Today I popped around to Amber's after playschool for a catch up and of course a little mentoring session with the
new camera!!! I am still
very much learning but I tried to capture a few shots while the kids ran around. Amber very patiently tried to explain things like Aperture and ISO to me about a dozen times.... um, I'm afraid I still don't really understand them but I'm hoping it will eventually sink in! Feel a bit lame that I have this powerful camera that I can't really utilise yet but hopefully in time I will slowly be able to do a bit more with it. Guess I can't really expect vastly different photos overnight, huh? Babysteps, patience and all that good stuff!
If anyone has tips or good tutorials, courses etc along the lines of
'Photography for Dummies', feel free to share in the comments! Need all the help I can get...
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| Why, yes, I do believe there is some depth of field there?!! |
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| Painting the brickwork with water... |
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| Blurry but I just kinda love it |
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| Eli has his own unique painting style... |
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| Might as well paint his face too! |
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| Sweet Harper inspecting the clover! |
Well my friend I think you did mighty well on day two! pace yourself ok (although I know that it can get overwhelming and frustrating when tyou start out.) Think of it as a life skill; just learning one simple thing a day is enough if you keep up the education and practise :)
ReplyDeleteI really like this article from 'I Heart Faces'
http://www.iheartfaces.com/2007/10/meet-your-camera-tutorial-by-rachel/
It explains a lot of the things I was trying to go over with you (badly I think!)
Truly, I know that most of these you did on AV mode, so for day two this is AWESOME!
P.S. It was beyond wonderful to have you over today. I have missed you so, so, so much :)
oh Amber, you did a GREAT and patient job explaining, I think I'm just finding it hard to wrap my head around it... the concepts, how to use them and WHEN to use them - can I blame baby brain?! ;) You are right - I think I will have to be more patient, cant expect to be taking photos like you and Georgia on Day 1 ;) Will check out that tutorial and pinterest too and yes, w our nightly video tutes surely it will slowly sink in over time! I think i would really benefit from a little 1 day course or something too!
DeleteCheck out this ne day course:
Deletehttp://www.loveyourcamera.com.au/
Angie comes to Canberra every now and then so if you are interested (and I have heard GREAT things about her course) link up with her facebook page so you can find out when she is coming to the ACT next :)
Oh and search on pinterest - there are so many good links on there. Search things like 'DSLR basics' 'DSLR tips' etc :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your camera. Such a lovely story. You are surrounded by such wonderful people in your life. Today's shots are great and very important. Whilst I think they are perfectly awesome in their own right, they serve the purpose of being the images you check back to in a few months time and go "wow I'm mastering this DSLR thing" because your shots are just so much better. But as I say, a great start to your SLR career but thing only go up!
ReplyDeletewise words tricia! i agree i am so blessed w lovely people in my life - and i love the idea of being able to (hopefully) look back on these shots in months to come and see how much i have improved and all the stuff i understand that i dont yet!!! sure hope so anyway :)
DeleteI think you did awesome!
ReplyDeleteI have never done a course, so can't really recommend one, but I can tell you how I learnt to use my camera. I USED it! The beauty of digital is you can try something, see the results immediately (along with the info on the settings used), then you can tweak your settings, try again and compare the results. Don't be afraid to twiddle knobs and trawl through the menus. You can always pop it back on auto when you're done, so it's ready to grab a quick shot of the kids doing something special if you don't have time to experiment.
Lots of time with your camera is the best way to learn. Even if you practice by shooting pot plants or kitchen utensils, the more you use your camera, the better you'll get at it.
Also, you need to keep it with you all the time and take it everywhere. Yeah I know, that probably sounds like a real pain if you're used to a compact, but you get used to it. The closer it is to you, the more you'll use it. The more you use it..... Yeah, you get it.
Well done on your first effort. Can't wait to see more :)
these are great tips Tarnya and WOW cant believe you are self-taught - your photos are some of the most inspiring I've seen, lol I had to tell myself 'now just cos you got a dslr dont expect to take photos like tarnyas on the first day!!!'. seriously! great idea to experiment, will have to get braver in pressing buttons! This project is going to be great for forcing me to use the camera daily and get lots of chances to experiment. Now I need a good camera bag so I can lug it everywhere - terrified of destroying it in its first outing!
DeleteSorry, one more thing, Rachel Devine and Peta Mazey have written a book called "Beyond Snapshots" that is specifically targeted towards people (mums) with DSLR cameras who want to learn how to make the most of them and get great shots (of their kids). I have't read it, but it might be just what you are after..
ReplyDeleteNice work! There's nothing much I can really add to the above comments, though reinstating what Tarnya said, use it! Best way to get to know your camera. Looking forward to watching the progress!
ReplyDeleteI am loving this whole story Kate! The photos are great! And I totally agree with Tarnya. Even though my pics are nowhere near as wonderful as hers, I learnt way more about my camera just by doing this project - having to use it everyday meant I was braver about trying new things. That's the beauty of digital as well, you can always go back and learn from the shots you've got, immediately, without having to get film developed.
ReplyDeleteyes so excited i have this camera now so i am forced to use it for the remaining third of this project - and i will have to get brave too about trying it out!!
DeleteI have been using my Dad"s DSLR on manual since the first of July and am just starting to feel like I have any control or success but I LOVE it. Now that we have started this journey there will be no stopping us. The photo of your son painting through his legs is a total keeper. Fantastic.
ReplyDeleteKate, you did an awesome job! In love with the photo of Eli painting between his legs hahah!
ReplyDelete