The Gentle Giant

[jonslui]

Hey everyone!

I'm new to photography and just went out for my first shoot with my trusted companion, Beau :mrgreen:. I uploaded 3 of my favorites to Flickr, which I will link to below.
I'm looking for any criticisms/pointers in regards to shooting outside or how I could do things better!

Thanks alot!! - Jon & Beau

Ooo pretty flowers! by jonslui, on Flickr

Help I can't find you! by jonslui, on Flickr

Sniff Sniff by jonslui, on Flickr

 

[Pejacre]

All pretty overexposed - last one you were shooting towards the sun, hence the flare. Perspective on the first one too high - maybe better getting down to the subject's level.

 

[jonslui]

Thanks a lot Pejacre! I will definitely try getting down to his level next time! A solution for the overexposure would be to raise and "f-stop" or lower my shutter speed, correct?:mrgreen:

 

[Pejacre]

Yup, closing down to a smaller aperture or increasing shutter speed will reduce the light coming into the camera, assuming you're in manual mode. If you're using one of the automatic modes, either aperture priority, shutter priority or auto iso you will need to apply exposure compensation. All of this depends on how you're metering - if you focus in the darkest area of your scene and use spot or centre weighted, the sensor will read off that and overexpose for the rest.

 

[jonslui]

I believe I shot these on Auto, and I think my problem was the metering for sure. I probably focused in the shadows alongside the tall grass resulting in the overexposure! Thanks for the insight! I'll make sure to watch my metering. Now to try to fix the over exposure in GIMP! :mrgreen:

 

[weepete]

You will also need to watch your shutter speed as you will get blur with moving objects if it's too slow. Exactly how much blur you will get depends on if or how fast the subject is moving.

With animals the eye's need to be sharp, setting your camera to a continuous focus mode will help but you will need practice to get it right.

I don't think the issues with your pics here are purely down to using one mode or setting but to get good photographs you need to understand how they are all related, which modes to use in which situation demands which to prioritize. Composition is something else to have a look at too.

Get googleing. I'd start with the exposure triangle then get familiar with the different modes on your camera.

PS. There is nothing wrong with auto mode, you just need to know when to use it.

 

[jonslui]

Thanks weepete! I have been googleing/youtubeing and actually just wrote out the basics of the triangle to put on my strap for easy access/to be reminded of it! I will certainly research up on composition as well - I will also practice using continuous focus and try to get a handle on that

 

[BillM]

Just remember, animals are no different than people, try to get good eye contact with the camera. As already mentioned try to get down to eye level with Beau, he's a big beautiful boy so don't be afraid to try some nice portrait shots too.

Here is one I just did for a friend, not great but gives an idea of what I was talking about

 

[jonslui]

That's a great picture, and a great idea! I'll have to get some shots of him looking into the camera/shots on his level which really express his personality.. (maybe bribe him with some treats)

Thanks for the ideas BillM!

 

[BillM]

Treats always work