Practice advice needed

[Daisy57b]

I'm going out today to practice with my new SLR camera!! What would you all suggest for practicing? I'm taking my manual with me. I'm still trying to figure out when you would need to adjust the aperature and the shutterspeed - heck I'm not quite sure how to change the shutterspeed at this point...and it's ok to laugh at me! I really want to learn how to use this camera and not just use it on the auto mode. I've been taking some test pictures around the house, and so far I'm not seeing a difference in pictures when I change the aperature. So I'm going outside and out to New Orleans to take some pictures. That should help me with outdoor pictures, but how can I practice for pictures like fireworks? I don't want to be still practicing when I go to WDW. I did the turorial online from Canon, and I'm waiting for my book to arrive (Understanding Exposure) Any practice advice? Thanks!!

 

[T. Lynn]

Where did you find an online tutorial?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

here:

http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/enjoydslr/index.html

 

[Daisy57b]

http://photoworkshop.com/canon/

 

[T. Lynn]

Thanks. I'll have to check that out.

 

[Daisy57b]

Kelly - that link is much better!! Thanks! I used another demo and it was pretty darn basic. The link you posted seems much more informative.

 

[tinksdad]

Where did you find an online tutorial?

Go to Canon's support site and select your particular camera, the site will take you to that cameras site. Look under the download section and manual should be there

 

[tinksdad]

I'm going out today to practice with my new SLR camera!! What would you all suggest for practicing? I'm taking my manual with me. I'm still trying to figure out when you would need to adjust the aperature and the shutterspeed - heck I'm not quite sure how to change the shutterspeed at this point...and it's ok to laugh at me! I really want to learn how to use this camera and not just use it on the auto mode. I've been taking some test pictures around the house, and so far I'm not seeing a difference in pictures when I change the aperature. So I'm going outside and out to New Orleans to take some pictures. That should help me with outdoor pictures, but how can I practice for pictures like fireworks? I don't want to be still practicing when I go to WDW. I did the turorial online from Canon, and I'm waiting for my book to arrive (Understanding Exposure) Any practice advice? Thanks!!

This is a nice site with info on taking firework pictures.

 

[WillCAD]

When practicing with my SLR, I like to go to Baltimore's Inner Harbor, which is a bustling shopping area full of buildings, people, water and watercraft, and at night, lots of lights. I find that it makes for an excellent approximation of the outdoor photographic conditions at WDW.

I also tried the National Zoo in Washington when I got my digital SLR, with great results, for both indoor and outdoor practice.

I have also practiced indoor shots in shopping malls, and tree and flower photography in the office park where I work, which has some nice landscaping that blooms every spring.

 

[makinorlando]

Ahhh - Inner Harbor and the Nat'l Zoo - a coupld of the things I miss about living North of the Mason Dixon (besides cheesesteaks and the Jersey Shore!)

DD and I are thinking of a road trip to DC this summer! Gotta see that baby Panda!

When practicing with my SLR, I like to go to Baltimore's Inner Harbor, which is a bustling shopping area full of buildings, people, water and watercraft, and at night, lots of lights. I find that it makes for an excellent approximation of the outdoor photographic conditions at WDW.

I also tried the National Zoo in Washington when I got my digital SLR, with great results, for both indoor and outdoor practice.

I have also practiced indoor shots in shopping malls, and tree and flower photography in the office park where I work, which has some nice landscaping that blooms every spring.

 

[ndelaware]

Ahhh - Inner Harbor and the Nat'l Zoo - a coupld of the things I miss about living North of the Mason Dixon (besides cheesesteaks and the Jersey Shore!)

DD and I are thinking of a road trip to DC this summer! Gotta see that baby Panda!

Are you a Philly girl Mac?

 

[T. Lynn]

I live somewhat close to Inner Harbor and still haven't made it there yet...

Maybe I can talk DH into a day trip this summer. Thanks for the idea. DD would love to go there.

I'll also be in Wildwood around September and Knoebels in August.

 

[handicap18]

I would suggest starting with either shutter priority or aperture priority. Probably shutter priority first. Find a subject that moves (ie: water, cars, trees blowing in the wind, sporting event, etc...). Take a picture of the same subject 5 or 6 times to start. Start with a slow shutter, 1/30, then move up from there. You don't have to do all but take notice of what the picture looks like (slight bluring from movement vs no blurr from complete stop motion) and also what aperture the camera has chosen.

I use shutter priority much more often than I use aperture priority. I mostly only use aperture priority when I want to control depth of field.

Excellent choice with "Understanding Exposure". Things should make a lot more sense after reading that.

 

[makinorlando]

Are you a Philly girl Mac?

Yes I am! Lived there most of my life, with 5 years in DC (well No VA), until moving to Orlando in 2003!

I love it here, but do miss some things about the area - closeness to NY, Wash DC, Baltimore and of course Phila.