I was trying to distract Kit Kat from wanting to get into my window by taking pictures of her, when in comes Jimmy. Have I mentioned that Kit Kat doesn't really like him much? She has to watch his every move to make sure he's not coming near.
Again, a manual mode shot. I see it's a bit dark, maybe should have used my flash? I also noticed that my manual mode has a portrait sub mode, not sure what that's about. Editing consisted of a rotate.
the lighting isn't great for this shot - the camera is trying to compensate by giving you a 0.2s exposure, which will add to your focussing problems - how long you and the cat have to remain still
Cute cat. A low power fill flash might have worked well. Something reflective (even a piece of white paper or cardboard) angled into the face might also have worked.
I've found that with simple cameras, it's better just to rely on the Auto or the scene modes. They have been optimized for the camera, including the in-camera processing, and manual doesn't give you that without any compensating advanced possibilities.
But if you do advance to it, do look to begin to shoot in raw. You can use the free software that comes with the camera to start. It's no more than average, but it would be a start. You would enjoy Lightroom I think. Many (most?) of your complaints about your current shooting could be fixed easily there especially if you shoot raw rather than jpeg.
I just checked at my local camera store. The MSRP for the D3300 with the new kit lens in the USA is $649, super aggressive pricing. Canon is already feeling the potential price heat and is discounting their SL1 (100D) down to the same $649 for a good camera but I don't think as strong as the D3300.
@frankhymus
Wow! Thanks so much Frank for this in depth commenting. My camera does have a fill flash mode which I will experiment with.
I have to say that I agree about relying on Auto or scene modes as the results are somewhat better. However, I guess it's something like "tying to keep up with the joneses" by now the majority of people here are shooting manual so I sort of feel like I need to as well regardless of the bad results.
I will check out the review as I've not been able to find anything other than the press release thus far.
At this point, I have no idea what shooting in raw means so I will do some research on that as well. I will be getting editing software for my birthday, but am not sure as to what program.
@shannejw
Overhead ceiling fan light (which was used here), table lamps or flashlights (which I've never tried). My camera does not support external flash.
@mej2011 I am afraid I cannot understand the need to "shoot manual" or to focus manual. which doesn't mean a DSLR user can't and shouldn't call upon all the metering and focusing options available.
@shannejw Fine if you have all the studio light resources and external flash systems, but if you don't, few of us amateurs do, the on-camera flashes, especially if used for "fill" or adjustment at half power or less rather than primary illumination, work just fine.
@frankhymus yeah - I don't have that stuff and use daylight wherever possible. Until this camera there were no options for changing the flash so I basically didn't use it because the results were so awful. But you can build simple light boxes, you can use tinfoil as a backdrop or white card and an anglepoise and torch.
Photokonnexion suggests bouncing on camera flash off something or softening it with greaseproof paper somewhere http://www.photokonnexion.com/?p=8449
@shannejw Yep, if you can swivel the flash, which most on-camera flashes don't. One of the main reasons on-board cameras have such a bad rap. You are right though. Simple reflectors (two cheap mirror panels for $6 from the local hardware store for me although you still have to be careful not to overwhelm with fully reflecting mirrors) or even white cards can do wonders for all but the most difficult lighting conditions without flash assistance.
@mej2011 A good editor can fix many problems like the lighting here. Even with the jpeg and not a raw file, I was able to produce this. Hope you don't mind my trying. https://www.dropbox.com/s/ctcwulfbvvv8hq2/4827798_bcdnsx0279_l%20as%20Smart%20Object-1.jpg. The nice thing about your shot was that no highlights were blown out and there was some detail in almost all the shadows, most of which I recovered quickly.
Once again just switch out the studio light with another light source .
I use multiple lights in most of my shots and I don't use the little popup flash for a few reasons. The first and most obvious is my main camera doesn't come with one. and the second is the quality of light that comes from these little suckers is very hard an flat.
Now having said that if I took this shot I would of most likely used fill flash.
Did you know you can turn down the power of your flash on most camera? and in doing so you remove the overpowering appearance of a flash?
I do that all the time with dance photography and while at events. I dont want the flash to be the key light just fill so I turn it down 2 full stops of light (i.e. turn the power down 200%)
I shoot on Aperture priority mode 95% of the time and all most 100% of the time when photographing events, and I would of taken this photo in that mode.
An I almost never use manual focus mode.
