Nervously posting one of mine

[Barnesy]

Only just getting to grips with my camera really. Was out this afternoon with my son and had the camera handy so started shooting away. Suprising that things i'd read on here and in magazines came to mind and I managed to get a decent pic.

This was taken at about 20 past 4 tonight so there wasn't much light around. A month ago id have been pointing and hoping that full auto got me a nice result. Bui tonight, I was straight to M, aperture wide open, shutter at 1/80, ISO onto 400 and white balance at 6000k and hey presto, not a bad pic.

Is there anywhere I could improve on this? I know it's nothing special but im pleased with it none the less.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/maxxit69/IMG_0802r_1j.jpg

[wilmorh]

i don't know much, i'm brand new at all this, but i think you've covered the basics? He's looking into a decent space, the whole thirds rule sems to be working and the dof looks spot on. Like i say though, i'm new, so don't listen too hard to me! :shrug:

I really like it though, my kids are at the age where they all pose for the camera, its nice to see such a natural expression! :clap:

[chenng]

Great picture there Barnesy, good to see that you are already shooting on M. Good exposure and the background blur is just right... Maybe this monitor which isn't much cop, but looks from here like it could do with a sharpen? Now you have to master fill in flash outside to get a catch light in this little fella's eye!

Great one :clap:

[Barnesy]

Cheers for the advice mate. Here's the new version, sharpened, noise reduction, chromatic aberation and saturation all played with slightly.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/maxxit69/IMG_0802r_1js.jpg

[Venomator]

Really don't know what you had to be nervous about Barnesy ... :suspect: ... that is a really creditable image you have posted ... :thumbs: ... covers all the bases and has produced a rather good candid imhgo ... ;)


Really not sure about the second though ... :thinking: ... it is over-bright now and loses some of the more natural tone of the original ... :shrug:



:p

[Les McLean]

It's a lovely shot, but very soft, which I suspect is camera shake , as there is no sharpness in any of the scene.

Although it will sharpen up a bit in PS

http://www.lesmclean.co.uk/Otley/IMG_0802r_1j.jpg



Not sure why you shot on manual, Canon and Nikon have spent zillions getting autoexposure sorted, and they generally do a better job than we can manage?

Similarly, white balance, auto tends to do a better job, unless it's fairly extreme circumstances.?

[Barnesy]

Cheers for that mate. Softness is definately due to camera shake. That was taken with a 300mm lens in some serious wind, hand held lol. I was just pleased it wasn't awful.

Cheers for the advice, ill leave WB on auto next time. Auto was giving me pretty dark images that's why I gave M a try. It was far darker than that picture makes it look.

Is using full auto generally accepted then? I just feel like I could do the same with my 50 quid Kodak unless im changing some settings on M lol.

[Rocket]

I think its a credit to you for a first attempt, I would continue using M but keep the white balance and focus to auto, other wise try your Aperture priority setting, that way you will be doing some of the work rather than the camera doing everything for you.
You can again take the credit for the image.
hope to see more.
regards

[Les McLean]

It's probably a perennial argument regarding what settings to use when shooting, and at the end of the day it's what you feel comfortable with. I tend to shoot in aperture priority (a/v) mode for most of my work, setting the aperture and letting the camera take the strain regarding shutter speed.

Although I do shoot shutter priority (t/v) on some occasions to ensure a high shutter speed to prevent camera shake.

The only time I use manual exposure is when using flash.

Auto white balance tends to do a good job.

Have you tried centre weighted metering (or spot if your camera has it), it could be (on contrasty subjects) evaluative metering is being tricked by difficult light.

Whatever method you chose, it really pays off getting to know your camera inside out, so when that shot of a lifetime does arrive, you are not standing around thinking ...a/v ...full auto...do I need a flash....etc etc, all these should come to you instinctively (or intuitively), if you are prepared to put the effort in :)

[CarlukeDave]

Nice shot, you had nothing to be nervous about!

I'm in a similar boat, deciding when to shoot manual, or use Av or Tv!

Practice practice practice is the advice I've been given!

[Barnesy]

Thanks for the comments everyone. Yet again i've learnt something so hopefully ill be able to take it onvoard and improve.

I originally tried using a/v but the image was awful, really dark and out of focus so I gave up lol. I'll be practicing with a/v next weekend hopefully.