Any advice?

[u8ky2]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this whole starting threads and stuff, so hang in there. Alright, I just bought my first DSLR this past Sunday and I need all the help and advice I can get. I bought a used Canon xs from a relative. I only have the kit lens that it came with. I'm wanting to mostly do macro shots, landscape shots, and nature shots. Kind of like Peter Lik. I don't know how he gets those amazing colors, but that's how I want my pics to look. So, since I am new, we should probably start at the basics. I'm hoping to buy a tripod soon since it is a MUST for landscape shots! I'm still not sure what lenses I need since I don't have a large budget. So, any advice/tips you can give me?

[inkista]

Wait a few months before buying anything. 9 times out of 10, what you think is an equipment issue is more likely to be a technique issue. Until you know what it is you want to buy, you're probably not ready to buy something. And a dSLR takes some getting used to, compared to a P&S camera.

Also? Learn post-processing. What Peter Lik is getting is definitely NOT straight out of camera.

[nickbedford]

Best place to start

Digital Photography Tips and Tutorials

[tyasa81]

u8ky2... if i were in your shoes, i would get the tripod and nothing else for a while... same as the advice above... learn post processing... in the mean time the tripod allows you to take shots in f8-f11 for the dof and also allow you to take shots in the morning just before the sun rises or evening after it sets.... it'll be blurry otherwise... and you can play with slow shutter speed... and panorama as well ... which is more than enough for now... when you begin to grow, you'll know what you need better and hence be able to make more knowledgable decisions... good luck and happy hunting...

[docxnoel]

u8ky2, welcome at DPS.... I bought my first dslr last january (4 mos by this time) with its 18-55 mm kit lens. As a beginner like you maybe you will try this things and this is what i do;

1. Read the camera manual, getting familiar with each button, how it works or look for a video tutorial (you tube).
2. Understand the basics of photography, like lightings, composition, framing, rule of thirds etc.
3. Play and experiment with shutter speed, aperture, ISO, how they compliment and affect each other.
4. Look a forum like DPS in which there are helpful and experienced photographers which you can asked questions. (never hesitate to ask questions)
5. Look for an inspirational shots, which you like not to exactly copy but to give you an idea.
6.Keep on shoting and then it comes to discovery what you like to shoots, like macro, portrait, landscape (after you kow what you like then buy for a specific lens)
7. Keep on experimenting, always think outside of the box, discover your own style of shooting.
8. Be particular with lightroom and adobe photoshop for enhancement of your photos.
9. Have other people critique your works (not from a family member, because they always says it good)
10. Never stop learning

this are things that i continously doing and theres a lot more, as you enjoying your journey to photography, everyday you will learn new things. Being a good photographer is not having an expensive gear, it takes time to learn so never be in hurry...as you continue you will see the difference from the firts time you hit the shutter button. I hope it helps in a way even that im just starting too.

[Biomech]

I'm hoping to buy a tripod soon since it is a MUST for landscape shots!

9 times out of 10, what you think is an equipment issue is more likely to be a technique issue.

Tripods are great! BUT have a think, do you really need one? ... I always leave mine at home and then curse myself for it. But if you think about it, a tripod gives you stability and reduced camera shake. There are a couple of other ways you can do that; You can increase your shutter speed, or you can put the camera on something like a wall or fence post. Tripods are ideal when you need that height position - say in an open field.

You can also get these:


Little bean bags that shape to what they rest on and the camera goes on top. Or if you're cheap like me, get a fluffy pencil case or make a little pilllow case, and fill it with bean bag polystyrene balls :P

[u8ky2]

I wasn't expecting much response, but I guess I was wrong. Thank you all so much. I'm still not grasping how the shutter, aperture, and ISO, work together. I've gotten a few book out from the library. Oh, and inkista, I have heard that what Peter Lik takes with the camera, is what he sells. I pretty sure he doesn't do an post production.

I'm still not sure about keeping the kit lens it came with. Especially because my family is going to a botanical garden and I'm wanting to get some great shots. I'll keep the kit for now and then when I am going to buy a new one, I'll get your advice. Again, I can't thank you all enough. I have been wanting answers for SO long and I finally found a place! I have been asking question on Peter Lik's blog, and they hardly answer them. Quite frustrating. I think I'm expecting to get great shots right off the bat. But why shouldn't they?

I do have Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Lightroom. I'll have to play around with those. Thank you all!

[SwissJon]

One thing.. The beanbags are great for guys like you because they allow you to get to grips with Landscape photography without too much outlay but they do limit you in a way that Tripods don't.. But DO NOT be tempted into buying a cheap tripod, because if you do, you'll buy a second one.. They're not worth the money.. Get to know your camera, get to know what you want to do with your camera (after all the effort of going into Landscape photography, you may find you prefer portraiture for example.) so like someone else said, wait a little before diving into buying expensive stuff, especially when you've just got a kit lens.

When I first started out, I had a play with macro photography, I bought a couple of those white semiopaque plastic boxes, cut a hole in the top and put the lens through it, and used my autofocus. It held the camera still, kept the wind from blowing around the flowers I was photographing, and made me a nice cheap lightbox.. All for a couple of pounds/dollars/euro whatever. Bargin.

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by u8ky2

I'm still not grasping how the shutter, aperture, and ISO, work together. Oh, and inkista, I have heard that what Peter Lik takes with the camera, is what he sells. I pretty sure he doesn't do an post production.

I'm still not sure about keeping the kit lens it came with.

Until you have a thorough understanding of the Exposure Triangle (ISO, aperture, shutter speed) and the limitations of your kit lens, you should not purchase another lens. Besides, you don't even know what lens to get at this point anyway, right? As you gain experience, you'll get a better idea of the upgrade path you'll want to take. We're just trying to help you avoid an expensive mistake.

I looked at Peter Lik's images on Google and they definitely look processed to me. I think whoever told you he doesn't do any PP is full of it or doesn't know what they are talking about. Besides, if you become a regular on this site, you'll see that inkista really knows her stuff.

[wanda_whitehead]

I too am still a newbie to DSLRs...got mine for Christmas. I have been taking classes since February at a local school and also have "shadowed" a professional photographer at a session. The classes I took did not include shooting in manual but the photog did and she is also helping me to learn more PP.

Find someone who is willing to let you watch and learn. At the photo session I took behind the scenes photos and also took some portraits so it was a great learning experience.

But most of all...practice, practice, practice...reading all the books seems to get a bit confusing and can lead to overload! Put it into action!

Good luck!