Couple of pictures from today...advice needed

[CleanNeon98]

http://rides.webshots.com/album/558448345ocUrLg

Those are the best 8...what post-processing can I do to them to make them a bit better?

[Uberu]

they're all too dark, and the only one i like is of the castle

[Ender81]

Take a photography class. Not saying your pics are bad but it is the easiest way to make your pictures better.

[CleanNeon98]

Take a photography class. Not saying your pics are bad but it is the easiest way to make your pictures better.

Yea im doing that this summer...that picture where im on the curb was private property so I actually had to ask them, and tell them it was for a photography class.

[90IntegraC1]

you need a better camera....look into Nikon D40 or D50, they're a good starter camera.

Do you have photoshop?

Also, the one pic with the car on the path in the woods....never turn your tire towards the camera, it looks bad and is pointless. If you're going to turn your wheels, make sure the actual wheel is facing you, not the tread of the tire.

Taking a photography class wouldn't hurt either :)

[vwcorradokid]

http://rides.webshots.com/album/558448345ocUrLg

Those are the best 8...what post-processing can I do to them to make them a bit better?

1 tip, don't rely on post processing to make your photos better, when you achieve your goal without post processing, that's when you know you're getting better. Play with settings in the camera and take 30 or 40 shots of the same scene but change settings slightly, that's a way to learn thru trial and error if you don't have time for a photography class just yet. I think the basics of photography are essential to learn first. Knowing what aperture, shutter speed, white balance and ISO do, is a HUGE advantage. Go read Trolls post about all of these things and play around with the camera more.

[CleanNeon98]

you need a better camera....look into Nikon D40 or D50, they're a good starter camera.

Do you have photoshop?

Also, the one pic with the car on the path in the woods....never turn your tire towards the camera, it looks bad and is pointless. If you're going to turn your wheels, make sure the actual wheel is facing you, not the tread of the tire.

Taking a photography class wouldn't hurt either :)

I have a good camera as is..Fuji Finepix S5200...im not gona spend more on one just cause everyone has one...im taking a photo class at BCCC this summer as part of my fulltime program

[sisforsurfing]

you need a better camera....look into Nikon D40 or D50, they're a good starter camera.

I totally disagree about him needing a better camera...
I would explain why, but this guy does a better job; Your Camera Does Not Matter (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/notcamera.htm)

[mr_eh]

imo the best thing you can do is load up photoshop, get a picture of my car, use the cut tool, cut out my car from the image, then paste it on yours, viola! it'll look much better.

jk. start simple and adjust the brightness/contrast

[04BlueSRT4]

Def learn the basics of photography, then work on your composition, then once you get good at those things work on tweeking ur pics a bit in post processing if you want. A good picture to start with wont need much PP.

[Ender81]

For everyone recommending Photoshop please go here. http://www.tristatetuners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30825

Basic photography class is the best thing you can do

[ikozhukhin]

post processing........


http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/2444/2429441840093666982S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2429441840093666982MGsPPK)

[90IntegraC1]

I totally disagree about him needing a better camera...
I would explain why, but this guy does a better job; Your Camera Does Not Matter (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/notcamera.htm)

i agree to an extent, but these $150 camera's can't do long exposures or anything that a more expensive camera can....i'm just saying, if me and my ****ty camera and a guy with a Nikon D200 went to take pics at the same spot, his would come out a million times better, before and after post processing...and my camera was about $350.

[CleanNeon98]

i agree to an extent, but these $150 camera's can't do long exposures or anything that a more expensive camera can....i'm just saying, if me and my ****ty camera and a guy with a Nikon D200 went to take pics at the same spot, his would come out a million times better, before and after post processing...and my camera was about $350.

mine retails for ~$350

[90IntegraC1]

can you manually adjust anything? or is it a point and shoot?

[CleanNeon98]

can you manually adjust anything? or is it a point and shoot?

u can...havent tried it yet...Fuji Finepix S5200

http://www.livingroom.org.au/photolog/Fujifilm-finepix-S5200-S6000.JPG

Review:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05072802fuji_s5200zs5600z.asp

[90IntegraC1]

damn that's a nice camera!

you can manually adjust ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and white balance....so you're set, you just need to play with the settings instead of point and shoot.

that's gonna take some nice pics.