I use manual mode only when I have 100% control of the lighting.
So dont feel that you need to use manual mode. I think people like to throw out the idea that they use that mode to appear knowledgeable where in reality is shouldn't be the norm..
@agima
Brendan, thanks a million on this very clear and detailed explanation of how to improve my lighting. I will take all of this into consideration and do some research on making lights or alternative lighting sources. Also, thanks for the follow!
No sweat. If you swing past and look at my profile I have some links there or facebook friend me as I am way more active there than I am here. https://www.facebook.com/brendan.maunder
I've found that with simple cameras, it's better just to rely on the Auto or the scene modes. They have been optimized for the camera, including the in-camera processing, and manual doesn't give you that without any compensating advanced possibilities.
You commented in the discussion about the Nikon D3300. It looks an exciting new camera, but it won't be inexpensive. Here's a first look review from DPReview. http://www.dpreview.com/news/2014/01/07/new-nikon-d3300-gains-new-sensor-processor-and-kit-lens.
But if you do advance to it, do look to begin to shoot in raw. You can use the free software that comes with the camera to start. It's no more than average, but it would be a start. You would enjoy Lightroom I think. Many (most?) of your complaints about your current shooting could be fixed easily there especially if you shoot raw rather than jpeg.
All the best however you decide to go.
Yes, lighting is a big problem for me. The flash on my camera, I feel, isn't great.
Wow! Thanks so much Frank for this in depth commenting. My camera does have a fill flash mode which I will experiment with.
I have to say that I agree about relying on Auto or scene modes as the results are somewhat better. However, I guess it's something like "tying to keep up with the joneses" by now the majority of people here are shooting manual so I sort of feel like I need to as well regardless of the bad results.
I will check out the review as I've not been able to find anything other than the press release thus far.
At this point, I have no idea what shooting in raw means so I will do some research on that as well. I will be getting editing software for my birthday, but am not sure as to what program.
Overhead ceiling fan light (which was used here), table lamps or flashlights (which I've never tried). My camera does not support external flash.
This guy is really good at explaining the basics - http://www.photokonnexion.com/?page_id=11600
That's way, way, WAY above my comprehension level at this point.
@shannejw Fine if you have all the studio light resources and external flash systems, but if you don't, few of us amateurs do, the on-camera flashes, especially if used for "fill" or adjustment at half power or less rather than primary illumination, work just fine.
Thanks for the thought. Perhaps I just have a wrong mindset regarding things........
Photokonnexion suggests bouncing on camera flash off something or softening it with greaseproof paper somewhere http://www.photokonnexion.com/?p=8449
Thanks for the example! You used lightroom for this?
Thanks! As I said, I am getting new editing software, just not sure what program...
Light room is a MUST have product and i could not live without it for a heap or reasons. Fixing global mistakes in my photos is just one of them.
Yes you are correct Frank people don't have the same equipment that I have and then have the knowledge to use it as such.
Melissa here is an example of using a reflector.
http://365project.org/agima/examples/2012-05-01
In the image instead of speedlite use sun/window/desk lamp.
Here is an example of using just a white bit of foam core.
http://365project.org/agima/365/2012-03-02
Once again just switch out the studio light with another light source .
I use multiple lights in most of my shots and I don't use the little popup flash for a few reasons. The first and most obvious is my main camera doesn't come with one. and the second is the quality of light that comes from these little suckers is very hard an flat.
Now having said that if I took this shot I would of most likely used fill flash.
Did you know you can turn down the power of your flash on most camera? and in doing so you remove the overpowering appearance of a flash?
I do that all the time with dance photography and while at events. I dont want the flash to be the key light just fill so I turn it down 2 full stops of light (i.e. turn the power down 200%)
I shoot on Aperture priority mode 95% of the time and all most 100% of the time when photographing events, and I would of taken this photo in that mode.
An I almost never use manual focus mode.
I use manual mode only when I have 100% control of the lighting.
So dont feel that you need to use manual mode. I think people like to throw out the idea that they use that mode to appear knowledgeable where in reality is shouldn't be the norm..
Brendan, thanks a million on this very clear and detailed explanation of how to improve my lighting. I will take all of this into consideration and do some research on making lights or alternative lighting sources. Also, thanks for the follow!
https://www.facebook.com/brendan.maunder
Thank you, I'll check out the links, but I just sent you a fb request.