need Advice

[Quiltstar]

The first week in September I am heading out west to California stopping at the Grand Canyon on the way. I have a Canon Rebel XSi with a standard lens and a 70mm-300mm lens. I am still shaky on using aperture and shutter speeds so am wondering if anyone can give me some advice on what to use to get some really awesome photos on my trip. My Aunt is expecting to see some great photos from me! Thanks!

[wildbird]

Easiest way is to take a few shots, and check! The grand canyon wont be moving very fast, so you can take your time! Also, general rule of thumb is landscapes best take pics early or late, and action shots in middle of day with plenty of light. Get the composition right, ie framed well, and leave it in Auto if you want. Take a number of pics, from different angles, and you should be right.

[Krusty79]

I don't know what you mean by a standard lens (50mm or 18-55 kit lens?), but you're going to want a wide angle lens.

You're also going to want a tripod, polarizer and graduated neutral density filter.

Try taking some shots in aperture priority at about f.11. You might want to hike down into the canyon some so you don't have the same shots as everyone else. Take water!

Like wildbird said, sunrise/sunset is generally the best time for landscapes. You might take a look at Google images and see what types of GC shots appeal to you.

If you can squeeze in some time to go to Yosemite, you'll be glad you did! Have fun!

Greg

[dcclark]

I highly recommend just going out and trying. A wide angle lens is expensive -- get used to your camera, your current lens, and just generally get used to photography before you buy a new lens. You can get great photos with what you already have -- or you'll still have plenty of time to order a wide angle if you really want.

BTW, I'm especially recommending waiting on the wide angle because it is VERY hard to take good photos with a wide angle. It's not just for "getting everything in" -- you have to get very close, and even a tiny move will change your composition significantly. If you're not confident at normal focal lengths yet, it will only make more trouble for you.

[Krusty79]

Someone else has posed the same question on visiting the Grand Canyon on an earlier thread - Going to the Grand Canyon

David, don't you think a wide angle lens would be better suited to capture the grandeur of the canyon over the 70-300 lens? If Quiltstar already has the 18-55 kit lens, I think that will get more use than the 70-300. I'm not saying they should go out and buy one if they already have the 18-55. Seems to me like the GC is more suited to wide angle shots over telephoto. Maybe that's just the way I would shoot it.

Greg

[dcclark]

The grand canyon might be more suited to ultrawides. I'd bring mine for sure. However, if that's the first time you've used an ultrawide, then you'll be severely disappointed.

If Quiltstar has the 18-55, then I'd say that's plenty wide. Or, perhaps you could rent an ultrawide (there are LOTS of lens rental services with very reasonable rates), and try it "risk free".

Basically, I'm suggesting that whatever you have, you'll find great ways to use it in a beautiful setting. No need to spend money if you're not sure.

[Quiltstar]

thanks everyone for the advice. I have the 55mm that came with my camera. If it's wrong to post my website let me know, but if you want to take a look at some of what I have it's at StarSong Photography--Vickie LeBlanc

[Quiltstar]

A couple of summers ago I went to the beach and took photos of the ocean and sky. but most of the ones I took had a lot of noise in the sky. How can I avoid that in the future? I will try and post one here... Taken with 55mm exposure 1/320 ISO 200 F/14 Canon Rebel XSi

[OsmosisStudios]

twistedclocks: The 18-23 section of your lens is wider than a 24mm lens, yes. But your 18-55 cant be mounted to full-frame or film cameras, where as the 24mm can. And at that point it *IS* wider.

quiltstar: I dont see any noise in that photo.

[Quiltstar]

If you open it up larger the sky looks grainy to me... unless it is my monitor doing it? LOL