[04BlueSRT4]

damn that's a nice camera!

you can manually adjust ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and white balance....so you're set, you just need to play with the settings instead of point and shoot.

that's gonna take some nice pics.


X2, I learned how to take pics on the Fuji S5100, and it taught me alot about picture taking, then after a year or so with that I finally upgraded to my D50

[S4toSTI]

Just to restate what some people said. You don't need a better camera for what your doing right now. Post processing shouldn't be your first concern composition and exposure should be.

[CleanNeon98]

Just to restate what some people said. You don't need a better camera for what your doing right now. Post processing shouldn't be your first concern composition and exposure should be.

maybe i should use a tripod too lol. i just kinda point and shoot

[S4toSTI]

maybe i should use a tripod too lol. i just kinda point and shoot

Its a good idea to get in the habit of a tripod it reduces the risk of camera shake and its good to take a few shots and bracket them when you are just getting started so you can have some brighter and some darker. Does that camera do raw?

[CleanNeon98]

Its a good idea to get in the habit of a tripod it reduces the risk of camera shake and its good to take a few shots and bracket them when you are just getting started so you can have some brighter and some darker. Does that camera do raw?

uno...

Here is the review maybe u can tell me

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05072802fuji_s5200zs5600z.asp

[S4toSTI]

uno...

Here is the review maybe u can tell me

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05072802fuji_s5200zs5600z.asp

FinePix S5200 Zoom features at a glance:

* 5th Generation Super CCD HR sensor
* 5.1 million effective pixels
* 10x optical zoom
* Real Photo Technology and ISO 64 – 1600 sensitivity range
* Anti-Blur Mode to minimise blurring from photographer and subject
* Highlight Warning function to alert users to overexposed areas of an image (in playback)
* High quality video recording at VGA and 30fps
* Rapid start-up time of 1.1 seconds and shutter lag of 0.01 seconds
* Automatic pop-up flash
* JPEG and RAW file format
* Versatile manual functions including manual focus and exposure

May not be a bad idea if you have photoshop to try out raw on some pictures and see how it changes how you can edit exposure and colors after the fact. It has alot in it but some of the simple raw features can really help a new photographer since you may not always nail the exposure and so on.

[CleanNeon98]

FinePix S5200 Zoom features at a glance:

* 5th Generation Super CCD HR sensor
* 5.1 million effective pixels
* 10x optical zoom
* Real Photo Technology and ISO 64 – 1600 sensitivity range
* Anti-Blur Mode to minimise blurring from photographer and subject
* Highlight Warning function to alert users to overexposed areas of an image (in playback)
* High quality video recording at VGA and 30fps
* Rapid start-up time of 1.1 seconds and shutter lag of 0.01 seconds
* Automatic pop-up flash
* JPEG and RAW file format
* Versatile manual functions including manual focus and exposure

May not be a bad idea if you have photoshop to try out raw on some pictures and see how it changes how you can edit exposure and colors after the fact. It has alot in it but some of the simple raw features can really help a new photographer since you may not always nail the exposure and so on.
yea...il have to try it out...this photo course should help me much also :)

[S4toSTI]

yea...il have to try it out...this photo course should help me much also :)

Yeah definitely whats the name of the class and what does it cover?

[grimm]

i disagree about the camera. A camera isn't going to make that much of a difference at your level. look up the rule of thirds online and learn about composition. And then get yourself a copy of photshop and learn it. unless you are really into photography and you enjoy it as a hobby then there is no need to drop $1k+ into a camera. I know I took mighty fine pix when i had my canon G5. which is just a glorofied point and shoot. other then that, check out other peoples pics and try to mimic their compostions. As far as richness of color and exposure levels, you can adjust that in photoshop. Yea yea, true photographers try to take a perfect picture, but no offense you aren't one of them, so use the tools that you have to make your not so great pic into a dynamic one.

