Tips, tricks, and critiques for a n00b.

[fyn]

Hey all,

My most recent trip to WDW (May 4th-16th) marked my first step into photography as a hobby. I've had my FujiFilm S9100 for a couple of years, but this trip was the first time I've been able to shoot photos at Disney that weren't simply trip chronicles on a disposable point n' shoot, destined never to be developed. I was hoping that the awesome folks here could give me some tips on...well, everything. Technique, composition, editing, and eventually, equipment (though, not for a while. I plan on squeezing everything I can out of my "not quite an SLR" point and shoot).

I created a Flickr account, and I've put up some of the shots I've edited. I'd love to hear what anyone thinks about them, and if you have specific critiques, either on the shot or how I edited it, feel free to put the photo in this thread (or a link, if you prefer). I'm open to all criticism, so don't hold back.

A few things to note about the photos (otherwise known as "Yeah, now I know"):
- I shot in JPEG, not RAW
- The autofocus was set to C (center)
- I didn't have a tripod. All night shots were the camera perched on railings, trashcans (ew, sticky), or handheld (and breath-held). Any angle adjustments were made with my hand wedged under the camera.
- This is the first time I've edited photos with software actually intended to do such a thing. On a friend's suggestion I used Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Beta 2, for the amazing price of $0.

Thanks in advance, I hope this turns out to be a fun exercise.

-Dave

 

[DisneyDadof5]

I'm just getting into photography as well, so would love to hear some tips as well. I've seen some fabulous shots on the board. I posted one of mine in the new Epcot photo contest, but I'm sure I could make it look better.

This is the first time I've edited photos with software actually intended to do such a thing. On a friend's suggestion I used Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Beta 2, for the amazing price of $0

Didn't know there was a free version of Beta, would you IM me the link? Thanks.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Hey all,
I created a Flickr account, and I've put up some of the shots I've edited. I'd love to hear what anyone thinks about them, and if you have specific critiques, either on the shot or how I edited it, feel free to put the photo in this thread (or a link, if you prefer). I'm open to all criticism, so don't hold back.

A few things to note about the photos (otherwise known as "Yeah, now I know"):
- I shot in JPEG, not RAW
- The autofocus was set to C (center)
- I didn't have a tripod. All night shots were the camera perched on railings, trashcans (ew, sticky), or handheld (and breath-held). Any angle adjustments were made with my hand wedged under the camera.
- This is the first time I've edited photos with software actually intended to do such a thing. On a friend's suggestion I used Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Beta 2, for the amazing price of $0.

Okay, i was just having a conversation about Raw vs JPEG with the photographer from Southern Cal (during the NCAA Tennis Championships) and neither of us have the time nor the patience to try to process a RAW file on deadline. And by that, i mean having a photo FTP'd to the client or the wire within 3 minutes of downloading it off the card.... I also dont have that kind of hard drive space.... but whatever... onto photos...

You've got good composition going here, like the shot of Cindy's castle through the trees with the sun pretty much at noontime...... I see you too the Wildy Lodge boat...

Overall i like the composition & i like some of the reflection stuff. Good postcard stuff.

 

[DisneyDadof5]

Hi Photodave :wave:. Since you're mentioning using JPEG for deadlines, etc, I wondered what your megapixel thoughts were on these new cameras. I have a 10.1MP Casio EX300a point and shoot (nice and compact), but have been looking into getting a 14MP SLR. I'm starting to think that even 10MP is overkill though when looking back at the sheer size of the file, and was wondering what your opinion was.

 

[wdwmagic]

Hi Photodave :wave:. Since you're mentioning using JPEG for deadlines, etc, I wondered what your megapixel thoughts were on these new cameras. I have a 10.1MP Casio EX300a point and shoot (nice and compact), but have been looking into getting a 14MP SLR. I'm starting to think that even 10MP is overkill though when looking back at the sheer size of the file, and was wondering what your opinion was.

A great advantage of more MP is that it can give you a lot of cropping capability. Yes 18MP is a lot of pixels, and a large iamge size, but it lets you do a tight crop, and STILL end up with a 10MP image.

Of course, this doesnt take into account the argument that more MP on a given size sensor increases noise. But that's another discussion.

 

[wdwmagic]

Okay, i was just having a conversation about Raw vs JPEG with the photographer from Southern Cal (during the NCAA Tennis Championships) and neither of us have the time nor the patience to try to process a RAW file on deadline. And by that, i mean having a photo FTP'd to the client or the wire within 3 minutes of downloading it off the card.... I also dont have that kind of hard drive space.... but whatever... onto photos...

You've got good composition going here, like the shot of Cindy's castle through the trees with the sun pretty much at noontime...... I see you too the Wildy Lodge boat...

Overall i like the composition & i like some of the reflection stuff. Good postcard stuff.

I agree on this. I can see where you may want a RAW of something taken in very difficult lighting conditions, and where you plan to play around with it, and want maximum editing capabilities. But if you need the images quick, and don't want to spend hours trasnferring and processing, JPGs can get the job done. I'm also finding that Aperture 3 can do a heck of a lot with JPGs, and get similar results as RAW.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Hi Photodave :wave:. Since you're mentioning using JPEG for deadlines, etc, I wondered what your megapixel thoughts were on these new cameras. I have a 10.1MP Casio EX300a point and shoot (nice and compact), but have been looking into getting a 14MP SLR. I'm starting to think that even 10MP is overkill though when looking back at the sheer size of the file, and was wondering what your opinion was.

Depends on what your using it for. I have no idea the MP size of my d700, but as long as you can put out an image 12 inches wide at 200 dpi, it should be fine for most uses, unless we're talking a poster.

Most megapixel counts are more about marketing departments trying to get everyone to buy into the 'bigger is better' mentality. How big your sensor is wont determine how good your pictures are, thats all dependent on you.

I'm a huge proponent (ask steve, he'll back me up) of learning how to use the camera you have. Lighting, composition, framing, general basic techniques that can be applied across all camera platforms. Thats my thoughts at the moment...

 

[DisneyDadof5]

Thanks for the info guys! I'll stick with my Casio ZX300A, and study up on the settings before I go.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Well.... actually use it like you would on vacation. Photograph the kids or whatever in your natural environment. Get comfortable with what you have and how to operate it and get what you want.