LOUIE PATRIZI Loc: Long Island

Ok is there something you can tell me about how can i use my 10-20 mm glass

Donaldaq

Looks like you have some good holiday family fun going...nicely done.

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

The second shot is very nice, maybe a little problem with white balance. It looks a little yellowish, which you can compensate with post-processing.

The wide-angle lens shot shows a lot of distortion. You ended up with a lot of unnecessary room to the sides, a reflection of onlookers in the mirror which is distracting, and poor perspective. And your subjects are kind of lost in the middle. I realize you were just experimenting, but clearly, this wasn't the kind of shot that wide-angle lens was meant for.

The rest has been said.

LOUIE PATRIZI Loc: Long Island

Ok what lens should i have used then

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

I'm assuming your question was directed at me. For learning your camera, the lens you used was fine. The photo has problems, though. Your standard lens would have allowed you to close in on the couple standing next to the Christmas tree and the tree, which was the true subject matter. And you'd have had little or no distortion.

As it is, this photo can be helped with whatever editing software you have by cropping in on the sides to the woman and the tree, and maybe a bit off the top, but still leaving a little "air" above the star. You'll still see some distortion in the bookcase, but it won't be serious.

A search for "wide angle lens photography tips" gets a lot of hits. I snatched this one, perhaps it will help in deciding when and how you want to use your wide-angle lens.

http://tips.romanzolin.com/articles/article045.php

LOUIE PATRIZI Loc: Long Island

Thanks

jackinkc Loc: Kansas City

Keep practicing on your sports shots. "Fill the frame" is one of the old photography rules of thumb. Get closer to your subjects or use your zoom to cut out background.

LOUIE PATRIZI Loc: Long Island

Thanks but I Don't know what kind of lens

jbirdmo Loc: Soon to be Chicago

Hi Louie,
I'm new here on the forum but your thread caught my attention. I see you're asking lots of questions about lenses, and rightfully so. There is so much confusion out there about what kinds of lenses should be used for what purpose and so on. As a general rule shooting people at anything less than 50mm will create distortion of the person of some kind. Usually looking ok right in the center but increasing in distortion as you move to the outside of the photo. You can see this clearly in the photo that you posted of the couple with the christmas tree. Look at the edges of the photo and you will notice that the walls aren't straight anymore...
There has been mention of the Canon 70-200mm. I own one of these lenses, and I use it for 80% of what I shoot. It's a very nice lens, but understand that is comes in about five flavors. My best advice is to use what you have to increase your experience before breaking the bank for a lens like this. You'll know you're ready for it when you know exactly why you want to buy it.

Here's an idea of my skill level so that you know how to take my advice.
Shot using the Canon 7D and the 70-200mm F2.8L Mark II
http://judevickery.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/20110616-IMG_2992.jpg

---Jude

LOUIE PATRIZI Loc: Long Island

Very professional I really like it and how the background looks.
Now thats how I want my pictures. To look like but I don't know how todo that can you help me do the same please. :(

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Well, first you need the blonde...

jbirdmo Loc: Soon to be Chicago

Louie,
What kind of camera do you have? What lenses do you own?

In addition, I'll give you an idea of what it takes to make the photo that I posted so that you'll have a starting point. Use each of these points below to find information that is all over the web to further your knowledge on each subject;

I use an SLR camera, set to manual, and using RAW.
Learn about Manual White Balance
Learn off camera flash
Learn to move your subject away from the back ground
Use a telephoto lens to stand back and zoom in.
Learn to frame the photos so that only the important information is captured.

and the list goes on even after this, but this should give you a pretty good start and about a years worth of reading and practice if you take it serious.

---Jude

jbirdmo Loc: Soon to be Chicago

Nice!...

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Wait! You mean I can learn all this from a forum?
Dang - all those wasted years practicing, going to week-long workshops, entering print competitions, studying lighting, posing, composition, investing $$ in lighting systems.....

I am only pointing out that one cannot learn how to get that look without hours and hours of effort and at least some hands-on training accompanied by some pretty honest critique - not the critique offered on forums, but hard nosed, I-don't-care-if-I-hurt-your-feelings evaluations.

So Louie, you are right to ask questions, but a blanket."How do I make it look like that?" makes it tough to give a decent answer - an answer that is truly helpful.

jbirdmo Loc: Soon to be Chicago

Captain,
I certainly agree that everything can't be had from a forum, and as you have obviously noticed there are many people who think that photography is a lot more simple than it really is. Given that, those who know more can certainly just take a few minutes to point those who know less in the right direction, where they'll start to understand just how much of an investment it will take. From there they can take it or leave it.

---Jude