SSS Posted May 22, 2010 Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 I am going to send a couple of entries into this years countryfile photographic competition, but am looking for a bit of advice and a few tips on 'taking photos for dummies'. I know we have a few really good photographers on here, and a few... shallwe say amateurs :o I have borrowed my cousins camera for a few days, its a canon EOS 400d, with an 18-55mm lens. I have a few photos so far, but I'm rather unsure about them. Not had chance to upload them onto the computer yet, but I will try tomorrow, and you lot can be my critics. Can someone explain what ISO means? Allthe best, Sam :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossEM Posted May 22, 2010 Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 Send in a few close ups of dead foxes, that would nark Craven proper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guest1957 Posted May 22, 2010 Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 I am going to send a couple of entries into this years countryfile photographic competition, but am looking for a bit of advice and a few tips on 'taking photos for dummies'. I know we have a few really good photographers on here, and a few... shallwe say amateurs :o I have borrowed my cousins camera for a few days, its a canon EOS 400d, with an 18-55mm lens. I have a few photos so far, but I'm rather unsure about them. Not had chance to upload them onto the computer yet, but I will try tomorrow, and you lot can be my critics. Can someone explain what ISO means? Allthe best, Sam :o Hi, ISO on a digital camera is the measure of how sensitive the sensor is to light. With lower ISO the camera is less sensitive to light so needs brighter environments, longer shutter speeds etc. The problem with higher ISO is tha the image quality is reduced, and at 1600 on the 400d you will notice visible 'grain' on the image. If you are aiming for high quality photographs taken during the day, try and set the camera to 100 iso because I find with my canon it is often a bit too keen to jump to high ratings in auto mode. Hope this helps :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted May 22, 2010 Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 A thing that should be mentioned is that when using low iso settings it is always best to use a tripod as the shutter speeds will be quite slow in most cases and the resulting photo will possibly be a little blurred - the cause of this is often known as "camera shake" and can spoil what might be a very good photo! Unfortunately photography can not always be mastered in just a couple of days but who knows, it is always possible to get that "lucky one off shot" that stands out above others. Good luck mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guest1957 Posted May 22, 2010 Report Share Posted May 22, 2010 Agree with Frenchieboy re. camera shake and tripod. Particularly important if the 18-55mm lens is the non-IS model. If you are outside on a bright day however shutter speeds will be fast enough not to use a tripod. Always worth resting on a wall or similar when taking any photo as it gives that estra bit of stability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted May 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 I've got a couple of half decent photosn close up of dandilions and such like. I'm hoping to try and get a few more decent ones tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Just out of interest what is the theme for this year's Country File Photo Competition please Sam? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davie mac Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Just out of interest what is the theme for this year's Country File Photo Competition please Sam? A moment of magic http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006t0bv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 A moment of magichttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006t0bv Thanks Sam, that leaves it quite wide open on the choice of subjects! I might even put a few pics in myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 When taking pics of things like dandylions, really get down low and try to get a good dark background to bring out your subject if you can imagin..there will be loads of pics like dandylions, so yours needs to stand out or if your going to photograph an animal..really make sure the eye is in focus I'm no expert..but I do love taking pics here is my fox shots..as you can see the eye is the dominant thing even with a mangy fox , you can still get up close when taking pics of things that move, make sure the shutter speed is quick enough to capture the subjest..also make sure the background is level when taking water shots... nothing worse than looking at a sloping lake or if your taking landscapes, make sure there are no wires ...harder than think even in the country side they seem to have cables running here and there, also look for good cloud formation... clouds add atmosphere to a pic like i said..i'm no expert but do love to see a nice pic good luck with the comp.... jasp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted May 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Cheers jasper, that's great help. I have 2 that are promising, and onw which is a bit less. I haven't taken many yet, and i have got until august. I'll get them up later so you can have a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Just to point out that by entering such photographic competitions, you will have to sign away all your rights to the image(s) so any monies earned on the sale of your photos, which could be world wide and potentially worth a lot of money, would go to the people you have signed them away to. Just so you know, that is the sole aim of these "competitions" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted May 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 Just to point out that by entering such photographic competitions, you will have to sign away all your rights to the image(s) so any monies earned on the sale of your photos, which could be world wide and potentially worth a lot of money, would go to the people you have signed them away to. Just so you know, that is the sole aim of these "competitions" Thats a fair point actually fullbore, Does that mean I lose all rights over the photos? If so, I'll have to frame them and sell them myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 John Craven is on the same level of ####iness as Bill Oddie. Pair of *****. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smig4373 Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 When taking pics of things like dandylions, really get down low and try to get a good dark background to bring out your subjectif you can imagin..there will be loads of pics like dandylions, so yours needs to stand out or if your going to photograph an animal..really make sure the eye is in focus I'm no expert..but I do love taking pics here is my fox shots..as you can see the eye is the dominant thing even with a mangy fox , you can still get up close when taking pics of things that move, make sure the shutter speed is quick enough to capture the subjest..also make sure the background is level when taking water shots... nothing worse than looking at a sloping lake or if your taking landscapes, make sure there are no wires ...harder than think even in the country side they seem to have cables running here and there, also look for good cloud formation... clouds add atmosphere to a pic like i said..i'm no expert but do love to see a nice pic good luck with the comp.... jasp I took this with a standard Kodak 3.2mp camera....I used the lense of my sunglasses as a filter....not bad i reckon.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted May 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 John Craven is on the same level of ####iness as Bill Oddie. Pair of *****. You're certainly not wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted May 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 These are the images (if this works), be honest and tell me what you all think. I want harsh criticism and I want the bare honest truth. These 2 are my favourites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_R Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 In what way are those four "a moment of magic"? There you go.. sorry if it is harsh... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammie*dodger Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 In what way are those four "a moment of magic"? There you go.. sorry if it is harsh... I'm afraid I agree. Nice pictures but I don't think they really fit the theme. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted May 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 No need to be sorry guys, that's the type of things I need Any one else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted May 23, 2010 Report Share Posted May 23, 2010 I agree with the previous comments and have sent you a PM mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted May 24, 2010 Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 (edited) the 1st one, is on the right lines... but not enough destinctive colours.. the sky looks like nothing 2nd one '..... nice tree..but its just a tree.... you need to find that tree everyone says... **** Me !!!! Look at that Tree 3rd one .... good idea..down a bit lower work on the DOF (depth of field) 4th ..thats the one thats been done a million times keep it up.... also forgot to say..... like the way the 1st pic is off set..you dont always need to get the subject bang in the middle Edited May 24, 2010 by jasper3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted May 24, 2010 Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 the 1st one, is on the right lines... but not enough destinctive colours.. the sky looks like nothing 2nd one '..... nice tree..but its just a tree.... you need to find that tree everyone says... **** Me !!!! Look at that Tree 3rd one .... good idea..down a bit lower work on the DOF (depth of field) 4th ..thats the one thats been done a million times keep it up.... also forgot to say..... like the way the 1st pic is off set..you dont always need to get the subject bang in the middle Dead right, have a read up about the rule of thirds, it can make huge differences to a somewhat boring image. This should give you a general idea. click Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted May 24, 2010 Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 The first picture is interesting, the other three are just ordinary, as already stated they don't fit the descriptiion either. 7/10 from me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted May 24, 2010 Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 sorry but nothing in those pics rocks my boat, poor subject choice, bad framing and focus keep trying at the end of the day its a nice photo if you enjoy it good luck doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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