C&C please, and a quick question

[BlackSheep]

This is my first go with shooting digital, all C&C is most appreciated! I'm just shooting in full auto for the moment, so that I can get an idea of what this camera (Sony A100) does. I'm using my old Minolta lenses from my original 7000i/X-700 cameras.

I also have a question - many of my photos from today looked soft, even though they were shot in full daylight. They weren't quite out of focus, it didn't look like camera shake (at least not as I've seen it before), but they looked soft. I used the anti-shake function on the camera all day today - but, now that I've been doing some reading, it seems that using it is counter-productive at high shutter speeds - is this true?

 

[KevinPutman]

Don't shoot on Auto.
^-^

 

[NayLoMo6C]

lol is there a reason why both of these guys have their eyes shut?

 

[BlackSheep]

Don't shoot on Auto.
^-^

Hey, unfair - I'm an old-school, ex-photographer who was born and raised in film! This new-fangled digital stuff is wigging me out a bit. Therefore, I shoot auto right now

Bear with me, please, while I make the transition.

 

[KevinPutman]

Haha it's all good. I'm a photog newbie period, just get familiar with your manual and practice with different settings. =p

 

[BlackSheep]

lol is there a reason why both of these guys have their eyes shut?

LOL, apparently I can only get a good shot when they are asleep!

Any C&C? I'd love to hear it.

 

[KevinPutman]

I love the first one, although I'm extremely confused as to how there's the reflection beside him.
Zoo window or something?

As for the second one, it just seems a tad dull. Subject is centered, (and sleeping), and just doesn't draw my attention.

 

[BlackSheep]

Haha it's all good. I'm a photog newbie period, just get familiar with your manual and practice with different settings. =p

Yep, all good! Believe me, I've been reading the manual for this thing. It's so funny, I actually have a degree in photography, but it's pre-digital so not much seems to apply any more.

By the way, I noticed your "am I getting better" shots from a little while ago, and I really liked the first one on there.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Don't shoot on Auto.
^-^

Hey, unfair - I'm an old-school, ex-photographer who was born and raised in film! This new-fangled digital stuff is wigging me out a bit. Therefore, I shoot auto right now

Bear with me, please, while I make the transition.

The principles are the same, what's holding you back?

 

[BlackSheep]

I love the first one, although I'm extremely confused as to how there's the reflection beside him.
Zoo window or something?

As for the second one, it just seems a tad dull. Subject is centered, (and sleeping), and just doesn't draw my attention.

Thanks for the feedback!
The reflection in the first one, do you mean to the left of the more colourful duck? That's a female, his girlfriend. OK, good to hear - more DOF is needed for a shot like this - thanks!

In the second shot - yep., good reminder about not centering the subject. I actually cropped that shot down a bit, I should re-do that.

Thanks again!

 

[480sparky67 66]

The principles are the same, what's holding you back?

My thoughts exactly. Just like going from driving a station wagon to a sports car.

 

[BlackSheep]

Don't shoot on Auto.
^-^

Hey, unfair - I'm an old-school, ex-photographer who was born and raised in film! This new-fangled digital stuff is wigging me out a bit. Therefore, I shoot auto right now

Bear with me, please, while I make the transition.

The principles are the same, what's holding you back?

Nothing is holding me back at all. I was very curious about what the auto would be like, though. In particular, I wanted to see what the Auto-ISO did.

 

[KevinPutman]

I love the first one, although I'm extremely confused as to how there's the reflection beside him.
Zoo window or something?

As for the second one, it just seems a tad dull. Subject is centered, (and sleeping), and just doesn't draw my attention.

Thanks for the feedback!
The reflection in the first one, do you mean to the left of the more colourful duck? That's a female, his girlfriend. OK, good to hear - more DOF is needed for a shot like this - thanks!

In the second shot - yep., good reminder about not centering the subject. I actually cropped that shot down a bit, I should re-do that.

Thanks again!

Ahhh, I thought it was another duck at first, but when I looked at the log under her feet, I noticed it was blurred, and looked somewhat transparent. Now I see that it's a reflection coming from the glass you shot, or the water underneath, or something.
Definitely need more DOF, having both ducks perfectly focused would have been an amazing shot, imo.

 

[BlackSheep]

The principles are the same, what's holding you back?

My thoughts exactly. Just like going from driving a station wagon to a sports car.

Wait, is film supposed to be the station wagon and digital the sports car, or is it the other way around?

Now I'm confused.

 

[HikinMike]

Aperture, shutter speed and ISO didn't change from film to digital. It may just be that your not comfortable with your new camera.

Anyway, love the Wood Duck....my favorite duck! The fist one was taken using f/2.8, 1/40, ISO 400 @ 110mm. That's probably why it may look soft, although it didn't look too bad here.