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Post by jonathan on Jan 11, 2011 12:09:59 GMT 8
Hi all, I'm new to photography. Recently just bought Canon 550D Kit 1 (Lens 18-55mm), still not good in using it. Only know how to take picture at full auto, as for the rest still figuring out when to use it. Any kind souls out there, that can teach me how to operate this camera. Hope to learn more before I embark my journey to US and also year end wedding dinner. Thank you in advance for the help.
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USM
Senior Moderator
Posts: 1,303
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Post by USM on Jan 11, 2011 12:38:14 GMT 8
Hi Jonathan, a warm welcome. Welcome to the journey of photography. When are you going to US?
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Post by jonathan on Jan 11, 2011 13:29:42 GMT 8
Hi Kelvin,
Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm going to US in the month of June. So hope to learn what I can before I'm on my way to US.
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USM
Senior Moderator
Posts: 1,303
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Post by USM on Jan 11, 2011 17:17:35 GMT 8
Hi Kelvin, Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm going to US in the month of June. So hope to learn what I can before I'm on my way to US. You still have around 4 months to pick up the basic photography skills before the trip. Playing with Full Auto is a good start. At least, you will get some decent pictures. After Full Auto, try out those various basic zone modes like Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Macro, Night Portrait and Flash Off. In Basic Zone modes, and Full Auto, it helps you to free your mind on exposure, etc and concentrate on your subjects such as composition. Play with these modes for a week or 2 before going to the next level, i.e. to adjust exposure compensation, white balance, metering, etc. The last stage will be using Creative Zone modes like P, Tv, Av, M and A-Dep. Happy shooting. ;D
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Post by jonathan on Jan 12, 2011 9:12:35 GMT 8
Hi Kelvin, Thanks for the advice. I will try to take some pictures with that setting. Hope that the pictures will be nice. Maybe will post some of the pictures for you to see if the contrast is correct. Btw, what do I need to bring for the trip? Still a newbie in photography. Need to prepare first.
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USM
Senior Moderator
Posts: 1,303
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Post by USM on Jan 12, 2011 9:28:34 GMT 8
Hi Kelvin, Thanks for the advice. I will try to take some pictures with that setting. Hope that the pictures will be nice. Maybe will post some of the pictures for you to see if the contrast is correct. Btw, what do I need to bring for the trip? Still a newbie in photography. Need to prepare first. U.S. is a beautiful country with lot of landscapes to take. Given your current set up which consists only a lens EF-S 18-55mm, I do not think that it is sufficient. Depending on your budget, I would recommend you to get a ultra wide angle zoom such as the EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 or Sigma 8-16mm f4.5-5.6 or even the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8. The reason being that your kit lens EF-S 18-55mm is not wide enough due to 1.6x crop factor of your EOS 550D. Having said that, your EF-S 18-55mm lens is a good walk around lens. Normally for traveling, I will only bring 2-3 lenses due to weight. EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 and EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS are my favourite traveling lenses. Yes, posting some photos here would be great so that we can see and help you to improve.
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Post by jonathan on Jan 12, 2011 18:00:42 GMT 8
Oh so need to carry another lens for wide angle zoom for taking landscape. I dun know if I have any spare cash to purchase those lens. Cross my finger that I have spare cash by the time I going to US. I will try to take some pictures this weekends and post it up for you to see. Thank you for all the help that you have given me.
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USM
Senior Moderator
Posts: 1,303
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Post by USM on Jan 13, 2011 2:56:17 GMT 8
Oh so need to carry another lens for wide angle zoom for taking landscape. I dun know if I have any spare cash to purchase those lens. Cross my finger that I have spare cash by the time I going to US. I will try to take some pictures this weekends and post it up for you to see. Thank you for all the help that you have given me. Since budget is an issue, then use whatever you have. In this instance, you can fully maximise the EF-S 18-55mm to the max.
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Post by jonathan on Jan 13, 2011 8:52:36 GMT 8
I hope that I will be comfortable using the camera. Yesterday night try to take some pictures with it. Still learning the technique on holding the camera, some of the pictures have blur image. Need to learn how to breath slowly.
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USM
Senior Moderator
Posts: 1,303
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Post by USM on Jan 14, 2011 1:48:07 GMT 8
I hope that I will be comfortable using the camera. Yesterday night try to take some pictures with it. Still learning the technique on holding the camera, some of the pictures have blur image. Need to learn how to breath slowly. Pictures blurr could be due to hand / camera shake. You have to take note of the shutter speed even if you are on Full Auto mode. If the shutter speed selected is too slow for you, then you have to use a tripod or place the camera on a solid ground if you do not have a tripod before pressing the shutter. Breathing is one of the elements in handholding a camera. Holding your arms tight against your body is also another element. It will be good if you post those blurr images so that I can have a better picture of what's happening.
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Post by jonathan on Jan 14, 2011 8:32:21 GMT 8
Sorry to ask how to post the picture here. Keep on having error.
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USM
Senior Moderator
Posts: 1,303
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Post by USM on Jan 14, 2011 8:59:49 GMT 8
Sorry to ask how to post the picture here. Keep on having error. Basically, you need to upload your photos in gallery hosting websites like Photobucket, etc. After which, copy the image url like img...../img and paste over to this forum.
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Post by jonathan on Jan 15, 2011 22:41:43 GMT 8
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USM
Senior Moderator
Posts: 1,303
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Post by USM on Jan 16, 2011 3:57:54 GMT 8
Jonathan, like photo of your pet. I didn't know that you are a collector of miniatures.
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Post by jonathan on Jan 16, 2011 16:12:12 GMT 8
Hi kelvin, Thanks for the comments. I have dun have much miniatures, just a few only. BTW, how are the pictures? I use P on my camera to take these pictures.
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