One piece of advice....

[Devill]

If you could only give one piece of advice to a starting photographer, what would it be?

And no don't say take of the lense cap, I passed that on Saturday :p:D

[BigAl-sa]

avoid the groen blokkie on the mode dial, in fact for N, stick with M, A or S ;)

exam finished?

[Devill]

avoid the groen blokkie on the mode dial, in fact for N, stick with M, A or S ;)

exam finished?

Nope going to go write at 2 pm :(

Lol, good advice, I have been trying out all the other things, Changing the ISO, Shutter-speed and whats the other one again(connected with the ISO :p :D

[bwana]

Nope going to go write at 2 pm :(

Lol, good advice, I have been trying out all the other things, Changing the ISO, Shutter-speed and whats the other one again(connected with the ISO :p :DAperture?

[Devill]

Aperture?

Yes that one :p :D

Also trying to read up on some techniques that give certain effects to the photos :)

I am very happy that I finally bought a camera :D

[stix]

// Getting your exposure correct - its where i started

[Frankie]

I progressed from the green square, to "P" and now "Av".

I still forget to reduce the ISO sometimes when going from relatively dark conditions into broad daylight.

I found online forums, magazines and books a great help - I highly recommend the book "Understanding Exposure".

[bwana]

If you could only give one piece of advice to a starting photographer, what would it be?Take lots of pictures.

[Pooky]

Take lots of pictures.

And move off automatic as soon as possible. :)

[binkybozo]

learn to shoot in manual mode (m), you learn that, then settings become easier, you'll know what settings to put on the camera before you take a shot in any mode.

[Nicci]

decide what you would like to specialize in (nature, animals, etc) and focus on that.

[ldmelsa]

If you could only give one piece of advice to a starting photographer, what would it be?

Radio show called "Pixel".
It's for beginners.
http://www.rsg.co.za/podcast.asp?id=121

and don't read forums (lol @ paradox)
read articles and books

[Devill]

Take lots of pictures.

Also heard that + only show your best ones :p:D

[ld13]

Only show your best ones :p:D

+1 On that. Should have heard the comments when the people in the house saw my first pics on M. "The camera is out of focus!"... :o

[Devill]

+1 On that. Should have heard the comments when the people in the house saw my first pics on M. "The camera is out of focus!"... :o

Lol :D

I have taken about 400 pics already in around 4 hours of actual shooting :o

"need to take more!"

"O, look a brick wall" *snap* *snap*

[koffiejunkie]

I still forget to reduce the ISO sometimes when going from relatively dark conditions into broad daylight.

Me too :o


I found online forums, magazines and books a great help - I highly recommend the book "Understanding Exposure".

+1 - excellent book.

@Devill: I'm going to be the heretic an suggest something controversial. I think you can learn a lot from the "idiot" modes (you know, portrait, sport, landscape, etc) *if* and only if, you look at the pictures, try to replicate the result in M, and see what the camera chose for shutter/iso/aperture. In other words, learn how the the picture ended up looking the way it does.

[stix]

// http://www.wikihow.com/Understand-Your-Digital-SLR - real basic intro

// Haven't had a proper look, but this looks like "Pros" Sharing advice in the form of articles

[mercurial]

I have taken about 400 pics already in around 4 hours of actual shooting :o



:eek:

[bwana]

Lol :D

I have taken about 400 pics already in around 4 hours of actual shooting :o

"need to take more!"

"O, look a brick wall" *snap* *snap*In that case I'll change my piece of advice - since you're shooting in RAW (that's a give BTW) you might want to invest in something like Lightroom and concentrate on your workflow before you get bogged down.

Photography is pretty cut and dry - you either have the eye, in which case you'll eventually produce spectacular images 9after you've learnt the ropes0, or you don't have it in which case you be still able to produce good, technically proficient, images but they wont have that somethin' somethin'.

Either way there's still plenty of fun to be had :)

[Devill]

In that case I'll change my piece of advice - since you're shooting in RAW (that's a give BTW) you might want to invest in something like Lightroom and concentrate on your workflow before you get bogged down.

Photography is pretty cut and dry - you either have the eye, in which case you'll eventually produce spectacular images 9after you've learnt the ropes0, or you don't have it in which case you be still able to produce good, technically proficient, images but they wont have that somethin' somethin'.

