Think i'm going to stick to a P & S

BigAl127

BigAl127

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Allan
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Well having bought my Canon 400d several months ago, today I took it to the local park with the grandkids.

Although it's only the 2nd time i've used it, to say, i'm ashamed at how rubbish (and yes I mean rubbish) my photography is, is an understatement.:bang:

Think it's time i went back to a point & shoot and auto.
 
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BigAl127 said:
Well having bought my Canon 400d several months ago, today I took it to the local park with the grandkids.

To say, i'm ashamed at how rubbish my photography is, is an understatement.:bang:

Think it's time i went back to a point & shoot and auto.
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Don't be ashamed...I don't think that there is anyone that picks up a DSLR and instantly takes perfect photos from the get go...post some up and maybe we can help you learn more about your camera and how to get the very best out of it :thumbs:
 
I made the transition from P&S to DSLR just over a year ago and I'm still learning as you can see from my posts.

I think the key is to take one step at a time.

I have been helped a lot by people on here and I'm sure you will be too.
 
It's only the second time you've used it so I don't think that you should be expecting anything more to be honest. I took an interest in photography 18 months ago and after work every day I practice different shooting techiques and also different lighting, and if I have time left over I read about it too. The good old saying ''you get out what you put in'' is very true.
 
Well they both at very over exposed from a much slower shutter speed than what you needed...I'm on my iPad at the moment so cannot access the data for these photos I'll have a look later on tonight to see why that has happened....can you remember what mode you cad the camera in?
 
Shutter priority mode - that's good for things that are moving. But you set the shutter speed to 0.4 sec. That was the mistake. And the camera auto'd the aperture to f29!!! To set 0.04 sec (1/400) would have been a better bet!

3 related things to think of - ISO, shutter speed, aperture. Don't give up!!
 
There's no data available for the two shots you have posted but as Matt says they are both overexposed which means a long shutter and blurred images.

Have you been trying to experiment in manual mode at all.

It may be worth sticking the camera in green box/P mode and let the camera figure out the settings. In the mean time brush up on your knowledge of the shutter/aperture/ISO triangle and how they interact with each other.
Basically once you have a firm grasp of exposure then you can venture deeper into the settings.

Don't be disheartened though. Everything takes time and in fairness your still at the bottom of the learning curve so you have plenty time to hone the technique and skills to fully exploit your camera.
 
Allan,

Don't give up, I was the same like most others when you 1st pick up a DSLR you have to learn a little before your shots become somewhat the same as you get from a point and shoot. The benefit is once you know how it all works you then embrace the creativity buy mixing the settings up..

Just looking at the Exif data its seems you have Shutter Priority set (TV) but this was around 1/2 second which would create the high level of blur you see due to hand shake and overall subject movement.

Thou it also seems you lens is able to reach f29 on the aperture which I’m not sure is actually correct...

Either way the above probably means nothing to you at the moment. If I was you I would stick to P mode for now and when taking out door shots like football stick to round 1/250 - 1/500 a second for speed. Then in the meantime look up the Exposure triangle to learn more about your camera and that different setting you can adjust to achieve a different look to the shot.

good luck and don't give up...
 
Id say an easy way to improve is to understand iso. F stop and shutter speed. Understand how to use aparture priority.

Im guessing you shot in manual for this? There is very little reason you will need to go to manual. As aparture priority is superb for most shots.
 
The shutter priority mode that Allan used is entirely appropriate for a moving subject. His mistake was to set 0.4 sec as the speed.
 
Thanks for all the advice. I was in fact on Tv mode.

I knew it'd be a long learning curve, just felt a bit disappointed I guess.

I've no idea what's going on at the top in the one that Beyond the blue as done in lightroom.
 
BigAl127 said:
Thanks for all the advice. I was in fact on Tv mode.

I knew it'd be a long learning curve, just felt a bit disappointed I guess.

I've no idea what's going on at the top in the one that Beyond the blue as done in lightroom.
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It is a long learning experience but, your probably at one of the best places for it, honestly the help you'll get from all the people here's amazing

The mistake you've made with this is setting the wrong shutter speed, because you've set .4sec the camera is taking a photo for a little over 1/3rd of a second, as you've seen your not really able to hold the camera steady for this amount of time...the camera is trying to do what you've told it to do thus why the aperture was tiny at f/29 but even with this and a low ISO it's still too much light hitting the sensor to expose the image correctly so you've got the bright over exposed image you've seen..

