Beginner Newbie - using FujiFilm X-S10

[eastwest4023]

Hi I'm new here and to the photography world. Prior to buying my X-S10 I had zero experience in the digital camera world. It has been an uphill battle but slowly but surely with baby steps, I'm learning. I realize understanding Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO is important but what I have a hard time with is composing an image with great shadows and light spots (not even sure that is the way to word it). Some images I see take my breath away and I know a lot more goes into it other than knowing what Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO to use. Recently I found a lot of images that stood out was manipulated with software after the shooting was done. Not sure if that is a sin or not. Is it?

 

[droj]

Depends what you mean by manipulated. Processing of an image is inevitable - whether by the camera automatically (pre-programmed by the manufacturer) or willfully by the user after the event.

Digital processing to give the image a certain look is equivalent to wet processing of film and paper - an inherent part of image making. But as ever, how fakey you want to make it is up to you.

Essentially, you might like to consider what you want your pictures to mean, and how to express that meaning.

 

[droj]

what I have a hard time with is composing an image with great shadows and light

I used to say that to be a photographer, you have to learn to see like film sees. Or now I might say, like a sensor sees. But they're both recording media that are sensitive in different ways to the human eye - brain. So you have to adapt your seeing. The rest, maybe, is general aesthetics, relative to an image on a flat surface bounded by a rectangle.

 

[Mauri3205]

My answer may be a little cliched but as a fellow newbie I felt the following advice really helps me:

• Understand the limits of your lens. Once you work with your lens for a period of time, you will instinctively know what you can and can’t achieve with it. You will know where to stand to get your shot and otherwise will allow you to enjoy the moment when you know there are things you just can’t capture with your setup.
• Have the right gear. A tripod is really useful for many situations and types of photography even if you have IBIS and lens OIS. Flash, filters, teleconverters, extension tubes among others also have great uses provided you have a clear idea of what you are trying to achieve.
• Watch, read and learn. I have spent a lot of time watching YouTube videos to better understand my camera and what I can do with it then went out to practice. I have also watched videos about specific types of photography (street, macro, landscape etc…) to learn applicable techniques.
• Don’t be afraid of criticism. The photo sharing and critique posts here are a godsend. Look at what others submit and read the feedback, you will be surprised at how much you can learn from this. When you feel ready post some of your own, you will understand that the photo you are so proud of has a number of technical issues you can improve. The advice is always great.
• Experiment with Program, Shutter Priority and Aperture Priority to get a feeling for when to use each and what they bring to the table. There is nothing wrong with letting your camera choose everything for you to start with.
• Use the histogram while composing your shots and make it a habit to check as you compose. You will lose many shots because a part is too bright/blown. Remember it is always possible to recover in post from an underexposed/dark scene than it is from an overexposed/blown one. There are great videos out there that you can watch about this.
• Keep the camera with you so you get faster at picking it up and shooting something you like. You will notice over time that you will have a feel for what you want to achieve and can set your settings quickly as a result. Alternatively you can preset the settings at home if you know you are focusing on a single type of photography on the day to save you from fiddling around.
• Nothing wrong with post processing, play around with your film simulations on the camera, SO MUCH FUN. Remember it is about what gives you and whoever is viewing pleasure. Post processing can definitely help highlight aspects of your photo.
• Practice and patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Keep shooting, getting feedback and shoot again.
• Have fun, otherwise there is no point to any of this!