Well,

I've been interested in photography for a few years now, was using a shotty old S3500 for a few years then upgraded to something abit more advanced, Panasonic FZ-30. Great camera for what I use it for. Anyways, here are some of my shots, they aren't anything special but I though it would be good to get feedback on them.


Well, Thought this needed an update.

I have recently purchased a Nikon D60, which I won't have my hands on until christmas, so up until then, all pictures you see are taken with a point and shoot. Prior to posting this, Which I hadn't mentioned, I have a Pentax MZ-60 SLR camera, which I plan on stocking up on film and shooting some film! All pictures I think worthy of posting (apart from a few) will be posted below in this topic.

Check it out and help me get better!

I like the first few, dog ones are cute. Key shot is cool too even if the DOF is a little too shallow for me.

Good effort, they are all worth looking at, key one would have been even better if you could see more of the key just so you know what it is.

I like the lighting on the 2nd photo

Thanks alot for your comments guys, I'm taking all of what you are saying into consideration, shall go out on an outing soon, see what I can do.

Cheers!

Just abit of an update, all my pictures can be found on my deviantart so let me know what you think.

I'm currently going through the stage of wondering if I do have talent or not to become a decent photography so i'm just after opinions off you guys!

http://kanzai.deviantart.com/

Couple of pictures you wouldnt have seen unless you have visited my Deviantart, but here they are anyway. I want some strong critique, no holding back, I wish for anyone to pick out any tiny fault and tell me about so I know to work on that point next time!!

Thanks

Alrighty, here goes for me (probably the least person here who should be listened to).

I think half your problem is subjects.. I mean.. A power cord.. WTF? Is there a reason behind it etc? I just seems like a random shot to me, underexposed with a big shadow and what seems to be a rather off-the-mark WB.

The lightening shot is nice and sharp but I don't know what it is about the purple colour that I don't like.. Maybe the purpleness..

The bike shot seems like it's blown out a little from over PP or a really long exposure and the WB is way out too, too warm again. Do you shoot in RAW? if so it's an easy fix, otherwise in Pshop go to hues/saturation and in the drop down box get yellows and desat them. Keep in mind this will also kill any yellows in the shot, alternatively, just boost the other colours and leave yellow how it is.

The danger sign from a substation is pretty interesting but the roof from it in the upper right causes a big off balance in the shot, as the rest of the borders are even etc except for that. I like the idea of this shot but maybe if framed differently or perhaps a slight crop and perhaps a throw in a gradient from the bottom left as the top right is lighter but the rest is the same, throw a gradient (back to translucent) just to give a larger colour change, on say 40% opacity - not slap in the face but just toning down the bottom corner to create a flow.

The hat shots are the best from this set I feel as they're a little more commercial looking and you probably had more time for comp, thinking about the shot and a calmer environment. Off-center comp is good and the top shot has a nice white background which gives it that more pro feeling (of a studio etc) however have you played with the colours? perhaps a little darkening of the blacks, the colours seem very vibrant and make me think perhaps you did a little saturation too eagerly.

The bottom shot is of a dirty hat, come on dude, wash it or something first . Comp is good again but maybe crop out the top left as the larger amount of black throws out the balance also. Hit the top right as it is darker, perhaps run a curves over the whole image and brighten it up a little as it seems like it's a bit dull.


Well that's about everything I have time for now without being REALLY into it and just being silly about it. CC always makes me feel like I'm a hypocrite as I know I'm not any better than you but I hope I've helped somewhat..

Thats exactly what I was looking for Nick, thanks alot.

I'll defiantly take everything said into account, and try and improve on my shots.


Thanks alot.

Honestly, go shoot me a landscape, and I will c+c. I aint saying these are not worthy of posting, but its hard to c+c something like this.

Dont worry, most of us all started out like you, and all you need is guidance.

Best of Luck.

lol that made we laugh when nick said "a power cord? wtf?"

no offence intended though.

i like the concept with your bike shot but the background and WB has let you down alot, way to warm. that being said i think there is room for inprovment there.

with the hat shots, i like the first one, i dunno it just looks like a product shot. but the second one does nothing for me.

No offence taken guys, this is exactly what i'm asking for.