[CleanNeon98]

Yeah definitely whats the name of the class and what does it cover?

its called "VAFA 110" a.k.a. Digital Photo Fundementals. Its a once a week 4 hour class.


Course Number and Title:
VAFA110 Digital Photography Fundamentals


Number of Credits:
3 credits


Number of Class Meetings Per Week or Number of Instructional Minutes per Semester:
3375 minutes


Prerequisites:
None

Corequisites:

None.


Other Pertinent Information:
Students are required to provide their own digital camera (minimum 3 megapixel) and memory cards for the duration of the course.

Students should be aware that additional hours beyond those provided during class are both expected and required for the completion of assignments.

This course will be especially useful to those students pursuing the integration of photographic (digital) imagery in other endeavors such as web-design, new media, printmaking, etc.


Catalog Description:
Students will be introduced to digital-based photographic imagery. The course will examine the potential inherent in the methods, techniques, and applications of digital photography as a means of personal expression. Students will produce a digital portfolio of images for presentation on the web or on CD.


Required Course Content and Direction:


Learning Goals:
Students will:

practice the use and applications of digital photography
apply and utilize the language and terminology of photography in general and digital photography specifically
describe the characteristics of and difference between digital versus film based photographic techniques
gain and demonstrate competency in the use of a digital camera for taking photos (including image capture, as well as compositional concerns)
employ the basic software/tools used in the manipulation and control of digital based imagery (resizing, cropping, editing tools, color control, layers, etc.)
develop an appreciation of the historical development of photography and the role (and development) of digital based imagery
develop their creative, expressive, and aesthetic skills through the production of photographic imagery
prepare their imagery/work for web-based presentation
assess and evaluate their own and other students' technical and aesthetic proficiency through the critical examination of their own and other students' work via individual or class "critiques"

Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:
The course will provide students with a basic working knowledge of the materials and techniques used to produce digitally-generated photographic imagery. The course will begin with the discussion of the materials and terminology of digital photography, including camera, hardware, and software concerns. A progression of topics will follow, including basic to more advanced camera operation, image capture, image manipulation/editing, image file saving and storage concerns, and the presentation of images via the web and on CD (web albums/web pages and/or CD-Rom). As a supplement to the technical information, this course will further explore the idea and appreciation of the photograph as a vehicle of visual communication and also introduce the use of digital photography as a means of personal creative expression.



Assessment of Core Learning Goals:

This course is not in the core curriculum.

Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

Digital Camera (minimum of 3 megapixels)
Computer workstation (with Internet/web connection)
Image editing software
Instructor selected textbook and/or other supplementary text based materials (including CD-ROMs, websites, etc. at the discretion the Instructor)
Supplementary digitally-projected/presented images

Teaching Methods Employed:

Classroom instruction (including but not limited to lectures; demonstrations of materials, processes, techniques, and methods; and/or in-class lab time, etc.)
Completion of exercises and assignments
Critiques (Group and/or Individual)
Review of digitally presented images
Class discussions
Tests and/or quizzes (at discretion of instructor)


This is directly from the BCCC site found here
http://www.bucks.edu/syllabi/syllabus.php?lookup=VAFA110

[Ender81]

Check that thread I posted in here. There are two good links in there if you want to learn some basics before you get into that class.

[CleanNeon98]

I decided to play with photoshop and one of my pictures from the auto show that I really liked.

Before:
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/1640/2521376570085776385lrldvu6.jpg

After playin with some setting
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4782/cameroopyee3.jpg

[CleanNeon98]

Part duece

Before:
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/8589/dscf0213ft1.jpg

After:
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/9918/wheelcopyad4.jpg

[i like rice]

One thing to be careful when increasing the contrast and saturation is losing the shadow detail, as you can see with the tires. You can use the dodge/burn tool to bring back some of the shadows (tweak the opacity level for the desired effect).

[grimm]

I also use multiple layers and their transparency per edit so i can erase out the areas where the contrast washes out the detail, but leave it where it makes the other details pop. It's sort of a fake bracketing method.