My 72 El Camino

[qquackk]

Hi Everyone! New here, and to photography. And I really want to learn. Trouble is, when I take a picture of something, sometimes I like the picture just because it is something I like (like my car) and not because it is a good picture.

Soooo...I would love some feedback on what I can do to make my pics better, so I am going to try and post one per day, and hope you all give me your most honest feedback!

Thanks! Tara

Flickr: Flickr: qquackk's Photostream

Taken with my Nikon D60

Focal Length: 20mm
F-Number: f/7.1
Exposure: 1/200 sec
ISO: ISO-100
No Flash

[windrider86]

The whole point of taking photos is to take them of things you like. So, with that being said you are on the right track!
The whole problem with taking that photo of your 72 El Camino is because it isnt mine! lol
Watch your background so it isnt too busy. And the time of day and where the sun is situated also makes a huge difference.
For this image you have a lot going on in your background, houses, street lights ect. Try and find a spot where there isnt so much going on. Or, blur your background more. The first is much easier to do.
The angle you took is great on this, just again, be careful of the sun. You dont want those blown out areas and the off shadows on your photos

[qquackk]

Thanks for the suggestions! I see what you mean about the background, def should be more blurred. On the blown out parts, what can I do to stop that without sacrificing bright colors? Just wait for a less bright time of day? I am sooo new at this, that might be a seemingly silly question... hehe...Thanks again!

[windrider86]

Never a silly question. Best time of day is early early in the morning or right around sunset. Altho it isnt a rule you get the best lighting then.
See where the sun is htting the side of the car? Thats what you want to avoid.
What program are you using for your processing?
You dont have to sacrifice anything for your colors OR detail. With some practice you will learn how to use adjustment layers to boost your colors only in the areas you want them to be brigher and also to sharpen your images to bring out more detail

[JFSanders]

Windrider has given you a good start. From your exif data. Your f/7.1 is too small if you open it up to somewhere close to five and speed up your shutter to let in less light I think you will like the changes. The lower f/stop will blur the background and the faster shutter will cut back on the overexposure of high lights. Don't worry about the camera not getting the vivid colors those will still be there. National Geographic publishes a great book on photography that has easy to understand tutorials and not over complicated explanations of the technical aspects. It will help you a bunch.

[qquackk]

JF - Okay, I didn't realize that the aperture affected the amount of the picture in focus, I thought it just affected how much light came in. That makes so much sense! I really am such a newbie - I have only had my camera for two weeks! I think I will have a better shot to post this weekend and you guys can tell me if I am getting it down a little better. I have now officially figured out how to use *most* of the manual settings on my camera, and what they do.

Windrider - I have photoshop, and know how to use it alright, but I guess I had thought of it as cheating, but the more I have looked around and read, I guess it is pretty standard for people to make minor (and major) adjustments to their photos.

Thanks for the help you guys!

[wal]

Try taking pic of your car at night and play arround with the lights, thousands of things can be done..the possibilities are endless. Then there are the composittion and perspective that you can consider. The b/ground is one other thing.

[Marcuscarcus]

try taking the picture with shallow depth of field so that the name of the car is really really sharp and the rest is slightly blurry. I love those kinds of shots.

[Digidave]

Sounds to me like you're starting out at the very point that most people start. Most shots will look like snapshots. Occasionally you'll get a good one that you really think is your best. Then as you learn more you'll get another that is your favorite. Then you learn a little more, & so on..... As they say, practice, practice, & more practice. Keep an eye on the "Share your Shots" section here at DPS, or any of the other sections for that matter & when you see something about a photo that you think is pretty cool, go out & try to duplicate it. Ask questions about how that effect was achieved if need be. Eventually, you'll figure out that sometimes it takes a special lens to achieve that certain look you like so much. That's when you say to yourself, "I gotta get me one of those!". Some people call it "Keeping up with the Jones". Some people call it NAS(Nikon Acquisition Syndrome). That's when you know you're addicted & you'll come back here asking for help. Don't worry though! That's what we're here for. We'll talk you down.

[PhotoPhix]

Practice both shooting and post production. The learning curve is steep for both,but each will compliment each other.

Armando