Either way there's still plenty of fun to be had :)

I am not shooting in RAW im shooting jpeg :p:o

[mercurial]

I am not shooting in RAW im shooting jpeg :p:o

:eek:

[bwana]

I am not shooting in RAW im shooting jpeg :p:oYour [-]loss[/-] choice. ;)

[Devill]

Your [-]loss[/-] choice. ;)

Just have not had the time to check the difference for myself :D

Also atm I really do not think I will tamper to much with the pics.... I would like to learn how to take some decent pics that are not touched up to look good before I start fiddeling with after care :D

I will 10 to 1 shoot in RAW then, but I will check the diff. myself first.

[koffiejunkie]

In that case I'll change my piece of advice - since you're shooting in RAW (that's a give BTW) you might want to invest in something like Lightroom and concentrate on your workflow before you get bogged down.

Or Aperture. I think you should look at either of those (Aperture if you have a Mac, Lightroom for Windows). I can't speak for Lightroom, but Aperture's organisation alone is good enough for me to spend the cash on it. I'm busy moving my pics from iPhoto over to Aperture - it's that good.

[bwana]

Or Aperture. I think you should look at either of those (Aperture if you have a Mac, Lightroom for Windows). I can't speak for Lightroom, but Aperture's organisation alone is good enough for me to spend the cash on it. I'm busy moving my pics from iPhoto over to Aperture - it's that good.Shot in the dark but I assumed he's not a mac user. :)

[koffiejunkie]

Shot in the dark but I assumed he's not a mac user. :)

Good - then we hit two birds with one shot :)

[mercurial]

Your [-]loss[/-] choice. ;)

:D


Just have not had the time to check the difference for myself :D

Also atm I really do not think I will tamper to much with the pics.... I would like to learn how to take some decent pics that are not touched up to look good before I start fiddeling with after care :D

I will 10 to 1 shoot in RAW then, but I will check the diff. myself first.

Big, big difference. You'll see ;)

[Devill]

Shot in the dark but I assumed he's not a mac user. :)

Correct, freaking fanbois:p :D

Nha I know Mac's are a big + when doing photography.


Good - then we hit two birds with one shot :)

Hay I am not a bird!

Can I ask What lense do you guys think I should get next?

I have the kit lense atm.

If possible below R1000 :o I am a bit broke for the next 2-3 months :(

[koffiejunkie]

Hay I am not a bird!

Didn't you just finish school/studies? Then you should be up-to-date on idioms...


Can I ask What lense do you guys think I should get next?
...snip...
If possible below R1000 :o I am a bit broke for the next 2-3 months :(

In that case there is only one you should be thinking of - the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=152&modelid=7306). Not only is it a cheap lens, it's a fast lens, and a very sharp lens too.

[mercurial]

He has a Nikon D60.

[koffiejunkie]

Eish sorry. It's 02:20 and I'm waiting for a connection :(

AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2137/AF-NIKKOR-50mm-f/1.8D.html)

Same thing, different brand.

EDIT: Apparently this won't autofocus on the entry level Nikon bodies, because it requires a motor in the camera, which they don't have. Don't let that put you off - learn to work that ring. In really low light you have to do it often anyway.

[Devill]

Didn't you just finish school/studies? Then you should be up-to-date on idioms...



In that case there is only one you should be thinking of - the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=152&modelid=7306). Not only is it a cheap lens, it's a fast lens, and a very sharp lens too.

Sorry forgot to say :o

Also if one of you guys have time, please click on my pgoto linky in my sig and go look at the picture of the road with the lengthened exposure, and tell me how I could have made the noise less.

Thanks in advance :D

[koffiejunkie]

Set the ISO lower - to 200 or 100, whichever is the lowest your camera would do. Then increase the shutter time accordingly:

ISO...........Shutter
1600.........4s
800...........8s
400..........16s
200..........32s
100..........64s

Notice how the numbers half/double. Each step is called a stop. If you had used f/16 instead of f/11 (that's one stop - in aperture it's different), you could have used 32 seconds at ISO100 - you can work it out.

[Devill]

Set the ISO lower - to 200 or 100, whichever is the lowest your camera would do. Then increase the shutter time accordingly:

ISO...........Shutter
1600.........4s
800...........8s
400..........16s
200..........32s
100..........64s

Notice how the numbers half/double. Each step is called a stop. If you had used f/16 instead of f/11 (that's one stop - in aperture it's different), you could have used 32 seconds at ISO100 - you can work it out.

