At the beginning of Summer I signed up for a photography course, I feel like I sort of know how a camera works, and do ok using the presets, but I’d love to be able to look at a situation and instantly know what settings to use to take an awesome shot.
I never get around to reading the manual or magazines so actually going somewhere to learn is the only way I’m going to improve. Our homework this week was to take a photo of something moving and a photo of movement captured. This is what I managed, they are far from perfect as I’ve had an endless headache again this week and the kids don’t tend to perform as patiently as I need, but I’m quite pleased with how they came out.
This is a slow shutter speed to catch the movement of the spinning umbrella.
Shutterspeed ⅙ ISO 50 f 1/16
If I have understood correctly this means that shutter speed is 6 seconds, the ISO is probably a bit low at 50, I think 100 would be better. The f of 1/16 means the aperture is wide open so most of the photo is in focus.
These are my action shots, I can’t decide whether I like the star jump better in black and white or colour…
Shutter speed 1/500 ISO 200 f.2.2
I used a much faster shutter speed here to capture the movement. 1/500 means 500th of a second, so it’s very fast and you can see the background is a bit blurred thanks to the lower f number and bigger aperture.
Hopefully I got all that the right way around!!
I really wasn’t in a good frame of mind when I took these, but am quite pleased with how they came out. Hopefully I can do a better job next week.
I’ve had my DSLR for to years and it’s only the last year that I have gotten my head around aperture settings. I would love to complete a photography course and find out more about how to use my camera. Your photos are beautiful, I can’t decide whether the star jump is better in colour or black and white either.
They are fantastic photos! I’m terrible at photography, would love to be better at it. I really like the star jump, you’ve captured it perfectly (and I can’t choose between black and white or colour either!)
Great pictures Emma! You explained it all so well 🙂 thank you
Ah lovely Emma 🙂
I have noticed such an improvement in your photos over the past few months (sorry that isn’t meant to sound condescending). Black and white I always struggle to decide over – very much depends on my mood at the time. Fascinates me how we all interpret and edit photos different ways x
One thing I really want to get better at is learning how to use a camera. I’m a nightmare for just shoving it on auto and hoping for the best. I’d love to know how to take decent photos in manual mode.
These photos are fab!!
I need to get to better grips with my camera. I’ve become a bit lazy, I like the colour star jump personally. Mich x
Very cool pics Emma. I need to take the course too!
I always say this but I am determined to master my DSLR x
You sound like you are getting your head around it much better than me. Great photos.
Wow Emma, these are brilliant! I went on a photography course (admittedly only one day!) last month and I’ve already forgotten half of it 🙁 I was taught how to capture something moving too and I’m not sure I would be able to do it again. You’ve done brilliantly here. My problem is that my brain doesn’t naturally work like this so I have to work even harder at getting it right! All the settings are a minefield aren’t they?
Awesome shots Emma I never take mine off automatic its going oon my new years list though you have inspired me!
I am so impressed, I wish my kids would stand still long enough for me to grasp and try stuff. I did a photographing buildings on manual day, it was great because building don’t move! xx
The photos are looking really good.