Finally posting some pics from the Digital SLR

[saugers2]

I am very much a rookie, but wanted to share a few pics to discuss. Mostly to find out what I can do to make them better.

Attempt at a off center focus.



Just a simple random pic. What is confusing to me is what happened in the next pic. The difference in exposure was so different. I should say I am using Auto in these pics, still learning to use manual.



Here is the next pic. Very bad exposure.



Attempt at macro, without a macro lens... I want one though.



And finally a night shot without flash of my boat before the Christmas Light Parade in town.



Expert comment/Critic expected.

[sgt93]

looking good brother

[JohnM]

Some good shots.

[tshooter]

I'd say your're on the right track.

[Big Bass Man]

Nice shots

[Sneezy Beltran]

Mike, as others have already stated it looks like your off to a great start.

Few suggestions;

First of all, get out of auto mode now. Never, ever, ever shoot in auto. The pictures you've posted here are as good as your ever going to get in auto. It is impossible for even the most expensive camera in the world to know what your trying to capture, so why even let it try?

Shooting in auto is good for 2 reasons, 1- handing your camera to a stranger on vacation and asking them to take to your picture, and 2- taking a picture from a high end dslr/lens combo and making it look like it was taken using a $100 point and shoot.

Just because I'm telling you not to shoot in auto mode, doesn't mean you have to shoot in full manual mode either. 99% of the shots most people want to acquire can be captured used aperture priority or shutter priority.

Shooting in the above mentioned modes is no more difficult than shooting in auto, it just requires you to have a basic knowledge of the way a camera works.

As a general rule of thumb, I shoot anything that is stationary in aperture priority, and anything that's moving in shutter priority.

If you would go out and spend 1 whole day shooting in aperture priority, and 1 whole day shooting in shutter priority, you'd have them mastered and will never have to use auto again.

Here's how it all relates to your pictures here specifically.

1. Great idea here, and it proves that you have the "artistic vision" required to achieve some spectacular shots. The problem is that since it was taken in auto, the OOF (out of focus) areas are still to sharp and take away from the look you were going for. You did a great job of locking in on the daisy, but the child's face needs to be blurred a bit more so it doesn't compete for attention. The trees in the background (as well as the bright spot in the clearing) are way to sharp as well, and detract from the image. Shooting this in aperture priority and using the largest aperture available (varies according to lenses) would have taken it to the next level, and given you what you were going for.

2. The child's face is a bit under exposed, and the greenhouse and (water tank?) in the background steal my attention away from her. Shooting in aperture priority and using the largest aperture available (lowest f number) would've melted away the background to the point where the viewer couldn't even tell what it is, and focused all the attention onto the little girl. The reason your auto program under exposed her face is probably due to not trying to blowout the bright reflection on the greenhouse.

3. Great composition and use of the rule of thirds on your behalf, but then your camera ruined it for you by blowing out her face in order to compensate for the dark tree to the left, as well as using too small of an aperture to effectively melt away the background (again stealing attention away from your subject). Another way to fix this if you just absolutely insist on shooting in auto is to use spot metering. In spot metering your camera will adjust the exposure to fit whatever your focus is locked on, instead of taking the entire frame into consideration.

4. That's actually a pretty good shot, I just would've composed it a bit differently.

5. This image just looks really flat. Getting closer with a wider angle lens would've given it a lot more pop (or 3D effect), and again using aperture priority would've focused the viewers attention on your boat instead of the Triton banner in the background.

All in all, you seem to really have a an artistic eye which really helps in composition. You just have to get out of auto mode in order to avoid these frustrations.

Remember, the best thing about digital film is that it's free to process. You can go out and take a thousand shots while experimenting using manual settings, and it doesn't cost you a thing to view your results. If they come out bad, hit the delete button and try again. When you get a keeper, view your histogram and remember those settings for when a similar shot arises.

Hope this helps.

Happy shooting...

[hunt22-250]

Nice pic's.

[saugers2]

Thanks for the tips Eric. As soon as we get some warmer weather, I am planning an all day excursion just shooting pics out of auto settings.

I can play around with it in the house, but it is not that same as snapping away outside.

[sgt93]

It's hard to not want to shoot auto. I end up taking multiple photos of the same object to find the perfect setting. It's a learning experience but Eric is correct, fine tuning the settings is what gives you an amazing pic. One that rivals any computer settings and makes for a true memory.

[PATRO]

Great tips Eric.

Do you adjust ISO or anything else while shooting in these modes? I get hung up in the auto mode myself for fear of ruining a priceless shot of my little boy.

Great shots BTW...

[stretch]

Good pic's Keep them coming