First post, now with pics!

[losfp]

Well, here are some shots I took on the weekend. I don't have an SLR just yet, but I will be buying one in about 3 weeks, probably a D70s. I'll be going overseas in Jan, so what better excuse to buy an expensive new camera just so I can save a couple of bucks at customs I've never really owned a proper SLR camera before, but I have gotten some good use out of my dad's SLR - an old Nikkormat that is somewhat older than I am (I am 28)!

We headed up to the Hunter Valley this past weekend for A Day on The Green, so to to get myself in the mood, I brought along my old Olympus 2100-UltraZoom. For a non-SLR, it's a big chunky beast, but I still think it takes great photos, especially for a 2MP digital camera I bought in mid-2001 (for $1800!!!). We also own a Canon Ixus 400 which I love to bits as it is so portable, but the Oly takes better pictures by far. Got a big zoom on it too, 7-70 (equiv to 38-380), with image stabilisation to boot. You can actually set the shutter speed and aperture manually, but there are still limitations. It was great back in the day when I first got it, but I've learnt a lot about cameras since then. The fastest shutter speed of 1/800 is a pain, as is the smallest aperture of f8!

So anyway, since I hadn't used anything remotely close to an SLR for months, I thought I'd give the old Oly a bit of a run on our weekend away. The shots below are mostly of things that couldn't run away... Don't usually get a lot of practise at portrait shots as my fiancée appears to be allergic to the lens! I thought they turned out pretty well for what is essentially a p&s on steroids, but it is pleasing that I was now able to see where the camera's limitations were, meaning that I could probably get a bit of benefit out of a new camera! Hopefully I can share some more photos of a better quality in a few weeks...

Oh, and hi all!









The full gallery from the weekend is here - http://thesystemisdown.com/gallery/thum ... p?album=17 if you are interested![/img]

[stubbsy]

losfp

Welcome to the forum. Looks like you had fun. I'm guessing these are mostly from the Hunter Valley Gardens, rather than at Bimbadgen Estate WInery (obviously the crowd silhouette is from there of course ). I really like the way you've captured the reflections in that last shot.

[marcotrov]

Welcome losfp. You've done well with the equipment you currently possess. #3 is both alluring and disturbing to me. It has a gothic quality and i like the play between the colourful sky and the silhouettes. I think the last one has potential in terms of composition but is very underexposed with a lot of blown highlights. You'd be better off metering off the grren grass in front of the church.
cheers
marco

[mdboo]

Hi, welcome to the forum losfp They're a bunch of great pics especially the second to last shot.

ps. for some further reading, i recommend the small Pdf tutorials? on the main page.

Enjoy your stay

[LostDingo]

Welcome Losfp and well done for your first posts!

Great group of friendly folks here always willing to give advice and suggestions on how to improve your captures.

Feel free to ask questions and try to make a mini meet one day

Paul

[losfp]

Thanks for the feedback guys

Stubbsy, you're right in that most of the photos were taken at or just outside the gardens... Most of my shots from the concert were average crowd shots or fuzzy, noisy stage shots taken at 380mm.

marco, yep, the last one is horribly exposed but I like the layout of the shot anyway Normally I take a few photos, playing around with settings especially if there are light and dark areas in the frame, but this time for whatever reason I just snapped one and just assumed it was going to be fine

I usually prefer underexposing the shot a little if I had to choose.. You can photoshop the levels into something usable, but if the highlights are blown to hell it's somewhat harder!

[Onyx]

G'day lostfp, I notice your location is indicated as Quakers Hill, just a stone's throw from me (Kings Park, the other side of the M7 roadworks).

The last one the reflection was exposed properly... if that's of any consolation.

So you have a love of flowers, roses specifically?
My fav is the moth/butterfly thingy of the citrus. I love the smell of a citrus tree in bloom!

[blacknstormy]

losfp - welcome to the forum
The people in here are fantastic = a wealth of knowledge ,,, I know I've learnt a hell of a lot since joining.
Enjoy
Rel

[losfp]

So you have a love of flowers, roses specifically?

No, not really. But they're easy to photograph, don't run or fly away, have nice interesting textures, and are pretty!

I like sports photography, but it just ain't easy without an SLR - the Oly 2100 has an EVF, which is rather annoying.

[mudder]

G'day,

Welcoem to the forum, there's heaps of very knowledgeable member on the forum to help with any questions etc., looks like you've got quite a creative eye, nicely framed and executed for the gear you're using, well done...