Manual DSLR Users...

FG167

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#62
That's the trick. Playing with the camera. My suggestion, because this was what I did - pick some shots people have revealed their settings for, write them down, fold up the paper and keep it in your camera bag. Then when you're in a similar lighting situation, you can set your camera to those settings and adjust from there.

This better mean we see more pictures from you. :p
Ok, that's my New Year's resolution (a la copycatting Linds), no more auto settings.

Ohh, der, that makes sense, I will keep a little notebook with the breakdowns of certain light situations. The thing is, I don't even know if I know how to change these settings *embarrassed*

I am thinking that will mean a DRASTIC decrease in photos before I start posting again LOL

I will say one of the benefits of classes is we're forced to explore our cameras more.

The critiques are the most important, the balance of helping but not destroying an artists confidence is challenging, each student can take a varied amount and a "oh that's pretty" when it's really a mess won't ever make a better artist. I've had some of my work slayed and gone home crushed but some other artists go home with a renewed passion. Find a good teacher/mentor is my best advice for anyone seeking expansion. My professor was fantastic, she knew long before I did where I was best suited in the art world and helped me find my strengths.
With my horribly chaotic work schedule, I don't think I could take a "real life" class...and I'm unsure about how helpful online classes would be. I did a brief google search and LOADS came up...I need to think about that some more.

Come to think of it, for those interested, we could do a 52 weeks style thing with challenges and moderated critiques on Chaz...
Ooohhhh yes!!! INTERESTED!!!!
 

Shai

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#67
I would attempt to take part in a 52 week mission as well, though I would likely miss a fair number of weeks due to travel.
 
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#69
70-200mm, hands down. I have the f/4 (non-IS) version which (you shoot Canon, right?) you can get for around $550 used. It's my go to lens and I use it for just about everything. The 2.8 version is more expensive, it's next on my list.. but I have a love affair with my f/4 and I'm afraid to sell it!
I think I might just have to go with that. I've been reading reviews all morning and seems like everyone really likes this lens and that the weight/size of it makes it easier to carry around.

Also seems like a decent number of people selling it in good condition for around 500 dollars. So, that's great! Thanks SO much! I might be putting that as my birthday wish.

Also, yep, Canon girl!
 

jenv101

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#70
Come to think of it, for those interested, we could do a 52 weeks style thing with challenges and moderated critiques on Chaz...
Count me in too! I'm buying my first DSLR this week and am going to need some major practice throughout January before baby comes!
 

Equinox

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#71
I would be really interested in a 52 weeks challenge + critiques! I'd absolutely participate, although like Shai I will end up missing out on a few weeks.
 

kady05

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#73
52 weeks sounds fun! I need to step out of the box a bit and I'm sure that'd push me to do so.

I think I might just have to go with that. I've been reading reviews all morning and seems like everyone really likes this lens and that the weight/size of it makes it easier to carry around.

Also seems like a decent number of people selling it in good condition for around 500 dollars. So, that's great! Thanks SO much! I might be putting that as my birthday wish.

Also, yep, Canon girl!
I really don't think you can go wrong with it. It's such a versatile lens.. I use it for action shots as well as portrait type stuff. It can go from doing shots like this:



to this:



to this:



See why I love it?
 

BostonBanker

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#74
Ah, I got so inspired by this thread I went out and took pictures with one of the "adjust one thing at a time you idiot" settings. I am very sad about the potential nice pictures I missed. I thought adjusting one thing at a time might be less intimidating.

I'd *love* to do a 52 week thing, although I think a lot of the "work" involved would wind up falling on a few people as far as critiquing and offering constructive criticism, so they might need to be the ones really deciding.

I got this camera swearing I would learn to use it for real, and maybe this is the year to make it happen. I almost went to a weekend-long "seminar" thing in our area a year or two ago, but it ended up conflicting with one of my favorite agility trials.
 

JessLough

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#75
OK so to sum this up quickly for my stupidness... lower light = higher ISO, lower fstop/ shutter speed? Basically? As a starting point? xD
 

Equinox

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#77
I really don't think you can go wrong with it. It's such a versatile lens.. I use it for action shots as well as portrait type stuff.



See why I love it?
Oh that is a gorgeous shot! I am loving the bokeh. I always insist that I don't really have a need for anything that goes beyond 100mm (despite having a 55-200mm) but I wouldn't mind trying that one out, especially if it's a fixed aperture lens. I'm going to add the 70-200mm f/4 to my list of lenses to rent in the future.

Ah, I got so inspired by this thread I went out and took pictures with one of the "adjust one thing at a time you idiot" settings. I am very sad about the potential nice pictures I missed. I thought adjusting one thing at a time might be less intimidating.
I almost always had my settings on Aperture Priority before I recently decided to try learning to shoot in Manual. It definitely helped me learn about adjusting Aperture (and also Shutter Speed in "S" mode).
 
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#78
Another question!

Flash. I know nothing about it, never ever use it and forget my camera has one. External flashes are supposed to be better right? I would love to be able to get some decent indoor shots but my house does not have good natural lighting at all which makes it difficult.

FG, hope you don't mind that I keep derailing your thread!
 

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