I have a D60 Packed away for xmas so I will be moving to the DSLR side of things, but for now, just using what I have to learn more about the in-depth side of things. I'm still at the stage where im not sure what genre of shooting is yet my favourite, but I like to shoot at all things of which somewhat have a given meaning to myself.


Thanks alot for all your help guys, i'll def try and take some new pics taking in mind of what you have said and report back here.

Lance is right you know, you'd have to go and try hard at doing the best shot you can on your local jetty or building or a nice view, that way compositional elements hit home hard etc..

I think it's easier to shoot shots like that hat and get it right because they're such simple shots with not much involved yet when you're working with nature and ambient light and a massive amount of land to capture in things certainly get harder.

I think I find landscapes the hardest. I've seen a nice set of hills coming back from Syd to Bris and a nice sunset but could never find a field that was empty enough of tree's which for me meant it's a nice memory but didn't seem like a nice enough photo. Wish I took something though..

3rd shot down (dog) is mega cute with decent composition and good use of DOF... its the only shot that jumps out at me. last one (candle) is good too, but a little cliche

nice photos all up.

No updates on photos here, just more gear talk.


I'm still in the market for a decent Flash. I've been looking at the SB range but the way the market is going, they keep going up in price. What's a low cost, yet decent quality flash out there? I've been looking at the Vivitar 285VH but my assumption is this is best use as "strobe" (correct me if i'm wrong, new to this whole flash business".


Give me an opinion, as I'm unsure how much I am really going to use it anyway, but would still like to invest in one.


Thanks.

I'm not sure on Viv's as I don't own one but I will invest sometime as they're a great, low cost strobe with power adjustment which is basically a must but I ASSUME they're a single-pin strobe which means, no TTL or any of that gear, just a basic old-school flash. I wouldn't be game to use one in the shoe of my 40D though before checking if it's ISO9001 compatible (if that's the standard) as some old flashes have some voltage leak issues which happen when the flash is fired and I mean 15v instead of 5v+- (that is an average DSLR's firing voltage).

Something like a Sigma DG500 is a decent motorised adjustable flash that has TTL for some on-camera action and the Super DG500 even has a built in optical slave (or perhaps it's RF.. or IR.. It's been a while )

I'm assuming you have a Nikon as you're looking at the SB range. I've got an SB-25 I use for strobing and it's great. $50 s/hand off ebay and it's a little battle scarred but still works well so perhaps look for a good condition sb-28 or something?

You could always go a lesser common brand like Sunpack (who have been in the game for years) etc but I can't comment on quality asI've never used or seen one but have seen them in use and know the brand has been around for years (e.g. Chris Brasher uses a newer one). If strobing is your final aim perhaps get a decent SB flash to use on the shoe and once you get more flashes and some RF gear or sync cords and stands etc I'd go for the lesser known brands which won't stuff your camera if they're old or an odd build design etc..

sb's for the win..they are worth the extra dosh.

they recharge fuckloads quicker than vivs. this may not be as vital to your photography as mine but ive found it makes everything easier. also they are slightly more powerful.. i think the vivs are 120 and sb's around 140. also the witht he sb's you can get the cheap but effective battery pack that holds 6 aa's.

ive owned the vivs for a fair while and got rid of them and got sb's and im so sorry i didnt do it earlier

I've got my eye on a SB-24 at the moment (Believe it's that model). Basically, i'll be used it just for general shots in the light, like dancing (Not clubs) etc.

I've been looking at the Vivs, I found one that looks decent, the DF400MZ i-TTL. The stats look decent, tho I know little about the flash side of gear hence why i've come here for help.


It won't be used much as a strobe, just a flash that sits on top of my camera rather than using the underpowered on board flash, Wanting it for RC Cars, Dancing (As said above) and probably motorsports.


So if anyone has had expierence with the DF400, let me know. The SB is going to be my main choice tho for the moment!

viv 285hv is best for manual operation...however seeing how its manual strobe.. do not put it on your hotshoe of your camera..it will do two things..blow the arse out of your flash shoe or blow the arse out of your hotshoe on ur camera

Ah thanks for that. I've been reading strobist etc but it's hard not understanding the lingo, which I will have to pick up on sooner or later.


