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blueearthling

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Edit My Images
Yes
Looking through this site is begining to make me wonder how much of producing the final photo is about the editing of the actual shot?

I dont know how to use my new camera in manual mode yet and I dont have any editing software at all.

I'm a bit worried about the learning curve I am facing in the coming months/years.

Any advice would be welcome.:thumbs:
 
Anyone with any experience will tell you that a great shot in the camera is worth 10x more than a poor shot in post processing.

Sure you can recover somewhat of a naff shot in PP, but it'll never beat a truly good photo.

As to manual mode I only resort to that when I've got to. The camera, which I paid lotsa good money for, is designed to take the pain out of the job. It can make focussing and exposure decisions far faster than me. Not better, faster. You have to know/learn when the camera is going to make a monkey of it and step in and do the job yourself, or give it a prod in the right direction. Human brains can make good initiative decisions, cameras cant.

I never use the green square or dumb options as it, the camera, takes too much control. However Av is my mode of choice, as I think you'll find that's what most people use.
You can decide how much/little DOF you want and the camera will sort out the speed for the exposure. You just have to watch out that the shutter speed doesnt cause you grief.

HTH
 
While I agree with people that it is important to get the shot right in the camera, I think with modern DSLRs processing will always be a fact of life.

I am one of the converts to digital that always said, digital is crap, I`ll always use film :bonk:
 
oldgit said:
You have to know/learn when the camera is going to make a monkey of it and step in and do the job yourself, or give it a prod in the right direction. Human brains can make good initiative decisions, cameras cant.

However Av is my mode of choice, as I think you'll find that's what most people use.


HTH
Click to expand...

Yes thanks, that does help but could you offer any advice on the above and what is AV? I dont think that setting is on my D90:thinking:
 
Post processing and me do not mix, so most of mine are pretty much straight from the camera.
When you get a Canon camera there is a disk in with it with their own processing program on it, did you get something similar with your camera as that will help you until you decide you want more :)
 
Hi Blue Earthling,
I don't think I will talk about post processing or the technical details but if you are just getting into photography, I think I am going to say what is important is the element of design and composition, yes post post processing plays its part, but I personally believe composition and understanding what makes a good photograph a good photograph is more important, thus I am going to recommend two books, the first book hich I have found invaluable as it teaches the rules of composition, framing etc, it was a book recommended to me when I started photography which was not too long ago, but understanding the "elements of design" and learning how to see things is quite important and the second, a guide into the world of photography and its basic techniques.

The first book is called "Learning to See Creatively" by Brian Peterson and the second
Basic Photography (2000 edition) by Michael Langford.

Have a go at reading those two books and if you want more information I have a PDF written by a friend of mine which talks about creativity and pre-visualisation.

Hope this helps.
 
oldgit said:
Anyone with any experience will tell you that a great shot in the camera is worth 10x more than a poor shot in post processing.

Sure you can recover somewhat of a naff shot in PP, but it'll never beat a truly good photo.

As to manual mode I only resort to that when I've got to. The camera, which I paid lotsa good money for, is designed to take the pain out of the job. It can make focussing and exposure decisions far faster than me. Not better, faster. You have to know/learn when the camera is going to make a monkey of it and step in and do the job yourself, or give it a prod in the right direction. Human brains can make good initiative decisions, cameras cant.

I never use the green square or dumb options as it, the camera, takes too much control. However Av is my mode of choice, as I think you'll find that's what most people use.
You can decide how much/little DOF you want and the camera will sort out the speed for the exposure. You just have to watch out that the shutter speed doesnt cause you grief.

HTH
Click to expand...

top advice :agree:
 
to be honest, i am in the same boat.
i'm really pleased of the sharper results of the dslr over a point and shoot compact camera, as it stands, even with Auto.

i've started to play with Aperature and Shutter settings more, but not combined, i.e. Manual.

I used Programme a little when i had the nikon d40, having read a guide on the internet (can't remember the name, but highly recommended for d40's)

Post Processing is out of the question, as my computer doesn't handle editing well (but it is something i want to learn though, so saving for a new computer).

from the reason above, I don't shoot in RAW. for now, happy with JPEG straight from the camera for now.

