Getting out of the point and shoot mindset

[wulf]

I think I would clarify the advice "take lots of photos" by adding "of things near to you". That way, you can look at them on your computer over the course of a few days and then return to take better versions of the same scenes.

Just taking lots of photos is the "point and shoot" way but reflecting, learning and putting that into practice is how you grow as a photographer.

Wulf

[angeleyes216]

Originally Posted by lonelyjew

I am quite new to photography, I only really started a month or so ago when I finally got my 350d, and consequently still have a "point and shoot" mindset. Don't get me wrong, I try to incorporate basic composition into my photography(rule of thirds, balance, lines, etc.) but my pictures are still along the lines of "oh, that's pretty" 'click.'

I was wondering if you guys had any advice on this? I was told that a good photographer plans their shots. I didn't take it too literally but I do understand what they're saying; good photographers don't rely on lucky captures. Does it just take time to develop this or is there any way to learn how to do this?

Thanks for the replies.

I'm right with you on this one..i also point and shoot but try to capture something i think is special Time for me to start learning about DOF and EXIF's and all the photographic lingo

[lonelyjew]

Thanks for the posts everyone. Lots of gold here. As soon as I got my camera, as advised, I shot in manual pretty much exclusively for the first week or two giving me a decent grasp of balance between aperture, shutter speed, and iso. I now usually shoot in Av so I can get the most of my kit lens.

I'll start taking more pictures, of everything, rather than just waiting for pretty things to come my way.

Also, do you guys shoot everything in RAW? It's a great for getting pictures to come out as good as possible but it's just so slow to deal with.

[PnwGuy]

Originally Posted by lonelyjew

...Also, do you guys shoot everything in RAW? It's a great for getting pictures to come out as good as possible but it's just so slow to deal with.

I typically don't shoot RAW unless I'm shooting indoors or in a situation where the light is changing, or if I'm shooting somewhere or something that I can't easily shoot again, and quality is highly important. Everyone is different but the less time I have to spend at the computer the better.

[wulf]

Originally Posted by lonelyjew

Also, do you guys shoot everything in RAW? It's a great for getting pictures to come out as good as possible but it's just so slow to deal with.

Some do, some don't. Personally, I'm more towards the latter camp. RAW can be fun and it is a very good choice if conditions are challenging but it does tend to take longer to process.

Definitely worth experimenting with though.

Wulf

[drec]

shoot raw, trial all the settings on subjects, av/tv/adep/m learn to use the depth of field preview button, depending on the shot, over/under expose or bracket your shots(great for hdr). play, enjoy. read and re-read your manual and try finding buttons under low/no light. experiment, horizontal/vertical. research forums like this, check links you'll find from here and if all else fails ask questions, no stupid questions just sometimes stupid answers(mine?) read 100 reasons(sorry new hard drive can't find link) that i read over and over again from this site(translated from german???)
100 things i've learned about photography found it.

[kirbinster]

Try to take things at unusual angles. I went and took a shot looking up under a big high tension power support the other day with this in mind and my wife really liked it. Try to be non-convensional.

[jdepould]

If you have the workflow to handle raw images (LR or Aperture really), then there really isn't a downside. Storage and memory cards are cheap compared to everything else, and having that extra wiggle room when it comes to white balance and exposure can really come in handy.

If you don't have the workflow, don't sweat it. The differences aren't Earth-shattering.

[RussHeath]

It's funny, but when I first read the title to your post I thought, "why would I want to get out of the P&S mindset?" I rarely use my P&S anymore, but I try hard to maintain that feel of wonder that first grabbed me when I began using a P&S.

For the first month or so with my D80 I actually would worry occasionally that I had wasted my money because in many cases the shots were worse than I was getting with my little P&S. I've come to realize that the full-auto-stick-your-camera-anywhere-and-push-the-shutter mindset is quite liberating, and it's harder for me now that I look at a scene so critically. Not to say the photos aren't better -- I think my photography has improved leaps and bounds. Just try to pry my D80 away from me!

Understanding what makes a good shot is key. I think what I'm taking the long way to say is that a little P&S plus real desire to explore the world around you will create better pictures than a DSLR and no interest in art. For me, the "point and shoot mindset" is one of remembering that choice of subject and composition is the first step to making any photograph. Sure you have to know what aperture to choose, but who cares how technically grand your choice was if the subject is boring? Plan, plan, plan -- but don't be afraid to get caught up in the moment too.

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by lonelyjew

Also, do you guys shoot everything in RAW? It's a great for getting pictures to come out as good as possible but it's just so slow to deal with.

I generally do. The last time I didn't was for the "Straight from the Camera" assignment where I used RAW + jpg. I'd actually shoot RAW+jpg more often if it wasn't so much extra storage space required. Sometimes I get sick of having to process everything, but I don't think I would be all that happy switching away from the extra little bit of control you get with RAW.