So basically set a shutter speed that you can hand hold at and you should be good :thumbs:

Personally I prefer aperture priority so I'd set the aperture in this instance as wide as I could so as to separate the player from the background with a shallow DoF (depth of field/focus) and then use the ISO to get a shutter speed that I need so with sports like football you really want to freeze the action so set an ISO that will give you a shutter speed in the region of 1/500th plus
 
Definitely don't give up, have a look at the exposure triangle to get an idea of how aperture, shutter speed and ISO interact. This is quite a good place to learn the basics.

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-exposure.htm

Shutter priority was a good choice, if you set the shutter to roughly 1/500 to freeze the action and an ISO to suit the available light conditions. The camera will choose the aperture setting for you.

Don't forget to use continuous servo with focus (not use exactly what its called on Canon) to be able to keep the focus on the person as they move.
 
Thanks Adam for the info on the Magic lantern guides, i'll keep a lookout for a cheapish one.

Thanks Matthew for your explanation above, it's starting to make a little more sense now.

I've never doubted I was in the best place for advice, hence why I posted, knowing the great offers of help I'd be likely to get.
 
BigAl127 said:
Well having bought my Canon 400d several months ago, today I took it to the local park with the grandkids.

Although it's only the 2nd time i've used it, to say, i'm ashamed at how rubbish (and yes I mean rubbish) my photography is, is an understatement.:bang:

Think it's time i went back to a point & shoot and auto.
Click to expand...

How would you have got on if you got into a car for the first time and tried to drive it?

Well then! :)

Your local FE college will almost certainly be offering 'introduction to photography' courses starting in a few weeks - try one of them (make sure it teaches what you want. The college will put you in touch with the tutor if you ask). The one I teach in Somerset is over ten 2 hour evening sessions and costs £110 (there are concessions).
 
There is absolutely no harm in using a DSLR in automatic (green square on your camera, I believe) get the feel for the camera then start "playing"
 
Before you buy any guides to help you, check out the free stuff.

The CambridgeinColour site, as already mentioned, has excellent tutorials, as does this site and there is a lot of stuff on the Web.

An understanding of aperture, shutter speed and ISO is necessary. That may seem a bit daunting now but it will become second nature.

The great thing about digital photography is that all the photos are effectively free and all come with the EXIF data so you can see what settings were used.

If a photo isn't good you can check the data and discover the problem or post it here and someone will help.

Stick with it.

Dave
 
Thanks yet again to everyone for their help, support and advice.

You are all right in what you say. Guess I was just trying to run before I could walk
 
I remember before buying my first camera I bought every magazine going, started to read and thought I got my head round iso shutter speed and aperture, got the camera and thought yes this is easy, then down loaded the pics and it nearly went out the window, every thing I had read sank in but all it took was practice practice practice and it all made sense.

Keep going and once you get it you will be well pleased, also take pics like said in auto and see what sort of settings the camera chose and go from there too.
 
First step is to make sure you shutter speed is equal to or greater than your lens focal length so a 70mm lens = 1/70 or above shutter speed
 
As a start, I would stick with a quick shutter speed. The worst that can happen is that the photo will come out underexposed which can be adjusted on a computer later. A slow shutter speed will create a blurred photo which no use to anyone.

Once you have infocus, unblurry images then you can start playing with exposure and aperture.

ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture - adjust any two to affect the third.
 
BigAl127 said:
Thanks yet again to everyone for their help, support and advice.

You are all right in what you say. Guess I was just trying to run before I could walk
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We have all been in your position Allan, this forum is a great place to learn most aspects of Photography, PP and the business side of things if you decide to go down that route eventually :cuckoo:

I took up the hobby less than 3 years ago and I now sell images to Stock Sites on a regular basis earning a few quid and have my own web site too :thumbs:

Practice and ask questions, reading is also a great way of learning I can recommend that- even some of the Photo Mags contain good information, I subscribe to Digital Photo a great mag and lots of tutorials

Speaking of tutorials, YouTube is your friend

Keep at it - you'll get there and any questions JUST ASK :rules:

Les :D
 
BigAl127 said:
Thanks yet again to everyone for their help, support and advice.

