Critique Pictures of my cat

Ok. These are just basic snaps, but this is where all photographers start. When I got my first DSLR (A Canon 400D) I was shooting in auto mode for the first couple of months. The real trick is learning to use the advanced exposure modes on your camera. For the Nikon D3200 (and most DSLR's) these are Programmed Mode, Aperture-Priority Mode, Shutter-Priority Mode and Manual Mode.

The first thing I would recommend is a good book about your camera. The manuals that come with cameras tend to be boring to read aren't really 'in depth'.

For the Nikon D3200 I'd recommend one of the following:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D3200...F8&qid=1388356706&sr=1-3&keywords=Nikon+D3200

or:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Busch...F8&qid=1388356706&sr=1-6&keywords=Nikon+D3200

I'd also recommend a good book on Photography. My personal favourite is Digital Photography Masterclass by Tom Ang. This won't teach you about your camera but will teach you everything about photography. I my opinion this should be the first photography book people should buy.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Pho...e=UTF8&qid=1388358730&sr=1-1&keywords=tom+ang

So, to recap, get a good book about your camera and a good book about photography and you'll be surprised how quickly your photography improves.

All the best and enjoy your photography.
 
Hey feller, well done for being brave enough to post these and ask for input on a photography forum.

A couple of comments to begin. It's very tempting when you have a good camera and a zoom lens to get in as close as possible, as you've done here. Generally a subject needs some space around them to give them a little movement, and especially ensure that important bits of them don't get cut off. A corollary to that is to be aware of the background, and to either chose to shoot an animal against a bland BG or use a lens with a large maximum aperture to through the BG out of focus and blur it.

Other stuff: it's good that you've got the eyes sharp on No.1, and a little careful post processing could being out the colours a bit more. No.2 has nice colours, but the profile doesn't catch the viewers attention like it should, and the collard distracts from the animal and becomes the focal point.

Keep shooting though - practice makes perfect. (y)
 
Mark Christopher said:
Ok. These are just basic snaps, but this is where all photographers start. When I got my first DSLR (A Canon 400D) I was shooting in auto mode for the first couple of months. The real trick is learning to use the advanced exposure modes on your camera. For the Nikon D3200 (and most DSLR's) these are Programmed Mode, Aperture-Priority Mode, Shutter-Priority Mode and Manual Mode.

The first thing I would recommend is a good book about your camera. The manuals that come with cameras tend to be boring to read aren't really 'in depth'.

For the Nikon D3200 I'd recommend one of the following:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D3200-Digital-Field-Guide/dp/1118438221/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388356706&sr=1-3&keywords=Nikon D3200

or:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Buschs-Digital-Photography-Guides/dp/1285171306/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388356706&sr=1-6&keywords=Nikon D3200

I'd also recommend a good book on Photography. My personal favourite is Digital Photography Masterclass by Tom Ang. This won't teach you about your camera but will teach you everything about photography. I my opinion this should be the first photography book people should buy.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Photography-Masterclass-Tom-Ang/dp/1409333906/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388358730&sr=1-1&keywords=tom ang

So, to recap, get a good book about your camera and a good book about photography and you'll be surprised how quickly your photography improves.

All the best and enjoy your photography.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback Mark. Much appreciated.

I was finding the manual a bit of a struggle to read and as you say does not go into the depth I'd like.

I was looking through the Tom Ang book in Waterstones the other day and it did look like a good book. The other book I was recommended was 'Understanding Exposure'.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Hey feller, well done for being brave enough to post these and ask for input on a photography forum.

A couple of comments to begin. It's very tempting when you have a good camera and a zoom lens to get in as close as possible, as you've done here. Generally a subject needs some space around them to give them a little movement, and especially ensure that important bits of them don't get cut off. A corollary to that is to be aware of the background, and to either chose to shoot an animal against a bland BG or use a lens with a large maximum aperture to through the BG out of focus and blur it.

Other stuff: it's good that you've got the eyes sharp on No.1, and a little careful post processing could being out the colours a bit more. No.2 has nice colours, but the profile doesn't catch the viewers attention like it should, and the collard distracts from the animal and becomes the focal point.

Keep shooting though - practice makes perfect. (y)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome comments. I wasn't sure about posting given I'm a beginner but nothing ventured, nothing gained as the saying goes.

In no.1 what sort of post processing could be done to bring the colours out a bit more? I'm just using the basic Nikon View NX2 editing software.

I see what you mean with no.2 in relation to the collar and the profile does appear to get lost. The background isn't the best as it was taken in my bedroom and was just an opertune moment whilst I was sitting on the bed playing about with the camera and he jumped up.

I did play about with the 'Color Booster' settings on that one just to see what impact it had on the image.

I'll hopefully pick up the basics with more practice, reading and a one day course for beginners that I'm due to go on later next month.
 
If your talking about 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson then I agree. Top Book, and one that is on my book shelf. Bryan Peterson's 'Learning To See Creatively' is another book that I recommend.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Se...28&sr=1-1&keywords=learning+to+see+creatively

Talking of book recommendations, two good book are Digital Photographer's Handbook by Tom Ang and The Digital SLR Handbook by Michael Freeman. These books cover cameras, lenses, flash guns, studio lighting, monitors, printers, computers and software, all from a photographers perspective.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Pho...e=UTF8&qid=1388364362&sr=1-6&keywords=tom+ang

and

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-SLR...4398&sr=1-1&keywords=the+digital+slr+handbook

and lastly there are the 4 Digital Photography Books by Scott Kelby. You can buy these in a box set, and they are fantastic. I own all these books and I do rate them.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scott-Kelby...F8&qid=1388364573&sr=1-1&keywords=scott+kelby

Just watch out. Buying books can be addictive as well as expensive. I must have £500 worth of photography book on my bookshelves.
 
Southsider_78 said:
In no.1 what sort of post processing could be done to bring the colours out a bit more? I'm just using the basic Nikon View NX2 editing software.
I did play about with the 'Color Booster' settings on that one just to see what impact it had on the image.
Click to expand...

Using a 'colour booster' to increase saturation and vibrance would bring the colours out more, and so would increasing the contrast a bit, but in a different way. There might also be some 'auto' or filter presets in the software you have (I've never used Nikon NX2) that would alter the colour and contrast. As long as you have saved your original image, it's always good to have a play with whatever settings and adjustments are available to see what effects you can get. If you're going to get into post processing then it's worth reading up about using the histogram as an aid to image control - there's loads of free stuff around and videos to watch on youtube, so no need to wait for a book to arrive. Just remember that what looks good always trumps the histogram.
 
Well done on your first post. As for your camera if you go on you tube and type in nikon d3200 loads of videos are available that take you through all the settings which I found a great help ( I also have the d3200 and I love it. It is also my first DSLR)again on you tube check out mike Browne he has a complete photography course from the absolute basics to the more advanced. I still consider myself a total novice but I am having fun just taking photos. Enjoy your new camera and good luck. Cheers pete
 
this is the link to the nikon d3200 users guide. hope it helps.
 
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