Mikeee first attempt at SLR photography

[EyeReef]

Very nice Mikee. What are your settings?

I just use either the auto, macro, landscape mode. Not too knowledgeable about the setting yet.

Mike you need to find a better hosting place then Photobucket!!! I can't load pictures from photobucket

Sorry Kevin, Ill upload them on this site next time for ya.

A quick way to improve the composition of your shots is to try to obey the rule of thirds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds

Thanks for the link. I will obey the rule of thirds from now on.

those are nice shots mikee..

btw did you get a deal on the camera?

yea I got a great deal. What you guys think 470 for a brand new es, along with a tamrac expedition3 backpack, memory card, remote trigger, and a bunch of nude pix that the original owner forgot to delete!

Or here is another way. Using the centre focus point, focus on your subject then reframe the picture. You focus and push shutter release halfway (dont take a pic) hold shutter release, now compose image as you want while still holding the button half way, once happy with image, release shutter all the way (take the picture).

Lets say there is a bug on a leaf but its on the right side of the leaf and you want the leaf and the bug in the shot. Focus on the bug, hold the focus (shutter half way down) recompose so bug is on right side and leaf is in frame, (bug still in focus at this point) release shutter (push button all the way.. Smooth motion only tip of finger should move, dont jerk camera when pushing shutter, kind of like shooting a gun...)

I will play around with the camera a little more today using your advise. Thanks Bret!

get a tripod and a remote trigger or at least use the timer so your hand isn't on the camera. If you HAVE to have your hand on the camera, do like bret to focus your shot, but when you push down the shutter, hold it down. This way you're minimizing the motion until after the shot is done. A tripod is really the best route for anyone wanting to take serious pics.

A tripod will be on my list to buy when I start to take fish pix.

Yay! San Diego!!!

Those look nice for a first run Mike. I'd say get used to the camera and what you're trying to do with it first. It sucks to fumble around with settings and such. Once you're real comfortable using it, then you can concentrate on the composition of the image. Keep it up, great job so far. :top:

Thanks Ed, your my inspiration.

great pics

Thanks Ant!

 

[goody]

Nice shots. Are you local here in San Diego? I do agree with not always centering your object. There is a rule of thirds or as another member mentioned nine squares on your screen. If you think of dividing your screen into thirds vertically or horizontally, then you can place your object outside of the center. Hope that makes sense.

 

[Tom619]

wow, thanks for all the great questions you've been posting mike. i'm in the same EXACT boat as you are right now. new to D-SLR, getting a canon too. while im at it, i think ima go with the Canon rebel XSi. i've learned so much more from these few posts than reading reviews because you guys have similar subjects to shoot as i do. THANKS
and thanks to everyone that has been answering mike's q's. =]