Please critique my first ever pics using my new SLR toy!

Ace Modder · 13 Jun 2013 at 23:13

Hi guys.

What do you all think of my pictures? First few from my SLR ever!

A little random

Raymond Lin · 13 Jun 2013 at 23:17

First rule - don't use onboard/direct flash unless it is either:

1 - Absolutely necessary
2 - It is the effect you are going for...even then, a ring flash is preferable.

Ace Modder · 13 Jun 2013 at 23:19

OK, but I don't own a ring flash. Only bought my camera today, so learning. Never used an SLR camera before today!

James J · 13 Jun 2013 at 23:22

You can get round using a flash most of the time by just using a mirror or something white to reflect ambient light (from a window for example) into the front of the subject. Onboard flash never ends up with a good photo sadly as its just too damn harsh (harsh, very bold shadows)

Ace Modder · 13 Jun 2013 at 23:25

To be honest the first pics I took (all above) I just used auto mode and let the camera decide if the flash was needed

Paul11 · 13 Jun 2013 at 23:32

nice first attempts

one tip, focus on the eyes

Ace Modder · 13 Jun 2013 at 23:42

ah good shout, I just set the image centre/focus point as the centre of the cats face

kristmace · 13 Jun 2013 at 23:57

Good start Ace.

I bought a DSLR about 6 months ago. My tip is read the manual (for a change!) then try Aperture Priority mode - that's a fairly easy one to start you off.

D.P. · 14 Jun 2013 at 00:03

The on board flash can be OK in emergencies, it works OK as a fill flash if you put some TP over the flash and dial back the flash exposure. It can also be better than nothing if you put a white reflective card tilted at an angle in-front of the flash so it gets reflected to the ceiling as a bounce flash.
It is also not too bad if you have a fairly uniform background subject with nothing in the foreground. I had to take photos of a friends flat before he moved out at the last minute, grabbed my SB-600 without checking the battery status and they were all dead when I came to take the shots. With a bit of care taking some internal shots of the flat were not too bad with the onboard flash since there were no shadows. Where it really fails is when there is a subject like a person right on front of the flash, then you get strong direct lighting and harsh shadows.

Ace Modder · 14 Jun 2013 at 00:36

Ah, aperature, its essentially the focus range

Thats cool.

F5.6 Aperature

F10 Aperature

Ace Modder · 14 Jun 2013 at 00:40

This is also cool (CBA cropping it)

Derek W · 14 Jun 2013 at 07:27

Random question. When you bought the camera did you have a particular area you were wanting to take photos of? I realise the shots you've taken are your fist venture into slr photography so I'm not going to deconstruct them too much.

Best way to learn is to take more photos!

A nice wee tutorial site is themorguefiles (ill double check) as is covers the basics of how to take good photographs

http://www.morguefile.com/classroom

Gibbo_GTI · 14 Jun 2013 at 08:10

Derek W said:
A nice wee tutorial site is themorguefiles (ill double check) as is covers the basics of how to take good photographs

http://www.morguefile.com/classroom

Thanks for the link, will be having a read through as I'm just starting out with a DSLR.

Janesy B · 14 Jun 2013 at 09:18

- Don't use built in flash
- Find something more interesting to take pictures of

Ace Modder · 14 Jun 2013 at 10:34

Derek W said:
Random question. When you bought the camera did you have a particular area you were wanting to take photos of? I realise the shots you've taken are your fist venture into slr photography so I'm not going to deconstruct them too much.

Best way to learn is to take more photos!

A nice wee tutorial site is themorguefiles (ill double check) as is covers the basics of how to take good photographs

http://www.morguefile.com/classroom

Interested in detail work. Ie small things, insects etc.

Will also be wanting to work with landscapes and scenery.

TWo very different styles I know.

Derek W · 14 Jun 2013 at 11:08

What kit have you got?

Typically for macro work its preferrable to use a specialist lens although there alternatives. Reversal rings and macro tubes.

Take a look at the user famas I think there's a link to his webpage blog on his profile somewhere. I'm a fan of his macro stuff.

Ill work on the assumption that you've just got the kit lens so landscapes will be easier for you to work on just now. Best advice? Go out and take some photos. If there's some you like post them here, tell us why you like them and from there folk can lend advice / tips on improving the shots.

Ace Modder · 14 Jun 2013 at 11:10

I have a Canon 400D with the standard 18-55 Kit lens and a 50mm lens too.

I have a range of filters and a polariser (should help with sky's)