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09/07/2005 08:28:37 PM · #1 |
Hi,
I'm new and I hope it's okay that I post this thread here, if not, I apologize in advance.
Which is more important, subject matter or camera? (Granted I realize photo quality depends on camera quality...but...) Are there any tips you can give on how to get the best picture out of my camera(HP 612) until I'm able to get a SLR? I would like to think that quality subject matter would make up for my lack of lens, but I don't know. I want to maximize what I've got...any suggestions would be great.
Thank you!
~Christina |
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09/07/2005 08:43:48 PM · #2 |
Hi Christina welcome! - I'm new to the site too.
Just participated in my first challenge and just entered my next one. IMO your composition should never be limited by your equipment but your equipment will limit your composition to a certain degree. Your camera shows another user that has entered some nice work check out:
//www.dpchallenge.com/profile.php?USER_ID=17375
this is a shot that I took with a Kodak DX3900 only a 3.2 mp camera
Superior Calm
This is a great place to learn how to take a great picture regardless of your equipment so have fun. Cheers Michele
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09/07/2005 08:52:42 PM · #3 |
and i'm happy to say i have the highest rated score on the site with a 3.2mp canon sd110...
edit: not the highest score on the site, the highest score of a picture taken with an SD110.. little different hehe
Message edited by author 2005-09-07 20:53:32. |
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09/07/2005 09:40:15 PM · #4 |
Jeff, thats sweet nice portfolio too!
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09/07/2005 10:59:21 PM · #5 |
Christina, any camera is capable of taking an awesome photo, the major limiting factor is the person using the camera.
You can experiment with different light, shades and such and different subjects and angles to get real familiar with your camera. Once you learn how to drive it real good you will see a huge differance in your photos. Then you will eventually out grow the camera and will be ready to progress to a more versatile camera (not necessarly a DSLR). When it is time to upgrade dont make any rush decisions, do the research, ask questions, go to stores and hold them to see what you really want from a camera once you feel your current one is holding you back.
James
Message edited by author 2005-09-07 23:02:16. |
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09/08/2005 12:51:30 AM · #6 |
To answer your question very succinctly, take a look at the page for the Olympus D-600L, a 1.2 Mp camera: Olympus D-600L
There's 21 images in a row all by Joey Lawrence, living proof that you don't HAVE to be armed to the teeth to score.
Robt.
Message edited by author 2005-09-08 01:06:26.
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09/08/2005 01:01:53 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by bear_music:
To answer your question very succinctly, take a look at the page for the Olympus D-600L, a 1.2 Mp camera: Olympus D-600L
There's 21 images in a row all by Joey lwrence, living proof that you don't HAVE to be armed to the teeth to score.
Robt. |
+ once you have a niche you can get great scores :P |
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09/08/2005 07:25:16 AM · #8 |
| Yeah I agree totally, the difficulty for a beginner is discovering the strengths and drawbacks of a certain camera while devoting much of the time to learning the ropes of photography anyway. There was a good tv show presented by Tom Ang on bbc recently link here set to run alongside their Picture of Britain competition. Each week they took 3 professionals and gave one a top of the range like a Hasselblad for eg, one a decent mid-range dSLR or a decent compact, and lastly a mobile phone camera. They had to get one urban, rural and industrial shot. And tbh even the mobile phones produced some amazing images. David Shrigleys were the best of the phones imo by using his trademark wit to capture odd situations. I can't find a link to the shots produced by the professionals sorry! But it just goes to prove, as they all pointed out after their experiences, that the camera informs the photographer who adjusts to its capabilities. That's how you produse great photographs imo anyway. |
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09/08/2005 08:26:20 AM · #9 |
Thank you for all of your advice and comments. I would have never known that the pictures mentioned were taken with the cameras they were shot with.
I guess my main grievance is the fact that the shutter speed(?) is so slow on my camera that I can't take more than 1 frame at a time. That really irritates me as there are so many instances where I see a shot and before the camera gets it, it's gone. I'm also disenchanted with the focus quality...perhaps I should look into working up into a higher pixel digital, not necessarily a SLR, for right now...
At any rate, I feel REALLY challenged now to learn more and work harder to acheive the quality of photo I've seen in this thread.
Thanks folks, I really appreciate it...
~CHristy |
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09/08/2005 08:26:37 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by impression_eye_get:
I guess my main grievance is the fact that the shutter speed(?) is so slow on my camera that I can't take more than 1 frame at a time. That really irritates me as there are so many instances where I see a shot and before the camera gets it, it's gone. I'm also disenchanted with the focus quality...perhaps I should look into working up into a higher pixel digital, not necessarily a SLR, for right now...
Thanks folks, I really appreciate it...
~CHristy |
this is a common problem for almost any autofocus camera. some focus real fast, some not so fast and others are a little slower than a snail.
what you need to do is practice focusing. if you press the shutter half way down this will engage the autofocus feature and it will focus on your subject, keep holding half way down until you are ready for the shot then press the button the rest of the way down.
the focus quality could be a simple fix as well, with many point n shoot digitals it takes some time for the focus to lock (see my previous tip) even though it looks like it is or tells you its locked on to its target, or if the subject you are shooting is an even lit area its can be hard for the camera to lock on to it. some cameras require a LOT of contrast and or light differances between subject and back and foreground stuff.
also a factor is since your camera can only do ISO 100 your shutter speeds will be a little slow in most shots causing blur from camera shake or the subject moving.
a really good place to pratice your focusing is at a local duck pond or somthing like that. heck anything that moves will help you. remember its digital so you can delete your test shots. and once you learn how your camera reacts your shots will start improving a lot.
James |
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09/08/2005 11:58:18 PM · #11 |
Personally I would be inclined to invest in a cheap little tripod, and this will at least keep your 'stage' or background as sharp as possible considering your equipment. I would then actively seek out objects that will be enhanced by the suggestion of blurring or action to create motion, such as a dance class, or club, or maybe animals in motion like horse racing, or something. [I notice you like horses and dogs on your site.] I used this technique before in nightclubs, with long shutter speeds being so dark causing blurred dancers, with the flashing lights picking out certain poses on the dancers 2 or even 3 times in the shot making it look like multiple exposures. You can use your flash to pick out an expression on a face in this way.
Also try keeping back from your subjects and concentrating on the lines, shapes and forms in the frame and their arrangement to make an impact, rather than a sharply focused close up subject.
It's all a matter of working to your strengths. Good luck, and have fun! |
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09/09/2005 12:11:51 AM · #12 |
How about these statistics from a 1.2MP camera:
Place: 1 out of 229
Avg (all users): 7.854
Avg (commenters): 8.714
Avg (camera): 7.857
Avg (no camera): 7.500
Views since voting: 5818
Votes: 219
Comments: 70
Favorites: 86 (view)
Take a bow Sher
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