Jimmy's Photos -- New Kid on the Block

[jimmy]

and so it begins

Canon XTi w/ 18-55 lens

i dont even know how to take pictures properly nor do i know how to post process =/
and i dont know how to use the dslr properly yet lol, i've been shooting in Av mode but i get alot of blur
so just like what i've seen in other threads i guess im going to shoot in RAW as it offers more flexibility?

so here are two photos i've taken so far with slight editing in photoshop:
mostly its boosting the color intensity in the parking lot one, and the gauge one i just did auto levels, auto color, and auto contrast

any tips for future editing? what should i be looking for / changing?
if you were me what would you have done?

also, what resolution do u guys size down your photos to usually before uploading?

[jimmy]

im also thinking about investing in the canon 50mm f/1.4 USM lens next (but not in the near future... no $$ as i am unemployed)
or sigma 30mm (more research required on this lens)

what do you guys think? the 50mm is mostly going to be for its compact characteristics in indoor environments (like a birthday dinner or something) where weight and large size are not favored (at least i dont wanna be smacking ppl in the face with long ass lens)

or is it too zoomed in when coupled with a 1.6x crop factor
as for the 30mm vs 50mm
i've read somewhere that 50mm's optics were "mastered a billion years ago" , and i did notice alot of old school SLRs did have 50mm's on them

and as for the 50mm i was comparing between the 50mm f/1.8 (the el cheapo $100 plastic lens) and the 50mm USM one, seems like the plastic one is a bit too flimsy for my liking, but then again i am forking out an extra $200. so am i better off saving that $200 for a nicer lens (next in line i was thinking about 17-40mm L lens)? or is the USM and full time manual focusing worth its $200

[dmogx]

just the extra f stop in the 50mm f1.4 makes it worth it
i'm a aperture fiend lol
I have, however, heard many good things about the f1.8 and that it's a good learning beginners portrait lense etc.

[StevieSpeed3]

50mm 1.4 is a really nice lens.  I would get better at composing and editting your photos before you invest in an L lens.

I find the challenging thing with photography is to find an interesting subject to shoot these days.  A car in a parkcade has been done so many times its not that exciting.

For web uploading, I do 4x6 @ 72dpi saved for web and devices in PS.  Once you have the time/ knowledge you might find it benefital to make a batch program that you can apply to your finished jpegs.

Always shoot in RAW.

For editting, thats gunna depend on your style.  Andys way of editting is very different from Leightons, theres no right or wrong way.  You'll find what you like once you take a few thosand pics

[derrick]

Danny is going to be angry that there are more photographers on the forums now... LOL.

I use a 50mm f1.8 and it has served me well. I do have the MkI though, which has the metal mount and proper focus ring.



You can see the battlescars on the ring of the filter.

I say go with the 1.8 for now and really the cost is so minimal compared to what you may be spending in the future if you really get into photography.

[Ice_GT]

Wow, Derrick....you're right, LOL

Another one ! WTF !

[Ice-520]

I use 800X533

the 50 1.4 is really great

this is the site i go to for canon reviews
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/

[melonvitara]

why 800 x 533?
so u have to crop the images every time?

[Ice-520]

nope it is still 3:2 ratio

[melonvitara]

but i thought the picture that comes out of the camera has a 1.3 ratio (example 800 x 600)

[Ice-520]

my photos are 3:2, 3504X2336

[melonvitara]

o that's weird mine is 4000 x 3000 1.3 ratio

[Ice-520]

i think all canon dslr are 3:2

[melonvitara]

ok nvm mine is the different one

[jimmy]

so i went out and bought a f/1.8 mkII today from bestbuy to see if i'll like the 50mm thing
2 weeks for me to try before refund



i LOVE the bokeh. omg. soooooooooooooooooooo sexyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

this pic is kind of too much bokeh as even the words on the shirt are kind of out of focus as they are even slightly away from the point of focus

[fulminatus]

50mm may not be small indoor environments.  Now that you have it, you can test it out =).

I was going to suggest you shoot around the house w/the kit lens "locked in" at ~50mm and see if it offers you the field of view you need.  But the 50mm f/1.8 is great bang for the buck.  You'll notice tho', that the bokeh is obviously more oval in shape than circle, and it's rotated.  I don't see any bokeh in your test shot =).

You need some brighter spots in the background to see it.

[levitron]

Wait till you try the f1.4.  BOKEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

[jimmy]

how do u batch add borders in cs3? lol...


some more from a friend's bday... 1600 ISO, alot of pics were blurry, and with the flash either its weirdly exposed or blurry...
low light shooting is so hard >_>  with the 17-55 @ f/4 its almost impossible to do hand held shots... and in the restaurant my 50mm f/1.8 had a really hard time focusing properly...

here are some shots i particularly liked

[StevieSpeed3]

Bokeh is different from DOF.  In the 3rd pic you posted, the little light discs are what is considered bokeh.


For borders with a batch, open the actions window, create a new action, click the record button, do whatever you want to the pic for the border, then click stop.  Afterwards you can click on the action and plress the play button to perform whatever actions were recorded.  You can also do multiple pics though file>automate>batch

[M Speed]

the jacket makes her look like a football player....or just weird angle?!