ISO was at 1600 and the SS was at 4 secs :)

Now tell why :p:D

Does it just sometimes happen because of the light, also it was cloudy last night where I took it :)

Here is the photo:http://www.flickr.com/photos/devillshot/3041392657/

Ps thanks for the replies KJ (are you K-Fed btw?:p:D)

[koffiejunkie]

You probably had ISO set to AUTO.

What is K-FED?

[Devill]

You probably had ISO set to AUTO.

What is K-FED?

Info on the settings when I took the pic :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/devillshot/3041392657/meta/

It was on 1600 because I set it there :p

K-fed (http://www.google.co.za/search?hl=en&q=K-fed&meta=)

KJ almost like K-fed's brother :p:D

[bwana]

Info on the settings when I took the pic :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/devillshot/3041392657/meta/

It was on 1600 because I set it there :p

K-fed (http://www.google.co.za/search?hl=en&q=K-fed&meta=)

KJ almost like K-fed's brother :p:DHigher ISO always means more noise. The camera only has one natural ISO - probably 100 in your case - so anything above that is just boosting the gain and adding noise. My 2¢ - after reducing the ISO open your aperture and/or leave the shutter open longer.

BTW - not every sentence warrants an emoticon. :o (this one did ;) . . . twice)

[Devill]

Higher ISO always means more noise. The camera only has one natural ISO - probably 100 in your case - so anything above that is just boosting the gain and adding noise. My 2¢ - after reducing the ISO open your aperture and/or leave the shutter open longer.

Thanks, I thought that would do the trick but at lower ISO and Longer exposure, won't it make more or less the same amountt of noise?

Lol, I also need to go buy a tripod :o

Saw last night my hand is not steady enough for anything longer than 4secs in general :(

[binkybozo]

i think for being a hand held shot it is bloody good....ah to be young and have steady hands :(

[stix]

// Don't be afraid of noise !
// Its a beautiful addition to the right photo

[bwana]

Thanks, I thought that would do the trick but at lower ISO and Longer exposure, won't it make more or less the same amountt of noise?

Lol, I also need to go buy a tripod :o

Saw last night my hand is not steady enough for anything longer than 4secs in general :(Nope - noise is gain from an artificially heightened ISO

You can always rest it against something - I've got one of those Clicks bean bags that you heat up in the microwave. Makes a perfect rest - more stable than a tripod even. . . . look - another tip. :)

[koffiejunkie]

Info on the settings when I took the pic :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/devillshot/3041392657/meta/

I know, that's how I knew you were shooting at 1600 before you said so.



K-fed (http://www.google.co.za/search?hl=en&q=K-fed&meta=)

KJ almost like K-fed's brother :p:D

Dude, you're associating me with this dip**** idiot rapper? Worse, britney spears' ex? WTF? :eek:


Saw last night my hand is not steady enough for anything longer than 4secs in general :(

You're shooting hand-held at 4 seconds? Clark Kent, is that you? :confused:

[ldmelsa]

Big, big difference. You'll see ;)

I own a Nikon digital and can tell you that's not the case. :)

[ldmelsa]

Also if one of you guys have time, please click on my pgoto linky in my sig and go look at the picture of the road with the lengthened exposure, and tell me how I could have made the noise less.

Exposure: 4 sec (you can go longer if you want)
Aperture: f/11 (open it up a little - maybe f/8 or even f/5.6 {depending on shot}?)
Focal Length: 40 mm
ISO Speed: 1600 (try 400 to 800 - better colour too)
Exposure Bias: 0/6 EV

[Devill]

Nope - noise is gain from an artificially heightened ISO

You can always rest it against something - I've got one of those Clicks bean bags that you heat up in the microwave. Makes a perfect rest - more stable than a tripod even. . . . look - another tip.


I know, that's how I knew you were shooting at 1600 before you said so.

Dude, you're associating me with this dip**** idiot rapper? Worse, britney spears' ex? WTF?

You're shooting hand-held at 4 seconds? Clark Kent, is that you? :confused:


Exposure: 4 sec (you can go longer if you want)
Aperture: f/11 (open it up a little - maybe f/8 or even f/5.6 {depending on shot}?)
Focal Length: 40 mm
ISO Speed: 1600 (try 400 to 800 - better colour too)
Exposure Bias: 0/6 EV

Thanks for all the feedback!

