First time out with my DSLR today

[NYstang]

Looks good for first time out- got potential!

not to sound like one of 'those' guys, but knowing your quipment makes all teh difference- a guy that knows his wee P&S can take a better shot then jose hernandez with his A800.
Sometimes while Im watching TV ill sit in my living room and shoot random crap on different settings to get a feel.

Something else you need to remember. Every monitor is different. the proof is in the print. I do all of my editing on a mac. doesn't mean a mac is better. I prefer the contrast and levels on mac. my clients also use macs. So they see what I see. You can do a lot of correction in post processing.
my concern is your choice of location. backgrounds are too busy. trees sticking out of the roof of the car, the hood etc.
very distracting. try getting a small step ladder and shoot down on the car. old trick that works.

I was going to suggest this as well- even without a ladder, look at what you can climb on.

Tripod or monopod is a great investment- even a 30 dollar special.

also, show off the wheel, not the tire!

 

[Cruisin Photography]

Everybody is a professional today or they seem to think so. I've been shooting for 30 years. I am back to shooting for a living. Just learn to take constructive criticism. Ask the "pro" to explain to you how he or she would make it a better shot. With time you get to know your equipment but most important, you need to learn how to read light. Once you master that, your on your way. Remember, cameras are just an electronic device. Histograms get fooled. A perfect example is shooting a model on a white background. Guess what the histogram pics up? The white area around your model yet your exposure right on.
There are a lot of good websites and tutorials out on the net. Do research and get out and shoot.That's my "professional advice" lol.

Could not agree more. I've been taking photographs for more than 30 years both as a full-time pro and semi pro and you never stop learning. You may want to try a graduated neutral density filter to balance out the over-exposed sky as well. You have some nice images to use as a base, keep shooting and reading.

 

[06LLGT]

Thanks for the advice guys.
I bought a tripod and a polarizing filter a couple days ago from best buy. So I'm just waiting for saturday to come around so I can go get some shots in the morning

 

[Hayden@Stage3]

The "professional photographers" on SVTP didn't seem to think these were any good. LOL @ Elitist

the only difference between your shots and pro shots PS.

 

[06LLGT]

the only difference between your shots and pro shots PS.

Thanks! And that looks badass!

 

[dsblk93gt]

I have been looking at getting a DSLR and have been reading up a lot. Seems like most guys like to use PS Lightroom for editing. I might have to get that and try it out. I have played around with my P&S a lot using manual mode and taking random pics of everything and anything.

 

[Hayden@Stage3]

All I use (for my personal work) is a sony a200 refurb., macbook pro refurb., and PS CS4.

 

[mach1]

the only difference between your shots and pro shots PS.

a little sloppy on those edges and the roof line. clean that sucker up.

 

[mach1]

I have been looking at getting a DSLR and have been reading up a lot. Seems like most guys like to use PS Lightroom for editing. I might have to get that and try it out. I have played around with my P&S a lot using manual mode and taking random pics of everything and anything.

you have to be careful. I shoot with a nikon in raw. I use Nikon NX2, PS CS5 and lightroom 3. They all render the images differently. From color to exposure. It's a big learning curve thru trial and error. Not only that but the LCD on the camera is showing you a small jpeg image. Something else thrown into the mix. :smash: and then there is printing and profiles.
and above all else, the software ain't cheap.

 

[Hayden@Stage3]

a little sloppy on those edges and the roof line. clean that sucker up.

lol. that's what you get for 30 seconds. i just want to show that most of "photographic magic" happens in post production, a.k.a. photoshop. i think the most important thing in design/photography is the Golden Ratio and the [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibonacci_sequence"]Fibonacci number - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:FibonacciBlocks.svg" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/FibonacciBlocks.svg/180px-FibonacciBlocks.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/9/95/FibonacciBlocks.svg/180px-FibonacciBlocks.svg.png[/ame]

this probably isn't the best example, but...

 

[dsblk93gt]

you have to be careful. I shoot with a nikon in raw. I use Nikon NX2, PS CS5 and lightroom 3. They all render the images differently. From color to exposure. It's a big learning curve thru trial and error. Not only that but the LCD on the camera is showing you a small jpeg image. Something else thrown into the mix. :smash: and then there is printing and profiles.
and above all else, the software ain't cheap.

I have a lot of software now because I used to run my parents sign shop and used PS a lot for banner, business card, sign, etc. design. I just don't have Lightroom.

I have been reading and reading, only way to learn is to read, ask questions, then trial and error.

 

[mach1]

I have a lot of software now because I used to run my parents sign shop and used PS a lot for banner, business card, sign, etc. design. I just don't have Lightroom.

I have been reading and reading, only way to learn is to read, ask questions, then trial and error.

adobe gives college student discounts. get someone in college to buy it for you. You get lightroom 3 for like $100.
btw adobe has a lot of tutorials on their site.