i don't have the live view. But personally i wouldn't use it cause it will drain battery life a lot faster than just using the viewfinder.

Yeah everybody should use RAW that is serious with their photography. I use RAW +L just so i can get to the jpeg file faster and pick out what i want and then get the RAW version of it

 

I want to get a bigger cf card because if i shoot 14-bit uncompress raw with my d300 then i can only take like 140 shots on my 4gb card haha

 

i just tried raw +L it is amazing, the live view finder helps me focus, and then when i get it righ i switch back so i dont waste battery, i just have a hard time with the view finder lol

 

I use medium raw + L jpeg. The only reason I use jpeg is to view photos more quickly as I sift through the sets. However the photos I actually use are the raw counterparts. If raw didnt take so long to load, I wouldnt be using jpeg at all.

Also you should build a good foundation on understanding composition. In a photograph its more aesthetically pleasing to have the subject off center and other objects around the subject to balance out the composition. Once you master the basics in composition than break the rules all you want But you should probably start with text book examples, break out of the mold and do you're own style thinking outside of the box.

personally I use auto white balance and fix it in post processing. However you can set your own white balance, take a pic as a white reference and the camera will adjust its white balance according to that photo. I dont like doing this because usually at locations and events I find myself photographing, light changes a lot and its too time consuming to readjust the custom white levels. I dont use any of the presets however, I think they're useless, they're just as bad if not pointless using awb with wrong white balance. So for me its custom or awb, I prefer to just take pics and concentrate on composition and capturing the candid moment. it takes 1 second to correct white balance in a raw photo. I worry about that after the moment is captured and im uploading the photos

I never use live view. If you have an DSLR live view should only be used for examining extreme closeups for focus in shots like group portraits, fine textures or small detailed objects whilst using manual focus. However for just photographing subjects, running around taking shots all over, I use AF and the view finder. Leave the live view for the point and shoot cameras. As much as you might be used to live view on your old camera, stick with the view finder. You can spot someone that has no clue what they're doing if you see them running around taking photo's with a dslr using live view. and yes view finder saves battery life which is the biggest benefit of the viewfinder.

 

i like the VF better, but i wouldnt go and say people tha use it don't know what they're doing, I use it sometimes

 

shipping is included in price of $1 billion dollars... mwa ha ha ha ha ha... cough cough... i mean its available at starbucks. LOL! but i do take paypal for the tip that its avail at starbucks. hehehe

and yes its the cranberry bliss, only available during this holiday season... after that, you have to wait another year... this is what im always looking forward to when xmas holiday season comes around.

 

well I use it sometimes too. but only when Im using manual focus and zooming in or when I need to hold the camera in a position thats not possible for me to utilize the view finder. I was referring to using live view always , which is what point and shoot cameras are for. I really dont know of any professional photographer that prefers live view over the viewfinder. Besides wouldnt you rather save the battery live for pictures

 

still practicing...

 

looks good man! just keep practicing... thats what i do. i always bring my camera wherever i go to, just in case of having a photo op for some candid or something.

 

thank you.

yeah you never know what youll find to take pics of, so i always take mine too.

 

post more pics jon,

 

lol really? why?

 

that one of the necklace is great, how'd u get that lighting?

 

just on my computer desk with a desk lamp, thats all, and its a coin that made into a necklace, but idk if it sjapanese or chinese or something else.

 

hahah, looks great though, you're alread better than i am i think! i just really havent any time to really sit down and take mad pictures with it yet

 

haah thanks your too kind, make some time tho!

 

 

Alright, so I'm looking at buying a flash... I was going to buy the 10-22mm this week since I didn't get it for Christmas, but I've decided that I can wait till my Birthday in March to re-ask for it.

Canon has two flash models and I don't know whether to get the 580EX II or the 430EX... Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? (I know mostly everyone is going to say 580EX II just because it's newer, but I want to hear some good opinions why.)

 

430EX, only cuz I know nothing about the 580.

When are you back again? We need to make our trip to Canoga Camera.

The tC door panels should be done this week, too. I keep procrastinating.

 

Get the 580 if u can afford it. U can use it as a transmitter for slave flashes like the 430, plus there is more options and controls from it.