i need help and ideas.

Quentin_Moyer · Jul 31, 2011

Malone, you beat me to it.

GIMPGIMPGIMPGIMPGIMP. Get it now. It has 99% of what you'll ever need without the ridiculous stuff people use in Picnik, and it is FREE. Learn to use it, too.

naenae9291 · Jul 31, 2011

Quentin_Moyer said:
Malone, you beat me to it.

GIMPGIMPGIMPGIMPGIMP. Get it now. It has 99% of what you'll ever need without the ridiculous stuff people use in Picnik, and it is FREE. Learn to use it, too.

lol, i just downloaded it. i dont understand ANY of it though :/ lol

WesternGuy · Jul 31, 2011

naenae9291 said:
lol, i just downloaded it. i dont understand ANY of it though lol

See if this will help...but then you may already know about it??

GNU Image Manipulation Program and/or this one...GIMP - Tutorials

Also, thinking that there is usually software that comes with a camera that the manufacturer provides for downloading, editing, printing, etc. Did you not get this with your camera?

Cheers,

WesternGuy

WesternGuy · Jul 31, 2011

naenae9291 said:
does anyone have any ideas on a couple photography shoot?? my friends michayla and kodey want me to take their pictures soon and i need some ideas! only my 2nd shoot :/ i need some inspiration, if you have any pictures of some ideas i could use please post!

I looked back at your first post and wondered what sort of things you were looking for...do you just want ideas in general about pictures to take, or do you want ideas about taking pictures of your friends - backgrounds, poses, etc. Ideas you can get here or in lots of other places, inspiration has to come from you, its part of what goes into the drive to take pictures, at least for me. I get my inspiration from being outside in nature, thus I tend to be more of a nature, wildlife and landscape photographer...I get a lot of my inspiration from the challenge of these environments - how am I going to capture an image of what I see that will separate me from all the others who have taken images of this scene, or plant, or animal - don't ever lose site of the fact that taking "good" pictures is WORK and something that you have to work at. (preaching over)

If you can get your hands on some books to read that is always a good thing...I would suggest, in particular two books by Bryan Peterson - Understanding Exposure (3rd Edition) and Learning to See Creatively (Revised Edition). You could check your local library for copies of these, or you can get someone to buy you a birthday gift of books. Needless to say, there are a lot of books out there...once you have decided what sort of areas of photography interest you, then you can get a hold of books that cover that area or areas of photography.

Also, I would encourage you to check out stuff on the web with regards to composition...for example, check out the references here: Photography Composition Articles Library. Look for things like references to the rule of thirds, lines and curves in composition, the use of colour, etc. I will warn you that you will be overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff" that is out there to be read, reviewed, etc. Go to your library and look at pictures taken by some of the early pros and the not so early pros in what ever areas interest you...you can learn a lot from looking at other photographer's images - what did they shoot, how did they shoot it, etc. Join a camera club, if there is one in your area - maybe there is one at your school(?)...

Last of all, just go for it...

Cheers,

WesternGuy

Quentin_Moyer · Jul 31, 2011

One thing is still very important, when are you planning on doing this? Because if you're expecting to make an emergency post a day before, don't expect your clients to be very happy (although they'll probably say "OMGZ SO GUD" anyway).
What are they expecting of you?
How large will you be printing?
What will your location be?
What kind of lighting/modifiers are you planning on using?
Do you have a telephoto lens (zoom or long prime) that can be used to isolate your subject against the background? If not, can you rent one?
This is all extremely important.

"If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail." -My 5th grade science teacher on just about anything.

naenae9291 · Jul 31, 2011

Quentin_Moyer said:
One thing is still very important, when are you planning on doing this? Because if you're expecting to make an emergency post a day before, don't expect your clients to be very happy (although they'll probably say "OMGZ SO GUD" anyway).
What are they expecting of you?
How large will you be printing?
What will your location be?
What kind of lighting/modifiers are you planning on using?
Do you have a telephoto lens (zoom or long prime) that can be used to isolate your subject against the background? If not, can you rent one?
This is all extremely important.

"If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail." -My 5th grade science teacher on just about anything.

Its going to be next sunday. All of the other things i haven't really thought about yet. but now i am. lol

KmH · Jul 31, 2011

Magic Camera Settings

MWC2 · Jul 31, 2011

FYI: I believe the OP does not own a DSLR and is currently using a Kodak point and shoot so some of advice (ie: zoom lenses) are a moot point.

I recommend scouting your location at least a day before around the same time you plan on shooting so you can get an idea on lighting and the shade that is available. I always keep a couple of posing ideas on my phone to look at incase I draw a blank at the session.

Quentin_Moyer · Jul 31, 2011

Now I really need the popcorn smiley...

mishele · Jul 31, 2011

Is the Op shooting w/ a pint and shoot? That's some important info. in my book......lol

Quentin_Moyer · Jul 31, 2011

mishele said:
Is the Op shooting w/ a pint and shoot? That's some important info. in my book......lol

A pint&shoot? Is this like beer with a shot of whiskey?
I amuse myself.

To answer your question: apparently!

mishele · Jul 31, 2011

Quentin_Moyer said:
mishele said:

Is the Op shooting w/ a pint and shoot? That's some important info. in my book......lol

Click to expand...

A pint&shoot? Is this like beer with a shot of whiskey?
I amuse myself.

To answer your question: apparently!

To continue w/ this thread I might need one of those!!! :sexywink:

Quentin_Moyer · Jul 31, 2011

OP, at this point your best bet is to ask to postpone the shoot, rent/buy a dSLR, telephoto lens, and a flashgun. Learn to use them. Fashion/buy some light modifiers (perfect them with practice). Scout the area. THEN shoot! This has all taken me a year, and I still suck.

...IMHO

KmH · Jul 31, 2011

From her profile:

naenae9291 said:
sometimes i use my moms kodak(not sure what kind)
but most of the time i just use my Nikon Coolpix S4100(i know its small but very soon i will be getting my first professional camera) [sic]

For what it is worth: Nikon only makes 2 professional DSLR cameras.
The $5500 Nikon D3S 12.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and 24fps 720p HD Video Capability (Body Only)

and the $10,000 Nikon D3X 24.5MP FX CMOS Digital SLR with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)

The other currently offered Nikon DSLR's are entry-level amateur cameras - D3000/D3100/D5000/D5100/D90/D7000, or Prosumer amateur level cameras D300s/D700.