DSLRUsers.com

This is my first time posting.
I’m trying to teach myself photography by reading forums & viewing galleries, and shooting as often as I can.
There are so many amazing shots on this site, and that’s the level I would like to get to one day. So I’m hoping some of you could give me so hints on how to make these even better. Composition, exposure, exc.
Please be honest, I need the advice…... thanks
All shots taken with D70, 18-70mm.

Welcome! Good to see you posting images with your first post!

this is a great comunity and a great place to learn

Welcome, the first is a great portrait. Where are you located, maybe you can put your location in your profile?

hi Frescono and welcome, there is plenty to learn here, and its in a big family enviroment where we are all learning and trying to help each other....

I am new to this whole game as well but here are my thoughts!

No.1 I like apart from being a little dark (under exposed)
No.2 I would like to have seen the whole dog
No.3 would have to be the favourite... but was thinking if the window was centered, allowing a black frame??? then again maybe not
No.4 doesnt appeal to me for some reason... sorry cant help anymore than that
and some nice use of back lighting on no. 5

I guess as long as you remember to have fun when taking shots then that the main thing! Make sure you check out the challenges http://www.dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php?t=9855 and excercises http://www.dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php?t=9866 that are here. If you are wanting to learn then these are more great oppourtunities!

Cheers

I like number 1. Will be a good one to roll out in about twenty years at a 21st!

With number two, I'd avoid taking pics in mottled light, it just doesnt do your dogs portrait any favours. Also, I would have framed it differently, vertically instead of horizontally, because the focal point (the muttley) is more in a vertical position.

I really like number 3, it has a nice feel to it. I think if you framed it differently you would have lost some of it's appeal, well done, great eye! I reckon it would look nice framed!

I know the effect you were hoping for with the leaves, but without focusing in on a particular leaf, and using depth of field (something that you'll learn more about ) to single it out, you lose any specific subject, sorta can't see the leaves for the forest


One of the benefits of digital photography is post processing (PP). Get your hands on a copy of Photoshop CS ( or similar) and you'll be able to change your images slightly, increasing colours, decreasing sahdow etc.

Hello Frescono,

Welcome aboard.

First shot... Notice the blue sky in the background has turned white. I would suggest a different angle to remove the sky line. Also, a slight upwards bump of exposure on the young fella. Otherwise, I like it.
Doggy shot... Maybe rotate the camera 90 degrees if it is a portrait that you are after, and get down to his level.
Fifth... Some areas are substantially blown (overexposed). This looks like one of those near impossible to get right shots. Try again in the evening when lighting is softer - unless you were after a heavily backlit shot.

I suggest using the histogram as your primary display and learn to toggle between histogram and highlights display.
During the day, many outdoor scenes will exceed the dynamic range of what the camera is able to capture. Using flash techniques or reflectors to light your subject can go a long way to fixing that problem... as will shooting at the very beginning or end of the day when lighting is much softer.
Spot metering (I can hear the groans from some already ) is IMHO made for people shots - there is a ready made reference point with skin tone (0 - +0.3 compensation for fair skin). Just make sure that the scene is moderately lit - no really bright areas in the background otherwise you will be getting into more involved techniques.

Check out the Tips and Tricks section for more on metering and exposure.

Welcome to the forum!

I'm a novice, but here's my 2 cents worth.....

#1 - nice colours. I would be tempted to crop it a little to remove some of the distractions and thus fill more of the image with the lads face. Maybe a little more light, but I quite like the softness of the lighting you have captured.

#2 - I agree with the suggestion of a portrait orientation.

#3 - a very striking image - well captured.

#4 - this one has potential. The light on the branch that comes out from the main branch focusses my attention to the small shoot in the centre. I would try to draw views eyes to this a little more strongly by cropping the bottom and also from the right to remove some of the darkness. I think this could result in a very good image.

#5 - I'm not sure about this one. I find the blown highlights to be quite a distraction.

Great first post Frescono - looking forward to more!

G'day Frescono,

Welcome to the forum, great to see you posting images in your first post. You'll find this place a very friendly and constructive place, so enjoy

To try and provide requested feedback...:

#1 The background sky that's blown out is a smidge distracting and also affects the amount of "brightness" on your subject as it will affect the camera metering, maybe by moving a step to your left, you could have had a less bright background which would have made your subject brighter in the image.

#2, Try getting lower down so your dog isn't looking up so much at you, I assume you used flash judging by the eyes.

#3 I love it! Great creative capture, well done.

#4 and #5, try using a much larger aperture (smaller number) to help blur out the background as it's very busy and I find it hard to find the real subject.

Cheers and keep on postin'