OK I'll admit and I think I've stated before... I am a total armature when it comes to taking pictures. Many years ago over *cough30* to be exact, I had a photography class in high school. This was eons before digital was even thought of. The first SLR camera I ever used was a Pentax K1000. Very easy to use and I loved it... so much so that eventually I owned one of my own. I had books and books on photography and even got my father into it. He actually got better at it than I did as life and my then husband kept getting in the way. When I left my now ex, I inadvertently left the camera. Somehow my mother got a hold of it and well... into the hock shop it went and there it stayed ... hopefully it went to a very good home somewhere.
When I met David, he had a nice 35mm non SLR that we used a lot. His folks bought him a digital Sony powershot that we also enjoyed. We used it a lot, we run down more batteries than the energizer bunny could keep up with. Last year, before tax time, I asked David if I could have a nice digital SLR as the Sony was about on its last leg. He agreed and we shopped around and read reviews. I had my eye on a couple of different models. A Canon, a Nikon and an Olympus all had very nice features and were reasonably priced.... well reasonable for an SLR!
We went over to Circuit City (this was way before they went belly up) and looked at a couple of models. I liked the Canon and the Nikon a lot. I thought at first, though, that I might want an Olympus as you could see what you were taking a picture of on the screen before taking the picture. I had actually gotten used to doing that with the Sony. Bad habit! I opted away from the Olympus because there was no way for manual operation. Sometimes I like to look and focus manually to see if I can get a good view. The Olympus actually had to be turned on to do this. So it came down to the Nikon or the Canon. David found a great website Digital Photography Review that gave reviews and all kinds of different information about just about any camera you wanted to look at including point-n-shots. He was comparing the cameras and said, "I think you want a Pentax." I about choked.... I told him that the Pentax was a few hundred dollars more than the Nikon or the Canon. He told me that it was worth it. So that's what he got me.
I've been plodding along for th last year and a few months using the "automatic" setting. I've come up with some pretty good pictures. Some are even better than I'd expect them to be. But last night I went all manual on myself and took this amazing picture of the moon. I did have to crop it down and I'm hoping to get maybe some tonight if the clouds clear out. I'd love to practice with this some more.
I did experiment with a lighted candle today and I have to say. I think I've hit a new learning curve. I'm going to practice using the manual settings for a few days and see what happens. If the weather is nice and we can go to a fireworks display I'm hoping I can do better than what I did last year... all those pictures turned out to be crap and I deleted them blah...
So here is the picture of the candle I took this evening. ISO at 100 F-stop at 8.0 and exposure at 1/125s:
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Comments: 22
That is a totally awesome shot. I really need a new camera. It would take me forever to save up for a nice one. lol
Very awesome shot indeed!
You took a great pic!
What a beautiful shot! I would have never thought of something like that. My family probaly would have said "oh you couldn't even get the whole candle?" LOL
Great shot! I'm saving my money for an DSLR. As much as I love my current camera, which is excellent for daylight shot, the imager is small and it takes horrid low light (think just a bit of shade) shots. Simply put the camera is a light hog and it balks if there is not enough.
I'm going to try out the fireworks setting it has tomorrow, I'm not expecting much but I will never know if I don't try it out. So I'm taking my tripod, camera and will be checking out the crowded fireworks shot tomorrow night.
Fantastic shot! I've never seen a lit close up in a pic, which this is totally amazing. It almost seems real, like you can reach out and touch it.
Great flame shot
Sounds like a wise and thoroughly thought out choice.
Wonderful shot. I can almost feel the heat of the flame. I have thought about getting a DSLR but can barely figure out the functions on my small digital. I love photography but just do not have the patience to learn the skill correctly.
That is a very beautiful photo, Nancy! The one of the moon last night was amazing also! You are getting very good with that camera, nice work!
I want a SLR myself...but I think I am while from getting one!
You have a great picture with the candle here!
Hey, awesome picture.
OOoooo that's sooo pretty.....and I'm jealous...can not afford that kind of digital camera so I just keep trying to see what I can do with what I have...but this is a beautiful picture...thanks for sharing!!
great picture. I bought an Olympus in January. There are so many features I haven't tried yet. I need to get the book out and learn how to use them.
Good job, now take one of the moon. Thats the real test!
That is very pretty. I got some great shots of the moon tonight also with my Sony. I don't have an SLR but this one takes pretty good pics. I will be posting them over the weekend. I also took it on a manual setting.
great shot...I love taking pictures..I have never taken a class....I am a beginner.
You did a very good job with the candle.
Great job.
Great shot.
n ... i ... c ... e ... !