stenojj

Thanks! I take dozens of photos to try and get that perfect one. That's what I like the most about digital photography. I shoot in both RAW and jpg so I can tweak if I see fit, which is a nice challenge for me. Before I got my T6s, I thought everybody's photos were straight out of camera until I found out most photos are post-edited. I think that is why I was so disappointed when I bought the camera. My photos didn't even come close to most I had seen posted. That is why I thought it was the camera, not the lens or the person behind the camera. When I take a nice photo, I feel really good that I "am" learning.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

The day we stop learning is the day to put us in the ground! Unless using transparency film, some degree of post processing is part of the process. Even that could be argued.

The exercise I suggested - that I don't think you need - came from a 1970's photography class at Bath Academy of Art (I was doing Math at Bath University but had friends at the art college), take a 35mm SLR, one lens, a single 36 exposure roll of film, go out for a day and try to make every exposure a good one. You can't fake it with film, and it is a great learning exercise. It covers both the individual exposure and any post processing. Both the full film roll and the prints were evidence. Hard to do with digital but a good exercise.

Even the best photographers get very little great work without some degree of post processing. What comes out of the camera is just a milestone on the journey. I certainly have more to learn than I know. Time is my biggest problem right now. If I had enough time available I might discover my other problems!

Keep up the excellent work! Enjoy the Holiday Season.

stenojj

I don't know why, but I always thought the great photos I see posted were straight out of camera. I've used Photoshop Elements to tweak my photos when I had my point and shoot camera most of the time, but actually thought (that's how new this is to me) that you didn't need to do any tweaking with an expensive camera. That's why I was so disappointed when I first got my camera. I thought my new DSLR would put an end to all that tweaking. Boy, was I wrong. Now I find when I shoot in RAW, that even upping the clarity and saturation just a wee bit and/or monkeying with the blacks, white, and shadows a bit makes a huge improvement.

Again, thank you for all your suggestions and exercises I can do to better my shooting. Happy Holidays!

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

There is a book that you might enjoy if you don't already have it: https://www.amazon.com/Examples-Making-Photographs-Ansel-Adams/dp/082121750X

Ansel Adams had access to the best photographic tools of his day, but it was his approach and thinking that made the difference. You might also enjoy Ric Burns' Adams documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvt1ImIKi0U

Cheers!

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

I've only read the responses on the first page, but you keep repeating "with the lenses I have" but to don't list those lenses.

As you can see, I have my equipment listed in my signature.

Could you please list the lenses if you have not already done so. If you did list them, I'll eventually see that list.

But my suggestion is that IF you do purchase any new lenses, that you start looking at lenses that will work on both crop sensor as well as on full frame cameras. The investment will be worth it if you do decide on a full frame camera in the future. Also, if there is a choice between a v1, or later version of a lens, go with the newer model because the improvements will be worth it down the line.

Don't be afraid to trade up on your existing lenses, they're not doing anything for your photography if you don't take them out and use them on a regular basis! I have a rather costly lens that I replaced a faulty lens with, and I've only used it twice in the last year. So for me, it's time to sell or trade in that lens! No, it's NOT my 100-400, that one was a gift from my cousin, and it virtually lives on my camera right now! I'm already looking at replacing my other 3 lenses with models that aren't "KIT" lenses!

I design and create jewelry, and I'm going to be getting a bunch of boxes of beads later today from a friend who is getting them from a family member. The only cost to me is the gasoline for one and a half trips to her house today (she has my vehicle right now) and again later this week for the second batch of boxes! I'm going to need to take pictures of the finished pieces to market and sell them. I might need to keep my 105 mm lens to shoot the pieces with!

So, determine if your existing lenses are actually working for you, or if they've become extra weight in your bag, because you don't use them often enough, or at all now!

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Have you become proficient with the T6s? Do you know all of its "bells & whistles"? Do you know all about composition, color, and the other components of good photographs? Do you think you will get a "better shot" with a new camera? Think about these things before you purchase. Many photographers believe that the camera is "at fault" and if they purchase new, upgraded equipment they'll get that great shot they want. Getting better shots, however, is not always about better equipment, although it can certainly help out a lot. Learn first, purchase more expensive and better equipment after you learn how to take a good shot. Just my opinion on the subject.

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

I'm going to make another suggestion that hasn't been made yet!

If you have a Community College in your area that offers a course in Digital Photography, look into taking at least one class. But see if you can obtain some reviews from the professors last few semesters. Ask for both positive and negative reviews.

I recently took a class from a professor who was a professional photographer, but she couldn't teach very well!

Of all of my class mates, I had been shooting for the longest, I had taken 3 summer seminars, and another college film photography class, and I grew up with a father who got me hooked on photography as a child! The professor would point us to websites to compare different photographers styles, and none of them floated my boat! I already had an eye for composition, which few in that last class developed an understanding of! Our final presentation really showed the different levels of understanding that concept! We still has a few who were still taking snapshots at the end of the semester!

Over time, you will develop a style to your shots, but taking several classes with different instructors will open you up to different methods of shooting. Deciding if you like more natural styles, or manipulated end products then pursuing the techniques to achieve the end product is a good starting point.

Do you prefer to shoot nature, people, sports, birds, animals, flowers and trees, architecture, abstracts, etc. Go through some magazines and books, and bookmark the shots that stimulate your imagination and desire to go out and shoot! You will strart to see a theme emerging with the pictures that you selected!

Find a school or mentor near you that uses this same style and try to sign up for a class, or some one on one shooting instruction!

vince39426 Loc: Mississippi

I was able to get a 7d w/50 mm lens for $150. It has a lot more bells and whistles than my XS, but the pictures look the same. The extremely good price is why I bought the7d.

chaman

Unless the guy who sold it to you was your friend, $150 for a 7D would led me to believe was stolen. I would never buy anything that I would remotely believed was stolen. Unless you have a good explanation as how you came to such a price I would avoid posting the price you paid for it. If anyone who recently had some camera equipment stoled in the Mississippi area reads this they surely would try to locate you.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

the only stupid question is the one you will not ask. yours is a good question, and the replies in the post will, hopefully, assist you.