Got a DSLR. Now what?

[DJ_B_Easy]

Ive wanted one for a while. The woman got me a Rebel EOS T2i kit with the ES 18-55 IS II lens for Christmas. I have NO CLUE how to use it. Aside from reading the manual front to back (which Ive already done twice) any tips or tricks to make the road to becoming Peter Parker a tad shorter? Im going to look into classes but I have a feeling they are going to be expensive.

[krash]

I'll PM you my address, you PM me yours, You send me the T2i, I'll send you a cybershot. deal?

[Razi]

Do you know what the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture do on a camera?
If you don't, see if your local community college has an intro to photography class.
They'll most likely make you use a 35mm film camera, but the skills transfer over.

[DJ_B_Easy]

@krash, I got your cyber right here brah. No seriously, there is one next to my computer.

@Razi: Yes and no. I have no idea what aperture does. ISO and shutter speed yes, but I dont know how to adjust them properly and what effect said adjustments will have on the shot. I'll look into Harvard on the Hill, thanks for the input.

[Razi]

The aperture is a diaphragm that controls the depth of field in a picture.


Larger aperture (smaller number) gives you a very shallow depth of field, a smaller aperture (larger number) gives you a greater depth of field (more things in focus).

For instance, I focused on my horn in this picture, and I used an aperture of f/2.0

As you can see, the focus drops off almost immediately before and after the horn.

In this picture I focused on the motorcycle's headlights, and used an aperture of f/4.0

Here you can see more things are in focus, and doesn't drop off as quickly as when I used f/2.0

In this one, I focused on the CTS Coupe and used an aperture of f/22 (The smallest aperture on my camera)

Now everything is in focus, even the tree in the waaaaay back.

Now, a larger aperture will let more light into your magical light capturing device, and a smaller aperture will let in less.
You need to adjust for this difference by changing either the shutter speed or ISO on the camera to get the right exposure.

I hope that wasn't too confusing.
I remember trying to understand how the heck a camera functioned and the subject of aperture confused me the most.
Taking a photography class helped a lot.

[Bubba1]

The aperture is a diaphragm that controls the depth of field in a picture.


Larger aperture (smaller number) gives you a very shallow depth of field, a smaller aperture (larger number) gives you a greater depth of field (more things in focus).

For instance, I focused on my horn in this picture, and I used an aperture of f/2.0

As you can see, the focus drops off almost immediately before and after the horn.

In this picture I focused on the motorcycle's headlights, and used an aperture of f/4.0

Here you can see more things are in focus, and doesn't drop off as quickly as when I used f/2.0

In this one, I focused on the CTS Coupe and used an aperture of f/22 (The smallest aperture on my camera)

Now everything is in focus, even the tree in the waaaaay back.

Now, a larger aperture will let more light into your magical light capturing device, and a smaller aperture will let in less.
You need to adjust for this difference by changing either the shutter speed of ISO on the camera to get the right exposure.

I hope that wasn't too confusing.
I remember trying to understand how the heck a camera functioned and the subject of aperture confused me the most.
Taking a photography class helped a lot.

^ very helpful, but I think the best recommendation is use that camera to take and post up plenty of pics of hot, scantilly clad womenz...

[Jesda]

Now you can overcharge people for weddings

[Razi]

Homework time?
Get nude model to stand in a well lit room.

Focus on boobz.
Shoot at varying apertures.
Study how the different aperture settings affect the depth of field.
Post nudez.

[krash]

this is an awesome thread. Taking a class at a community college is actually a great idea. If you know how it all works, then you can make it work for you.

That camera is awesome dude, you can shoot full HD videos with that monstar as well.

[SBC 240Z]

Jelly

[audtatious]

http://www.homephotog.com for basic camera crap....

[DJ_B_Easy]

Thanks Razi, that was indeed very helpful. Any knowledge on UV filters? The woman got talked into buying one of those as well and it just looks like a piece of glass.

Booberture pics to come soon.

@Krash, yeah man it is indeed a monster. Im curious to see how much memory HD videos eat up, I only got an 8GB card with it.

[snwbrdr435]

One of the best online resources IMO is http://www.digital-photography-school.com/

Like others said get out and shoot as much as you can. In the last 6 months I have taken more photos then ever before. I am still learning new things all the time. Now onto another project anyone have an old philips ToUcam lying around, I need its sensor.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Wow. There is A TON of info on that site, thanks for hooking that up.

Alright well I guess I need to get at it then. Im actually a little hesitant to even bring this thing out of my house before buying a carry bag for it. Need to do that, pick up a tripod, and start shooting.