Any other opinions?

If it's mainly for on-camera action make sure you get something that is TTL compat. with your camera model so it does the thinking for you.

another vote for an SB. love mine, also used a 580EX II on the weekend and I think I prefer the easier layout of my SB.

Yeah, I have assumed I would be best getting TTL.

I've got my eye on two SB-24's, might just bite the bullet and get one

wow.
i like the dog ones.

Tho i'm no one special, I hope to have a decent watermark made up soon, this one is only temp.!

I took these today/tonight, not so much special but I really enjoyed taking them for once, just feels like my sort of photography.










Might not be your cup of tea but i'll share them anyway, I seriously had so much fun taking them, more than any of the shots i've posted, there was just something about them!

Check the EXIF on the lightning shot too, thought I was pretty lucky with it.

I dont mind the last 2. second last is a lot dark but.... there is just something about it that draws me in.

keep it up

Thanks for the comment.


I was abit worried it was going to be to dark, but came to the conclusion that was how I wanted it, gives the photo mystery I think!

My photos are lame, I know. First time trying to do a panorama.

that first one is sick dude!

and at 1/30th too...i didnt get ONE bloodt lightning shot, i took like 100 2second exposures.

grrrrrrrr.

Haha. We were getting smashed for like 5 minutes, then it stopped, was abit pissed that there wasn't much more. I just burst shoot whenever I see the first strike, bound to get atleast one!

The one of the other page was 1/100th, that was epically lucky.

.

Guys,

About to purchase a SB-24 due to the fact im running low on money, I was just wondering tho, is it full compatible witht he D60?


From what I can work out, it is compatible but doesn't support i-TTL.

Would I be better off spending the extra dollars and going the '28? I'm assuming this has i-TTL.

wow man that first one is a great picture! be proud of that!

im not sure about the SB-24, but if you google it, as i have done a couple times im sure it will come up with a campatability list of what its capable of being used with and with what mode etc etc.

Yeah, did some research and there's only a couple that allow i-TTL, so im going to buy a battery grip and research some more on these flashes and buy them when I have the know how.


Thanks for the comment (:

I would keep the cash and get a better flash with some more saving. A grip wouldn't be as good advantage as a hot-shoe flash. A grip would be like a far 2nd place if not further down the track.

I like the High Voltage sign image and the idea of the bike in your first set of posted photos.

I agree with the comment about the lighting in the bike shot,also maybe try experimenting with composition a bit more.

Any successful photographer takes 90% bad images to achieve 10% excellent images.

Don't be concerned with some failing as the experimentation will often allow you to find the images you are after.

Thanks for your input, it's really appreciated.

I strive to try and improve each time I go out, I tend not to get dissapointed with myself if there's no decent shots, just means I have to focus more next time.

Well my camera left me today so nothing until atleast xmas!

Thanks for your help guys.

Aren't you lucky that's practically moments away!

Haha, yes sir!


I'm really looking forward to it, hopefully learn abit more aswell!


Oh yes, thanks nick for all your help to, i really appreciate it.

your improving by the day, keep it up

S'all good

some nice pics there mate
good work

http://harleyjphotography.carbonmade.com/


Yikes!

All my stuff will be posted there aswell now, I still need to purchase a .com domain so mind the dodgy free one

Back again fellas, with a DSLR now!

God, it's abit over-whelming at the moment, trying to get used of the whole thing, my old man decided he'd take his christmas present out so I thought I'd try and grab some snaps. They aren't the best so bare with me whilst I learn this camera for a while.
















Comments and Critc's fellas, always welcome.

last shot is sweet

I <3 Harley.

last pic is schweet. good to see you've gotten on the DSLR boat!

Thanks for the comments, I'm really happy with the camera, near-no editing is needed with it compared to the P&S!

I like the 3rd from the end, little rocket nailing it down the street. Looks like a mad-as chrissy present in both regards.

Thanks for the comment, Nick.

Love the new camera, took a few more shots just testing out settings, trying to get it all setup properly








Not fantastic, but like I said, only getting settings right etc.

C&C

ultra crisp good stuff