Noob... SLR Pictures

[Mish]

Complete noob, full of trial and error, just trying to experiment and 'get to know the camera' as I've only had it 2 days. Full of HDR, I like this method, but again, pretty much a novice and trying to get to grips with it.

Any tips would be great, I understand these pictures really won't cut it with those in the know, but I'm willing to learn and listen to any help given.

One thing I am struggling with is dark skys in a lot of pictures (both edited and un-edited)- pics are large, sorry!!!

Please bear with me as I am only learning the ropes...

Cheers,
Michelle

and one of my Doggy Max, who's been watching me take pics ALL day!

 

[cK]

I like the first pic

 

[Alexander]

they look really good. i know f**k all about photography but i like em!

 

[MaLicE]

i think your relying to much on hdr...

its a nice thing to use, but only works in certain situations well...

seriously try not to use it but good work...

 

[BenWall]

Don't like the HDR at all personally.

 

[Mish]

I was waiting for you to come along hehe! See this is the problem with HDR, it's very 'marmite' I think...

The pics lower down are rubbish, too much camera shake- the top one was the last one I took after two days practice and I'm quite proud of that one

Malice- cheers for advice... it's only experimentation and I will try to lay off it now

 

[BenWall]

I was waiting for you to come along hehe! See this is the problem with HDR, it's very 'marmite' I think...

The pics lower down are rubbish, too much camera shake- the top one was the last one I took after two days practice and I'm quite proud of that one

Malice- cheers for advice... it's only experimentation and I will try to lay off it now

Lol, I like HDR when it's done right, not saying that your pictures arn't, just not to my taste. Some example of HDR's that I love...

Taken from here.. http://www.digitalpicturezone.com/digital-pictures/25-hdr-pictures/ and here http://abduzeedo.com/20-beautiful-hdr-pictures-part-3

 

[GaryS]

A couple of things I'd suggest....

1. Composition - eg first pic is good but I think it would've been better to crop out the grass/fence on the right and have the signs on the right and the figure on the left. Also get the full Private Fishing sign in rather than cropping the bottom of it. I've done a version of the pic with the right cropped a bit... and also the same in black and white which I think can look effective for that sort of scene:

2. Dark sky - what metering mode are you using? Sounds like you may be using spot metering. Trying the other mode (I've forgotten what Nikon call it).

3. HDR - only works in certain cases in my opinion, in most cases it looks fake so I'd avoid using it too much.

 

[Mish]

Ben- only winding you up, there is no comparrison to mine and those pictures lol- I do understand where ur coming from.

Gary, some great tips. Thank you very much

 

[Mish]

Did a few more today, most came out rubbish, but it's all an education! I like these two... spray can especially- just a shame it's not properly in focus... althought I like the contrast between that and the in-focus paint blob!

 

[Leeshez]

Stunning piccys.

 

[Spiezels]

the impreza is incredible

 

[Brown.]

surely not real^^^?? boat is awesome!!!