How to change your style?

[Derrel]

Indoor lighting is pretty dim. A good starting point is f/2.8 at 1/30 second at ISO 400 to 800. Somewhere in that general ballpark. F/2.8 at 1/30 second is kind of like box macaroni and cheese...it ain't the best, but it's kind of tasty when you're craving cheap carbs and salt...wait--that's a dumb metaphor...and yet...well, forget it..start at f/2.8 at 1/30 with the ISO control set beween 400 and 800. A speed like 1/1000 is not going to work indoors.

As for changing your style...maybe start hanging out with new friends. Perhaps Private Message a TPF poster or two, and fine somebody who could mentor you a bit?

 

[MiiLovely]

your metaphor made me laugh lol and want kraft dinner.. but I understand what you are saying! : ) and I think thats a good idea! I will have to get to know a few more people though before I message anyone about mentoring! lol

 

[_jessicalynn_]

Regardless of editing, camera settings, and all things technical... I'm not a fan of the posing, or expression. I say relax a bit, smile a tad, or not, but soften the expression. And, no more shaving your eyebrows.

 

[jamesbjenkins]

I think you should be aware that you shot the photo at 29mm with a shutter speed of 1/25s. It's generally a bad idea to have that slow of a shutter speed in portraiture. It's also a good rule of thumb to have you shutter speed at least at 1/focal length. So to be safe, you should have shot this at least at 1/50s because you're shooting on a crop frame camera. That's why the face is so soft, because A) She was probably moving slightly, and B) Because you shot with too slow of a shutter speed for your focal length.

Thank you, I actually had to slow the shutter speed down because if I didnt it would have been to dark. (still figure out manual setting on my camera) so this was the first real test day. (I didnt want to use the built in flash because it caused me to have dark shadows under my eyes but then again I could have fixed that in editting.

This shot isn't worth spending your time on editing. The face is very soft, with some motion blur caused by the slow shutter speed.

The white balance and tint need a lot of help as well. How did you set your WB...custom preset, grey card or in post?

EDIT:

I really should have read the entire thread before posting. You can ignore my question.

Sounds like you got a lot of good information here.

 

[JAC526]

I think you should go outside and shoot some stuff.

 

[MiiLovely]

I agree JAC and jessica I dont shave my eyebrows.. lol they are actually getting kind of fuzzy atm.. (I was raising them in the photo though which looking at it now I understand why you would think I do.. lol

 

[AJev]

I think you should be aware that you shot the photo at 29mm with a shutter speed of 1/25s. It's generally a bad idea to have that slow of a shutter speed in portraiture. It's also a good rule of thumb to have you shutter speed at least at 1/focal length. So to be safe, you should have shot this at least at 1/50s because you're shooting on a crop frame camera. That's why the face is so soft, because A) She was probably moving slightly, and B) Because you shot with too slow of a shutter speed for your focal length.

Thank you, I actually had to slow the shutter speed down because if I didnt it would have been to dark. (still figure out manual setting on my camera) so this was the first real test day. (I didnt want to use the built in flash because it caused me to have dark shadows under my eyes but then again I could have fixed that in editting.

At that shutter speed, you will need to use a tripod or you will have to increase the shutter and increase your ISO - unless you have a faster lens you could use.

You asked about editing style - you are the artist. You determine when your photo looks pleasing, others may have input - but ultimately, it is up to you. The reason you are having a hard time deciding is because the technical flaws are very disctracting. If you are a beginner, you will have a very difficult time fixing these in post processing - you need to work on getting your images technically sound SOOC. Then, when you look at your images, you will know exactly what you want to do with them.

 

[MiiLovely]

Thank you AJev I think you are 100% right also for the photo of me I was using a tripod, the photo of my son I was not ! (just thought Id let you know)

 

[AJev]

When I first started, I went through the exact same thing you are going through right now - it is frustrating. Eventually, hopefully soon for your sake, you will have an "A Ha" moment and it will all make perfect sense - that is how it happened for me. Seriously, all the answers you need are right here in the earlier posts - everyone has posted some great info!

 

[MiiLovely]

Oh I know they have! I think I was getting overly frustrated because I had my camera set to manual but on manual the ISO was auto set to be at 6400! So it was no wonder I wasnt getting the results (because I would change the iso but it would automatically go straight back to 6400 when I took pictures lol) ! But I am def keeping tabs on this thread. Im glad I made it! Great info and detail that my manual booklet cant tell me (or at least said different so I understand lol)

 

[haleypapa]

Indoor lighting is pretty dim. A good starting point is f/2.8 at 1/30 second at ISO 400 to 800. Somewhere in that general ballpark. F/2.8 at 1/30 second is kind of like box macaroni and cheese...it ain't the best, but it's kind of tasty when you're craving cheap carbs and salt...wait--that's a dumb metaphor...and yet...well, forget it..start at f/2.8 at 1/30 with the ISO control set beween 400 and 800. A speed like 1/1000 is not going to work indoors.

As for changing your style...maybe start hanging out with new friends. Perhaps Private Message a TPF poster or two, and fine somebody who could mentor you a bit?

Keep in mind the rule of thumb when it comes to shutter speed as referenced to the focal distance of your lens.

 

[MLeeK]

Oh I know they have! I think I was getting overly frustrated because I had my camera set to manual but on manual the ISO was auto set to be at 6400! So it was no wonder I wasnt getting the results (because I would change the iso but it would automatically go straight back to 6400 when I took pictures lol) ! But I am def keeping tabs on this thread. Im glad I made it! Great info and detail that my manual booklet cant tell me (or at least said different so I understand lol)

The manual is really worthless for helping you learn what you are doing. It tells you WHAT things are, but does not explain them. The Magic Lantern (and several other makers) have guides out for your camera that are awesome at explaining in depth what each feature does and how it can affect your image. I highly recommend getting one when you are starting out.