Any sites or books for advice, new bridge camera!

thenashlegend

Hey guys,

I got a present of a Fujifilm S2980 last week, I'm by no means a photographer but the camera seems to have a lot of features so I was just wondering would there be anywhere I could find advice or tips on how to make the most of this type of camera specifically?

I suppose you could put me down as a beginner photographer, although I've taken a lot of photo's with my phone and a digital camera I think this is a different ball game really as I'd like to make the best use of it.

I've taken lots of images of cars for friends and we've always tried to find the best area, around Mayo and even venturing on trips out to Connemara or over towards Enniscrone so basically all I'm going to be taking are pictures of cars and landscapes and maybe the odd family party.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks

Ben D Bus

You could try Youtube. I've found loads of great tutorials there on photography in genera;. Youtube is blocked here in the office, but google returns a long list of videos with a search for "S2980 tutorial"

zero19

Books by Bryan Peterson are good, they're more geared towards DSLR use but can certainly be used to learn more about photography in general.

Fujiguy

zero19 wrote: »

Books by Bryan Peterson are good, they're more geared towards DSLR use but can certainly be used to learn more about photography in general.

Yes this... he does more than teach the technical, IMO he goes on more about composition and how to get the best shot from any given situation.

Just finished his DVD the other day, have watched it twice over since, fantastic!

*he has a book out called "Understanding Exposure" and i love it because in every picture he shows you what settings he is using, i learned a LOT from that.

yermanoffthetv

thenashlegend wrote: »

Hey guys,I got a present of a Fujifilm S2980 last week

Ha I just bought the same camera last week! Im going travelling soon and I wanted something better than a compact to take with me. I just looked on youtube for an explaination of the cameras features and then googled tutorials on how to apply them, Heres a good start, theres more advanced explanations in the 2nd video (the s2950 is basicly the same camera)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsMJ3ydD6JA

thenashlegend

Thanks for that, for some reason youtube never even crossed my mind for tutorials I'll take a look and see what I can pick up!
While I'm here actually someone might be able to help me, I've seen photographs taken where there was an object to the front in focus and the rest of the background was "blurred" out. Ye'll have to forgive my lack of technical knowledge but I really liked the appearance and it'd be nice to give it a go if I knew how.
Is it something that can be done with a camera or is it a photoshop trick?

Ben D Bus

thenashlegend wrote: »

an object to the front in focus and the rest of the background was "blurred" out.

Google "depth of field" "aperture" and "bokeh"

SdoowSirhc

thenashlegend wrote: »

Thanks for that, for some reason youtube never even crossed my mind for tutorials I'll take a look and see what I can pick up!
While I'm here actually someone might be able to help me, I've seen photographs taken where there was an object to the front in focus and the rest of the background was "blurred" out. Ye'll have to forgive my lack of technical knowledge but I really liked the appearance and it'd be nice to give it a go if I knew how.
Is it something that can be done with a camera or is it a photoshop trick?

I got that camera a few weeks ago too :P The best tutorial is your own experience! And the whole blurred out background is called bokkeh. It use Depth of Focus, meaning you focus on something in front of the background, but not the background itself, pretty much like an old person being short sighted is the most simple way I think of it :pac: I'm not spamming ya or anything but... take a look at the pics I've taken with mine please?
I've actually learned how to get the blurred background your talking about, it's really about how far you are from your subject and using zoom or macro if needed, no flash! http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056668775 here's a few of mine :rolleyes: take a look if you get the chance and tell me what you think!

thenashlegend

SdoowSirhc wrote: »

take a look if you get the chance and tell me what you think!

I'm not too keen on 1, 2 or 7, not down to your skills just its more personal preference I like 3, 4, 5 and 6 though. I'd say 5 is probably my favourite because of the wide variety of colours and the appearance of the bird through the branches and leaves.

yermanoffthetv

thenashlegend wrote: »

While I'm here actually someone might be able to help me, I've seen photographs taken where there was an object to the front in focus and the rest of the background was "blurred" out. Ye'll have to forgive my lack of technical knowledge but I really liked the appearance and it'd be nice to give it a go if I knew how.
Is it something that can be done with a camera or is it a photoshop trick?

Turn on "macro" mode or "super macro" mode (instructions in the video) and focus on the object. You have to get real close in super macro (1"-3") but it will create the effect your after.