just got a dslr, now what?

ng93

ng93

ng93

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Hi :)

I just got a Samsung NX-10 for my birthday with a 18-55mm lense (what ever that means lol). Problem is I know nothing about photography and this is my first proper camera, so can anyone give me some advice on techniques/tutorials/whatever else would be useful :cool:

cheers,
ng93
 
1 - take pictures, look at them, out them on here for crit.
2 - read, I started with www.photo.net and basically read everything there.
3 - look at great photos, really good work and figure out how that is done.

Then go out and take some more with what you just learned, then repeat.
 
I find one of the best things that I can do to improve my photography is look through the viewfinder. Learn to take note of composition, what's in the background, mid and foreground. Are you cutting anything off that you will later regret? Does it make sense to you? Is the subject in the context you intended.

Most of all - take oodles of photos, just snap away, learn the basics and attempt to apply them keeping the above in mind. The two greatest tools in photography are exposure and composition. Learn about those first, get them down pat.
 
Also, a good way to work out some pic setups are to go on flickr onto a pic you like, then have a look at their EXIP file (Actions>View Exip Info)

helped my mate out loads, also get your head around the different settings and what they actually do first.

Get out there snapping, and you will learn with practice :)
 
thanks for the tips guys(gals?)

think ill go take some pics of my car before it gets dark (not that its anything special)
 
ng93 said:
thanks for the tips guys(gals?)

think ill go take some pics of my car before it gets dark (not that its anything special)
Click to expand...

Things you will learn.

Light, learn when it is good, when it is bad.
Don't fight it, embrace it, adapt to it.

Go out now, the next 30 min is the last of the golden hour. Shoot into the suns and have some fun!
 
Right been taking some photos so looking for some constructive criticism. I took hundreds but these are the only ones which aren't embarrasingly bad :p


SAM_0130 by nathan328, on Flickr


SAM_0148 by nathan328, on Flickr

just trying out some editing, think it works except for the building in the background (too high exposure?)

SAM_0168 by nathan328, on Flickr

tried to get the writing and the badge in focus but couldn't manage it

SAM_0151 by nathan328, on Flickr


SAM_0186 by nathan328, on Flickr


SAM_0224 by nathan328, on Flickr


SAM_0230 by nathan328, on Flickr


SAM_0236 by nathan328, on Flickr
 
4th pic is good, I like the DoF (Depth of Field) on it.

Try playing around with Bokeh (the blur the DoF produces) it adds to the photo (if done correctly) :)

keep messing around with it, you will get better.

I look back at my pics and think how much I have improved :D
 
With teh 2nd car picture turn the wheel the other way so you can see the cap/alloy rather than just a tyre tread.

For the final one you have chopped off the cat's ear, have a look at your framing and try to get everything in.

Keep on shooting, fire in RAW and use lightroom to play around with your photos.
 
Yeah go on to tp forums and ask them if you should start shooting weddings for really cheap with your kit. Be really polite and serious about it saying you've practically started already and don't mind doing it for free. They'll love that. :) ;) ;) ;)
 
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