How am I doing so far?

[faeriegodess612]

Ok, so haven't had internet in a long time. Been stuck at my Mothers way out in the sticks of Eastern TN where you can only get dial-up. My computer works only on ethernet/wi-fi. SO glad to be back on DPS. Recently got married and currently live in Killeen, TX with hubby who is in the US Army. (I'm so proud of him I had to throw that out there) :P I'm excited to get to know the area better so I can venture out and take some photos. Dear Hubby is an Electronics Tech,...so you know hes got to have his internet. YAY!! Internet!! OK, enough about me,..

I'm still currently stuck with my handy dandy 7MP Pentax point and shoot. (Though not for long. SO getting the DSLR I want when can afford it) I've noticed that there is a lower clarity in my cameras shots opposed to a camera with a higher MP ratio.

( Shut-up Faerie, your rambling)

OK, down to business. My account on Flickr has some of what I think are my best shots so far. I don't think that I really have the composition thing down right. I'm wondering if my photos are just typical amatuer photos, or what? I'm looking for a general opinion on my spread. Do you like them?,..Do you not like them?,...What can I imrpove on?,...What do I need to focus on more?,...Etc. Considering I can't change much as far as my settings on my camera,...I'm focusing more on composition right now.

Oh, and just to let you know,... I'm one of those people that think that if you have to spend hours in front of the computer doing PP to one photo, then it wasnt a good photo to begin with. If I cant take it straight off the card, maybe do a FEW minor lil tweeks to it, its not worth it.

If my Flickr doesnt let you view, let me know.

Thanks for any feedback,..sorry it's so long winded,...just so happy to be back!!

[CheaperKings]

I had a peek at your flickr and, to tell you the truth, they're actually pretty good. I think you're on the right track for sure. Keep shooting!

[prince]

As CheaperKings said.. you have a good start. Composition is good overall and you have variations in perspective and angles. There is surely room for more. May be you can try to have different angles and perspective for a single subject to give you better understanding? Pay attention to the horizon in your landscape photos, ex. the one of Cherokee Lake. Also, depending on the photo and the effect you want, you might want to look out for not chopping off body parts, ex. Marilyn's head is too chopped off IMO.

Keep shooting!!

Good luck!!

[ZannieGirl49]

I'm going to add my vote for "on the right track". I really like the perspective on some of your images. Prince made a good point of taking the shot from different angles. One exercise that was mentioned here on DPS is to take 35 shots of the same thing but from a different angle every time. I've done it before and it's interesting and fun. Other than that, just keep shooting away!

[Rolling Stone]

Good start. Keep it up. Don't forget, it's a great way to explore your town and meet people.
I enjoy your variety.

[tuxcomputers]

Originally Posted by faeriegodess612

I'm still currently stuck with my handy dandy 7MP Pentax point and shoot. (Though not for long. SO getting the DSLR I want when can afford it) I've noticed that there is a lower clarity in my cameras shots opposed to a camera with a higher MP ratio.

The number of megapixels has nothing to do with the clarity, it is to do with the size of the sensor (P&S have tiny tiny pin head sensors) and the lens quality. In fact there is a point where cramming more pixels in the same size sensor reduces the clarity.

Do you remember the amazing shots being sent back by the Mars rover? That was a 1MP sensor, no that is not a typo, I did not leave off two zeros, it was a ONE megapixel sensor. In front of that sensor was optics that cost the national budget of a small nation.

[faeriegodess612]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I really appreciate it. Nice to know that its not just my friends and family members being nice. tux: ok, then I guess its the lens. Simply put,..I've noticed that my camera doesnt really take crisp photos like a newer camera does. Whether it be P&S or DSLR. SO excited to get back into it tho.

[tuxcomputers]

Originally Posted by faeriegodess612

tux: ok, then I guess its the lens. Simply put,..I've noticed that my camera doesnt really take crisp photos like a newer camera does. Whether it be P&S or DSLR.

hmmmm... I hope I didn't come off as having a go at you.. if I did I am sorry... what I was trying to do was let you know that there is more to crisp photos than meagpixels. Yes newer cameras look sharper, yes they have more megapixels and yes the number of pixels does contribute but it is not the only factor you need to consider. There's better optics, better image processors, better algorithms etc etc.

The sharpest lens I attach to my Pentax K10D was last made more than 30 years ago. It outshines the kit lens by many factors.

[Cypher]

Just to back Tux a little on this, alot of people make the horrid mistake of thinking its all about the megapixels. It is sadly used by camera sales persons to sell you what they claim is the best they have to offer. I hope you still feel welcome to the forum, remember what is typed can come across very different then how it is meant and in general people here are very nice !

[faeriegodess612]

oh no,.... i knew you didnt mean it like that. I honestly did not know that. I never thought of the lens as being part of the clarity and quality of the photo. My grandfather had a camera thats YEARS old now. he took photos while he was traveling from place to place with the navy, and they are unbelieveably sharp for this camera,....so it all makes sense. i was just trying to leave a short message and address what you had said,...it mustve come across as somewhat snide the way i put it,...but i didnt mean for it to.