First Pics

NotAGolf · 17 Dec 2008 at 17:58

Evening all.

Bought my first ever camera the other day (Fuji F50fd), and today was a nice day so thought I'd go for a wander down the beach and take some pics. Not only are these the first pics with my new camera, they're pretty much my first ever pictures. The only pictures I ever take are when out with mates on a night out!

Obviously they're not up to the same standard as all of you guys but I thought I should contribute something after learning so much from this forum over the last few weeks.

None of the pics have had any photoshop tinkering, only to reduce the file size so I can host them without signing up. Most were taken using standard modes as i'm yet to get my head round the whole apeture size and shutter speed as yet.

#1

#2

#3

#4

I realise I've got a lot to learn so any c+c would be fantastic.

yantorsen · 17 Dec 2008 at 18:02

I quite like them all.

3rd one would be better if you got in closer to the subject at a tighter angle.

and 4th would be better if there was some horizon in there and it was taken a bit nearer to the ground.

With a bit of processing these could all be pretty nice shots. Good stuff

NotAGolf · 17 Dec 2008 at 18:25

Thanks very much Yantorsen.

I did try get a bit closer but despite the relatively calm looking sea it was throwing quite a bit of spray at the shore so didn't want to get myself or the camera wet! The 4th one I agree with you, but there was no beach as it was high tide, so the water comes right up to the sea wall so I could only take shots from on top of the wall.

I am learning photoshop at the minute but I'm still in the early stages so it'll be a while before I get round to processing any pics.

yantorsen · 17 Dec 2008 at 18:37

Also just noticed the last one is over exposed because the water is blown on the highlights.

But the rest of them have a nice exposure that works well, good detail.

yantorsen · 17 Dec 2008 at 19:18

For example I had a go with processing number 2 and got this:

hope you don't mind...

Begbie · 17 Dec 2008 at 19:22

1st time ever with a camera? Simply awesome!

Derek W · 17 Dec 2008 at 19:25

I really like the first one, picking up the detail in the boards. quite nice with the 'layer' of stones to break up the otherwise plain subject matter.

NotAGolf · 17 Dec 2008 at 19:45

No I don't mind at all Yantorsen, go nuts!!! I did have another shot of the same place which brought out the colour of the wall more but the rest of shot was a bit out of focus. What exactly did you do to it? I'm not after exact number etc, just a rough idea.

And thanks very much for the kind words Begbie and Derek.

yantorsen · 17 Dec 2008 at 19:55

mpledge52 said:
No I don't mind at all Yantorsen, go nuts!!! I did have another shot of the same place which brought out the colour of the wall more but the rest of shot was a bit out of focus. What exactly did you do to it? I'm not after exact number etc, just a rough idea.
)

I just played about with levels and stuff in lightroom just to show you a rough idea of what a bit of processing can achieve and make good shots brilliant.

ichabod crane · 17 Dec 2008 at 20:05

the only one that works well for me is the first one although i would crop it down as below.

The sea to the right is just distracting from the focal point.

No. 2 although a well taken shot is a rather boring subject and the image doesn't do a lot for me.

No. 3 is simple and works well as a subject matter but some detail has been lost due to over exposure.

No. 4 i cannot see the focus point.

But overall a good exploration for the first time with your camera.

NotAGolf · 19 Dec 2008 at 12:48

Took a few more piccies today as it was low tide so I could actually get on to the beach:

#1

#2

#3

Not as happy as the first few I posted but still quite pleased. I think #3 is more of a potential picture, I'm not really happy with it as it is but I feel with a bit of processing I could tweak it into something a little more impressive. I'm still learning about photoshop though so it'll be a while yet!

Trick · 19 Dec 2008 at 17:25

Very good!

yantorsen · 19 Dec 2008 at 17:41

just had a go at processing that last one for you:

famas · 19 Dec 2008 at 18:11

really nice set of images for your first go, well done.
i particularly like the second image in your second set.

i had a quick play with this image, hope you dont mind, if so i'll take it down.
not as good as yan's.

NotAGolf · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:06

Thanks for all the positive comments and your work on the images. I don't mind you playing with the images at all.

famas said:
I particularly like the second image in your second set.

Thanks, I quite like it too. Was chuffed with how it came out cos I couldn't actually see the screen as there was a massive puddle just behind the camera so I couldn't get into a position where I could see what I was actually taking a picture of!

I seem to find the close up style pics easier to do, both in taking the picture and seeing the image (as in I can just be walking along and spot something on the floor that might look good). I find it harder to take big expansive shots as I havent had much practice as composing a scene.

I did have a go at playing with the image (just altering levels, brightness, contrast saturation etc) but couldn't come with anything as good, instead I went the other way and made something a bit crazy:

I just like the effect of the sun through the clouds and the slight reflection on the beach

Does anyone know of a decent book or online guide about using photoshop to improve images? I'm working through a couple of books atm but they're more to do with photoshop as a whole, rather than the specific functions that can help improve images and how to use them properly?

Thanks again.

yantorsen · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:07

tbh just clicking on different things and seeing what they do is the best way to learn.

yantorsen · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:16

I'm bored and got a bit of a processing fetish atm so I had a go at sharpening and bring out some texture and colour in this one:

NotAGolf · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:22

Not that I know what I'm talking about at all Yantorson but that looks very good (as do all you reworks in this thread).

I get the impression you tend to to apply to a lot of post processing on your images. Also it seems to be a bit 'extreme' as in really bringing out the colours and textures and making it very sharp.

Is this your 'style' as it were or do the pictures I've done just lend themselves to that method more?

Don't mean to cause any offence by any of the above either, it could be all a load of rubbish, like I say, I'm still learning!!!

Camalot · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:23

These are pretty good photos mate!

I've always wanted to get into this as a hobby. What camera have you got to start out with? I think the quality in them shots is immense!

yantorsen · 19 Dec 2008 at 19:29

mpledge52 said:
Not that I know what I'm talking about at all Yantorson but that looks very good (as do all you reworks in this thread).

I get the impression you tend to to apply to a lot of post processing on your images. Also it seems to be a bit 'extreme' as in really bringing out the colours and textures and making it very sharp.

Is this your 'style' as it were or do the pictures I've done just lend themselves to that method more?

Don't mean to cause any offence by any of the above either, it could be all a load of rubbish, like I say, I'm still learning!!!

Yes you are correct in saying they are all very dramatic, I just like that look atm

tbh most of my images of my own aren't all that dramatic, I was more trying to show with a bit of processing you can bring out quite a lot that you didn't realise was there.

The pictures being of sand and having subtle coluors do lend them selves to extrmeme processing as well I guess.

I can show you some more subtle processing if you like.