Hi folks, just thought I would start off a photography thread I have just received a Sony a200 DSLR for Xmas and think I will need lots of help and advise learning to use it. I have always enjoyed taking snaps but would now like to move on to taking photographs. How many other budding photographers are there out there, taking lots of pictures while out camping or caravaning?
Me for one. I very rarely go anywhere without my camera, and always take it when we go camping/caravanning.
I've been into photography since my dad got me my first camera at the age of 11 - he was a very good amateur photographer and taught me everything he knew. I only got into digital photography in 2003, starting with a Fuji S300 - 3mp 6x zoom. I then upgraded to the S500 - 6mp 10x zoom, and just recently my OH bought me an early Christmas present of an S8100fd - 10mp 18x zoom. This has more features than I will probably ever use, and really came into its own a few weeks ago when I went photographing grey seals on the Lincolnshire coast. I got some great photos, but I'm hoping to get some even better ones next year.
What sort of photos do you take Gary - any subject in particular or just general stuff?
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
I like to go walking along rivers and coastal so I like the idea of catching and freezing water movement. I have tried several tripod shots with long exposure and I am getting some very interesting results. I have also taken night time shots on long exposure and really enjoyed the experimentation. Landscape and water is what I would like to try first.
You sound a bit like me Gary. I like landscapes and water, wildlife, and sunsets too. We were at the coast yesterday as the sun went down and I got three really good shots with a nice cloud formation round the sinking sun.
Back in September, on a spur-of-the moment weekend away by a canal, I got a lovely sunset shot over the water. Captured every ripple made by the ducks, and all the different colours in the sky. I was so pleased with it I blew it up to A4 and mounted and framed it - looks like a really professional job.
One thing I don't do is take snaps of various people - I think there's nothing worse than ''this is x in the garden", "this is x at y's birthday bash" etc. I do take photos with people in them, but only if they add interest to the shot.
I'll be doing a lot more experimenting now I've got my new camera. The seal shots came out well considering I wasn't terribly familiar with the camera - I'd only got it a couple of days before we went away - so I'm looking forward to really playing about with it and seeing what i can get out of it. Best thing about digital - you can delete all the crap ones!
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
Hi Gary
congrats on getting a great camera, when your start to expand your collection of lens look at minolta AF lenses as they are the same fit as sony, there are a couple of good groups on flickr run by sony owners have posted queries on there and always get a response, as for help and advise, it like anything else including caravan and camping if you find a bunch of likeminded souls you will be able too tap into a wealth of information, have been taking pictures for too many years to remember both film and digital and am still learning, enjoy your toy and the beauty of digi over film u dont have to pay for developing and printing
Can anyone suggest a website for beginners. Have had a Fujifilm FinePix S9600 Digital Camera for a couple of years now but only ever use it on the auto setting. Seems a shame to have such a good camera and only use it as a basic through lack of knowledge and laziness lol.
hi bill
there are not many free websites out there unfortunately, the best advice i can offer is to get a good book, and work your way through it, better that way as you can take the book with you for reference.
bill, you could do a lot worse than trying www.bridgecamerausers.co.uk
Its run by enthusiasts of prosumer cameras - the Fuji S9600 and S6500 are the most used cameras on the site. Most sites invariably focus on DSLR and can't see past them. Nice n friendly, good advice always on hand and no camera snobbery. the site has recently been revamped.www.bridgecamerausers.co.uk
Nice one Gary, you will soon be telling us about 'raw files' and the pleasures of photo shop !!!!!!!!!.
You will need some image software I dont know what comes with the sony ? however there is a free download from Google called http://Picasa that is actually very good and will edit both jpeg's and raw files, you have stacks of choice with lenses, twenty odd from sony I believe and loads from the old konika minolta line up .Amatuer photographer is a very good website for all levels but they can get a bit shirty if you ask them a question that is answered clearly on page two of the instruction manual, so with your manual in your bag go forth and fill up your compact flash card with some lovely frosty scenes its the best way to learn about the camera.
I've used a compact Olympus 400 for years with good results, and still use it, but I recently bought myself a Canon 450D and am enjoying the extra functionality of it.
My OH bought me this book for xmas and I've found it very useful even though I've been playing with digital pics for years. BOOK
I've been a keen amateur for years and it's been a natural fit with camping since we bought our first tent last year. The photo opportunities when camping are phenomenal and as you're on holiday, you've got the time to exploit them fully.
For anyone new to photography (or any old hands for that matter) I'd highly recommend opening a free account on Flickr. It's a great place to get valuable feedback on your images and to discuss anything to do with photography, whether you're a newbie amateur or seasoned professional. My page is here: http://flickr.com/photos/fishier
Things I've learned about camping with your camera: always remember spare batteries and memory cards. Consider splashing out on a waterproof camera bag (I nearly lost an SLR body in a non-waterproof bag, near the edge of our tent during a heavy downpour). Also, unless you're travelling very light, definitely take a tripod.
Oh no, another photography thread for me to become addicted to, soon we will have photography meets...buy and sell...
I have a Canon eos 400d which I have had for two years, it has been a steep learning curve from a point and shoot, then a bridge camera but now I use it almost always in manual and really enjoy it... not that I am really any good but I get a lot of pleasure from it and that is the aim of the game! I don't know much about the sony cameras but they have a good reputation, if slightly limited lenses (or so I have been told) ... I use mainly Sigma lenses with my cameras (EX type) and find they are just brilliant. I am now ready to upgrade my camera to one more suited to using in Manual (the EOS 400d is a bit fiddly) if only I had the cash!
My advice would be to largely forget using the camera on auto, once you have got used to the handling of it, and start off using Aperture priority (AV on Canon but not sure on others) to get you used to what effect the aperture has on Depth of Field etc... then move on to Shutter Priority to learn about what shutter speed you need with various apertures - with both these modes you choose either aperture or shutter and the camera works out the rest for you...
My husband and I are both keen photographers. I've got a Nikon D70 and he has a Fuji S3 pro. We like camping as it usally means that you are in the country somewhere nice which is always good for photos.
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Topic: DSLR Photography
I have just received a Sony a200 DSLR for Xmas and think I will need lots of help and advise learning to use it. I have always enjoyed taking snaps but would now like to move on to taking photographs. How many other budding photographers are there out there, taking lots of pictures while out camping or caravaning?
