Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

[BlueZero]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

I think in a sense you can make it as simple or as complex as you want. If your just using auto mode on a point and shoot you can still just use auto mode on a DSLR too. But with the DSLR you have the option to do more and that's what makes the photos so much better. After you learn all that then you can learn all the post processing (Photoshop).

[BlueZero]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

Hey Tim, what camera do you shoot with? I know it's the photographer and not the camera but I was just wondering.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

I think in a sense you can make it as simple or as complex as you want. If your just using auto mode on a point and shoot you can still just use auto mode on a DSLR too. But with the DSLR you have the option to do more and that's what makes the photos so much better. After you learn all that then you can learn all the post processing (Photoshop).

Sorry, have to disagree with you on that one.

On my Sony H1, all I ever shot was auto mode. Pictures always looked great(all of the cars posted on here used this camera and auto setting). However, using auto mode on this DSLR results quite different results. Images are not as clear and refined as the Sony. HOWEVER!!!! I see some great potential for more amazing pictures with the DSLR than the old Sony, but this will require a learning curve, and not using the auto mode. I'm going to be doing lots more research, and trial and error. Lots of practice pictures in my future

Once I learn how to properly set the camera up for the enviroment I'm shooting, I believe the pictures are going to be outstanding compaired to the Sony pictures.


Nick

[BlueZero]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

Lots of practice pictures in my future

That's one of the great things about digital cameras. The pictures are free and instant. I did most of my learning with slide film. Had to wait a few days to see how they turned out and it started to get expensive. I still like shooting slides once and a while.

[Tim Lingor]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

Hey Tim, what camera do you shoot with? I know it's the photographer and not the camera but I was just wondering.

Hi Scott,

I am using a Canon 40D with various lenses.

Tim

[BlueZero]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

Hi Scott,

I am using a Canon 40D with various lenses.

Tim

Cool, I was just wondering. You do some amazing work with it. Someday I would like to upgrade. I still have my 10D I've had since it came out.

Here's a few photos of mine. The leaf was with the 10D and the fence was taken with a slide and then scanned so it's got some noise. This was back in 2003, I'll have to dig up some current work.

[seth1066]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

Nick, I think your new camera is producing an overexposed image. There should be a setting that will allow the camera to default to a -x stop, x being -1/2, -1, -1.5, -2 etc. Also, if it will shoot in a RAW format, you can change the exposure there.

Here is your new camera shot after a quick tweak in PhotoShop:

[Hemin8r]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

I love my DSLR. I have a Nikon D80 that I still need to try & master. I rarely shoot in auto mode. The majority of my shots are in manual mode or aperture priority. I'll shoot in priority mode if I don't have enough time to set up my shot. To me lighting is very important and still difficult. There is still alot for me to learn but with a little practice I'm sure I'll get, I hope. I still post process some shots. Here are a few to share:

This is in Santa Barbara



Early morning facing south east

Sunset facing south west

[ZoranC]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

On my Sony H1, all I ever shot was auto mode. Pictures always looked great(all of the cars posted on here used this camera and auto setting). However, using auto mode on this DSLR results quite different results. Images are not as clear and refined as the Sony.

Nick, I have DSC-H1 at home that I will be selling. I will trade you for your DSLR

[seth1066]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

I've spent about 2 full hours with mine(total time over the last day or so). I'm getting a better understanding of it now(thanks to Tim and some others). The only complaint I have, is that I can't see how I'm shooting until I load them up on the computer. The 3"LCD screen just doesn't show the true picture So if I shoot something and look at it in the LCD screen, it looks great! Then load it up on the PC, and it doesn't look so hot anymore

Another thing to try is bracketing the exposure.

[Blake Beamish]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

Nick - The reason why you are getting such different results from "basically" the shot is the P&S cameras do A LOT of in camera editing. You can go into the menu on your camera and boost saturation, contrast, sharpness, etc. but straight from the box DSLRs are just set to neutral because they are assuming that you will being doing the editing yourself.

A great example would be our Mirror Glaze Line vs. Consumer Line. Sure anyone can pick up the Mirror Glaze products and use them BUT the best results come when used by someone that has experience and the right tools. Our Consumer Line can be picked up by anyone and they will get great results because they are formulated for ease of use.

Does that make sense?

You need to take the camera out of "P" mode or the "little green box" mode because the aperture and shutter are determined for you to give the best average shot possible. If you put the camera in Av, Tv, or better yet M you get control over one aspect or both and you get to decide how you want the shot exposed. The best way to get better is to practice. Go on walks around the neighborhood and take your camera with you

Also, the main reason why those two pictures look so different is the color temperture (you can tell by looking at the concrete). It looks like the one with the P&S was shot closer to sunset so the red and greens have more pop whereas the one with your DSLR looks too cold.

[jmitch8011]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

Has any one had any good results with a Sony - DSC-W70? Just asking because i put it in Program Auto mode and it has some settings which i'm not understanding completely.
1. focus multi af to (infinity symbol)
2. Metering Mode - Multi to spot
3. ISO Auto - 100 -1000
4 contrast - + normal -

I know it's not top of the line like the ones above but I just wnated some information because i'm always trying to learn new things.

[seth1066]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

Also, the main reason why those two pictures look so different is the color temperature (you can tell by looking at the concrete). It looks like the one with the P&S was shot closer to sunset so the red and greens have more pop whereas the one with your DSLR looks too cold.

Agree on the color temp either from the camera metering and/or the time of day, but look at the tires and the wheel well area, leans toward underexposure in the old camera as compared to the new camera. This is why the colors are more saturated in the new camera photo, imo.

Old Camera


New Camera:

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

I am so jealous. You guys take some awesome pics. Great work guys.

[Kriez]

Re: Playing with the new camera....I have a LOT to learn!

One thing you may want to look into getting with your new camera is a good UV protector for your lens. They go a long way to prevent the lens from getting scratched as we all know accidents do happen.