[Otahyoni]

It seems I'm going to need to wait until i can get a DSLR. I'm just not happy with the results that I'm getting with my P&S.

FmrVette, thanks for the links. I'll have to check those out.

Thanks to all for your advice. I've got my game plan now, now i just need to wait til my finances are in order.

[FmrVette]

Originally Posted by Otahyoni

It seems I'm going to need to wait until i can get a DSLR. I'm just not happy with the results that I'm getting with my P&S.

Otahyoni, the shots in your stream were taken with a Canon PowerShot A720?

May one inquire - what limitations are you feeling with your current gear? What leaves you unhappy with the results you're getting with the Canon? (Other than it isn't a Nikon? ).

You've some very nice shots in those two streams. Where would you like to have your photography take you, and in what way do you feel your current gear is holding you back?

(These questions aren't as silly as they might seem - remember that Cartier-Bresson used a simple Leica in his work.)

Colton obviously has talent; but your photos aren't anything to sneeze at. Where are you looking to go?

If you want an opinion from this old man - if you enjoy shooting, you need to pursue this and see where it leads.

Just my 2 cents.

[AlTheKillerr]

your P&S takes nice clear shots and i dont think itll limit you as much as you think. you just gotta practice and develop the "eye". what i would recommend doing is to go through pictures on flickr from the past 7 days interesting section. click on the ones you like and just study them. the angles colors where the camera is positioned then go out and try to emulate the pictures you like then compare them and just continue to practice. thats how i learned to shoot till i took lighting classes which hasnt really changed anything when it comes to most of what i shoot just the studio work.

[Otahyoni]

Jim, yea. I have a Canon Powershot A720IS. I've been wanting to get some more wildlife pictures and the ones i worked on a couple days ago did not turn out clear at all. Although i'm starting to question my settings the more i think about it.

This camera satisfies my love for macro, but doesn't have the long range clarity i want for 'shooting' critters.

Another thing is while i was in the mountains taking pictures there was a lot of haze, i read that a polarizing filter would cut down on a lot of that, but there isn't a way (i know of) to mount a filter to my camera.

I suppose that since it will be about a year before getting a new camera, i need to learn a lot more about manually setting the aperture, shutter speed, and other settings.

[FmrVette]

Originally Posted by Otahyoni

Jim, yea. I have a Canon Powershot A720IS. I've been wanting to get some more wildlife pictures and the ones i worked on a couple days ago did not turn out clear at all.

This camera satisfies my love for macro, but doesn't have the long range clarity i want for 'shooting' critters.

Another thing is while i was in the mountains taking pictures there was a lot of haze, i read that a polarizing filter would cut down on a lot of that, but there isn't a way (i know of) to mount a filter to my camera.

I suppose that since it will be about a year before getting a new camera, i need to learn a lot more about manually setting the aperture, shutter speed, and other settings.

Filters are always a hot topic of discussion for photogs who shoot digital. Haze can be removed in post processing. Link:

Remove haze from landscape photos | online photo tutorials

Of course you probably don't have (or want to pony up for) Photoshop.

Gimp is free:

Removing Haze

and will do some of what PhotoShop does, and probably most of what you need.

So you may find you don't need a filter after all, just some free software, your computer, and a little time .

If you do need filters - they're available:

Amazon.com: Canon Powershot A720IS 3 Piece Lens Filter Kit (Includes Metal Lens Adapter) + Nwv Direct 5 Piece Cleaning Kit: Everything Else

Your Canon has a "manual" mode and I'd recommend you become familiar with using that, ditching the "scene" modes. Of course if you're snapshooting the "scene" modes are fine, but if you want control so that your photos equal your vision and not the camera's, manual is the way to go. In DSLR's I think most experienced shooters are in aperture priority or shutter priority most of the time. My D300 doesn't have scene modes at all - although there is a "program" mode which will give starting values for aperture and shutter, so that you can get off a quick shot if need be without messing with the controls. The higher up the food chain, the less the camera does automatically .

Also the skills you'll pick up in manual mode will transfer directly to any decent DSLR. (This is assuming that you're already comfortable with your framing of the shot, holding the camera without shaking, etc., and that your next concern is the exposure of the photo). If you're still working on framing, then leave the camera on auto - it will be one less thing to think about. Once you are comfortable with your "eye" - then you can start working on making the photo look like you want it to. Remember, it isn't about the camera or the lens, it's about the light.

There's a terrific book, "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. It may be in your local library, or available used online. New it's about $17 and well worth the money:

Amazon.com: Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition) (9780817463007): Bryan Peterson: Books

I have a Canon G9 (admittedly doesn't get much use these days) and it can take reasonably good photos in manual mode, shooting RAW. The only kvetch I have about the rig - shutter lag. ALL point 'n shoots have shutter lag; my Nikon DSLR's don't - they rock 'n roll when the shutter button is squeezed. So I stopped carrying the G9 and started lugging a D70S most days.

Good luck - post some pics when you get something interesting!

HTH

[TJJP77]

Chris, your A720IS should have a removeable ring around the lens - that is for mounting a threaded tube intended for add on lenses and accessories...you might be able to use that extension tube to mount a haze filter....

