Very New to This!

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mrphilk

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Phil
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Hi all,

I have just purchased my first DSLR and am feeling very overwhelmed.

I have bought a Cannon EoS 450D, which came with the standard kit lens and alse a zoom lens (75 - 300mm I think).

I thought I understood the basics of Depth of Field and Arperture settings etc but im starting to feel like I dont.

For example, I came across a monument in scotland today and took some pictures then came online to see if I could find similar.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/allys_scotland/3141131483/

This is the monument. The pictures I took look no where near as clear or detailed. Did the user use a special filter to allow more exposure? Is this why the grass looks so detailed?

Mine just look like pictures, nothing special really.

My cousin told me about a filter/lens cover he uses to allow for more exposure during bright light. Does this allow for more detail and realism in shot?
 
Nah, that's a load of post processing. A large f number keeps all in focus from foreground to infinity. Everything else is messing about in Photoshop, I'd guess.
 
I hadnt considered that. The only HDR stuff ivve seen (and known about it :-) ) has been larger, more distant landscapes.

I feel a bit better now.
 
Well that has been heavily post processed, in fact I would say that that is an example of HDR (high dynamic range) whereby several images of different exposures have been combined, I wouldn't worry that yours don't look like that out of the camera. There are many guidess on here to help you get the best from your shots and how to take better pictures to start with.
Practice is paramount


Must type faster
 
Everyone has to start somewhere, best thing to do is read up some guides on the net about aperture, shutter speed and ISO and how they all contribute to what sort of picture you are going to get.

Keep snapping with different camera settings and your images will definitely improve!!
Ive got the 450d with kit lens and you can get some great pics from it
 
Hi Phil, I think the way ahead for you is to get some basic training there will be people like me up your way in Scotland who can quickly teach you the basics and get you fully conversant with your camera and the software to enhance your images.

The heavily post processed image you show has I think gone seriously over the top, a more subtle approach could be much more effective.

John www.phototuition.net
 
If you can join a camera club where people are helpfully critical you will learn quickly what makes a great shot, BUT beauty is in the eye of the beholder and as long as you are happy with your own results don't worry too much if others don't get overexcited by your shots.

Keep shooting, experiment with all the settings and have fun..
 
Yeah, that's a HDR image, it's not real.
 
Matt L said:
in the linked images can anyone else see eye's in the top left side of the sky?
Click to expand...

I thought it was deliberate with the whole witch theme... :lol:
 
Yep, this has been done photomatix hdr, 3 images 1 stop under 1 stop over, with a ND8 filter.

The eyes were there, A bit of dodge and burning on the clouds to make more noticable, but did you see the wolf to the right side of the monument?

I am that Photographer.:wave:
3141131483_47a353fc08_b.jpg
 
I see the eyes but cant see a wolf!!
 
Sorry to hijack the thread, but what a bloody stunning image :D

:clap::clap::clap:

The eyes are proper freaky :eek:
 
mrphilk said:
Hi all,

I have just purchased my first DSLR and am feeling very overwhelmed.

I have bought a Cannon EoS 450D, which came with the standard kit lens and alse a zoom lens (75 - 300mm I think).

I thought I understood the basics of Depth of Field and Arperture settings etc but im starting to feel like I dont.

For example, I came across a monument in scotland today and took some pictures then came online to see if I could find similar.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/allys_scotland/3141131483/

This is the monument. The pictures I took look no where near as clear or detailed. Did the user use a special filter to allow more exposure? Is this why the grass looks so detailed?

Mine just look like pictures, nothing special really.

My cousin told me about a filter/lens cover he uses to allow for more exposure during bright light. Does this allow for more detail and realism in shot?
Click to expand...

Mrphilk the 450D is a great camera and capable of stunning images when used with the right lenses.

The 75-300mm is a fair zoom lens but over 200mm it gets a bit "soft."

Also since it has no IS (image stabiliser) unless you use a high shutter speed you can get a degree of shake which can degrade the image.

And as a beginner don't try to compare the images you get to what others achieve.

DSLR cameras are great but do require quite a bit of practise to get good results.

The kit lens you have - the 18-55mm IS USM - is a good lens and capable of giving great results.

So the answer is to just persevere and, since all the shots you take are free, just keep practising.

Filters make no difference to the detail unless you use a really crap filter.

The only filter which can give more detail is a polarising filter but they don't make a lens sharper, all they do is remove some reflections from a subject - water for example.

A lens hood is used to stop the sun hitting the lens and causing flare but as long sun isn't directly striking your lens you normally won't have too many problems.

Just don't try to take in too much at once.

And read and re-read the manual until you understand your camera.
 
I spotted the eye's/nose/mouth in the top left hand corner... But also noticed the rock in BRHC that looks as thou it has a "critters" face to it...

 
Thanks for all the hints and extra information guys.

I still cant see the wolf lol.
 
Have a look at this link, uses animation to show DOF, ISO ESTTINGS ETC and for relative noobies like myself helps understand it a bit more
 
Hi Phil. Have a read of "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. A jolly good read.
 
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