Photo taking help for a DSLR beginner

[Darrell]

You need this book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0764588133/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

I have it for my d40, it's very informative, and while I haven't used mine a ton (mostly because I am stubborn, and like to figure stuff out myself) it's still useful.

 

[purpledove]

I can vouch for using the eye piece..

You need this book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0764588133/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

I have it for my d40, it's very informative, and while I haven't used mine a ton (mostly because I am stubborn, and liketo figure stuff out myself) it's still useful.

I have the Canon EOS 7D for Dummies. Given it's for dummies, it's very appropriate for me
I will look into this book though. Thanks

There's also an interactive app for 7D on the IPhone which am so tempted to get but it's quite expensive. I'll learn the basics through books then get the advanced app soon.

 

[Guyzerr]

I have the Canon EOS 7D for Dummies. Given it's for dummies, it's very appropriate for me
I will look into this book though. Thanks

There's also an interactive app for 7D on the IPhone which am so tempted to get but it's quite expensive. I'll learn the basics through books then get the advanced app soon.

I'm feelin' the need to be a bit bold again so pardon me ok.....


Leave the fancy gizmos alone and shoot, check histogram and re-shoot if necessary, record the shot details on a piece of paper, review your shots at home to see where you can improve, shoot s'more and repeat previous procedures. If you read more than you shoot you're gunna get brain overload and quickly loose interest in what you actually bought the camera for.

I'm not anywhere near the photographer I would like to be but I can assure you I learn something each and every time I go out. Remembering it is another story but at least I give it a whirl.

 

[Alien Allen]

I wondered what that histogram was for. Now I now. Thanks for the input Tuffy

Now if I could just tell how clear the pic is by looking at the LCD display. I can not tell ya how many times I thought I had a good pic that turned into garbage due to being just enough out of focus once I loaded on the computer

 

[Guyzerr]

Now if I could just tell how clear the pic is by looking at the LCD display. I can not tell ya how many times I thought I had a good pic that turned into garbage due to being just enough out of focus once I loaded on the computer

That happens to all of us I think.

Last Sunday I shot what I thought was the best goose in flight shot what I ever did get. Everything was right, the light, the background, the position of the wings etc. When I looked at it on my computer it was fantastic.............. except the head was out of focus. Another one for the trash.

 

[freakofnature]

I wondered what that histogram was for. Now I now. Thanks for the input Tuffy

Now if I could just tell how clear the pic is by looking at the LCD display. I can not tell ya how many times I thought I had a good pic that turned into garbage due to being just enough out of focus once I loaded on the computer

:homo: I HATE that. It's happened to me quite a bit too, especially when I do night shots and have to focus manually.

 

[Alien Allen]

:homo: I HATE that. It's happened to me quite a bit too, especially when I do night shots and have to focus manually.

When I was in New York about 4 years ago I had some really neat night scenes that were trash. I even tried to sit the camera on something and it did not work. I just wish there was a way to know the picture is blurry so I could try again. They looked half way decent on the LCD

 

[freakofnature]

When I was in New York about 4 years ago I had some really neat night scenes that were trash. I even tried to sit the camera on something and it did not work. I just wish there was a way to know the picture is blurry so I could try again. They looked half way decent on the LCD

Actually, what I do now is use the digital zoom on my camera and zoom in on the picture after I've taken it. Works like a charm to see what's sharp and what's not.

 

[Alien Allen]

Actually, what I do now is use the digital zoom on my camera and zoom in on the picture after I've taken it. Works like a charm to see what's sharp and what's not.

you can zoom in on the LCD?

If so I never noticed that and will have to look.

 

[freakofnature]

you can zoom in on the LCD?

If so I never noticed that and will have to look.

I can on mine. I'm not sure if this is a feature on all cameras.

 

[Darrell]

Here's a question, half of my photos seem to be crooked, and I have to adjust them in PS.

As far as I can tell, I'm holding it straight.

Is there anything else that could cause that?

 

[Alien Allen]

here's a question, half of my photos seem to be crooked, and i have to adjust them in ps.

As far as i can tell, i'm holding it straight.

Is there anything else that could cause that?

Beer !!

 

[Darrell]

Lmao. :24:

 

[anathelia]

Regarding the blurriness, I saw a video a few weeks ago that hinted that the next version of PS will probably have a function that will fix the clarity of an image. It was amazing to see what they did.

