these are just some photos i took when i was visiting Vietnam, i do like taking pictures but i'm not a professional

flame me or give me tips i know NOTHING about photography...

welcome

we will give you as much help and tips as we can
we are a friendly bunch and no flaming goes on in this sub-forum

1 - I am guessing you wanted your subject to be the coconut drink
unfortunately the focus is on the bag to the right
it is too cluttered with bottles, the bag and the bit of plastic rubbish, would've looked way better outdoors with a natural landscape background (sea or trees etc) although I know this is not always possible
the photo needs to be form a higher angle, so we can see the inside of the coconut and the drink inside, doing this you can also improve the above problem of clutter, just clear the table and shoot downward (30-45 deg) then all you have is the table as the background

2 & 3 and just more tips - These are just basic snapshots
colours are bland/dull due to it being cloudy, best shooting early morning or late afternoon, as light and shadows are more interesting then (midday light and shadows are generally too harsh)
don't cut off part of your subject, like the sign, bottom of the pot and top of the bonsai
the backgrounds of both are very busy and messy
again focusing issues, need to change to a single spot focusing system, and shoot with a wider aperture (lower f/ number like f/4 etc), this gives a shallower DoF (depth of field - blurs the background)
the 3rd shot would prob look better in portrait orientation

once you understand all the rules of photography and use them correctly then you know when you can start breaking them

what camera you using?

stunning bonsai btw, how old is it?

I don't know anything about settings lol i just use the manual focus

I use a nikon d5100

and I the Bonsai i believe is over 1000 years, i forgot, but it's on an ancient mountain where a Buddhist temple is

Edit: is it better to use the live view (monitor, idk what it's called) or just lookk through the lens

This post was edited by PincheChino123 on Apr 5 2013 06:11am

I am not good myself but i wouldnt start with manual settings. Try Progamm, Shutter priority or Aperture priority

you dont need manual focus unless youre using vintage lenses. as long as you aim correctly it should focus right spot, and you could adjust focus modes and points if you need to.

Read the manual <-

better to use the eyepiece for me, its faster i think, but in the end its about personal preference.

read and experiment with different compositional rules and techniques, it would help massively with how you frame shots.

don't use manual focus (although I am sure you meant auto)
also don't use live view rather look through the lens

just keep asking and we can get you shooting better

okay i chose a random object and made it center of focus

i used automatic focus now, idk if this is better or not :/

any feedback?

you could put it in a better setting
try different prospective/too much boring/unneeded space

focus is much better, although the subject isn't the best/not much detail
I hate to say it but maybe practice on a pet if you have 1, focus on the eye



once we get correct focus, we will move on to composition

here's a drill for starters (photo shoot setting must have good lighting (outdoor or well lit indoor).

composing still life shots:

goal: getting good composition

1. compose subject using rule of third grid in your cameras viewfinder.

2. place focus point and focus. - (person/animal- focus on the eye) or (inanimate objects - place focus point on contrasted area on the subject)

manual setting with good lighting:

goal: depth of field and getting perfect exposure/light meter

3. determine your depth of field with aperture.

4. determine your shutter speed. low the speed if you need more light/exposure or increase speed to relieve high exposure.

5. focus once more to double check and press your shutter all the way!


i did this when i first started. the session ended with 40 actuation and I finally got the grasp of it
experimenting this should give you a good understanding about the key features and functions of a DSLR camera.
do research on aperture, shutter speed, and ISO so you wont get confused.
you will learn more as you go, like white balance, aperture/shutter priority modes, exposure compensation, iso, flash photography, etc ._.

you should give this a try

good luck!