Edit: FmrVette beat me to it...

[AlTheKillerr]

Originally Posted by FmrVette

Filters are always a hot topic of discussion for photogs who shoot digital. Haze can be removed in post processing. Link:

Remove haze from landscape photos | online photo tutorials

Of course you probably don't have (or want to pony up for) Photoshop.

Gimp is free:

Removing Haze

and will do some of what PhotoShop does, and probably most of what you need.

So you may find you don't need a filter after all, just some free software, your computer, and a little time .

If you do need filters - they're available:

Amazon.com: Canon Powershot A720IS 3 Piece Lens Filter Kit (Includes Metal Lens Adapter) + Nwv Direct 5 Piece Cleaning Kit: Everything Else

Your Canon has a "manual" mode and I'd recommend you become familiar with using that, ditching the "scene" modes. Of course if you're snapshooting the "scene" modes are fine, but if you want control so that your photos equal your vision and not the camera's, manual is the way to go. In DSLR's I think most experienced shooters are in aperture priority or shutter priority most of the time. My D300 doesn't have scene modes at all - although there is a "program" mode which will give starting values for aperture and shutter, so that you can get off a quick shot if need be without messing with the controls. The higher up the food chain, the less the camera does automatically .

Also the skills you'll pick up in manual mode will transfer directly to any decent DSLR. (This is assuming that you're already comfortable with your framing of the shot, holding the camera without shaking, etc., and that your next concern is the exposure of the photo). If you're still working on framing, then leave the camera on auto - it will be one less thing to think about. Once you are comfortable with your "eye" - then you can start working on making the photo look like you want it to. Remember, it isn't about the camera or the lens, it's about the light.

There's a terrific book, "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. It may be in your local library, or available used online. New it's about $17 and well worth the money:

Amazon.com: Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition) (9780817463007): Bryan Peterson: Books

I have a Canon G9 (admittedly doesn't get much use these days) and it can take reasonably good photos in manual mode, shooting RAW. The only kvetch I have about the rig - shutter lag. ALL point 'n shoots have shutter lag; my Nikon DSLR's don't - they rock 'n roll when the shutter button is squeezed. So I stopped carrying the G9 and started lugging a D70S most days.

Good luck - post some pics when you get something interesting!

HTH

i had to buy that book for school and they charged a hell of alot more than 17 bucks

[XJ99]

Originally Posted by FmrVette

And if you're starting out and have equipment questions or want critiques on your work without being flamed, there's a beginner's forum on the this website:

The Photo Forum

You can post in the beginners section and pretty much not get laughed at or flamed - although sometimes the critiquing comes from amateurs who may not have any more skill than you do.

I just signed up over there. I was looking through
the TPF photo of the month threads, and some of
those pictures are unreal..

[fishin4bogey]

Originally Posted by Jeffro95

Don't waste money on crappy equipment, buy something good to start with and keep it for a long time.

I've had a Bogen tripod, and head for years now. They've been through mud, snow, rain, in creeks and tossed into my jeep with hardly a care. They've survived it all.


Bogen tripod, under $100


The ball head I use.


They're worth the $200.

What he said.

I have a lot of very expensive equipment. Manfrotto all the way. I have a cheap Slik that I got a long time ago, and it's decent, but when you've got a lens hanging there that was several thousand dollars, I am not trusting the "cheap" stuff.

Buy a cheap one, then wish you had a good one, or just buy the good one now.

[fishin4bogey]

Originally Posted by Otahyoni

Ok, I've got the tripod situation decided on. Now i want to shift gears a little.

To all of you who have made money with photography, how did you get started? What equipment did you have when you first started?

Shoot, shoot, shoot and when you can't press the shutter any more....keep shooting!

Understanding Exposure is an AWESOME book! Written in plain english, and very easy to understand.

The photoforum is also pretty good. Some people think after spending 4 grand on expensive equipment, and posting on the internet a thousand times they are professionals.

Usually not the case.

After your first DSLR you will quickly get G.A.S (gear aquisition syndrome)! be prepared for it......

[FmrVette]

D-Town has finished their series

The Weekly Show for Nikon DSLR Users | D-Town TV

There are 24 videos, they run about 18 minutes each; while specifically about Nikon gear they cover a lot of material which is applicable to any brand. Three videos on flashes and five on lenses, good stuff for folks just starting out.

[jeepsarecool]

Originally Posted by XJ99

I just signed up over there. I was looking through
the TPF photo of the month threads, and some of
those pictures are unreal..

TPF is a pretty good forum. I won one of those Photo contest over there a few months ago. I got a gift card to Amazon, I think. So, it pays to be a member!

And for whoever it was that was talking bad about SLIK tripods........... while I will agree that Bogen/Manfrotto or Gitzo or any of the other really expensive tripods are probably better, the SLIK that I HAVE is a good tripod. There is no danger of it dropping your expensive lenses. If you want a nicer tripod, by all means get it, but mine is rated for 17lbs and there is nothing about it that suggests that it is going to drop anything. It's very sturdy. I'm sure that SLIK makes some cheap, crappy models that aren't any good at all, but so does Bogen, when it comes to that.