Quote (Chantal7 @ Oct 27 2010 09:02pm)

Just practice on anything you find interesting! Take a picture, look at it, and figure out what you can do to improve that picture, and then figure out how to improve it.

Quote (onepagememory @ Oct 27 2010 09:29pm)

take a picture of people and ask them if they like it, and why not. Then post pics here and receive further feedback.

Quote (EverNineAfter @ Oct 28 2010 12:51am)

like this picture, whats good/bad about it ? what could i have done differently and what could i have done to make it better? also what kinds of things can i do using the programs that the camera i got came with ???

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/4961922649_909f5fb72c_b.jpg

Quote (Eek @ Oct 27 2010 11:21pm)

Use -2/3 to 1 stop EV. Find a different angle to shoot from, get on your knees and shoot from the subject's eye level. Use a bigger aperture to throw the background distractions out of focus, and then finally use the rule of thirds.

Quote (EverNineAfter @ Oct 28 2010 02:31am)

sorry, the bolded is stuff i don't know what it means can you elaborate ? thanks.

Quote (Eek @ Oct 27 2010 11:57pm)

http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/images/canon-eos-1000d-back.jpg

You see that bar below 1/4000? That's your exposure compensation aka Ev. If i remember correctly, you hold down the zoom + button then turn the dial by the shutter to change it. -ev makes the scene darker and +ev makes the scene brighter.

That shot you took is too bright and some of the highlights are blown out, reduce EV to keep details in.

Histogram is also a good thing to read up on.

The f5.6 in the pic above = your aperture which is always represented by a "f" then follow by a number. The smaller the number, the bigger the aperture.

Quote (jayandnix @ Oct 28 2010 02:10am)

1 - if u r shooting auto, u need to change over to aperture priority
2 - u need a wider aperture as described above, this and being zoomed in on the subject will blur the foreground and back ground making your subject stand out better
3 - u need to zoom in a bit / be closer to the subject, there is a lot of wasted space
4 - the dassie/rock rabbit or whatever you call it, face is in a shadow, this really detracts from the pic, it takes patience but u need to wait for the perfect moment

keep it up and u will get better

Quote (onepagememory @ Oct 28 2010 01:20pm)

Relax. You're using a Canon camera. You're officially cancer-free and insta-pro.