Novice NY Photog

Son Dean · Jul 30, 2008

Hello all, thanks for reading. Obviously Im new here and I just wanted to introduce myself and remark on how hot of a site this is. Theres a lot of content on here and it looks like a place where I can learn a few things. I have to say thanks to my brother in law, who put me up on this site. good sh** man. Thanks!

Turthfully, I am a novice photographer who snaps a pic or two here and there. Below, are a few shots that I would like to share with the community. Any tips, constructive criticism or recommendations are always appreciated and respected...

City By Storm

Perpetual Ashes

Cranial Eclipse

Shedrow

Sunny STi

Fred Up

Computer_Generated · Jul 30, 2008

scary... your cat looks exactly like mine. Bit weirded out by it actually. Not bad photos, make sure to watch your reflections (guy in the car bumper), fill the frame like you did with that cat and get rid of stuff that doesn't help your subject.

reg · Jul 30, 2008

Computer_Generated said:
scary... your cat looks exactly like mine. Bit weirded out by it actually.

Don't get all in a tizzy, there are tons of cats out there that look just like that. One used to come 'round my house.

Son Dean · Jul 30, 2008

well, they say everyone has a twin.... maybe it applies to animals too? lol

thanks for the advice. im embarrased to say that I didnt even notice that my brother in laws reflection was caught in the bumper. youve got a great eye and I will definitely take your advice... fill in the frame...

I really need to work on my indoor photos... they tend to come out with a tint from the lighting...

Computer_Generated · Jul 30, 2008

reg said:
Don't get all in a tizzy, there are tons of cats out there that look just like that. One used to come 'round my house.

Maybe that's my cat too... :shock:

Anywhoo - you can get rid of some of that tint by setting your white balance in your camera.

Son Dean · Jul 30, 2008

I know I am doing something wrong then, because everytime I adjust it the image still comes out the same... I'll figure it out... its a 40D... pretty easy to work with, but cant set the WB to save my life...

Computer_Generated · Jul 30, 2008

Well here's what I pulled from your manual:
- Photograph a pure white object in the lighting your using (good 'ol printer paper)
- Go into your WB menu and select custom then press 'set'
- Import the WB data by using the dial to select the picture you took press 'set' then 'ok'
You can check it out by searching Custom White Balance here: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Owners-Manuals/Canon-EOS-40D-Manual.pdf

Son Dean · Jul 30, 2008

You are the man! Thank you for taking the time to research that for me! Okay, you have convinced me to mail you your cat back. lol

Computer_Generated · Jul 30, 2008

Son Dean said:
Okay, you have convinced me to mail you your cat back. lol

lmao!!! THANK YOU! I was telling the girlfriend I washed her and she's hanging out on the line until I figured out what to do.

crashcart · Jul 30, 2008

In "Shedrow" it seems like the man walking the horse up from the left is a little distracting, and I only say this because there is a lot of emotion (whether I'm projecting that or not) on the horse's face. Although he's probably in the middle of chewing the hay, the timing of the shot makes it look almost as if he's nuzzling against it, with a look of resignation.

I don't think cropping him and the other horse out would help...it's just a shame that they're in the frame. I really like it.

Son Dean · Jul 30, 2008

i always felt that something needs to be in the frame, but technically speaking there is always something in the frame. Im going to try to fill it in a little more like suggested and see what results yield from it. Im pretty high on bokeh and tend to take a lot of photos with it, but this particular shot I wanted to capture the horse and caught the hotwalker turning the corner as well... after transferring the images to my mac, and seeing how the hotwalker was blurred, I felt it was one of my better shots that day, and viola. But I understand your comment, I will try again tomorrow, minus the horse and hotwalker.

And of course... Thank you ;-)

Son Dean · Jul 30, 2008

And a few more...

Windows Edge

Hay You

Executive Fleet

The Portal

City Transportation

Belmont

Son Dean · Jul 31, 2008

Anyone else have any suggestions on how I can improve on my photos? Besides photoshopping them to all hell? lol.

Anyone?

Son Dean · Aug 2, 2008

Hmmm, about 125 views and a handful of comments.. are these pics that good or that bad? lol. Perhaps I need more dramatic photos, or photos that capture something people dont always see... hmmmm... I have a mission now...

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.. I got my WB working, without having to use the custom WB approach.. I was forgetting that there was another dial on the back of the camera. duh.... Only problem now is I cant set the white balance when using the manual setting. Im sure its covered in the manual somewhere...

Son Dean · Aug 2, 2008

After reviewing the owners manual (and some trial and error), I figured out that the WB in manual mode sets itself according to the shutter speed, aperture and ISO... when I was messing with the camera I had all the settings out of whack, which is why I couldnt understand why the pics were coming out dark.

Dead giveaway that I am a n00b. oh well... ;-)