First DSLR Pics CC wanted

[Drewhop]

These are my first shots and want to get a idea if I am on the right path.
We had a blast taking these pictures but it was pretty hot out. So not as many pictures of "Us" as we wanted. Nature doesn't get sweaty and grumpy lol.
1

2

3

4

5

6

Thanks for any input.

 

[D-B-J]

Composition: Using the Rule of Thirds

 

[Drewhop]

Composition: Using the Rule of Thirds

Thank you. I have read a few things about that. But that is the best example and description I have been given.
I liked this picture but I tend to focus on center on all my pictures. I will have to work on that.

 

[tirediron]

Shooting with the subject in the centre isn't always a bad thing, and the "Rule" of thirds is a guideline at best. The human eye normally finds things that are slightly offset more visually appealling, so if you so shoot your subject dead in the centre as in the first two images, simply crop it to get a better composition. Of course it's always best to get it right in the camera, but if it's not perfect there, than tweak it after the fact. There are some exposure issues as well. 1,2, 3 and 5 are somewhat over-exposed, and #6 is slightly underexposed. Read through the tutorials here for some excellent information on how your camera's light-meter works and how to more accurately expose your images.

 

[Drewhop]

Shooting with the subject in the centre isn't always a bad thing, and the "Rule" of thirds is a guideline at best. The human eye normally finds things that are slightly offset more visually appealling, so if you so shoot your subject dead in the centre as in the first two images, simply crop it to get a better composition. Of course it's always best to get it right in the camera, but if it's not perfect there, than tweak it after the fact. There are some exposure issues as well. 1,2, 3 and 5 are somewhat over-exposed, and #6 is slightly underexposed. Read through the tutorials here for some excellent information on how your camera's light-meter works and how to more accurately expose your images.

Thanks again. Already enjoying this forum. I saved the Raw form of all of these photos. These are just the jpegs so I could take a look at them. Since I am still reading some of the threads and dont want to overwhelm myself. I plan on shooting more pictures and see if the quality increases. I dont wanna take the fun out of it yet lol.

As for over and under exposure is that something you can correct int he Raw image or is that something I need to learn to correct when I shoot the picture?

 

[Virtuosos]

#2 not well focused....#5 seems alittle harsh with the lighting...and I think #4 would be more beneficial had it been focused on 1 flower rather than all.

But, all-in-all, you did well.

And yes, in photoshop with raw-images you CAN fix exposure somewhat. Googling a good how-to would help. But, you could do it pre-shot as well.

Amazon.com: Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera (9780817439392): Bryan Peterson: Books

That book helped me a LOT. It is a highly recommended book, so if you get a chance you should pick it up. I spent a few weeks reading / re-reading it at my college library over the summer and loved it.

 

[MattK0138]

Amazon.com: Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera (9780817439392): Bryan Peterson: Books

That book helped me a LOT. It is a highly recommended book, so if you get a chance you should pick it up. I spent a few weeks reading / re-reading it at my college library over the summer and loved it.[/QUOTE]

Awesome book. I am reading it for the fourth time. It really breaks things down to an easy to comprehend level. You won't regret buying it.

 

[Drewhop]

#2 not well focused....#5 seems alittle harsh with the lighting...and I think #4 would be more beneficial had it been focused on 1 flower rather than all.

But, all-in-all, you did well.

And yes, in photoshop with raw-images you CAN fix exposure somewhat. Googling a good how-to would help. But, you could do it pre-shot as well.

Amazon.com: Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera (9780817439392): Bryan Peterson: Books

That book helped me a LOT. It is a highly recommended book, so if you get a chance you should pick it up. I spent a few weeks reading / re-reading it at my college library over the summer and loved it.

Thank you. When you say focus on one flower do you mean. Only one flower like this

Or Only focus on one flower of the grouping.
I will look into ordering that book.

 

[Virtuosos]

I mean all the flowers with 1 clearly in focus....the others just being part of the DOF.

Believe me when I say this is purely personal preference.