Hi, my name is Vicki. I am from FL and I am the mother of five grown kids, Gramma to one beautiful 4yr old, wife, still work full time but love digital photography. I just got into it really as a hobby since my granddaughter was born. Probably the most photographed kid ever. I liked it better when she couldn't tell me NO MORE PICTURES GRAMMA!
I have a question for the forum. I am very inexperienced and my husband wants to get me my first dslr camera. It's either the Canon T3 bundle or the Nikon D3200 bundle. I am leaning more towards the Nikon only because I have used the Nikon of my son's - he had it pre-set for me. Any suggestions? Thank you very much.

Thank you, that is kind. (it is the first photo I ever posted anywhere)

Yes, I did crop it and I kinda used a tripod. I don't attach my sx50 to my tripod, but I set it on it to steady the camera. I only have one attachment plate for my tripod and it is connected to my dslr at the moment. I only turned off my IS once. Probably because I don't actually attach it to the tripod, the IS on is fine. I also have rested my camera on the outdoor stairway... in fact any time I can rest it on a stationary item I do. I also rest my body or arms against a building, tree or anything solid. However, most of the time I just hand hold the camera, "smashing" it into my face.
I am still learning how to use the sx50, but it sure is fun to use. I love taking photos of flowers, insects and birds. And it is so nice to grab it and go. I have been taking pictures with it every day since I got it about 6 weeks ago.

I have never used the digital zoom. On clear nights when the moon seems closer, I go out and take about 3 photos each on various settings: manual, av, tv and even did some in sports mode. Then I select the best one to crop and 'maybe' use the clarity or light or shadow adjustment in LR. I am not experienced at all in LR and can only do very basic adjustments. So I only keep photos that are pretty sharp to begin with. I plan to take a LR class in Jan. and will watch the tutorial that someone posted earlier today.

I bought a Manfrotto tripod that was on sale at Best Buy for under a $100. It is light but sturdy enough for my cameras.

Bloke,

This image has two problems; the horse moved during the three exposures, and the camera moved during the exposures. Look closely at 100% size, and notice the green rail at the bottom.

If your HDR software can show you three previews in Thumbnail images you will be able to preview all three exposures and see the movement between the three. If your HDR software will allow you to remove image content from an individual image you can remove most of the movement (select the over-exposed image first)

After the merge the ghost may be gone.

Another thing you can do, while waiting for the tripod, connect the remote shutter release, place the camera on a sturdy support (car hood, tree stump, fence post, something that will provide 3 point support), and make your three exposures with the shutter release cable. Make sure you set Exposure compensation for at least .63Ev.

Have a real good time, you will have a lot to learn.

Michael G

Bloke,

This last time you uploaded the image files for viewing, not for download. This stripped out all the image information the camera saved inside the image file.

Your ghosting was caused by camera movement during the three exposures, you will need to mount the camera on a tripod to make HDR captures. (It would also help to have a remote shutter release cable to prevent minor camera movement at the instant you press the shutter button). You will also have to be very sure there is no subject movement in the scene while making the 3 exposures. (If your HDR processing software has the tools to erase offending subject movement, you can try editing out cars, people, animals, and swaying trees during the HDR merge process).

Michael G