I have been messing around with my camera...

shawn474

So, I have finnally got around to taking some pictures with my DSLR. I have been reading and practicing, though not as much as I would have liked. Here's a couple of shots that I really like:







Any suggestions are appreciated on how to improve image quality, etc. Just wanted to share a couple.

Thanks,
Shawn

kawizx9r

You can start off by actually showing us some pictures

wutadumsn23

kawizx9r wrote: »

You can start off by actually showing us some pictures

+1 Freddy, lol.

-Jeff

devani

+2...lol on this

shawn474

Hahaha.....my bad. It might help to figure out how to post pictures before I start the thread!!!!;)

kawizx9r

That's sweet, what camera do you have exactly? Been checking out a few Nikon DSLR's but don't know exactly what the hell I'll be grabbing.

shawn474

Here's a few more....

shawn474

kawizx9r wrote: »

That's sweet, what camera do you have exactly? Been checking out a few Nikon DSLR's but don't know exactly what the hell I'll be grabbing.

I actually got it as a birthday present for my wife last April. She got it at ritzcamera.com. It is a Pentax *istDL. It is an older model, but something that I figured I could learn on and become proficient and then get something nicer. But after using it, I am not sure if I will get anything else because it takes really nice pictures. The only drawback is that it is only 6 megapixels so if I want a big print, it can become blurry. We got the camera body, 18-55mm lens, 70-200mm lens, and external flash, the bag and rechargable batteries for $300. I couldn't get a point and shoot for that so I thought what the hell?

engtaz

Pics look great.

KASR

Based on the title, I was almost scared to click the link! LOL!
Great pics and cool camera - keep em coming!

packetjones

Nice pics. I really like the first one of the little girl and the white flower. I purchase a DSLR for my wife last christmas and she loves it. I dont know much about it honesstly so i can not help at all. I know that she does some amazing things with it and is trying to start up a little photography business soon. I will ask her if she has any tips and post back if she does.

Keep practicing....

bobman1235

Great pics.

everpress

Great pics; I'm not sure why you are asking for suggestions; you are obviously capable of getting the settings right for color and clarity. I know there are lots of tips out there if you are trying to do something with a little more artistic flair, but honestly, these are creat shots with some pretty great subjects.

The only suggestion that I would offer is this: The rule of thirds. Divide up your area of composition into three parts; make sure that your subject matter is emphasised in one third, two thirds, or full-frame. The 'negative space; provided by placing your subject as such really brings more to the shot. Also, avoid placing your subject dead-center (unless it is a full-frame shot, and even then...). I know that with candid shots where doing this is rather difficult, using a photo editor to crop the pictures interestingly can help... But practice getting that Rule of Thirds out there in real life and you'll start to notice that your photos are so much better than what you'd ever expect.

Keep up the damn fine work, though. You have an eye for great subjects and you are quicker to get the shot than most, it seems. I can't wait to see some more!

shawn474

everpress wrote: »

Great pics; I'm not sure why you are asking for suggestions; you are obviously capable of getting the settings right for color and clarity. I know there are lots of tips out there if you are trying to do something with a little more artistic flair, but honestly, these are creat shots with some pretty great subjects.

The only suggestion that I would offer is this: The rule of thirds. Divide up your area of composition into three parts; make sure that your subject matter is emphasised in one third, two thirds, or full-frame. The 'negative space; provided by placing your subject as such really brings more to the shot. Also, avoid placing your subject dead-center (unless it is a full-frame shot, and even then...). I know that with candid shots where doing this is rather difficult, using a photo editor to crop the pictures interestingly can help... But practice getting that Rule of Thirds out there in real life and you'll start to notice that your photos are so much better than what you'd ever expect.

Keep up the damn fine work, though. You have an eye for great subjects and you are quicker to get the shot than most, it seems. I can't wait to see some more!

Thanks man. Appreciate the kind words. I really do enjoy the hobby and am reading and trying to comprehend everything. There is SO MUCH to know and a lot that is way over my head. It's a lot like golf to me - you may have to delete 50 mpictures, but it is that one good shot that keeps me coming back. The picture in the first post of my daughter is one that I ordered in black and white and the one of both of my daughters (they can make any picture look good - they take after their mother!!!) walking on the path I cropped and oredred an 8x10 in black and white as well. The one of the woodpecker I almost deleted because I was convinced that it wouldn't turn out good. After I downloaded it, I really liked it. I can get a lot of shots because that thing is in my yard every morning. My next project is the fox that lives outside of my fence and the hawks that are in the trees. Although, they might have to wait until the spring.

Tony M

Most people will never ever see a pileated wood **** in their lives and you get to see it everyday, That's cool. Great pics.

There's times for close-ups but....

Alot of people take pics of subjects but forget about the environment they're in. EVERPRESS said it well. Get some surroundings in the pictures and they'll be alot more involving to look at.
That bird up close wouldn't be near as nice as the way you took it. Showing the tree gives some idea as to its' enormous size.

My sister in law took some pics of her grand daughter at the beach.UP CLOSE.

I stepped back away to shoot so it could be seen in the photos She was AT the beach. Again, I took all kinds of shots so there would be samples to choose from.It was unanamous people were loving my photos with surroundings included over her close-ups.You know that, it seems, so keep it up, your doing great with your family shots. Bravo!

gelinas

great pics!!
My 2 favorite are the 1st one with the turtles on the log and the one with the white flower and lilly pad in the background