My first post and some photos

[Free]

Hi All,

After a long time wanting one I finally bought my first digital SLR last week - a Nikon D60 with twin lens kit (not the VR). I've been madly taking photos of anything and everything and after reading and learning heaps in such a short time from the website I thought I'd share some of the better pics with you all.

While I know my way around Photoshop fairly well, I'm new to Lightroom, getting it with the camera last week, so you'll have to bare with me with me while I learn my way around that too.

Please feel free to tear anything I do apart and tell it like it is, as only through honest criticism can one learn.

Hurry up with the photos already you say...

Firstly a couple shot's of my dogs...

Byron the Boxer


And Caillie (pronounced Kay-lee)


Generally I've been trying to take most photos in full manual, but these were quickly switched to aperture priority and auto focus as I was holding the camera too low to look through the view finder. Post production was minimal, from memory just a little sharpening and perhaps some slight saturation/vibrance adjustment.

And then some fish from my local aquarium...

Orange Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion sandaracinos)


And a Dwarf Lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus)


These were taken full manual with the following settings:
Camera: Nikon D60
Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 55 mm
Exposure: 0.00
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash

Post production again was in Lightroom (2.3), this time with some white balance correction to compensate for the aquarium lighting, some sharpening, saturation/vibrance adjustment and a dark vignette.

Cheers
Free

[Alf]

WOW you are off to a flying start, great first post and welcome to DPS.

[JMS1980]

I really like the picture of the Orange clown fish!! I haven't gotten out to the aquarium yet to take any pictures, but I can only hope they turn out as sharp and colorful as yours:-) Your boxer Byron is adorable!!! I have a boxer too, of course named Tyson!

[Free]

Cheers!

I've got heaps of experience photographing aquarium fish with my old point and shoot. The DSLR really opens up a whole new world of options though. I'll try to find some old shots to compare...

[bradzo66]

Very nice , Welcome to dPS now talk about starting out with a bang fantastic images , when you have finished with the animals you'll have to share some of that magic Tassie countryside , you really are spoilt for choice down there . All the best

[Chewys Dad]

Welcome; Great Job on the Photos. I'm waiting for light room to arrive, I can't wait to try it.
I really like your Clown and Lion Fish photos. Well done and the post processing is Great.
Chewys Dad.

[Free]

Originally Posted by bradzo66

...when you have finished with the animals you'll have to share some of that magic Tassie countryside , you really are spoilt for choice down there .

Yeah, I'm keen to try some landscapes, just need to wait until the fog lifts. I'm thinking of doing a collection of the rivers I fly fish in.

Thanks for the compliments Chewy's Dad. I think you'll love LR, coming from Photoshop, it's just SOOOOOOOO much easier for the basic stuff.

[jakethepig]

Hello Free, first of all welcome to our friendl DPS forums. You are doing fine with the new toy. Nice captures of Byron and Caillie. Your shots through the tank are excellent especiaally the last one. I try all the time to get a good one throught the tank glass and not had one decent enought to post, so well done. I am looking forward to seeing more of your work Free and enjoy your time here at DPS.

Jake.

[lyacadajar]

you did a pretty well good shot especially the orange clown fish! enjoy your new toy and keep shooting! looking forward to your future posts!

[beachcomber]

Welcome to dps, and thank you for sharing this quality selection of pictures. The third picture is my favourite, the clownfish peeping through the coral, I think its excellent

beachcomber