Show Improvement

[MarkBarbieri]

I often learn from the mistakes I make on a trip. I noticed looking at some old trips how much better my newer shots usually are. Anyone interested in posting pairs of pictures taken at different times and explaining how they improved the second shot compared with the first?

 

[jann1033]

awww the old humiliation game...maybe when i am in a less witchy mood than today

 

[mabas9395]

To play this game, I would have to admit that I have taken some shots that were less than perfect. Don't know if my ego can handle that, but I'll see what I can find.

 

[handicap18]

Great idea Mark.

I'll post a few, though I'll have a lot more at the end of the year after our trip in November.

First one taken with my Canon S30 November 2005. I was fully into PnS mode and didn't pay much attention to time of day or where I was or even composition.

This one taken with my Nikon D50. A lot more photography re-learned, payed more attention to composition, though would like to try a different time of day, ie: early morning, though this one was taken around 8am on a June morning. I'd like to get one around 8am on a late November morning with the different position of the sun.

I have another set, but DW is telling me dinner is on the table so I should go fill my stomach.

 

[jann1033]

kyle personally i really like that lighting on the castle and statue

 

[mabas9395]

OK, I found one example. I was taking some shots of my kids at a local beach during sunset. I posed them on a log, set up my tripod and snapped away.

The first one was over exposed.

I finally got one where I like the exposure.

Then I told the kids that it was time to go and they started to get up. Then I took this one and I liked it the best of all. The unposed version seems more natural to me.

I'm not sure if this is exactly what Mark had in mind, but it is the best example I could think of.

 

[Gdad]

Here are some from two different trips to the Florida Aquarium. The first attempt was just 2 Months after buying 1st dslr and I came away with horrible results- the 1st shot was literally one of the best ones. Next trip I was much happier with the results and had several I really liked. The main differences were using a better suited lens- 18-200mm- and using a speedlight which I did not have on the first trip.

August 2006

December 2006

 

[Steve's Girl]

Here are some from two different trips to the Florida Aquarium. The first attempt was just 2 Months after buying 1st dslr and I came away with horrible results- the 1st shot was literally one of the best ones. Next trip I was much happier with the results and had several I really liked. The main differences were using a better suited lens- 18-200mm- and using a speedlight which I did not have on the first trip.

August 2006

December 2006

Gdad - the last two are amazing! Can you please explain how you were able to use a speedlight without getting glare off the glass?

Thanks!

 

[wdwpluto]

Can you please explain how you were able to use a speedlight without getting glare off the glass?
Thanks!

I was going to ask the same question. And were you using a polarizing filter?

 

[ukcatfan]

I can't speak for how he did it, but I got a few with flash by getting close enough to the glass that the flash cannot bounce back to the lens. I believe I was using a hood also. A speed light improves this even more b/c the flash is coming from a more extreme angle than a built on flash.

Kevin

 

[alan]

Maybe hold the flash a foot away from the camera, on an extension cord?

regards,
/alan

 

[sk8belle]

This first photo was taken with an ISO of 400, later in the evening, not sure of the white balance.

The noise on it really disappointed me, and I turned to our trusty boards for some help. A suggestion was made that I use a lower ISO. The next time I went out skiing, I took the same shot, earlier in the evening, with an ISO setting of 200, with a Gorillapod, and here's what I got:

 

[jann1033]

what can i say, overexposed out of focus plus her eyes are shut( crummy sigma lens as well) day 1 or 2 of camera

at least it's in focus, the highlights are getting better and i think the composition is better still room to grow for sure

 

[Disneyfreak92]

This was taken in May 05, on my first trip with my Rebel XT, about a month after I got it. No tripod!

This isn't the exact same fireworks burst, but you get the idea. I got a tripod, shutter release, and new lens. But most imortantly, I read the photography boards here on the DIS.

 

[DueyDooDah]

I love this idea. Unfortunately, I have only been to the World once since I went digital and won't be going again any time soon (going to Greece in 3 weeks, though). I may be able to get some comparisons between my last trip to WDW and DL (the DL trip being the more recent). If I do, you'll see posts soon. Again, great idea.

 

[DueyDooDah]

The first one below was shortly after I got my camera. As you can see, it was a picture of opportunity. I had little time to compose, and probably would not have done much better if I had. I just didn't know enough to take my time.

This one, which I've posted in the past, is one I had time, and a little experience, to get a little creative. I just wish the "eyes" were more in focus.

Note, now that I have two cameras, I normally use my S80 during the "poolside shooting hours" so that I can carry something light throughout the day. I switch to my 30D for early morning, evening and night shots. This makes toting around the equipment much more tolerable. I have also purchased a Gorillapod for my next trip. I have always handheld in the past. Now that I know about the gear lockers at the parks, it's much easier to deal with all the stuff I "need" to take.

Now, I'll see if I can find something to compare using the dSLR.

 

[Shifletjl]

.....

at least it's in focus, the highlights are getting better and i think the composition is better still room to grow for sure

Jann, I really like the composition of this photo...I like the way you "framed" her in the shot.

I like this thread...thanks for sharing what you have learned. I am learning a lot from this board, but I am still not seeing a great improvement in my shots. The most significant lesson I have learned since I purchased my new camera is to use the correct lens for the job.

 

[Gdad]

Thanks for commenting- I pretty much what was said- polorizer filter- stayed close to the glass w/ hood. Also bounced the flash up into the top of the tank where possible (these were big tanks) and took shots at a bit of an angle to the glass so the flash did not bounce right back at me. I also just took way more shots to improve the ratio of keepers.

Gdad - the last two are amazing! Can you please explain how you were able to use a speedlight without getting glare off the glass?

I was going to ask the same question. And were you using a polarizing filter?

I can't speak for how he did it, but I got a few with flash by getting close enough to the glass that the flash cannot bounce back to the lens. I believe I was using a hood also. A speed light improves this even more b/c the flash is coming from a more extreme angle than a built on flash.