Trying to became a good photographer

[kayumanggisnapshot1]

Hi everyone

I am Inês from Portugal, a 42 year old woman.

A decade ago I tried to learn photography but I wasn't successful to it.

Now I got my camera back and I am trying toe photograph with intention, rather then randomly.

I hope I can learn with you on this journey.

My current setup is a Canon 450d, with the 18-55 and the 50 f/8. I am trying to get the 50-250mm. Sometimes I miss getting the details that are far away.

I also use my cellphone Samsung A55, when I don't have my camera with me. It has a 23mm.

See you soon

Welcome to the forum! Just enjoy!

 

[greybeard53 25]

Welcome to TPF

I usually shoot birds but, some of my BEST shots have been just something that caught my eye while birding that had nothing to do with birds and ended up being one of my best shots.

 

[xuxuines]

English may not be your first language, but what you write is clearly understandable & MUCH better than my French (my second language).
Yes I realize your lens only goes to 55mm, it's just that even when I have a very long lens with me (such as the MTO 1000mm I used in Spain & France recently I still spot distant items that are beyond the reach of my lens.

I've been hoarding lenses for years so have built up a collection including some real extreme focal lengths, Sadly the shots I get with them are certainly not extremely good. One of the better efforts with the MTO on a tripod is

The helicopter would have been barely noticeable with a 55mm lens

Thank for the compliment. Yes I get what you mean. I am finding out what really pushes me to photography. For now I am trying to figure out what I like. One thing I already discover, geometry and simetry. I am looking forward to explore my lens as good I can and then find out what I really like.

 

[xuxuines]

Welcome!

When you get your 55-250mm make sure it is the STM version. It will say STM on the front of the lens. The STM is much better than non-STM version of that lens.

I'm learning too. As a newbie, the best advice I can give is to take way more shots than you think you need. On the computer go through them and pick out the best and delete the rest. You will know a good shot when you see it. I tend to keep 1-2 pictures out of every 100 pictures taken.

Shoot JPG+RAW so you have the opportunity to try to create a better picture with a RAW editor than the JPG. Free tool RawTherapee is a good program for that. I also use free Gimp program mainly for the "heal" and "clone" features.

That is a good advice I don't follow (lol) but I will (it makes sense). AltoughI know litte about editing, like the lights or make the colors cold or hotter, I do shoot both in raw and jpg. That way I can show people ou send people the photos as they are (from my nieces for example) and then do litter work if I can make them better.

 

[xuxuines]

Welcome Inez.
1. What kind of photos do you like to take? (Portraits, landscape, nature, other?)
2. Why do you feel you weren't successful at it before?
3. How and where would you like to improve?
4. What do you plan to do with the results? (print out photos? put on the web? Both? Other?)

Thank you. So right now I don't have a favorite type of photography. Since now that I start serious this time, I have some types I want to get better. I like abstract with shapes and symmetry. I like street photography but I am very shy in taking photos of people, so basically I take photos of details on the city. I like to take photos to people (family) that express emotions on their face, like kids playing, for examples. I think I would also like to photograph animals (never did).

Landscape is not my favorite.

I think as I was younger it felt less serious, more point and shook, and I got disappointed so I quit.

Now I am trying to really understand composition and playing with light/shadow.

Even when sometimes I don't have my camera, I still use my photo to train on composition (even if the photo as less quality).

I really want to get better and if people would like to print my photos, is okay for me. I am still not thinking that far.

I don't want to set very high expectations on my learning because then I get very absorbed and emotional and I tend to focus too much on it, instead of being a healthy Hobbie.

 

[Splitpair16 14]

Shoot JPG+RAW so you have the opportunity to try to create a better picture with a RAW editor than the JPG. Free tool RawTherapee is a good program for that.

I would recommend a beginner avoid RAW until the get the basics of editing sorted out.

Like learning to walk, take small steps before trying to run as fast as possible.

 

[petrochemist136 161]

I would recommend a beginner avoid RAW until the get the basics of editing sorted out.

Like learning to walk, take small steps before trying to run as fast as possible.

I'd agree, but shooting both allows you to spite this I just shoot jpeg as I have for 15 years...

 

[xuxuines]

I would recommend a beginner avoid RAW until the get the basics of editing sorted out.

Like learning to walk, take small steps before trying to run as fast as possible.

I'd agree, but shooting both allows you to spite this I just shoot jpeg as I have for 15 years...

I really don't know how to edit but I take all my photos on RAW+JPEG. One day I may be able to use some of thoses photos

 

[IpseLux14 13]

Hi everyone

I am Inês from Portugal, a 42 year old woman.

A decade ago I tried to learn photography but I wasn't successful to it.

Now I got my camera back and I am trying toe photograph with intention, rather then randomly.

I hope I can learn with you on this journey.

My current setup is a Canon 450d, with the 18-55 and the 50 f/8. I am trying to get the 50-250mm. Sometimes I miss getting the details that are far away.

I also use my cellphone Samsung A55, when I don't have my camera with me. It has a 23mm.

See you soon

If I may, here's some advice given to me years ago which helped: shoot with the sun behind you. Square up to your scene. Keep the camera straight and flat (parallel) to the subject to reduce distortion. Practice the Sunny 16 rule. And have fun.
If you keep the horizon and the trees straight, and control what you place in your viewfinder, I'm sure you'll make great photos. One more thing, it's not lenses, cameras, fancy equipment.... All that helps, yes. It's about the light. Pick good light. And sufficient light.
Good luck!