As far as all this stuff, I never used a manual setting until I went out and shot a couple of models with a friend of mine a month or two back. Ever since, I've hardly used a manual shot at all. The hardest part for me is getting the lighting right. I feel like I have to take a picture like 15 times before I can get the lens open enough to let enough light in. Perhaps it's because I haven't looked through my book enough, but is it just practice that gets you to know how to shoot to get the best light?

 

[purpledove]

I'm feelin' the need to be a bit bold again so pardon me ok.....


Leave the fancy gizmos alone and shoot, check histogram and re-shoot if necessary, record the shot details on a piece of paper, review your shots at home to see where you can improve, shoot s'more and repeat previous procedures. If you read more than you shoot you're gunna get brain overload and quickly loose interest in what you actually bought the camera for.

I'm not anywhere near the photographer I would like to be but I can assure you I learn something each and every time I go out. Remembering it is another story but at least I give it a whirl.

That's funny you say that as I totally agree with you :nod:

I've had this camera for about 5 months now but had always been shooting on automatic mode. I only started shooting manually this month hence all my Qns/confusion. I'm stubborn and I only skimmed my manual and the dummies book thinking I can learn the buttons as I go I dislike getting too much info in my head- you're right about the brain overload. This led me thinking maybe a short cut besides the constant shooting/practice which I totally agree with you is if I get that interactive app. Itmight decrease my time reading books and get into action right away.

Btw- some video tutorials I've found also helps.

you can zoom in on the LCD?

If so I never noticed that and will have to look.

Am thinking all cameras would. My point and shoot b4 this camera had that feature too. It was useful for me with portraits but havent tried it on landscape. Am thinking a wider view was needed with landscape hence never thought of it. I'll also have a look into this.

 

[purpledove]

Here's a question, half of my photos seem to be crooked, and I have to adjust them in PS.

As far as I can tell, I'm holding it straight.

Is there anything else that could cause that?

I am the same way. I've read, here's when a tripod comes into action. I can be wrong though :tooth

 

[purpledove]

I have 2 Qns: 1) since over exposure was discussed earlier in the thread, I've read about using gray cards to help find the gray spot thru framing the card to improve light- under/overexposure. It stated that the camera will suggest the settings for the appropriate lighting. Such settings will be meteredinto the camera b4 taking the actual shot. Anybody ever used those?

If the camera has white balancing which I heard also helps with lighting/more natural color etc- are those gray cards useful?

2) am confused with the AF points now- I get the general idea but my Qn is with the 19 AF points this camera has plus variations, what's an appropriate AF setting for landscape?

 

[Francis]

Here's a question, half of my photos seem to be crooked, and I have to adjust them in PS.

As far as I can tell, I'm holding it straight.

Is there anything else that could cause that?

Take you pictures crooked they will all come out straight..

 

[Francis]

Now if I could just tell how clear the pic is by looking at the LCD display. I can not tell ya how many times I thought I had a good pic that turned into garbage due to being just enough out of focus once I loaded on the computer

OK for all those wondering about LCDs and why not to use them for picture shooting..

One of the products I sell is LCD ( TFT's ) and here are the issues..

TFT's have a delay in them.. Think of it as making a very long distance call to Europe or Asia and waiting to hear the other person answering you..In Layman's terms it is only a split second but think of it in your shutter sheet going to 400 to 200. That split second makes the total difference.

Also what you see is NOT what you get.. They also have angles of viewing on them.. Ever walk into Best Buys and see how one looks sharper, brighter or more colourful then the other.. This is why using your view finder on the Camera is totally important..

As for the aspect of the display it can skew the picture due to the delay.. Bird is mid picture in the view finder but by the time the shutter goes of you have that same issue as that 400 to 200 shutter speed so the bird loses it head in the shot because your not moving fast enough with the camera even if you have stabilization..

Hope that helps..

 

[Guyzerr]

Here's a question, half of my photos seem to be crooked, and I have to adjust them in PS.

As far as I can tell, I'm holding it straight.

Is there anything else that could cause that?

What kind of camera are you using?

Dimes to donuts you are not holding it straight even though you think you are. If it was the fault of the camera all your photos would be crooked not just 1/2 of 'em.