First time DSLR user

Mayhems · 6 Apr 2012 at 00:29

I bought my self a DSLR the other day for the first time ever. Got a bit sick of using my normal camera with no options. this is the first time ive used one ad with in 1 day i managed all the shot below.

I didn't buy a extra lens just using the one that came with the Canon 1100D kit.

Results below ->

Mayhems · 6 Apr 2012 at 00:33

Ive tried to be as creative as possible. I know ive still got a lot more learning to do but since this is the lower range DSLR and only cost £349.99 and im using the standard lens i don't think ive done to bad.

SeraphX · 6 Apr 2012 at 00:34

As much as i love you to bits, i hate you!
for buying Canon, not Nikon
and for showing such amazing photo's on your first outing

on a side note, on the darker shots, try lowering the ISO, they look a bit noisy tbh
also most of the shots are a little on the soft side,

What lens are you talking about?

Mayhems · 6 Apr 2012 at 00:43

it came with a 18 to 55 lens. Yeh i know there a bit fuzzy and every thing but ive never done this before how ever ive spend a hour or so tonight learning how to take better shoots but i need to save up for better lighting as my light was only £10 and my tripod only £5.00 and every thing is balanced on boxs which isn't that good lol.

Ive never touched a DSLR before and this is my first ever time using manual. I think i was using iso 300 but the shutter speed was 1400 and some thing called F8.0. Once i get a stronger light bulb i should be able to do much sharper shots.

Pic of how i made the shots.

I spent about 5 in setting up the shots and about 30 seconds taking them. As you can see my equipment isn't some over expensive stuff.

valkia · 6 Apr 2012 at 10:02

Nice shots Michael, good first try

Once you learn some techniques I can see these coming out really nicely. Love the red liquid with the fan!

Nexus · 6 Apr 2012 at 10:09

Were you using Autofocus or Manual?

You might be able to get them sharper by using Manual and pre focusing.

Mayhems · 6 Apr 2012 at 11:57

manually the way.

KiiYzOo · 6 Apr 2012 at 12:55

I saw these on the fb page, and I like them

try using a lower aperture size (the f that you were saying about), slower shutter speed, depending on whether your pics come out too dark or not, then put the iso down

Mayhems · 6 Apr 2012 at 16:31

Yeh ive got to keep the shutter speed to 1400 else i miss half the action as the camera only takes 2 photos per second which isn't easy. I need to increase the liquid as it doesn't really show it off as good as i would like. When i get some more time ill do some more shots and see how it goes. Got a load of work on now so it will be a few days.

Mayhems · 7 Apr 2012 at 06:30

Oky these are some product shots im trying to get right. I have a lot to go though but i think it looks about right ..

theheyes · 7 Apr 2012 at 10:03

You might want to raise your exposure a little bit in your product shots as your whites are looking a bit grey. This is quite normal though.

Talon · 7 Apr 2012 at 10:12

For a cheap way into macro you could get yourself some extension tubes to use with your kit lens. This will allow you to get better one to one images with the ability to focus closer to the subject. You'll then have to make less of a crop which is making the images look a little soft.

They still damn good for the gear you have though.

Mayhems · 9 Apr 2012 at 16:35

EK Plated water block

Mayhems · 12 Apr 2012 at 00:34

hmm not happy with it but ->

Edited a little. The red is not as bright as i would have liked but meh ..

Not happy need a bigger light ->

Temi_D · 12 Apr 2012 at 01:16

I must say, for a first time user those are excellent shots! The fan one is my favourite.

SeraphX · 12 Apr 2012 at 11:00

for those last shots, try lighting them from the top

Mayhems · 12 Apr 2012 at 12:28

Hmm might try that next time but i think this is a came out as expected tbh.

Bit of a Pshop edit this one.

Mayhems · 25 Apr 2012 at 06:48

Still trying to learn Here ive been test shooting a new liquid that needs to be done under UV black light. Now ive only got 1 UV light and it has to be infront of the camra for the UV to show how ever i seem to get reflections on the pics that are now showing up though the "live view" interface.

The idea though it to get "True" photo of the colours represent that you see in real life with out any extra editing. The only thing i need to do or want to do is crop said images.

Ive ordered some new white and black card so that each Item will have a white or black back ground. Im hoping once they arrive ill get better shots inside the light tent.

This shot seems to be in focus so i think im getting there

Under UV light

Under normal light

Here you can see the images cut in half and placed together so you can do a side by side comparison.

Like i say though im awaiting for some card to arrive so that hopfully it will look much better for product shots.

The reason why i would like to do this is that a so called pro photographer took some shots wich we have on our site and i personally didn't like any of them and he wanted to charge us £350 for 1 1/2 hours work which i though was ridicules. With us releasing new products over the moths this can turn out very expensive indeed so if i can crack this is will save us a fortune.