Noobie and new to forum

[mom21]

Hi, I'm new here and also new (sort of) to DSLR photography. A little back background: Have always loved taking pictures, hung out in point and shoot world for way too long for two reasons: DSLR's were intimidating, and I wanted to have a movie mode to capture videos. Since videos are now possible, I took the plunge with an entry level Sony SLT A33 (I know, not really a DSLR). I have the 18-55 kit lens, the 70-300 (kit also, I guess, since it came with it) and a Minolta lense I got off of ebay, a 28-100. I've had it for about 3 weeks now.

I joined another forum first, but their beginner section made me quickly realize what I needed is a pre-beginner class! Just joking ... sort of. Anyway, after reading this forum for a week, I think it would be more helpful to me.

Here is my first question: what to photograph for beginning critiques. (I think they're called "C C's"?). I have some shots but from my reading, I gather they would not be interesting at all for critiques. They are beach trip and sunset shots which I guess are a dime a dozen and need to really stand out in order to be critiqued?

I rode around last weekend in search of interesting stuff, but everything still looks so brown and dull outside. I do live near water and parks but they have no color at all right now. So, does anyone have any suggestions of what I could photograph to submit for critiquing? thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Forkie]

What are your interests? Are you interested in wildlife? If so mammals, birds or insects? Landscapes, textures, patterns, colour, architecture, transportation? Pick a subject that you're interested in and go and find it, then photograph it in as many ways as you can. How can you get a sense of the subject across without just placing it in the middle of the frame? Maybe it's in the details as opposed to the subject as a whole, maybe it looks better at the beginning/end of the day and in different light, maybe it looks better from a lower/higher angle.

You said you live near water and parks. Is it running water, or a lake? How do the reflections look? What or who is in the park? Is it a kids' play park with cimbing frames and swings, or gardens with hedgerows and sports fields?

Everything is photographable. Get out there and instead of just looking, try to "see".

 

[sanderso]

Welcome to TPF!

I had the same problem...drab drab drab w nothing to shoot. So, if drab is all there is, I thought about trying some black & white shots. I had never done B&W before and was thrilled to give it a try. I posted the shot below (and 2 others) in another thread yesterday.


As Forkie said: everything is photographable!