Many things to learn, but having not read the above books, composition I guess is a good basis. The things to learn also depends on the pics and results wanted.
 
6 months ago, even though I'd had a DSLR for 9 months previous, I hadn't improved much from day 1. Then.... I joined this forum, started posting pictures, started reading and absorbing advice from the clever and talented folk on here and now I'm almost average. Long way to go but I have improved vastly since signing up for the good ship TP.
So, ask questions, post images, listen to advice, read the manual (over and over) and you will get better and become less scared of the camera.

Good luck

Andy
 
I should start by saying that don't have a DSLR but I do have a bridge camera with fully manual settings / aperture priority / shutter priority etc and all the built in modes so I do know where you are coming from.

It sounds as though you have become a bit overwhelmed by your new camera and that is something that needs sorting out pronto as you are supposed to be having fun ;)

I would suggest taking it step by step. Get yourself a few books (do a search here and you will find lots of ideas) - my suggestion would be Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson which will explain the relationship between aperture, shutter speed & ISO. I would also suggest sitting with your camera and manual and just working through all the settings so you know whats what - it may be dull but you need to know what all those pesky buttons and dials do!

Then pick a mode - I started with aperture priority - and get experimenting. Get out there, take pictures, change the settings, take more pictures... keep at it and pay attention to the shutter speed your camera sets for you and your understanding will grow. You might even have some triumphant moments a be rewarded with the shot you were aiming for.

Do the same with the shutter speed setting but pay attention to the aperture the camera sets for you. Do this enough and you will start to understand what works and what doesn't - and most importantly WHY. It's at this point that I have started to use manual mode as I now feel I at least know what I'm trying to achieve!

Most importantly don't be scared of the camera - you will learn best by taking photos and posting them here for C&C. Even if you know they aren't good but don't understand why - post them and ask, someone here will point you in the right direction.

Good luck!
 
75% if you're printing too.
 
oldgit said:
Anyone with any experience will tell you that a great shot in the camera is worth 10x more than a poor shot in post processing.

Sure you can recover somewhat of a naff shot in PP, but it'll never beat a truly good photo.

As to manual mode I only resort to that when I've got to. The camera, which I paid lotsa good money for, is designed to take the pain out of the job. It can make focussing and exposure decisions far faster than me. Not better, faster. You have to know/learn when the camera is going to make a monkey of it and step in and do the job yourself, or give it a prod in the right direction. Human brains can make good initiative decisions, cameras cant.

I never use the green square or dumb options as it, the camera, takes too much control. However Av is my mode of choice, as I think you'll find that's what most people use.
You can decide how much/little DOF you want and the camera will sort out the speed for the exposure. You just have to watch out that the shutter speed doesnt cause you grief.

HTH
Click to expand...

Totally agree-I use Av 85% of the time and yes a good shot with little or no pp is what we are all after--I try to use post as little as possible--others differ and with some amazing results.However when starting out dont be afraid to use the Auto functions on your camera.
The trick to moving on is understanding the relationship between aperture-shutter speed and ISO--which initially sounds like Klingon but after a while makes perfect sense.Depth of field also takes some grappling with.As the great man said --DONT PANIC--The wonderful thing about digital is that your mistakes cost nothing and you dont have to wait for the images to come back from the chemist.Get to know your camera first.I would then suggest using Av mode to control the aperture.As the Old git wrote the camera will then compute the ideal shutter speed automatically---much quicker than you.Experiment a bit and you will be amazed how quickly you get the hang of it.Old press photographers used to have a safe standard for any shot----------If in doubt f/8.
Move at your own pace and above all enjoy what you are doing.Another often ignored important/crucial item is White balance.First off use auto W/B but take time out to see how the different settings affect the colour cast of your pics.
You will be surprised how quickly it begins to fall in place.Above all enjoy your camera.
Pete.
 
chilliz said:
Aperture priority :) It will be on your Nikon but as I`m not used to Nikon, it could be marked as something else.
Click to expand...

On Nikon cameras it's simply called A. Shutter priority is S. i tend to leave my cameras in aperture priority as im usually trying to manipulate depth of field. if im after a particular shutter speed then i'd use shutter priority. Any other mode is a waste of time, imho (other than manual, maybe) :D.

As for the OP's original question, a polished turd is still a turd.
 
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