beginner looking for tips!

[jordanmarie]

Hello everyone!

I'm starting to get into photography (slowly but surely). I'm taking a beginner's film class at my college but I'm really more interested in digital. I use a Canon 50D with an 18-135 lens. No fun accessories yet. Nor do I have any editing software besides iPhoto.

Here's a link to my flickr account. I'd love some feedback from whoever is kind enough to share. Thanks

Flickr: jordiepotter's Photostream

(I know I should probably edit down how many pictures I have on there of the same subjects...it's just hard to choose!!)

-Jordan

[zona5101]

Hi and Welcome!
You should read the rules for the critique section. You'll want to post a single pic with the exif data and then ask for a critique on a specific area like composition, post processing, exposure etc.

SO while you are doing that - i did look at your photostream - you have some nice images, lots of energy

[LeeR]

The way a lot of us learned photography was through assignments. The idea is to force yourself to look for certain things, then to discipline your creative talents to perform in a meaningful way. Pretty soon you will find yourself incorporating these skills all the time. Give it a try. Here are a few suggestions:

(First, a ground rule: no family, no friends, no babies, puppies, kittens, sunsets or flowers. Nothing wrong with these things but, for the sake of developing your skills, stay away from them when working these assignments.)

1) Look for interesting repetitive patterns. Try to produce 20 good shots of just interesting patterns. If you can, find places where two patterns meet.
2) Use the rule of thirds. Put your subject on the line of the thirds and, if possible, along the node where two thirds intersect.
3) Intentionally break the rule of thirds. Some things actually look better smack dab in the middle of the frame. Can you figure out what they are? Other things look better very near the edge. Try them both.
4) Create an image that is essentially monochromatic. That is, the entire image is made up of shades of just one color. No, you can't switch your camera to B&W, you are trying to find a naturally occurring image. Yes, a bit of poetic license is permitted; a little bit of other colors is permitted but you are looking for an image that is predominantly just one.
5) Depth of field. Learn to create an image where the subject is in sharp focus but the background is completely out of focus. This is a fundamental skill in photography and you really need to master it.
6) Post your results in the "Critique" section. True, people may say some unkind things about your work, but you need to develop a thick hide if you are going to play this game.

Need more? Send me a note, I'm pretty sure I could think of a dozen more without a lot of effort.

[gunner19]

You might want to consider getting editing software because it makes a difference to the photos you take once you processed them instead of raw photos.

You can click the following link to know more: Digital Photography Tips For Beginners from Digital Photography School

[jordanmarie]

Originally Posted by zona5101

Hi and Welcome!
You should read the rules for the critique section. You'll want to post a single pic with the exif data and then ask for a critique on a specific area like composition, post processing, exposure etc.

SO while you are doing that - i did look at your photostream - you have some nice images, lots of energy

will do! sorry about that... I should probably read the rules next time

Thanks everyone for the tips!