Thread: My First Post for CC!!!

I'm just starting this photography hobby and am in need of help. I posted awhile back and finally think I just might have some worthy of posting. Nothing near as great as your photos but not too bad for my first photos. These are all as is...no editing since I don't have editing software. Would Picnik work for editing???

1)ISO 400 F8.0 1/2000

A bunch of pumpkins and squash at the pumpkin patch

2)ISO 400 F8.0 1/2500

Different shot, same pumpkins

3)ISO 400 F7.1 1/125


4)ISO 400 F7.1 1/250

Same picture with different settings

5) ISO 400 F7.1 1/250

Another pumpkin picture

6) ISO 400 F4.0 1/50

Zayne in the corn box

7) ISO 400 F3.5 1/50

Lexi in the corn box

ISO 400 F4.0 1/1600

DH and the kids going down the slide

9)ISO 800 F3.5 1/500 (with flash)

Zayne in the tub

10)ISO 400 F8.0 1/250

Lexi in the stroller-definately not the best but I thought it was sweet

Hi! Glad to see your pics! I forget what camera you have - can you remind me?

These are a great first try. Full sun is horrible to shoot in. Even with your SS pushed to 1/2000, your first two pumpkin pics still look a bit overexposed. Try closing up your ap a lot more (to, like f/14 or f/22) and take your ISO down to 200 or 100 if your camera will go there.

For #s 3, 4, and 5, you have some dappled light going on - again, one of the curses of shooting in full sun. Also, watch your comp - one thing I learned in my photography class that I just took was that your pic has to tell a story. There has to be a focal point. Look for interesting angles. It would've been cool if you'd have gotten on the ground and shot down the row of pumpkins sitting on the ground. Your focus on all of these is great, too!

#6 and #7 are slightly OOF - probably because your SS was too slow. For our fast-moving kiddos, it should be at least 1/125. Also, move them around until you find some nice light in their eyes. Cute kiddos!

#8 - Full sun. Foot chop. But, it looks like they were having a blast!

#9 - By using the flash, you got some pinlights in your son's eyes. I'd also like to see more of his head. Cute pic, though!

#10 - She looks so thoughtful! We lose the light in her eyes here too and your son's head in the BL corner is distracting.

I'm a newb too, so I know how hard it is getting started and trying to wrap your brain around all the elements that go into a good picture. Keep practicing - that is the best thing you can do! TFS!

I did a little editing with photobucket this morning. Still not perfect but a little different. Please please please be honest and feel free to give harsh CC. I can't learn if I don't know what I"m doing wrong.

Hey there, glad you're getting out there and posting!!

Are you shooting in auto, manual, or some other mode? That helps to give feedback on the technical stuff.

I'd work on composition of your images. Have you read much about the rule of thirds? There's some great info in the sticky on the main page. Also, another thing to keep in mind, if a person is looking out of the frame, it's more appealing to leave some empty space to the direction they are looking rather than behind them.

I think with the first, it would be really neat if you had the wagon that all of the pumpkins are spilling from. And when your taking photos of a whole lot of something, try finding one to make a focal point and then the rest can just add character. With all of the pumpkins in focus, it leaves the eye wandering around the image without a real spot to focus on first.

Keep'em coming!! We all start off somewhere and the more you practice and ask for feed back the better you'll get!

I too am really glad you are posting for CC!

I would like to know what you are shooting in too, as in what mode. It's hard to CC when it's in auto mode b/c the camera is making all the choices for you.

Also for editing, I hear a lot of good things about GIMP- a free editing software you can download. I have Adobe Elements b/c it's a lot cheaper than PS. It cost me about $100, and it's worth it. Also, jumping to RAW is great too!

CC for your pics!
1. I agree, it would be nice if there was ONE focal point. My eyes are wandering all over the pic. That is a great opportunity though, pretty colors and shapes and sizes!
2. same for #1.
3 & 4 & 5- I would love to see these with a wider ap. It would be some neat bokeh! The dappled light isn't the easiest to work with either.
6. underexposed. I looks more like a snap mainly b/c of the arm in the back.
7. the blown spot in the sky kind of draws my eyes there. She looks like she's having fun though!
8. Looks a bit overexposed, but good capture! Looks like FUN!
9. I struggle with flashy pics b/c I am not fond of them. I ONLY use my flash when I am taking snaps. It is a cute smile, that's for sure!

I wanted to add to NOT get discouraged. We all started somewhere. I am still a newbie. You will always have your ups and downs, but keep practicing!

I'm short on time, so I can't comment on them all today. I really love your pumpkin shots. They're a bit over exposed because of the direct sun, but if you have an editing program, I think you could really make these shots pop. The first one is my favorite and I think that with an exposure adjustment and maybe a curves and/or saturation bump, this would be really cool. It just screams fall to me.

TFS!
GiGi

I'm short on time too, but didn't want to ignore this thread. I think you should head to Costco and buy Adobe Elements 8 for about $70 (I can't remember the exact price). It's totally worth it to have a good editing program at your disposal. You could do so many cool things with the first two with a good program.

I have a P&S and am shooting in Manual mode. My new camera is a Canon Powershot SX120IS

Hi, welcome back! I agree with previous CC...these are fine for snaps but what are your goals? #1 & 2 are neat but don't have any real focus or subject or mood....#3 is better, I like how it's angled so that the wooden shelves lead in/out, and you've got the main subject in front, but also the cool row of pumpkins on the bottom right.

You can see how in #4 when you upped your SS the photo got darker compared to #3. That shows you how faster shutter speed lets in less light. This will help you decide with each photo situation how you'll want to set your settings before you take the pic. I like the light & color of the main pumpkin in #5 the best.

With the "people pics", just work on defining your subject, turning them more towards the light, getting eye contact, and composition. I know that's a lot at once, but you can of course work on one thing at a time. Just practice as much as you can! Hope this helps!

Thank you all for the CC...more is welcome I've got alot to learn about photography! I think it's time I check out a couple books from the local library!