Newb with a few C&C pics

[Tyler Durden]

I recently sold my XS and currently on the hunt for a 40D. These three pictures are from my XS. Please let me know what you think!

I know #3 needs some repositioning but I'm still learning how to use my photo editing software.

 

[Markw]

Welcome to the forum.
1- there is a little too much of a yellow tinge to it.
2- Looks a tad underexposed, but I like the Composition, DOF, and subject. Nice capture.
3- Great shot. I agree with the positioning, but other than that, I like it.

Mark

 

[musicaleCA]

The third shot looks like you're getting some noticeable barrel distortion. Take a look at the edge of the pool of water closest to the camera. What lens did you shoot that with and did you correct for this distortion?

 

[Tyler Durden]

The third shot looks like you're getting some noticeable barrel distortion. Take a look at the edge of the pool of water closest to the camera. What lens did you shoot that with and did you correct for this distortion?

I shot this about a month after I got my camera. So it was well before I found this site and another month before I even "really" understood what aperture was. With that said I'm still reading up on barrel distortion and how to fix it in my future pictures.

 

[MelodyMusic]

I like all of your photos, but to be honest, in my opinion the first photo isn't anything special. It's not very 'sharp'...unless the goal was to not be too in 'their face'?

 

[Baaaark]

First off, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Its an awesome day when you get your first DSLR! Second off, I'm a noob so take my critique more lightly than others around here. Some of these people have been photographing longer than I've been alive .

I like the first one cause it feels fun even with the facial expression (and will be great for memories), but it looks like her face is kinda overexposed. You might be able to fix this in a Photoshop-like program. I don't know how, but I'm sure you could somehow.

The second one is a really neat photo too (that bird has some awesome eyes), but the background looks properly exposed making him underexposed. Like maybe the background is in the sunlight and he's in the shade? Once again, I don't know if it could be fixed or not... probably so.

Third one is cool. With my beginner's opinion, I would maybe try cropping off a bit from the right first. See if that doesn't make you happy. But remember its mostly about what you think is cool looking. If you try and take photographs that make everyone else happy it will quickly become a chore and lose its fun.

Overall, I'd say to become acquainted with your camera's metering. If you already know about it, then my mistake. But if not, remember the camera's instruction book IS YOUR FRIEND. I seriously hate reading instructions, but a camera's book is basically a small "how-to manual" that really helps. Also, if that's not enough, they sell lots of books at the book store specifically for Rebel XSs. They have one for Dummies, and those books are usually pretty good (even if you aren't a dummy).

Edited to add: I misunderstood you. If you SOLD your XS and are getting a 40D you probably have learned the basic principles of metering, focus, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. But they still sell some (more advanced, serious) books for 40Ds. I even still saw one in there for a 20D and a D70!

 

[musicaleCA]

The third shot looks like you're getting some noticeable barrel distortion. Take a look at the edge of the pool of water closest to the camera. What lens did you shoot that with and did you correct for this distortion?

I shot this about a month after I got my camera. So it was well before I found this site and another month before I even "really" understood what aperture was. With that said I'm still reading up on barrel distortion and how to fix it in my future pictures.

Barrel distortion is an abberation of the lens' glass elements themselves, and not affected by aperture (TMK). It's more of a problem on zoom lenses as opposed to primes, where barrel distortion can becomes worse toward the wide end, with pincushion distortion kicking in at the long end. High-quality zooms will contain at least one or more aspherical elements to reduce, or in some cases and at certain focal lengths, eliminate these abberations.

As for correcting barrel and pincushion distortion, it's easy if it's uniform (and high quality lenses will more likely have uniform distortion if they have any at all). Simple warping in PS or similar can nip it in the bud. But if there's any sort of wavy distortion, that's harder to correct...at least by hand. There's plug-ins for Photoshop and external software that can correct barreldistortion by interpolating the image.

 

[Misfitlimp]

Welcome to the forum.
1- there is a little too much of a yellow tinge to it.
2- Looks a tad underexposed, but I like the Composition, DOF, and subject. Nice capture.
3- Great shot. I agree with the positioning, but other than that, I like it.

Mark

1. I dont care for too much. Im gonna have to use a term ive seen on here and say it looks a tad on the radioactive side
2. I agree exposure needs to b a little higher and the DOF is great i enjoy this shot very much
3. no complaints there good composition and what not