@stix: You but not on that one :p:D

@bwana: writing them all down in my note pad, did you not think clark kent would carry one of those around ;)

@KJ: I was leaning against a wall :o but yes handheld. And I am just pulling your legg, you sound way more like a Jazz/blues person :D

@ldmelsa: Will give it a try thx.

Again thanks for making the learning curve less vertically inclined :p:D

Sorry but I will be asking you guys a lot about pics I take and how to better them rather than edit them.

[mercurial]

I own a Nikon digital and can tell you that's not the case. :)

You walked right into that one :D

[BigAl-sa]

Set the ISO lower - to 200 or 100, whichever is the lowest your camera would do. Then increase the shutter time accordingly:

ISO...........Shutter
1600.........4s
800...........8s
400..........16s
200..........32s
100..........64s

Notice how the numbers half/double. Each step is called a stop. If you had used f/16 instead of f/11 (that's one stop - in aperture it's different), you could have used 32 seconds at ISO100 - you can work it out.

f/16 is a smaller aperture than f/11, which means less light, which means a longer exposure is required, which means 128s in your example :p

I think what you were trying to say is that at f/8 you could have used 32s

[Devill]

f/16 is a smaller aperture than f/11, which means less light, which means a longer exposure is required, which means 128s in your example :p

I think what you were trying to say is that at f/8 you could have used 32s

Ok so I should haveopened the lense a little more and shot for longer at a lower ISO? That whould have helped to make the noise less?

[BigAl-sa]

Ok so I should haveopened the lense a little more and shot for longer at a lower ISO? That whould have helped to make the noise less?Should do yes. I amazed that shot was handheld for 4s! I wouldn't dream of trying something like that without a tripod!

BTW, are you a student at Tuks?

[Devill]

Should do yes. I amazed that shot was handheld for 4s! I wouldn't dream of trying something like that without a tripod!

BTW, are you a student at Tuks?

nope at unisa :)

Why?

And I jammed my right arm between my body and the wall so it could not go anywhere :o

Suffer for your art :p

[mercurial]

Or just get an IS lens :p

[Devill]

Or just get an IS lens :p

Yes I am made of money :rolleyes: :p

[BigAl-sa]

Or just get an IS lens :pDunno that IS will help with the times Devill is talking about :eek:


nope at unisa :)

Why?Plenty of interesting buildings to take pics of to practise on Tukkies campus (not to mention pretty girls :))

[Devill]

Dunno that IS will help with the times Devill is talking about :eek:

Plenty of interesting buildings to take pics of to practise on Tukkies campus (not to mention pretty girls :))

Lol, I prefer to take a pic as soon as something grabs me by the balls and doesn't lat go, and yeah maybe some builds after :p:D

I like taking pics that causes some effect, like the longer exposure times, and some reflections etc etc :)

[koffiejunkie]

f/16 is a smaller aperture than f/11, which means less light, which means a longer exposure is required, which means 128s in your example :p

I think what you were trying to say is that at f/8 you could have used 32s

oops! :o You're right, I meant f/8. It's a pity that EXIF doesn't show focus distance - that would have been useful. Either ways, if you're focusing 15m away, you could use f/5.6 and still have infinite focus, giving you a shorter shutter time.

[ldmelsa]

You walked right into that one :D

damn :mad::D

[Devill]

Exposure: 4 sec (you can go longer if you want)
Aperture: f/11 (open it up a little - maybe f/8 or even f/5.6 {depending on shot}?)
Focal Length: 40 mm
ISO Speed: 1600 (try 400 to 800 - better colour too)
Exposure Bias: 0/6 EV

http://www.flickr.com/photos/devillshot/3046395288/sizes/l/ (6secs)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/devillshot/3045563833/sizes/l/in/photostream/ (12secs)

Tried ISO at 400 and yes I do like very very much :D

Really does bring the colour out.

[koffiejunkie]

car-roof pod :)

[Devill]

car-roof pod :)

Yeah even Clark has limits:p Tried it for about two shots but with more detail than the other pic you pic up the shakes a bit easier :p:D

I want to go take a shot of the highway but I am scared I get mugged if I am standing on the bridge :o

Was thinking about it last night; "Take my car just pls pls pls leave my camera!"