C&C for a total newbie

SdoowSirhc

Hey guys I've been lurking around the Photography forums here for a while and started to get a bit of an interest in it so I took the plunge to buy my own camera. Bearing in mind I'm only 15 there was no way I could afford a compact system or SLR so I went for a Fujifilm superzoom bridge. Pretty happy with it so far but I think a better macro or wide angle lens would make a world of difference These are a few of the first photographs I got to take before the batteries ran out and I just want some C&C and maybe some advice? Thanks :cool:

*could someone please tell me how to embed pics?:P:confused:

Zillah

Great shots for your first go. The dandelion is particularly nice, much better depth of field than one might expect from a cheaper camera. Considering you're looking for C+C, here is a suggestion. In the beach shot the main point of appeal is the nice smooth curve of the beach as it heads off into the distance. All of the extra sky and ground at your feet is unnecessary, so I would crop it like this:



Also you imbed like this:

[img]url of image here[/img]

Obviously you have to upload it somewhere to get the url. Try a pix or flickr account.

The bird is nice, colours came out great. I'd be tempted to reposition a bit so that there are less leaves blocking it. Like with the beach, try to pick out what the focus/appeal of the photo is and emphasise that. The reason the dandelion is nice is because the depth of field makes it pop out nicely (that's where the background is out of focus and the subject is nice and sharp). This is a great trick for a lot of different types of photo, especially portraits, and you should keep it in mind and use it when you can. There are loads of technical issues around when and how you will have depth of field but don't worry about that for now. The sunset is ok but generally a little boring, there's nothing to focus on, and I would say the same about the flower, the eye doesn't get drawn to any point of interest. Also don't go black and white unless the subject is well suited to it.

Great work so far, keep snapping

SdoowSirhc

Thanks for the advice The pictures seemed to have suffered a bit of quality loss in the uploading process I'll try to work on the positioning and the cropping on the next few photos and the depth of field really cannot be controlled because my camera has a fixed lens with no real manual focus so it's all down to zoom and distance from the subject. Could you give any advice on capturing colour better on sunny days like we're having now? Most pics looked washed out and pale. At the moment I use GIMP to liven them up a bit :cool: thanks

SdoowSirhc

Zillah wrote: »

so I would crop it like this:

Also, thanks for the crop, might use it as my background

SdoowSirhc

Anybody else have C&C?:o

pconn062

Just having a look at the dandelion photo, I agree it is a nice shot but for me there is a bit too much background and sky and I feel the flower needs to be more centred, I don't think cropping will help so maybe take it again and try to get it more in centre so it is the feature of the photo.

SdoowSirhc

pconn062 wrote: »

Just having a look at the dandelion photo, I agree it is a nice shot but for me there is a bit too much background and sky and I feel the flower needs to be more centred, I don't think cropping will help so maybe take it again and try to get it more in centre so it is the feature of the photo.

Thanks for the feedback. I agree, it is not placed too well so I might try another dandelion now :cool:

Zillah

SdoowSirhc wrote: »

At the moment I use GIMP to liven them up a bit

That's pretty much how it's done. There is usually a setting for it in the camera too, but both would just boost the saturation. Just don't overdo it or it'll look horrible.

ZippyDee

We use the same camera (I think) I'm new enough myself so I wouldn't be able to give C+C I find its tricky to keep it steady - word of caution I didn't know about is that the tripod mount is very brittle. I cracked it the first time I used it. Other than that I like your pictures:):D

patrickc68

great photos kid,,,,,keep snappin

SdoowSirhc

ZippyDee wrote: »

We use the same camera (I think) I'm new enough myself so I wouldn't be able to give C+C I find its tricky to keep it steady - word of caution I didn't know about is that the tripod mount is very brittle. I cracked it the first time I used it. Other than that I like your pictures:):D

fujifilm s2980? its decent :cool:

SdoowSirhc

patrickc68 wrote: »

great photos kid,,,,,keep snappin

Thanks, anybody want to see one or two from today's trip to the bog? :P meet some photogenic sheep who were more than happy to pose :cool:

SingItOut

Love the pics of the dandelion & bird, really amazing pictures for a beginner! definetly post more

SdoowSirhc

SingItOut wrote: »

Love the pics of the dandelion & bird, really amazing pictures for a beginner! definetly post more

Thanks, really encourages me to try harder now I'll try to post some now if I can get them embedded. Are any of you guys using Pix.ie or Flickr?

SdoowSirhc

i cannot figure out how to embed photos! so here's my pix.ie http://pix.ie/chriswoods/2886049/in/album/443282

CabanSail

If you look at the OP of the Random Photo Thread you will see a guide to posting pics from Pix.ie

SdoowSirhc

SdoowSirhc

john47

I like the beach photo, nice colours, I would perhaps crop about half the sky out as it is all the same with no clouds or anything...

Good control of the bird picture, again I think it would help with some cropping too

Dadelion is fantastic, your best shot.

The sunset is nice and serene, there is a little dark spot in the middle of the picture (above the tree) which I would get rid of.

Finally, the last picture is well controlled but I dont think it works in B&W.

Anyway, keep up the good work and dont be put off by our posts, they are only our opinion...

John Ryan

bullpost

Try here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=55194002&postcount=23

SdoowSirhc wrote: »

i cannot figure out how to embed photos! so here's my pix.ie http://pix.ie/chriswoods/2886049/in/album/443282

Nebezpeci Mys

Like the DoF in the latest dandelion; the bright colours look well too. Good work, Chris.

pixbyjohn

SdoowSirhc wrote: »

i cannot figure out how to embed photos! so here's my pix.ie http://pix.ie/chriswoods/2886049/in/album/443282

Here is how to embed your photos on Boards from Flickr and Pix.ie
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056615163

kelly1

SdoowSirhc wrote: »

i cannot figure out how to embed photos! so here's my pix.ie http://pix.ie/chriswoods/2886049/in/album/443282

When you click on a photo in pix.ie, it brings up the code (Forum option) you need to paste into boards.

SdoowSirhc

john47 wrote: »

I like the beach photo, nice colours, I would perhaps crop about half the sky out as it is all the same with no clouds or anything...

Good control of the bird picture, again I think it would help with some cropping too

Dadelion is fantastic, your best shot.

The sunset is nice and serene, there is a little dark spot in the middle of the picture (above the tree) which I would get rid of.

Finally, the last picture is well controlled but I dont think it works in B&W.

Anyway, keep up the good work and dont be put off by our posts, they are only our opinion...

John Ryan

Thanks John, I haven't been put off at all, it's all quite positive and constructive really It's been so dull and cloudy the last few days that and I have exams so it's hard to get photographs so it's been instagram only