Photography Virgin with a Vision...
Sep 18, 2011 21:56:50 #
Hi, everyone! I'm new here, as well as being new to photography. I have a Canon Rebel SLR 2 that I am learning to use, and could use any advice geared to newbies. I am willing to learn, and will take your advice very seriously.
I recently joined a free photography course that sent me to this forum and can't wiat to upload photos for all of you to critique, but first would appreciate any advice on how to upload pictures from my camera. Do I need any special cords or anything?
I recently joined a free photography course that sent me to this forum and can't wiat to upload photos for all of you to critique, but first would appreciate any advice on how to upload pictures from my camera. Do I need any special cords or anything?
Sep 18, 2011 22:10:20 #
upload from camera to computer using software that came with camera if you dont have any photo editing program on your own. to do this PLEASE READ THE MANUAL THAT CAME WITH YOUR CAMERA. Yes there should be a cord to connect camera to computer. if not get a card reader. once you have some photos to upload here send me a private message and i'll walk you through it. its not hard in fact this is the easiest site to post photos to. to send me a private message click on my avatar photo and follow the screens.
Sep 18, 2011 22:28:37 #
Thank you so very much! I appreciate the advice, and thank you for reminding me that the User's Manual has a section on uploading photographs. I will look that over once again!
Sep 18, 2011 22:44:16 #
Sep 19, 2011 10:02:30 #
Sep 19, 2011 11:38:36 #
Ravenstar, the most important things for an new photographer to learn are the basics of cameras and lenses. Photography is about capturing light. Ignore for a moment any talk of artistic quality, as that is so subjective. There are, however some basic truths about cameras and lenses that stay constant regardless of camera model, lens, or subject.
1) The aperture opening of your lens determines how much light reaches the sensor. It's like the iris in your eyes.
2) Apertures are noted by "f/xx" numbers, such as f/1.8 or f/5.6 or f/11.
3) Don't worry right now about what those numbers mean, so much as understand that the bigger the number, the smaller the aperture opening, relatively.
4) A big opening, letting in more light, means you can use a faster shutter speed, other things being equal.
5) Faster shutter speeds are needed to capture action, or to make sure your subject is not blurry due to camera shake.
Ok, good so far? Let's go on. The next concept to grasp is the idea of 'depth of field".
The bigger the aperture, the smaller the area of your subject that will be in focus. This is called "depth of field", or sometimes, "depth of focus". It has to do with all sorts of fancy optics and the physics of light and all.
For example, let's say you're taking a picture of a car from just off the left front fender, and you want the entire car in focus.
If you open your lens to f/2.8, (big), you might get just the fender and a bit of the windshield in focus. If you close down to f/11, maybe the fender, windshield, and one door. Farther down, to f/22, maybe the whole car will now be in focus. The smaller the lens opening, the more of the car will be in focus.
But, remember, the smaller the opening, the longer the shutter will need to be open to capture the same amount of light. f/22 is pretty tiny, compared to f/1.8 or f/2.
If you're in a high school gymnasium, trying to get a picture of your kid's volleyball game, you need to be able to arrive at the right combination of lens aperture and shutter speed. The light may not be very good, so you'll need a big opening. But then, your depth of focus will be very narrow, so you'll have to focus really carefully. If you stop down your lens opening to get a bigger depth of field, your shutter speed will get slower, and your players will be blurry.
Good so far?
Maybe we'll pick up later. Try not to get confused by all the information that's gonna get thrown at you in the next few days/weeks/months. Absorb it slowly and make sure you don't get overwhelmed.
1) The aperture opening of your lens determines how much light reaches the sensor. It's like the iris in your eyes.
2) Apertures are noted by "f/xx" numbers, such as f/1.8 or f/5.6 or f/11.
3) Don't worry right now about what those numbers mean, so much as understand that the bigger the number, the smaller the aperture opening, relatively.
4) A big opening, letting in more light, means you can use a faster shutter speed, other things being equal.
5) Faster shutter speeds are needed to capture action, or to make sure your subject is not blurry due to camera shake.
Ok, good so far? Let's go on. The next concept to grasp is the idea of 'depth of field".
The bigger the aperture, the smaller the area of your subject that will be in focus. This is called "depth of field", or sometimes, "depth of focus". It has to do with all sorts of fancy optics and the physics of light and all.
For example, let's say you're taking a picture of a car from just off the left front fender, and you want the entire car in focus.
If you open your lens to f/2.8, (big), you might get just the fender and a bit of the windshield in focus. If you close down to f/11, maybe the fender, windshield, and one door. Farther down, to f/22, maybe the whole car will now be in focus. The smaller the lens opening, the more of the car will be in focus.
But, remember, the smaller the opening, the longer the shutter will need to be open to capture the same amount of light. f/22 is pretty tiny, compared to f/1.8 or f/2.
