Favorite from today.

[unsivil_audio]

Hey guys I've just finally picked up a dslr (Nikon d3100 kit) and begun to play with it. Got my basic filters today so I was playing around with my camera and snapped this gem. I'm not worried about ps-ing photo's yet. This is raw. Feel free to speak your mind about it. I already can't wait to get a new lense.

 

[889Media]

You should really use some flash when you shoot outside in daylight. Without a flash you will end up like in this shot, where her face is just a shadow. If you use a flash, you will end up with a girl that looks much more alive. Don't know if that is the best word to use, but I am sure you get the idea!

What are those "basic filters" you mentioned, if you do not mind me asking?

And also... you should not stand over her like that and taking the picture! It works sometimes, but most of the time it is just a bad mistake. Same as when taking pictures of animals. Get down on their level, be one of them and see the world as they see it.

 

[unsivil_audio]

Oh the basic filters I got were UV, Circular Polarizer, and Fluorescent. And thanks for the tips, kind of seems like common [photography] sense (which apparently I lack haha).

 

[480sparky68 67]

You spent money on a FL filter you don't need. You can change the WB through the camera.

 

[Robin Usagani]

New lens wont help you. Learn to shoot with your kit lens. It will take great photos. Unfortunately the photo you posted is no where close to being great.

 

[dakkon76]

New lens wont help you. Learn to shoot with your kit lens. It will take great photos. Unfortunately the photo you posted is no where close to being great.

More backhanded constructive advice... you really could have made your point without throwing in the last sentence.

 

[889Media]

you really could have made your point without throwing in the last sentence

When posting a picture and ask for feedback, you should be ready for some criticism too! When I start posting here, I do not want people to sugar coat anything. I would like to hear peoples first thoughts and honest opinions - and use that to improve my skills. The picture wasn't "great", so creator of this thread should be able to take that without feeling bad about it. I agree that when using a statement like the one you was referring to, you should come with some pointers on how to improve - but in this case much had already been said. Yes, maybe he could have dropped the last sentence of his post, but still I don't think that it was bad enough that it should hurt anyone's feelings.

 

[JAC526]

I'm sorry but there is a difference between providing criticism and being an a$$.

He could have talked about the lack of flash, how the image is too small to tell anything, the expression on the kids face, etc...

But then again I guess its easier to just say it sucks.

 

[Robin Usagani]

come on.. give me a break. Make sure you look at the file large, not just the thumbnail. Seriously... I could not understand how someone could think that may be a good photo even for beginners. I also think some beginners try too hard. They think putting filter in front of the lens will make their photo looks better. The OP could not wait to get his new lens while he could have shot amazing photos with what he has. You just set your camera to the green box and I am 100% sure it will take better picture than that.

 

[dakkon76]

When someone gets a system they are entirely unfamiliar with, and then starts taking photographs... something they may also be completely new to... they're going to see it very differently than someone with a trained eye. The OP just got their first DSLR and took a picture of their kid - of course they're going to be biased. Why is this bias by new photographers all of a sudden jumped on by the veterans here? I remember taking a lot of pics I thought were great when I first started out. I look back now and see horrible shadows, lots of things OOF, and distracting backgrounds that I was simply oblivious to when I started out. Part of improving is learning to SEE those things, because we don't dissect out work the same when we're new - you didn't either.

Taking plugs like this at new people comes purely from ego, whether the "tougher skinned" people like to believe it or not. It goes right to what some of us learned when we were kids... some people just like to take others down a notch to elevate themselves. Argue it all you want, but negative criticism rarely amounts to much more than that. People jump on board with the clique of elitists here and get negative right along with them - the same way kids on a playground follow suit when the big kid makes fun of the little kid - it makes them feel like part of the "in" crowd. It's just as juvenile on here as it is on the playground.

 

[JAC526]

I got thick skin...some people don't. Plus it never hurts to be polite or courteous.

I'm not saying its a good shot....I agree with you.

I don't agree that people need to be mean on a forum to a stranger.

 

[Geaux]

WB is too cool, out of focus, underexposed subject, composition issues....You got em all, but hey, we were all there at one point. Just keep shooting, read the manual, read the crazy amounts of free stuff online about photography and you'll learn slowly but surely.

 

[Robin Usagani]

whatever dakkon.. I dont sugar coat what I say. I told him to work with what he has instead of spending money on stupid filters he listed and get new lens. The photo is just bad in general and should go straight to the trash can folder. It doesnt need any CC.

 

[dakkon76]

Do you say the same thing about the crap your toddler draws? I can't imagine your kid(s) do anything extraordinary that you have any business taking pride in; because I can guarantee you - it's DEFINITELY been done before, and better. I assume none of that is worth keeping. Or have you chosen to quash his creativity entirely, because nothing he's churning out is worth piss in the wind?

 

[JMBriggs]

Congrats on the new kit! Ignore the mean people if ya can... Sorry about that, its not fun when people are rude. Makes you wonder if they are like that face to face doesn't it? Anywhooo! Nice start! Yeah it isn't great... Shwetty made that clear. But you've now got the tools to improve! Take the advice ^^^ and start using Google... Start with searching for the rules of comp, or perhaps how to photograph kids. And def read you manuals! I didn't even touch my dslr until I read my manual cover to cover. Someday you'll be thinking ' man I need to bracket this shot!' And then you'll remember 'hey! I read how to do that in my manual!' Lol. Anyways. Sorry again for rude people. Your on your way! Good luck!