Hi everyone i was just wondering if you have to use a tripod to get those fabulous droplet and splashy water shots? Also can you do really nice portrait and close up macro photography with a 18-105 vr nikon lens on a d90, i am a beginner in the world of dslr photography and suddenly feel very frustrated at not being able to do these fabulous shots with my camera because i dont really have the know how, i know i can and should play around with it all and get better that way, but with a 7 month old baby that can be difficult but i really want to learn so please help me out in any way :-) Also what is the secret to doing a great portrait, i seemed to be really good at taking pictured with my i phone, but now with this fabulous camera i feel frustrated its wierd...
You don't need a tripod for the water drop photos as they are taken using a fast exposure (try looking at the exif details on the photos here), where it does come in useful is to keep the camera steady and focused in the same spot as you may take hundreds of shots whilst trying to get that elusive water crown!
The main help in getting a good splash is patience and a good light source, an off camera flash if possible.
For portraits again lighting is important. Are you using your on camera flash? They generally produce very harsh, unflattering light although there are some tricks to improve it. Try using other light sources or (my favourite for portraits) natural light. Other than lighting portraits generally look more natural when the person is relaxed.
Try and concentrate on what angle you're shooting from because again some are more flattering than others.
Finally, just keep practicing! Portrait photography is still my weakest area but I've improved over the last year by practicing it regularly and learning what works and what doesn't.
I actually handhold my camera for my macro shots. Of course, I do get some blurring on the edges on a lot of my shots due to this. It is my goal to get a tripod when I get out of the money crunch I am in now. I have had my camera (a bridge one---more complex than a point and shoot, but not as complex as a dslr) in December of 2010. I am still learning the ins and outs of my camera. I try to learn one to three things about my camera or photography at one time. I am finding narrowing the focus of what I am learning is helping. Last August, I concentrated on abstracts. Currently, I am mostly working with light (natural) experiments and cropping. I know the portrait, macro and water splash photographers on 365 will be able to help you with more specific advice. Have fun learning and taking shots!
Hi Desrae,
To answer your first question it depends. I haven't used a tripod yet on my water droplet shots and have gotten some decent photos. I do believe it would probably improve my ratio of good to bad and I do intend on trying it with a tripod probably this weekend. I too am a newbie to the technical side of photography but I am a live & learn kind of guy. I experiment a lot! I searched Youtube and saw a lot of different methods to water shots and I'm pretty sure that here at 365 you can find plenty of threads discussing the subject. The best advice I could give, cause it works for me, is research and experiment. Good luck!
youdont need anything fancy at all !! i do all mine with my standard 18-55 lens , on auto focus ...... no extra lighting just the camera flash ...... good timing is the key
As others have said you don't need a tripod but it sometimes helps. For water drops I usually don't use a tripod (a dog, a cat and 21 month old and sometimes if out of school hours an 8 year old all running around makes it not a good thing to use. lol ).
For portrait photography I don't think I've ever used a tripod, I find it easier to handhold and you can follow young children around better. The main thing is as Emma mentioned ( @emmar84 ), light, natural light is the best but isn't always available. Also focusing on the eyes is the main thing to do with facial shots. Oh and fun interaction, you don't always need a smile to get a great photo. I've just learnt by clicking away.
Some good advice here. I'm in pretty much the same position as @dessie so the advice is well received. I actually do have a tripod (over year now) but have only used it once. I must break it out this week.
Thanks everyone, that is really good advice, i am feeling more inspired today and in time will be trying to get creative with water :-) I do love shooting flowers though, but i would like to be able to take great portraits, all in good time...
@emmar84, @daisy@dvs@flamez1@shutterbugger@coolgirlsar@amers79@mcdermgl Thanks for all the advice everyone i am on my way to attempting a water shot at some stage will keep playing it and hopefully get one good enough to put on here :-) Emma i have an on camera flash only, given that i just got my camera 4 days ago i cannot spend any more money on it at the moment :( i am waiting to get my off camera flash, macro and portrait lens :-)
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You don't need a tripod for the water drop photos as they are taken using a fast exposure (try looking at the exif details on the photos here), where it does come in useful is to keep the camera steady and focused in the same spot as you may take hundreds of shots whilst trying to get that elusive water crown!
The main help in getting a good splash is patience and a good light source, an off camera flash if possible.
For portraits again lighting is important. Are you using your on camera flash? They generally produce very harsh, unflattering light although there are some tricks to improve it. Try using other light sources or (my favourite for portraits) natural light. Other than lighting portraits generally look more natural when the person is relaxed.
Try and concentrate on what angle you're shooting from because again some are more flattering than others.
Finally, just keep practicing! Portrait photography is still my weakest area but I've improved over the last year by practicing it regularly and learning what works and what doesn't.
To answer your first question it depends. I haven't used a tripod yet on my water droplet shots and have gotten some decent photos. I do believe it would probably improve my ratio of good to bad and I do intend on trying it with a tripod probably this weekend. I too am a newbie to the technical side of photography but I am a live & learn kind of guy. I experiment a lot! I searched Youtube and saw a lot of different methods to water shots and I'm pretty sure that here at 365 you can find plenty of threads discussing the subject. The best advice I could give, cause it works for me, is research and experiment. Good luck!
For portrait photography I don't think I've ever used a tripod, I find it easier to handhold and you can follow young children around better. The main thing is as Emma mentioned ( @emmar84 ), light, natural light is the best but isn't always available. Also focusing on the eyes is the main thing to do with facial shots. Oh and fun interaction, you don't always need a smile to get a great photo. I've just learnt by clicking away.