If you're in a high school gymnasium, trying to get a picture of your kid's volleyball game, you need to be able to arrive at the right combination of lens aperture and shutter speed. The light may not be very good, so you'll need a big opening. But then, your depth of focus will be very narrow, so you'll have to focus really carefully. If you stop down your lens opening to get a bigger depth of field, your shutter speed will get slower, and your players will be blurry.
Good so far?
Maybe we'll pick up later. Try not to get confused by all the information that's gonna get thrown at you in the next few days/weeks/months. Absorb it slowly and make sure you don't get overwhelmed.
Sep 19, 2011 11:42:56 #
that was possible the best easiest to understand explanation of the basics Jim. you should be a teacher, i've noticed you have a way with the inexperienced. I salute you sur. What's the story with your avatar by the way, the bunny is so cool. :!:
Sep 19, 2011 12:21:00 #
Hi Ravenstar, If you purchased your Rebel new you should have a cord that came with the Kit or even if it was body only new it should have it. If you didn't you can either purchase the cord directly from Canon, by going to Canon.com find your camera and punch the prompt Supplies near the Specifications Prompt, hear you should find the correct cord for your camera to do what they call Bridging which allows you to transfer your photo's directly from your camera. Or you can go to Best Buy and purchase an attachment that allows you to plug in your SD card or Compact Disc, I know the XSi has the SD card and the XTi has the Compact Disc not sure what yours holds but I can look. But you probably know and these attachment you can purchase sometimes have the capability to use several cards in it both the Compact, SD, and Micro Disc. Since I don't know what Rebel you I will just walk you through with just using the attachment where you can download several different types of cards. But when you plug card in the attachment and then into your computer it should automatically com up on you screen if not press start and then the computer prompt then look for one of the removal hardware either E, F, G then it should come up on your screen. It will give you the options to download or review Files, I would review files and pick out and delete the bad ones. If you record in Raw I wouldn't delete anything as these files have to go through Photoshop anyway to even view if in raw form. So from here you can either drag and drop the the ones you like to your Pictures folder. Which I recomend as you don't want a bunch of bad photos in there and later have to remove them anyway. Save yourself some time and just do it now. So from there when you want to upload to this site just click the Browse Prompt and a screen will pop up go to your pictures file and pick the photo then click open and your set you've just uploaded your first photo to the site. Good Luck and your welcome to send a personal question if you want. : )
Sep 19, 2011 14:38:55 #
Jim thats the best yet, I got over 500 gb of hard drive on info and your a great help to me. Keep posting, anGODbless
Sep 19, 2011 15:24:48 #
JimH wrote:
Ravenstar, the most important things for an new ph... (show quote)
Hi Jim, I already know what you have been explaining here, just wanted to commend you for a great explanation in your explaining this so clear where it is so easy to understand. Very well done as I still found it educational if I further need to explain this to my wife as I'm always having to help her with her settings, she really has it down in her head pretty good but slips and there I am again and it is always helpful having another way to explain it than just with the settings. A complete understanding in your head like you've explained in my opinion is better to have along with the knowledge that you already have in using the tools of the camera but sometimes that's not enough, you know how to make these changes but when and why (how come). This is all important in making these decisions. Like with me I've read this learned it, it's in my head but for instance with my wife if she isn't coprehending the whole consept of it she is missing out on some good shots number one. Well you get the point, So thanks Again for This
Sep 19, 2011 16:52:22 #
What was the name of the free course that you took,,iI am really interested in finding classes myself.
Sep 19, 2011 18:02:13 #
sinatraman wrote:
that was possible the best easiest to understand explanation of the basics Jim. you should be a teacher, i've noticed you have a way with the inexperienced. I salute you sur. What's the story with your avatar by the way, the bunny is so cool. :!:
TYVM.
I taught computer science courses at night for 17 years. I've been an IT consultant for 29 years, off and on, in addition to regular W-2 jobs. I've been explaining technical mumbo jumbo to neophytes all that time. I've found that generally, people are intelligent enough to grasp most any concept if it is explained clearly. Stay away from jargon and slang, use analogies to help make new concepts more familar, and don't look down your nose at the person trying to learn. Every computer geek in the world was a newbie at one time. So was every photographer, auto mechanic, cook, or brain surgeon.
Sep 19, 2011 18:30:00 #
JimH wrote:
quote=sinatraman that was possible the best easie... (show quote)
That's Funny Jim I have Bugs Bunny Tattood on my arm from when I was in the Navy, which also has a story behind it.
Sep 20, 2011 02:40:56 #
Dyluck4 wrote:
quote=JimH quote=sinatraman that was possible th... (show quote)
Is the story about the tattoo or the hootch that brought you there?
Sep 20, 2011 10:12:20 #
gessman wrote:
quote=Dyluck4 quote=JimH quote=sinatraman that ... (show quote)
Hey Gessman, That's funny well actually I was Stationed at the Amphibious Base Coronado in San Diego and everyone said I was like Bugs Bunny! As in pranks I was always know to get some body back last. Like Bugs Bunny did. You may get him but he would always get you back last.
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