First day shooting with DSLR - I hope!

stacy87

stacy87

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Stacy
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I'm hoping to get out this weekend and start practicing with the settings on my camera. I am planning to head to Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh to get some landscape photos, and maybe get some pictures of the lake and the ducks etc. All weather permitting of course, as it's currently blowing a gale outside so hoping it calms down before the weekend! :bonk:

I just want to check if I have the right idea before I head out there to make sure I can get the best pictures possible.

I have the kit lens for the Canon 500D (18-55mm), so for landscapes, if I use the AP function, am I right in thinking that I should use a high aperture number (the max I can go to is f22) and a low-ish ISO (maybe around 200/400) to try and prevent grainy images? :help:

I have been trying to read as much as I can on these functions, so I'm hoping that I've actually taken the information in! Any more advice would really be appreciated :)
 
Try f8, and even f5.6. Try not to go beyond f11 /f16.

EDIT: Yes use a low ISO, and if shutter speed is low use a tri-pod with a remote switch (or the self-timer). As a rule of thumb, focus on something a third way in.

Disclaimer, I take very few L/S's, but this is how I do it. Hopefully, L/S toggers will be along soon to advise better.
 
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The other thing I didn't mention is the sky is more than often brighter than the ground. So if you meter the ground the sky may be too bright. You can take two exposures, one for ground and one for sky and merge together in post processing. The other and more traditional method is to place ND grad filter in front of the lens to try and match the sky's exposure with grounds.
 
Stacy - the great thing about digital is that you can take several shots of the same thing at different settings to analyse later without incurring extra cost (not like in film days!) and with shooting settings recorded

basically:

bigger f-number = smaller aperture = more depth of field (focus) in picture

so f22 gives more d-o-f than f4 or f8

but smaller aperture needs more exposure which may lead to camera shake (I'm presuming no tripod) if shutter speed is slower than say 1/60th sec

also small aperture may affect sharpness (optical effect)

with lens at wide 18mm end, aperture of f8-f11 should be fine for general shooting, f16 if you have close objects that you'd like in focus too

with lens at 55mm end, f11 probably best for general shots, bear in mind that d-o-f is effectively less at longer focal lengths like 55mm and over setting smaller aperture has less effect but can try f16 as well

shutter speed will depend on how bright it is, what ISO you set the camera, what aperture you choose

ISO 200 for best results, 400 should be ok (not familiar with Canon) as you've been advised

for ducks you might want to shoot more at f5.6 to get good fast shutter speed

HTH

Geoff
 
geoff-d said:
Stacy - the great thing about digital is that you can take several shots of the same thing at different settings to analyse later without incurring extra cost (not like in film days!) and with shooting settings recorded

basically:

bigger f-number = smaller aperture = more depth of field (focus) in picture

so f22 gives more d-o-f than f4 or f8

but smaller aperture needs more exposure which may lead to camera shake (I'm presuming no tripod) if shutter speed is slower than say 1/60th sec

also small aperture may affect sharpness (optical effect)

with lens at wide 18mm end, aperture of f8-f11 should be fine for general shooting, f16 if you have close objects that you'd like in focus too

with lens at 55mm end, f11 probably best for general shots, bear in mind that d-o-f is effectively less at longer focal lengths like 55mm and over setting smaller aperture has less effect but can try f16 as well

shutter speed will depend on how bright it is, what ISO you set the camera, what aperture you choose

ISO 200 for best results, 400 should be ok (not familiar with Canon) as you've been advised

for ducks you might want to shoot more at f5.6 to get good fast shutter speed

HTH

Geoff
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Thank you Nigel and Geoff for the advice! :thumbs:

Nigel - I have been reading up on Aperture, shutter speeds and ISO. I haven't read much about exposure, so I will try and do that today and learn as much as I can before heading out. I am not sure about metering, or anything like that yet, but will take a look and hopefully I will understand it! I have taken so many notes about everything that I need to re-arrange into something that I can carry around with me as I get used to my camera :bonk:

Geoff, that's great advice, thank you! You are right in thinking that I don't have a tripod yet, so all shots will be hand-held.

I'm still hoping for good weather over the weekend, but realistically I might have to wait another week before I can get out there :shake:
 
Another tip, not just for landscape photography, but in general, don't delete images in camera. Even if they look rubbish, keep them and when you get back to the pc, look at the exif data and try and figure out why they didn't turn out well.

You'll learn more from your mistakes that your successes.
 
johnnypanic said:
Another tip, not just for landscape photography, but in general, don't delete images in camera. Even if they look rubbish, keep them and when you get back to the pc, look at the exif data and try and figure out why they didn't turn out well.

You'll learn more from your mistakes that your successes.
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That's a really good tip thank you! I wouldn't have thought of that-usually if I see a pic I don't like on the camera screen, I'd just delete it right away.
 
johnnypanic said:
Another tip, not just for landscape photography, but in general, don't delete images in camera. Even if they look rubbish, keep them and when you get back to the pc, look at the exif data and try and figure out why they didn't turn out well.

