First DSLR, Tips on usage?

PLuKE

PLuKE

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Luke
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Hi.

Well i have just bought my first DSLR the Canon 1000D. I really dont have a clue what i am doing TBH. So i am looking for some tips on what i need to do.

My main photo's i want to take is motorbikes, On track and when me and my mates are out. I know the standard 18-55mm lens would be ok for kneedowns etc would be fine sitting at the edge of the road. But when it comes to the track your not always so close. So what size of lens would i need to get some nice pictures closeup.

Any advice would be very welcome!.

Thanks
Luke
 
Hi and welcome. Get hold of a copy of "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. It's a good read.
 
Thanks.

What prices do they start from?.

Is the 1000D a decent newbie camara. My aim really is to take some quality pictures. I know you pay for what you get and knowledge is a massive part of quality pictures.

I see some very rich coloured, well detailed and shape closeup photos and really makes me want to get to that level.

Luke
 
PLuKE said:
Hi.

Well i have just bought my first DSLR the Canon 1000D. I really dont have a clue what i am doing TBH. So i am looking for some tips on what i need to do.
Click to expand...

This might sound a bit glib and/or unhelpful, but it's not. The honest answer is to get out there and start shooting - you'll learn best by doing that. In the beginning, set it up to automatic (dunno what that's called on a Canon - it's P on a Nikon) and let the camera do the work. In time, your skills and knowledge will evolve.
 
I'd try practising on the AV and TV modes.

The AV will allow youto pratise Depth of Field (DOF). This is when in a picture you either see the subject isolated and the background blurry (using a low f number eg f2.8) or having everything in detail in the background and foreground eg f11. A typical exercise to start of would be to photograph the same thing and then change the aperture gradually moving up so you can actually see the difference.

The TV mode controls shutter speed and will allow you to freeze or blur action, which I guess you'll want a good grasp of for motobikes. Again simple exercise, get a firend to run and practise with different shutter speeds, or take pictures of cars on a busy road. With a tripod youcould practise the light trails you see on pictures.

Once you understand both everything should be come clearer. I aso made my own reference notes to take with me for general speed settings to try, and then I'd alter as per the situation.

As Aberal says best thing is to get out and practise, and I'd also recommend the Understanding Exposure book.

Good luck and enjoy!
 
Thanks, I think i understand.

So DOF, So if say i am taking a picture of my bike on the driveway infront of my house, I change the DOF to get the bike in view leaving the house alitttle blured out. Would this be correct?.

With DOF, Do i do that manual or auto?.

BTW i havent yet got the 1000D, It should be here on Wednesday :D

Luke
 
PLuKE said:
Thanks, I think i understand.

So DOF, So if say i am taking a picture of my bike on the driveway infront of my house, I change the DOF to get the bike in view leaving the house alitttle blured out. Would this be correct?.

With DOF, Do i do that manual or auto?.

BTW i havent yet got the 1000D, It should be here on Wednesday :D

Luke
Click to expand...

Correct! You can use manual but to start off with I'd use the AV mode (as that will automatically set the shutter speed for you) and change the F number which will give you that result.

Enjoy
 
Ok thanks. Will try that and see how i go.

Dont know if anybody is local to Oulton Park who takes motorsport pictures. But if there is would like to join somebody and get some little tips if they are willing to.

I am excited about getting the camara now!.

Luke
 
PLuKE said:
Ok thanks. Will try that and see how i go.

Dont know if anybody is local to Oulton Park who takes motorsport pictures. But if there is would like to join somebody and get some little tips if they are willing to.

I am excited about getting the camara now!.

Luke
Click to expand...

You could search for posts by a certain Mr Matt Sayle he has taken a picture or two at Oulton.
 
if you are quite new to photography (as I was), you will immediately be fairly disappointed with your results. but dont let this set you back and dont let it put you off or regret your purchase. I would say to start off with the camera on the Auto (the green rectangle on the dial), and just shoot away, shoot outdoors, indoors, look at your photos find out what is good and what wasnt so good. shooting on auto will give you a good intro into how your camera behaves if left to its own devices. Then you can really start having some fun. A lot of my best shots came when I shot on auto but influenced the camera slightly. For example if you find yourself shooting the top of your house against a bright sky either makes your images too dark or too bright, then find somewhere in between the house and sky, press the shutter button half way to lock the exposure settings and then recompose your scene/shot. I used that technique for ages and it helped me understand so much.
 
one thing i would suggest which i didnt do until a few weeks back, is change the picture settings in the camera itself as when its on the default setting the pictures lack colour and just felt washed out imo, but since changing the settings to something i am happy with the i do a little less editing.

1000d is a good camera i have it, cant really compare it to others as the only other camera i have held/used is a canon 5d mk1 or 2 :lol:.

as said 70-300 is good for track days i have the sigma lens which i bought as i aimed to do track days but never got round to it, so i have a lens i dont use that often/at all.
 
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