Thanks all.

[snwbrdr435]

F-stop bags are pretty popular with my friends who don't have one of the Burton camera bags. I currently am rocking a burton zoom pack. Love it

[PoorManQ45]

Please learn how to manually adjust your camera.

I lol every time I see someone with a very nice setup that shoots in Auto mode.

Nice camera BTW, I'm looking at that same kit. It keeps popping up on slickdeals for ~$550 with that lens

[snwbrdr435]

The clear uv filter will protect the front of your lens from scratches etc.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Please learn how to manually adjust your camera.

I was just doing that. The camera actually wouldnt autofocus the way I wanted it to. Definitely going to dedicate a lot of time to this thing.

[DJ_B_Easy]

The clear uv filter will protect the front of your lens from scratches etc.

Figured as much, dont really see how that classifies it as a filter though.

[Razi]

UV filters are useless, and some people think that it effects the image quality slightly.
If you're running around without a lens cap on, it'll protect your lens, but I don't think you'll need it.

[Jesda]

Best place to learn what not to do:

http://www.youarenotaphotographer.com/

[Razi]

A "pro-photographer" did a photoshoot of a local car group last week.



Yeah...

[snwbrdr435]

^ Bleh

As far as UV filters go. I agree with razi to a point. The cheap one's probably do distort image quality. I have tested my glass b+w ones and they don't. That said i like them just as added protection on some of my lenses. Have them on my L series glass but not on my 50 1.8.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Manually adjusted all of these except the cat, 'cause he was wiggling all around.

Focused on "play" button with large aperture.


The bubble wrap and box it came in in the background, also with large aperture.


One of the kittehs.


Razi, seriously thank you for that tiny tutorial above. Gave me a huge jump start on understanding this thing. Yes, they are pictures of junk but the fact that I took them with an understanding of the process makes me feel fuzzy inside.

[tigersharkdude]

Havent been on in a while....

Congratz on the T2i, you will love it. I have one too and couldnt be happier

Cheeck this book out...seriously
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EOS-Rebel-5 ... 0470768819

[Razi]

Razi, seriously thank you for that tiny tutorial above. Gave me a huge jump start on understanding this thing. Yes, they are pictures of junk but the fact that I took them with an understanding of the process makes me feel fuzzy inside.

Neato!
Glad I could help.
Keep messing with the camera and experiment with different kinds of shots, even if they aren't that great.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Good thread. Definitely get a tripod. While night shooting, use the tripod or other stable base and use the camera's timer to trigger the shutter so you don't move the camera (resulting in blur). DSLRs really shine with their night shots.

[skydragoness]

Classes aren't expensive, just depends on where you go. Around me there's a community center that offers classes for a nominal fee and there's an art college that offers 'continuing education' (non-credit) intro type courses that are cheaper than what enrolled students have to take. I'd go for the latter as you'll be getting tips and tricks from someone that is still in the field.

Otherwise, there's this UK-based magazine: http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/category/tutorials/

...that I subscribed to for a few years when I was in college. Absolutely the best photography mag around, their tutorials are awesome. You might be able to get some info from their site for free vs picking up a mag from Barnes&Noble (which can be an expensive habit; not sure if they still include tutorial cds anymore).

[DJ_B_Easy]

Yeah I picked up a Canon DG200 bag with + 57" tripod combo off of Amazon for $70 delivered. Tripod is probably not the best but that bag retails for about the same price so I figured what they heck.

I know my community college classes are around $130 per credit (or at least they were when I attended 10 years ago). Id assume this to be a 3 or even possible 4 credit lab course and Im sure tuition hasnt gone down. There was an art "college" near me, it has since been turned into a Walgreens. Believe it or not a friend of mine said they saw a Groupon for classes a while back in a neighboring town at a retail studio. Going to keep the eyes on peel for that.

Does anyone recommend picking up an external flash? The T2i has the built in pop up one and its pretty bright. Havent used this thing outdoors or at night yet though so not sure if it will suffice.

[snwbrdr435]

Does anyone recommend picking up an external flash? The T2i has the built in pop up one and its pretty bright. Havent used this thing outdoors or at night yet though so not sure if it will suffice.

Pick up a speedlite. The Nikon SB-80DX or Vivtar 285's are cheap. I have a couple 430exII's but just ordered a 3 of the sb80dx's because of how cheap they are and the fact they have sync sockets and optical sensors. Also have a 1/1000 duration at full power.