Tips and Tricks

[dizneegirls]

Hi, I really would like some advice on how to take better pix. Anyone willing to go to Webshots and check out my albums and tell me what I may be doing wrong?

 

[Master Mason]

Hi, I really would like some advice on how to take better pix. Anyone willing to go to Webshots and check out my albums and tell me what I may be doing wrong?

Link?

 

[dizneegirls]

Go to http://community.webshots.com/user/ncmtns to look at my albums. I think some of my photos are average or ok, but lots of times I don't get the rich colors of the sky or pics that really just stand out.

 

[AndrewWG]

What kind of camera are you using? If I had to guess, it would be a point and shoot and not a DSLR. I guess this as your photos look similar to mine in many respects. I use the Canon S2 IS. Overall (I looked at only some of the photos with the sky in them) they look good. Not overly overexposed, but I would guess that the camera has it's limitations.

I, by no means, am a professional at this. Others will have alot better advice, I'm sure.

Andy

 

[MarkBarbieri]

What kind of camera are you using?

Judging by the resolution, the colors, and the acutance (not to mention the EXIF data), I'd say that she's shooting with a KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA.

If you're looking for tips on Disney photography, you might find this link useful.

 

[dizneegirls]

I shoot some of them with my older Kodak 6490, I also shoot with a newer Kodak P712. I didn't think I would really like a dslr so I just ordered a Sony DSC H9 that I hope I will like better. I have read several photo tips and such but still am not really satisfied with what I'm taking. Can't afford to go take any college courses for photography but I'd like to somehow get some hands on experience. The manuels and terms in books might as well be written in invisible ink for what I understand of it

 

[Master Mason]

You should get a copy of Understanding Exposure, it is very compleate and easy to read and understand with lots of examples of what different settings will do for you. If you understand what a change of settings will do, then it is easier to get the pics your looking for.

i still owe you a viewing of your pics, but probably not tonight as I am wiped out.

 

[photo_chick]

Those are a really good starting point. I would try and learn about exposure and composition.

 

[AndrewWG]

Judging by the resolution, the colors, and the acutance (not to mention the EXIF data), I'd say that she's shooting with a KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA.

If you're looking for tips on Disney photography, you might find this link useful.

Now that is a trick. How did you get the EXIF data from those photos? I right clicked on them and just got the settings for the flash player and no option to view EXIF. I'm using the plugin Opanda IEXIF to view the info on Windows XP Pro with IE7. Just curious how you were able to view it.

Andy

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Now that is a trick. How did you get the EXIF data from those photos? I right clicked on them and just got the settings for the flash player and no option to view EXIF. I'm using the plugin Opanda IEXIF to view the info on Windows XP Pro with IE7. Just curious how you were able to view it.

You just have to be a more aggressive snoop. I think I found it by clicking on a little magnifying glass that allows you see the photo at "full size." I figured that they wouldn't bother stripping the EXIF from the original.

 

[dizneegirls]

I recently shot some photos of my family outside. I experimented a little such as using a flash in some and using some different modes to see what results I would get. I really liked the way that some of them turned out but was still a little disappointed with a few. I shot them later on in the evening so the sunlight wouldn't be so harsh but still yet in some of them the background looks really light or washed out, also some of them just look really grainy. I do have a uv filter and a polarizer filter but I'm not really sure if they help as I can't tell much difference except on some shots I have a little spot on the top corners when I use them. Any more advice???

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I recently shot some photos of my family outside. I experimented a little such as using a flash in some and using some different modes to see what results I would get. I really liked the way that some of them turned out but was still a little disappointed with a few. I shot them later on in the evening so the sunlight wouldn't be so harsh but still yet in some of them the background looks really light or washed out, also some of them just look really grainy. I do have a uv filter and a polarizer filter but I'm not really sure if they help as I can't tell much difference except on some shots I have a little spot on the top corners when I use them. Any more advice???

It would help if you would post specific examples and ask about those.

You should not see any difference when using an UV filter, except an occasional problem with reflections from lights in your image. With a polarizer, the effect will vary based on how you turn the polarizer. When used properly, it should cut down on glare.

 

[SharonLowe]

I recently shot some photos of my family outside. I experimented a little such as using a flash in some and using some different modes to see what results I would get. I really liked the way that some of them turned out but was still a little disappointed with a few. I shot them later on in the evening so the sunlight wouldn't be so harsh but still yet in some of them the background looks really light or washed out, also some of them just look really grainy. I do have a uv filter and a polarizer filter but I'm not really sure if they help as I can't tell much difference except on some shots I have a little spot on the top corners when I use them. Any more advice???

Examples would help but my guess is that your metering system was fooled by the people and to make them lighter, the camera washed out the background. I also bet those were photos where you weren't using flash. We would need to see the examples and be able to see the shooting info to really help.

As for filters, you should never have more than one on at a time and you should avoid them unless absolutely necessary. They are not likely nearly as optically good as your lens so you are adding distortion and other problems by using them.

 

[dizneegirls]

Thanks for all the advice. Sorry to sound crazy but I have never posted pics on here and am not sure how to do so. I can probably post the link to a few if that would help. I think I will stop using the filters and see if that helps on the family photos.

 

[Master Mason]

Thanks for all the advice. Sorry to sound crazy but I have never posted pics on here and am not sure how to do so. I can probably post the link to a few if that would help. I think I will stop using the filters and see if that helps on the family photos.

It is pretty simple to post pics here. First you find where you photo is, most sharing sites give that to you pretty clearly

Then you simply post it with tags so it would look like this


[img*]http://yourimage.com[/img*] Remove the *'s from the two tags and put your actual URL in and your good to go.

 

[dizneegirls]

Can't figure it out, but you can click on the previous link I posted and go into a new family album that I just created with 3 examples.

 

[SharonLowe]

Can't figure it out, but you can click on the previous link I posted and go into a new family album that I just created with 3 examples.

First - that thing in the corner is a filter rim - you have either stacked filters or are using a very thick one. Avoid them when you don't need them.

First photo - background looks okay but it doesn't appear that you have used any flash. You have to realize that you have a huge difference in exposure between the exposure necessary for a nice sky and the exposure necessary for the foreground subjects.

Second one looks okay if not flat - you can fix that in PS with levels or curves. You used flash and it looks to be the right amount too. I had a quick go at it and here is what I could do in 2 minutes:

Her pose and look aren't very good - another area of portrait taking to learn.

The Third one looks like you used flash but you have the sun coming at them from the side which is washing them out too. Again, the exposure difference is too great for your camera to handle so you need to think about how to place your subjects better. In terms of normal timing, the best time to take outdoor portraits is within 30 minutes of sunrise or sunset - given that you look to be in a mountain area, you may have to adjust that a bit.

Taking good portraits is hard work and requires lots of learning. Check Amazon for some portrait books, especially ones that deal with outdoor portraits, and also if you have the funds, think about taking an online photo class from BetterPhoto.com or http://www.ppsop.com/ (Bryan Peterson's online photo school).

 

[jann1033]

to post photos, when you click on your photos and enlarge them on the right side is a box with links in it...highlight and copy the last one that says for forums, then open a reply box in dis and paste it in...it oughta work

all i can say about your photos that hasn't been said is they remind me of......... ummmmm ....the ham shoppe, sun-dried tomato bread with tomato, lettuce, ham and mayo...one track mind.

 

[dizneegirls]

Thanks for the tips that are still coming in. I think maybe I'll see if there is a local place where I can get some hands on tips. I by no means think my photos are terrible, in fact I believe I have some pretty good ones besides the issues with the lighting. Thanks for trying to help