You'll learn more from your mistakes that your successes.
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Excellent advice! :clap: As I say, because all the camera settings are saved with the image it helps when working out whether you had fast enough shutter speed etc

Geoff
 
johnnypanic said:
Another tip, not just for landscape photography, but in general, don't delete images in camera. Even if they look rubbish, keep them and when you get back to the pc, look at the exif data and try and figure out why they didn't turn out well.

You'll learn more from your mistakes that your successes.
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Thanks for this tip. I will have to start doing this as well.
 
Stacy,

I'm in Edinburgh with a 500D plus kit lens and 10-22mm lens. Ive been going for a couple of months now so similar in understanding to you.

Ive been up Arthurs Seat but I would recommend Carlton Hill, lots of monuments and in the morning the sun rises over Arthurs Seat and hits the monuments etc.

With a kit lens at the top of Arthurs Seat you wont get much in the way of buildings etc (just small dots) so id recommend Carlton Hill.

I'm out taking pictures this weekend (East Lothian etc) and the weather looks OK for Saturday/Sunday (although may be a little windy) but that can also be great for taking a dramatic pic.

Hope this helps!!

Cheers
 
boccers_2000 said:
Stacy,

I'm in Edinburgh with a 500D plus kit lens and 10-22mm lens. Ive been going for a couple of months now so similar in understanding to you.

Ive been up Arthurs Seat but I would recommend Carlton Hill, lots of monuments and in the morning the sun rises over Arthurs Seat and hits the monuments etc.

With a kit lens at the top of Arthurs Seat you wont get much in the way of buildings etc (just small dots) so id recommend Carlton Hill.

I'm out taking pictures this weekend (East Lothian etc) and the weather looks OK for Saturday/Sunday (although may be a little windy) but that can also be great for taking a dramatic pic.

Hope this helps!!

Cheers
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That is a big help, thank you boccers! Its nice getting advice from locals :)

Even though I've lived here all my life, I have never been to Carlton Hill! I've heard many things about it though and seen some lovely pictures. What's the best way to get there if coming in from say the Newington area?

There's a possibility that we may be heading to Musselburgh tomorrow, so will take my camera with me incase I spot any opportunities for photos :)

Thanks again!
 
Musselburgh has a nice little river running through so you may get a few.

If I was coming from Newington then it would be best to get onto the Royal Mile, go all the way to the end (Holyrood Palace) and take a left. Follow that road all the way until you come to a crossroads (with a pub called the regent on the right) and take a left at the cross roads. Drive about 300-400 metres and park up. There are a couple of entrances to the top of Carlton Hill opposite St Andrew's House (just google it). You really can't miss it.

If you want pics of the monuments on the hill then first thing in the morning is best. If you want the castle, Balmoral etc then sunset.

Again hope this helps and I haven't talked too much nonsense.

Like you i'm addicted to my camera now, keep taking pics of the most ridiculous things so it is rather exciting being able to get out at the weekend and explore, take great pictures etc.
 
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boccers_2000 said:
Musselburgh has a nice little river running through so you may get a few.

If I was coming from Newington then it would be best to get onto the Royal Mile, go all the way to the end (Holyrood Palace) and take a left. Follow that road all the way until you come to a crossroads (with a pub called the regent on the right) and take a left at the cross roads. Drive about 300-400 metres and park up. There are a couple of entrances to the top of Carlton Hill opposite St Andrew's House (just google it). You really can't miss it.

If you want pics of the monuments on the hill then first thing in the morning is best. If you want the castle, Balmoral etc then sunset.

Again hope this helps and I haven't talked too much nonsense.

Like you i'm addicted to my camera now, keep taking pics of the most ridiculous things so it is rather exciting being able to get out at the weekend and explore, take great pictures etc.
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Thanks for that, I know exactly where you are, so will give it a go :thumbs:

I am trying to get to grips with exposure today and it's not going too well! I'm finding it quite confusing :shrug:
 
ive been there but you will have a "penny drops" moment I assure you.

It's all about weighing up what you want from your picture and then choosing the right aperture and shutter speed to suit the situation.

There are guys on here that have vastly more experience than me so take a look through the forums threads on the topic.
 
boccers_2000 said:
ive been there but you will have a "penny drops" moment I assure you.

It's all about weighing up what you want from your picture and then choosing the right aperture and shutter speed to suit the situation.

There are guys on here that have vastly more experience than me so take a look through the forums threads on the topic.
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I'm hoping that moment won't take it's time to get here! lol I'm not known for having good patience! :D

I'm going to have fun messing around with the settings though and getting the hang of all the settings - with the help of my trust notes! :cuckoo:
 
I hope the weather has brightened up for you - its terrible down here in Lancashire :shrug:
 
Well I didn't get to do what I had planned today. We were supposed to be heading into Musselburgh today, but that didn't happen - we ended up hitting the shops instead, and I got myself a bag for my camera (Lowepro Nova 160) which is fab :thumbs:

I did have a play with some settings though and these were my choice of fave pics from the day - I must warn you they are pretty random shots! :cuckoo: Any advice/critique on them is welcome


IMG_0207.jpg


IMG_0186.jpg


IMG_0175.jpg


IMG_0155.jpg


IMG_0123.jpg



Like I said, some very random shots, but it's just to help me get used to the settings on the camera. Hopefully, I've not done too bad for a novice!
 
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