Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

Tobster,

Take all of this advice to heart & don't get discouraged!!!

I have the 5D MkII and it's an excellent camera. I use the 24-70mm f2.8L as my standard lens with 8-15mm f4.0L wide/fisheye (first attempt with this lens below) and 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM. I also use the 580EX II Speedlite.

Keep checking the Photo Gallery on this site and check out a few others as well. This one is free:
http://www.digital-photography-school.com

Also, look into getting a couple of books. Amazon is a great source. One of my favorites is Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure".
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_14?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=understanding+exposure&sprefix=understanding+%2Caps%2C238

There's also a field guide specifically aimed at the 5D MK II. It's also available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Mark-Digital-Field-Guide/dp/0470467142/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332217615&sr=8-1

Both of these are written in a style that makes it easy for the novice to follow without getting hung up in a mass of technical jargon. You can both as Kindle editions but you really need the Fire model to view the photographs.

Just keep shooting! Memory cards are cheap and can be downloaded and erased to use over and over. Keep some the shots that you don't like on the LCD so you can view them on your computer. You can always learn from your mistakes.

As others mentioned on this thread, avoid harsh sunlight at first. Dawn and dusk provide much better lighting as do cloudy and overcast days. Don't be afraid to shoot indoors without the flash if you see a good portrait or group shot near a window under these conditions.

Above all, share your pics! Most of the folks on this site are more than willing to provide helpful, constructive criticism. When others applaud your work, it's a GREAT shot in the arm.

PD

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Like the man on the street in New York asked the cab driver. How do I get to Carnegy Hall? he said practice-practice-practice!!

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Tobster- Forgive me if I missed this, but about how long have you been active in photography? This is an art unlike the other visual arts. At first the inexperienced will think: "Well its just recording what I see." Before long your results don't bear this out. I've said this before in this forum: One of the best skill builders to learn photography is to learn to draw, really! It teaches you composition, negative space concepts and other skills. If you're interested check out Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. Then go through calendars & magazines and find 100 photos you really like, notice the composition, color relationships, negative/positive space. Try to be able to define just why you like that photo. OK that's enough for now. Let me know how it goes and send me questions. I'm retired, I've got the time.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

A) MOST photographs have been enhanced in some way, and
B) you will only get better if you keep trying. Shoot anything and everything experimenting along the way. My first stop - try adjusting the White Balance getting used the different options then venture into other concepts. Learn one thing well then learn another, but don't give up. Just Shoot!

senad55verizon.net Loc: Milford, NJ

Fun is a good idea, but having bad looking pictures come out of your camera time after time is not fun. It can be pure frustration.

For pure fun, set your camera on pure Auto, sometimes called ed "Intelligent" mode, and bang away. It will make acceptable jpgs 'til the cows come home.

For the hard work of learning how to do photography, both pre- and post exposure, exlpore manual mode, aperture or shutter priority modes, and study like hell. That's a different kind of fun.

Camerahand Loc: Huntsville, Tennessee

It has been said many times, and maybe even in this thread, that a big difference between a good photographer and a bad photographer is that a good photographer DOES NOT show his/her bad photos.

Burton

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Maybe this will help - http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/how-to-learn-photography.htm

stevenelson Loc: Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

Anything by Scott Kelby or Brian Peterson are well worth the money and easy to read and understand.

billybob40

TRY THIS
http://www.learndigitalphotographynow.com/Shoot-Digital-Pics-Like-the-Pros.pdf

GordonB. Loc: St. Petersburg, Fl.

I am beginning to think it is beyond my abilities...... Is it really this hard?[/quote]

In a word, yes. Yes it is!

You must fit into one of two catagories.
1. A young guy or girl who's not over 24. They are
brilliant at picking up all kinds of photography and and have not one least bit of problem using PP, and doing it beautifully.
2. A person who's been shooting at least for 60 yrs., and have been a professional for at least 40. They also are brillant at picking up all the essential odds and ends but, as a rule, are not crazy about new techniqes; PP being one of those. But! If you want an answer, they will be the first to give it and it WILL be correct. Don't ever doubt them; they're correct!

Now, a question for you. Had you rather be in the 24 and under group or the senior qroup? lol Being old isn't for the weak of heart so be careful about your decision here.

Have you ever been told that you look like a famous singer? And no, not Judy Garland. lol

STOP worrying about not 'getting it'. Just think of all the years that you have to accomplish this. Enjoy your youth
AND your smashing looks.

The very best to you,

Gordon
(As they tell us seniors with prostate problems, try and try again.)