tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14171469.post115300560656166957..comments2023-08-03T03:45:58.053-05:00Comments on What's newS: I'm not a Professional...JoCoWashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10294349212122507921noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14171469.post-1153060203369997932006-07-16T09:30:00.000-05:002006-07-16T09:30:00.000-05:00Excellent advice Jim! I just started playing a lit...Excellent advice Jim! <BR/><BR/>I just started playing a little with Photoshop and wow, there is a lot to learn...<BR/><BR/>I love the fact that you mentioned manual focus. I should have also mentioned this, but I started using manual focus myself because I've noticed my pictures come out much better. Auto focus is good at times, but sometimes the camera automatically focuses on something you do not want to focus on, and causes (what a person may have thought to be a good picture) to come out very fuzzy.<BR/><BR/>Also, like Jim was saying, look around Flickr.com or the many other photography websites that are online and you'll find some inspiration. I've seen some amazing photos and that always just makes me want to pick up my Nikon and go at it. Then I let the film sit around the house until I develop them. haha<BR/><BR/>Take Care!JoCoWashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10294349212122507921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14171469.post-1153057474723974432006-07-16T08:44:00.000-05:002006-07-16T08:44:00.000-05:00Not that I'm a pro either, but here are a few addi...Not that I'm a pro either, but here are a few additional thoughts:<BR/><BR/>- If shooting digital, take lots of pictures. I usually end up deleting about half of all the pictures I take.<BR/><BR/>- Avoid always centering the subject matter. A good rule of thumb is to place the subject in the top, bottom, left, or right third of the shot. Centered subjects aren't always bad though.<BR/><BR/>- Learn to use Photoshop (PS Elements works just as well), or a similar photo editing program. Some say that taking the picture is only about half of the process, the rest is done on a computer.<BR/><BR/>- I've started using manual focus instead of auto focus. I don't know why, but I seem to trust my own eye instead of what the camera tells me.<BR/><BR/>- Don't be afraid to try something different. People look at me funny sometimes when I'm laying on the ground or standing on top of a picnic table but if that's what it takes to get a good shot, try it.<BR/><BR/>Digital cameras always add some amount of noise to a picture, so a film shot may turn out cleaner. However, I agree with you that paying and waiting to have film developed is too much of a pain. I've learned a lot just by surfing flickr.com. There are a lot of very talented folks there and it's a great source of inspiration and knowledge for me.<BR/><BR/>Wow, I didn't mean to write an entire post in the comment box, but it appears that I have. Have a good one.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11271918890062674407noreply@blogger.com