore everyone around you. Just take pictures of various things and think about your technique--I guarantee you'll take better shots.

[GadgetComa]

I'll have to check out Scott Kelby's photography books. I really liked his Photoshop books.

I've been getting into photography more and more every year. It started with my first digital camera back in 2000. Then, every vacation, I prepare by reading up on technique and practicing before I go. I still have an enormous amount to learn, but it sure is rewarding.

Here are a couple of my favorites:

[Coda]

I just started a photography course, although I have been shooting film and digital for a few years now. It's quite expensive, and like any art, 90% of what you get told is subjective, but it's still real useful to me just to improve myself as a photographer.

I bought a used EOS 10D a couple years ago, (after having used EOS film cameras before) and it's still going strong. My next purchase camera-wise will probably be a 30D or whatever replaces it by the time I can afford it (40D, 50D?). I use the Tokina 12-24 f/4, Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-f/4, Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon 28-80 f/3.5-5.6, and Sigma 70-300 f/5.6. I love the Tokina, and the Sigma is also fantastic. Not too keen on the others (apart from the $70 Canon 50mm which is great). Next lens purchase will be the Canon 70-200 f/4L. Tripod - I use a cheap slick model. It's better than no tripod at all, but I will invest in a much better one at a later date.

Of course, this is all hypothetical, cos I'm still trying to save some money to replace my mini G4 with a 20" iMac...

Maybe I will post some of my pics at a later date.

[Conner]

I love photography, like most people in this thread. I also love Flickr, and use Aperture to do some editing on my photos, along with Photoshop. I use a lumix point and shoot, but want to eventually buy a DSLR. I am looking into buying a used Canon Digital Rebel XT, but does anyone have any comments or recommendations?

Also, what tools do you use? Flickr, iPhoto, Photoshop (CS2, CS3, or Elements), Lightroom, or Aperture?

[baseballboy828]

I use Aperture and Photoshop CS3. Please share some pictures with us Conner, as well as more info on your camera.

[Conner]

I used to own a Sony Cybershot DSC-T50 that I loved and was a Christmas gift, but that got stolen. I went without a nice camera for a while, and had to use my sister's old SLR. I use a Lumix FX07 now, and love it. It said it had a max shutter speed of higher than one second (what the Cybershot had), but I can't do long exposure shots with it (I have yet to figure it out). I also bought a tripod on ebay recently, for 10 dollars, but it's a bit big to be handy. I plan to make a bottle cap tripod, when I find the time to buy the materials.

I take a bunch of useless photos (bring my camera everywhere), but they can be seen here: Flickr: Photos from connerdowney

[baseballboy828]

Your photos are pretty good, and could clearly benefit from an SLR or better point and shoot. Or do manual exposure. The cheap compacts are bad at auto-metering. I am desperately trying to get my hands on a Nikon D50 and a few lenses if possible. It's not the money that's the issue, my dad just won't believe that I am responsible enough for a dSLR and all the lenses, despite the fact that I've never lost/broken anything worth over $15. Oh well.

[timy-mac]

Originally Posted by baseballboy828

Your photos are pretty good, and could clearly benefit from an SLR or better point and shoot. Or do manual exposure. The cheap compacts are bad at auto-metering. I am desperately trying to get my hands on a Nikon D50 and a few lenses if possible. It's not the money that's the issue, my dad just won't believe that I am responsible enough for a dSLR and all the lenses, despite the fact that I've never lost/broken anything worth over $15. Oh well.

if you're serious about bying a dslr you should opt for the Nikon D40x. The D50 is the older version of D40, an easy-to-use dslr. Macworld UK tested 6 DSLR and the Nikon won, scoring 5 stars out of 5 possible.

when it comes to post production of your photos, especially if you use Photshop, Lightroom is my choice. Mainly because it's a lot less expensive

Work on your arguments, and eventually, maybe Dad will give in?

[Yuiichi]

I've been doing a lot of fauna photography recently, and a lot of it is coming out really nicely. My Nikon 5600 seems to be made for outdoor shots! Check them out at my Flickr.

If you don't want to sort through the galleries, here are a few of my favourites: One. Two. Three.

Tell me what you think!

[baseballboy828]

Good subjects Yuiichi. Try getting closer for the composition. Get really close. Whether you do that physically with your body or with the lens doesn't matter, unless you are looking to blur any background. If you want the whole frame to be sharp, do it with your body. If not, with the lens. Also, the color seems to blow out a little at the edges, you may want to take a couple stops off the aperture. Anyway, good progress and please put some more stuff so I can give you advice. Also, I attached two flower pictures that tight framing demonstrate blurring the background behind a flower as well as close framing that uses natural surroundings to frame the subject, respectively.