Help, bought a new DSLR..now what?

[kopmom]

Hi,

I treated myself to a new digital SLR camera and realize I only know how to shoot in Auto and even then my pictures look horrible. I am not looking to "master" in photography, just take some nice shots of my kids and family.

What is the best way to learn? Is their classes I could take?

 

[Master Mason]

there are definately classes available. Check your local JC or photo store.

Understanding Exposure is a good book to get started as well.

This is a canon site, and you didnt' say what dslr you have but most of it is the same, only where you make changes would be different

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=HomePageAct

also check out the learning curve thread and ask questions.

 

[kopmom]

Thanks.

What is JC? I have a Olympus E-500 with 2 lenses 40-150mm and 18-50mm

 

[Dave Tavener]

I second the recommendation of Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. It's available from Amazon, B&N, etc. It's written in a very clear, easy-to-understand format with lots of examples.

By "horrible" what do you mean? Out-of-focus / blurry? Colors wrong?

Maybe you could post an example and the experts here could point out where you might be going wrong.

Dave (Who's taken his share of horrible pix with a DSLR....)

 

[Master Mason]

Thanks.

What is JC? I have a Olympus E-500 with 2 lenses 40-150mm and 18-50mm

JC= Junior College

 

[kopmom]

They are blurry/out of focus

Here is a example

 

[Master Mason]

So I looked at the exif data. A couple of things jumped out at me.

1. it says the flash fired, it appears to be a very bright sunny day, why were you using the flash?

2. It says the focal lenght was 0mm. So it makes me wonder if the lens is seated properly. The other thing that makes me think that, is there is not anywhere on the picture that is in focus, so it isn't a matter of picking up the wrong place.

If all of your pictures are like that, and the lens is seated properly, then I would take the camera back and exchange it.

 

[Dave Tavener]

Also, check what resolution you are set at. Unless you resized it for the uploading, the current res looks like 800x600. Set it to something like SQ: 3200 x 2400. Also, check that the JPG compression is set to something like Fine (not sure what the Olympus version of this setting would be.) Try taking a shot again with those settings. Try it with both lenses. If this is still looking this bad with both lenses, I agree with Master Mason that you should take it back...

Dave

 

[kopmom]

I have it set to Auto ISO.

Also my pop up flash is on auto

On the side of my lens I can pick AF or M, what is the difference?
Thanks for the help

 

[Master Mason]

I have it set to Auto ISO.

Also my pop up flash is on auto

On the side of my lens I can pick AF or M, what is the difference?
Thanks for the help

AF means Auto Focus M means manual focus so with AF the camera will focus itself based on where it is told to focus, and with M you have to move the ring to focus it yourself.

If your flash is firing in auto on a bright sunny day, there is something wrong.

 

[DizzyV6P]

Take it back and exchange it. I agree with Master Mason, the flash should not be firing in Auto mode. Depending on where you got it, you have between 14 to 30 days to return it so don't waste anymore time trying to figure it out.

Even if the AF was set to M, the flash still shouldn't be flipping up and firing. Return and Exchange ASAP!

 

[webshark3]

If your flash is firing in auto on a bright sunny day, there is something wrong.

Not necessarily. My 300D does it a lot as a fill. But if it's doing it ALL the time, that's different.

 

[Master Mason]

Not necessarily. My 300D does it a lot as a fill. But if it's doing it ALL the time, that's different.

The auto flash should be based off the metering, if it is bright and sunny the metering shouldn't pop up the flash. You can do so yourself as a creative decision, but if the metering is poping it up something is wrong.

 

[mabas9395]

On the side of my lens I can pick AF or M, what is the difference?
Thanks for the help

Before you take the camera back, make sure it says AF.

And if you are looking for a good place to learn, believe it or not, the camera's user's manual actually has some useful information in it (unlike many products where you can just through the manual away).

 

[webshark3]

Also, don't PRESS the Shutter. "Squeeze" it. Half-press to obtain a focus lock. Make sure it's focued on the item (or person) you want in focus.

There's no better way to screw up the focus than to simply press the shutter on a DSLR like it's a entry level P&S.