Idiot's Guide To Decent Photos

[Fruitcake]

Chpas and chapettes, I need help.

I bought a digital camera a while ago and it's decentish, I just need help with apertures, white blanace, shutter speed etc. so I can get the best from it as I am cack at taking photos.

Could someone talk me through it a s a kind of idiot's guide? I can whiz through the gravity of the component parts of a Bren light machine gun but give me a camera and I'm fked.

Someone help? Please? Anyone?

[GetCarter]

Is it a digital SLR or a compact?

Does it have removable lenses?

Does it have a manual?

Will be able to help a bit once we know this.

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 29th December 13:55

[bulb763]

I found these lessons at morguefile to be quite useful. They were the first things I read about the more technical side of photography (as opposed to point-and-shoot): they both introduced me to and explained a little about the various aspects.

It does seem a little more geared towards film users but the fundamentals are all there.

Hope that helps

Edited by bulb763 on Friday 29th December 13:55

[beyond rational]

Fujifilm have a great site for advice, but you need to sign up.

Have you tried the manufactuers website?

[Fruitcake]

It's a FujiFilm FinePix E510 if that helps. I have been reading the manual but it only tells me so much.

[GetCarter]

Fruitcake said:

It's a FujiFilm FinePix E510 if that helps. I have been reading the manual but it only tells me so much.

OK... IMHO

Keep it in full auto mode for a while and work on composition.

Then put it into speed priority mode and make the shutter speed fast to take crisp shots of fast moving cars, and slow shutter speed to take arty pics of flowing water

Then put it into apature priority mode and experiment with each end of the f numbers (this opens the lens to let in more/less light, but also alters the depth of field)- you'll notice that you can create very sharp portraits with the background out of focus and/or landscapes with the foreground AND background in focus.

If you find the colours are 'off' then consider changing the white balance to some of the presets (indoor/sunny/snow etc)

Then just arse about with all the above and if you get brave, try out the full manual mode which will let YOU decide what happens, not the camera.

Great thing about digital is that it doesn't cost anything to practice

Steve

[Fruitcake]

GetCarter said:

Fruitcake said:

It's a FujiFilm FinePix E510 if that helps. I have been reading the manual but it only tells me so much.

OK... IMHO

Keep it in full auto mode for a while and work on composition.

Then put it into speed priority mode and make the shutter speed fast to take crisp shots of fast moving cars, and slow shutter speed to take arty pics of flowing water

Then put it into apature priority mode and experiment with each end of the f numbers (this opens the lens to let in more/less light, but also alters the depth of field)- you'll notice that you can create very sharp portraits with the background out of focus and/or landscapes with the foreground AND background in focus.

If you find the colours are 'off' then consider changing the white balance to some of the presets (indoor/sunny/snow etc)

Then just arse about with all the above and if you get brave, try out the full manual mode which will let YOU decide what happens, not the camera.

Great thing about digital is that it doesn't cost anything to practice

Steve

Bloody hell, that was quick.

Cheers Steve I'm off to do some snaps before the light fades

[Kinky]

Simpo wrote an excellent idiots guide which I have a copy of.

I'm reluctant to forward it to you without his permission - but if you ask him I'm sure he'll be happy to send it (or I can if required).

K

[Fruitcake]

Kinky said:

Simpo wrote an excellent idiots guide which I have a copy of.

I'm reluctant to forward it to you without his permission - but if you ask him I'm sure he'll be happy to send it (or I can if required).

K

Cheers Kinky, I will PM him straight away

[Kinky]

It might be on his website - lemme check ....

ETA: no luck.

K

Edited by Kinky on Friday 29th December 17:12

[Frik]

There are some cracking tomes around on this sort of thing. John Hedgecoe's stuff for instance.

Did you not get any book tokens for Christmas?

[Fruitcake]

Kinky said:

It might be on his website - lemme check ....

ETA: no luck.

K

Edited by Kinky on Friday 29th December 17:12

I PM'd him and now have a copy so cheers Simpo for the stuff and ta to you for the heads up

[Fruitcake]

Frik said:

There are some cracking tomes around on this sort of thing. John Hedgecoe's stuff for instance.

Did you not get any book tokens for Christmas?

I didn't actually, Rich but I will have a look around Waterstones next time I'm in

Hang on... internet, Amazon, switch card

[Frik]

I'd pop into Waterstones myself, then you can have a flick through them as you'll want something that can teach and inspire at equal levels.

After all, it's not as if there's a shortage of them on the high street these days!