Well, I've just been getting into photography with my computer graphic class (which i know more than the teacher, were learning how to use the "text tool" atm.) And have been using a camera I got for free a Fuji s5000 and I mean its pretty decent. I just wanted to get some tips and other tricks that the other scion community photographers use by adjusting the shutter time, apeture, iso, and how my pictures can benefit from this.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilms5000/page2.asp
those are the specs of the camera and info on what its capeable of would be helpfull also.

chyeah!

 

oh man it doesn't do macro

 

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-...413235-9775024

It will be very hard for someone to explain word for word what every feature on that camera does. Your best bet is to read the book I linked above and start taking pictures. Get yourself a cheap tripod as well so you can start decreasing shutter speeds to take better low light pictures.

I'm warning you though, photography is a very addicting and very expensive hobby. I've had to slow down with it myself as my wife was getting ____ed I was spending so much. The D80 apparently was a little more expensive than she thought for a camera lol.

If you ever do get really serious into photography, just remember, the body of the camera is the cheap part. It's the lenses that you will want to really think about as they can last a long time and will easily cost more than the body. Pick up a fast indoor lens and an outdoor zoom lens, and you've already spent more than the body is worth.

 

And always buy from reputable places. I only use Adorama and B&H Photo for my online purchases. There are too many gray market shops out there.

 

Agreed.

Id recommend the book, 'The Digital Pgotographers Handbook'. Awsome and informative!

More would be learned by reading that book than hours of searching through the 'net.

One tip: It is almost NEVER acceptable to use the flash. Just because everone else does it, it does not make it correct. Your pics will turn out better if you rely on natural lighting.

IMO, a tripod is essential as batteries or a memory card, day or night. Of course, it is a bit more essential when taking a picture of the moon at 2am with a 15 second exposure, but even your day pics can be improved by using a tripod AND using the timer feature...2 seconds is great. This ensures you dont accidently move the camera while taking the pic becasue you have time to push the shutter release and then let go of the camera.

Here is a great homework assignment: go into your bathroom with your camera and take 50 pics, each one different from the last. Now look at the first 10 and comparre to the last 10 (but dont ignore the 30 in the middle). Notice how you have to look harder to find an angle you havent already taken. This improves how you see and comprehend what you see. You can repeat this assignment but this time go outside and shoot only circular objects, or only triangles, or ....... ?

 

I definitely agree with that. Turn the flash off your camera and don't use it until you really have an understanding of taking pictures in low light situations. Flash is definitely beneficial in some situations, but if you are really looking to learn, do it the right way and learn how the features on the camera work first and then I'd suggest looking into flash.

I have an SB800 at home that I'm still learning to use effectively. I bought it mainly to take pictures of the fish tanks I have at home as the lighting isn't great and you have to use a fast shutter speed to capture them. But trying to get the timing right so that it is activated and firing down into the tank is tricky. I really need to build a Styrofoam mount to put it in above the tanks, but I've been lazy.

 

*watches

 

thanks allot, i have a tripod, and have been experimenting greatly, in the future, i plan on buying a much nicer camera but this is just for now, and free....


my friends has a Cannon Rebel Xti and another has a Nikon (not sure on model) and it has really brought me in...

 

Something I find myself doing is just sitting on the couch, and taking a picture of a glass on the table. The same picture over and over again, just changing the settings. It helps you understand what changing each aspect does to the overall picture. You can vary lighting in the house as well to increase the amount of variables in play.

Once you get the hang of it, it becomes more of a second nature what to put your settings at. It takes awhile to get there though.

 

first time night shots, why so bad.








and here is one of the suspension bridge in wheeling.





car was extremely dirty!

 

Really the best thing that has always worked for me is trial and error.

I started shooting when I was 12 years old and I'm now 23 and most of my time was film. When I got into digital, I started out with a small point and shoot (Olympus D510) and went to bigger point and shoots (Panasonic Lumix FZ10, Canon S3 IS) and finally went to DSLR.

I was in a puzzlement between Nikon, Sony, and Canon but ultimately sided with Canon because of the extensive collection of lenses available.

I am currently shooting with a Canon Rebel XTi (400D) with the Tamron 28-80 and 70-300mm.

While it has taken me a while, I still have things to learn and really using a point and shoot is the best method and when your comfortable enough, step into DSLRs. They are an expensive move but the results are worth it. I still take really crappy pictures but we all do from time to time, just just happens. The quality at least from what I noticed is quite the difference BUT if your just shooting for fun, don't fret, Point and Shoots will and can produce beautiful prints but you can do much larger prints with a DSLR

Canon XTi shot, printed 10x13 in my living room now


Canon S3 IS, 8x10 that is hanging in my computer room.

 

I'm just getting into photography as well. It seems like a great hobby, albeit expensive. I picked up the Canon Rebel XTi a few weeks ago and I love it! I'm taking a ton of photos every day. I'm not the best, but I'm slowly learning more about the camera and it's capabilities. I'm taking a digital photography class, but it's more structured around the editing aspects of photography. However, I've been using Photoshop for several years now though, so the class seems boring right now. For the time being, I've been learning through trial and error and practice. Judging from my results, I'm better at photographing architecture, nature, and inanimate objects than I am at people. My portraits never seem to turn out well at all... :\

 

Chris,

Tripod is your friend when it comes to night shots. They do look good but there is a lot of glare and grain.

Looking at the specs, it appears there is a Manual mode. Use it and learn it!

Assignment time: Since it's dark out now, do this.

Set the camera on the ground or on a tripod. Try the settings of ISO 200, F2.8 (no zoom) and leave the shutter open between 1/10 to it's max of 2 seconds long. If it is still too dark, try ISO 400. Try not to take it above ISO 800.

Let's see the results of what you think is the best of 3 pictures and we'll let you know what we think =)

The more light available (Natural light, like streetlights, signs, passing cars) would be the best. That camera wouldn't have a chance if it is completely pitch black out and no lights.

 

ill try it right now outside.

 

Ro Jo,

It takes a lot of time and practice, trust me, I'm terrible at them especially if a flash is needed but that is the beautiful of a digital camera - blow as many shots as you need to get it right and do the rest of the tweaks in Photoshop.

A good trick I have learned overtime is to focus on the camera on the subject so that they are in focus. While keeping the shuttle half way depressed, you can pan out some (not zooming, you'll have to refocus) and then take the photo.

The end result is a nice creamy background and a perfectly focused subject. (Below of my girlfriend is an example)



The best for portrait photos would be the 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 and/or the 85mm f/1.8

I always use pbase.com to check out how people shoot and adopt my own ways but of course it always varies because of the lighting situations.

Keep plugging away and stay away from Canon L glass..it'll make you go broke very quick :D

 

Shutter 2"
Ap F2.8
ISO 200

best shot, still erh

car = mucho dirty

 

Here's some of my better pictures...

 

It's much better though. what do you use to edit your photos?

Can you send the original over to me? b.bundridge@gmail.com

 

Ro Ja,

Awesome shots dude! Like the flower for sure.

 

Yes Ro Ja! You have a good eye.

Instead of taking a pic of the car in the rain, you went close up to capture more of the texture of the rain. Very nice!