| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| JustAnAllAmericanGirl |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 11:20:05 AM
Hey all, I hope you can help me. With the dsire to add better photos to my blog has come the need to learn more about digital photography. Problem is I don't know much about it. I thought about taking a class but when I looked into the local ones being offered they seemed either too simple (like this is your camera) or too difficult.
I've also checked out some books from the library but haven't gotten very far with those.
I need the equivalent of a good friend showing me how to take good pics.
Have any of you felt like this and if so what did you do? Do any of you know of a good website for tutorals or any other great resources?
Thanks! Jamie
www.JustAnAllAmericanGirl.blogspot.com |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| JustAnAllAmericanGirl |
Posted - Feb 04 2010 : 10:46:38 AM
Julie,
Thank you so much for the wonderful advise. I'm learning to take my camera with me everywhere so I can get lots of practice in.
You Rock! Jamie
www.JustAnAllAmericanGirl.blogspot.com |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Feb 03 2010 : 5:15:48 PM
Hi Jamie! I have a digital SLR which means I can change lenses on my camera. To get closeup shots like moon pics, I use a zoom lense. I also have a macro setting which is great for close range shots of flowers, etc. I love my SLR and when I finally made the switch I found that my photo quality increased greatly. That being said you can still get GREAT pictures with a regular point and shoot style camera.
Keep in mind, when you look at peoples blogs they are usually showcasing their BEST photos! The great thing about digital is that you can take 20 pics of the same thing and just get rid of the ones that arent that great. If you do this you will eventually learn what works best and will start to get the "perfect" shot with less photos.
I do have a couple of tips.
1. I NEVER use a flash. I always rely on natural light. If there is a glare change your angle. Take a step to the side or a step backwards or forwards. This usually helps some. Avoid having your subjects staring into direct sunlight though.
2. Use natural elements to help "frame" your shots. Look at both mine and marybeths pictures. You will see we have both done this. Trees, branches, logs, etc. create a frame around the subjects we are photographing.
3. Try different angles. Take photos from above, below, the side, etc. If your photo graphing kids get down on their level.
4. Try to catch your subjects in natural situations. If they feel comfortable (not posing) the pictures usually come out better.
5. Take LOTS of pictures. SNAP, SNAP, SNAP away. If you dont like it delete it later!
6. Have fun. Dont be so worried about getting the perfect shot. In many cases the photos you didnt anticipate being that great will turn out to be your favorites!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
|
| Marybeth |
Posted - Feb 03 2010 : 07:25:18 AM
Jamie I took a look at your blog and it is great. the photos are good looking too.
When I was a kid one of the encyclopedias we had was The Book of Knowledge. Loved it. Much different than yours I supposed and since there was no internet it of course was not linked---only linked to our minds. Another one we had was called 'People and Places. My favorite. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| JustAnAllAmericanGirl |
Posted - Feb 03 2010 : 06:07:39 AM
Yes Mary Beth, that does help, thank you. I know I am somewhat limited with my camera but we just bought it this past fall so I'm going to get the most from it until I can justify a better camera. Like was said earlier, it really is trial and error and I have seen an improvement in my photos since I started my blog. It seems the outside ones in the natural light turn out much better. The ones I posted on my blog from the snow storm we had a few days ago I was please with.
Thanks for you help. It is nice to know that most of ya'll started where I am.
Thanks, Jamie
www.JustAnAllAmericanGirl.blogspot.com |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Feb 02 2010 : 4:56:42 PM
Well Jamie, a good zoom is what you need for moon shots and even if you get a good shot and when you go to take it it is a blurry well take another--the internal auto has to refocus. I figured that out. So I have taken lots of blurry one just to finally find a good one. I started out with a Canon powershot but I really wanted one with a good zoom. I don't have the real pricey one and I cannot add a lens but it does have a 20X zoom. Even a 10X zoom you can stretch out more.. If you use a flash inside you will find glare so what I do it take without flash and then with and see which one I like best. So does any of that help? MB
I guess the thing about the books and tutorials is that I don't know Photography language very well so it is easy to get confused.
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| JustAnAllAmericanGirl |
Posted - Feb 02 2010 : 2:31:36 PM
Julie, I checked out your photos the other day on your site and left a comment about how beautiful they are. Mary Beth, love yours as well!
Okay, since you asked (and thank you for offering to help) I have a Cannon Powershot - not exactly high tech but when you read the instruction manual there are all kinds of things I can control in manual mode like ISO speed, etc.
I can take "okay" normal photos. I want to learn how to be a bit more artful about it. For example, those photos Mary Beth has on her website of the moon and sunrise. We had a moon very similar the other day and I tried to take photos of it. It did not work at all. Those are the kinds of things I'm trying to learn to do.
Also, when I take photos in the house and there is a natural glare on something, I want to know how to reduce the glare when I take the photo, as well as other similar things.
I did find a website the other day that I need to spend more time on but it looks very helpful, it is www.digital-photography-school.com. It has all kinds of free tutorials I need to explore.
Need to go check on supper but that is where I'm at.
Thanks ladies.
www.JustAnAllAmericanGirl.blogspot.com |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 8:56:52 PM
Yes it is a Sycamore. We have a HUGE one in our front yard.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
|
| Cindy Lee |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 7:29:43 PM
I checked it out too and may I say, that is ONE CUTE CAT!!! |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 6:27:59 PM
I checked out you blog, Julie. It is great. what kind of tree is the bird sitting in? It looks like a Sycamore. We have 4 that have the seed balls. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 4:08:49 PM
I don't use Photoshop eaither!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
|
| Marybeth |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 3:25:30 PM
I think, like Julie said most of us start by trial and error. Just hold steady is my best advice. My friend cannot seem to do that and either cuts heads off or the feet go. It is basically easy and there is lots I still don't know about my camera but it goes slowly. I don't photoshop my pics like some do. I like the real thing. MB check out my smallcityscenes blog for my shots.
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 1:53:44 PM
Thepioneerwoman.com is a great source. She has a whole photography section. What kind of camera do you have? I have learned how to ake pictures mostly by trial and error. You can see a few of my pics and even some of my husbands really blurry pics!!! on my blog. The link is below. I'd be happy to help you out but I am certainly no expert. Start by lettinge know what kind of camera you have!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
|