You are all right in what you say. Guess I was just trying to run before I could walk
Click to expand...

After only using it twice, yes Id say so! Stick with it
 
Please don't give up, once you get the hang of it, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

A already said, use the auto setting and, take note of the settings the camera chooses for you, it's amazing how that info will become embedded in your mind, then, when you're feeling more confident, experiment with varying the settings to achieve the results you are looking for.

Stick with it.:thumbs:
 
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I'm in the same boat as you. What I have been doing is learning about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, metering etc, then get an EXIF viewer plug in installed in your browser. Using this you can right click on the pictures that look good on this site and look what settings were used, and use what you've learnt to work out why the pictures turned out like they did.

For example, subject is in focus but background is nicely blurred - by looking at the EXIF data you'll probably find that a low f stop was used, or a long focal length - and you'll know the theory behind why that was and why all the other settings were like that.
 
We were all rubbish when we started, nothing wrong with admitting that, it gives more room for improvement.
The advice to go to evening class is great, my dad did that and it really helped. If not you can't go wrong with YouTube and there are a few treads on here listing people's recommendations.
Stick with it, things will improve!
 
Hi Allan,

You must not give up.
You should keep these two images store them safe somewhere and then after a few months after you improve
You will look back at these and have a little giggle and be so pleased you stuck with it!

I have been learning to shoot off auto recently and I am still not great. I am no photographer just a happy snapper but I know with all the help I get on here and there has been lots of it! I really am getting better.

Post some images as you improve, the forum will give you advice good and bad and all to help you.
Looking forward to your next pictures :)
Cathy
 
BigAl127 said:
Well having bought my Canon 400d several months ago, today I took it to the local park with the grandkids.

Although it's only the 2nd time i've used it, to say, i'm ashamed at how rubbish (and yes I mean rubbish) my photography is, is an understatement.:bang:

Think it's time i went back to a point & shoot and auto.
Click to expand...

Don't get down about your pictures. As others have said don't try and run before you walk. Your camera has got lots of modes to make some of the decision making for you. An ideal one for what you were shooting would have been the picture of the running man.

Have you read the manual that came with it, it will certainly help with some of the features that your camera has.
 
Could I just mention that it is worth remembering a half press on the shutter to confirm focus.
 
BigAl127 said:
Well having bought my Canon 400d several months ago, today I took it to the local park with the grandkids.

Although it's only the 2nd time i've used it, to say, i'm ashamed at how rubbish (and yes I mean rubbish) my photography is, is an understatement.:bang:

Think it's time i went back to a point & shoot and auto.
Click to expand...

Just keep at it , you will come good :)
 
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I'm going to take everyone's advice and stick with it, never was one for giving up too easy.

Unfortunately any evening classes, i've found so far, are more than I can afford at the moment, as i've recently gone self employed so all my spare money is spoken for. So i'll be sticking with this forum, the other websites and youtube as recommended by so many of you.

I'm sure i'll be posting for more advice and encouragement in the very near future ;) .
 
One of the good things about digital is that it's cheap to practice. As well as reading and researching my advice is to shoot and look at the results and camera setting on your pc. Trying different settings and seeing the effect that they have on images is a quick and cheap way to learn :D

I'm sure that you'll soon see an improvement :D
 
Glad you're going to keep with it! I struggled for long enough when I set out about 3 years ago. But watching YouTube, reading books on Photography (remember your local library is free to join and borrow pretty much any book you want) and hanging around here has helped me along the way. Apart from the technical side of things a great photo is about composition and subject matter, you can learn this all in Auto. Once you get images you start to like things get a little easier. I also went on a one off photography lesson cost me £25 on Groupon. Also have a look on here at the group meets, maybe something in your area, and I'm sure people attending wouldn't mind giving you a touch understanding the settings on your camera. BTW you got the same DSLR as me it very good entry level camera

Good luck
 
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