Newbie here

[AvidVisionary]

Thanks for the replies.

@j1mmyj4m

I know what manual focus is and I know what manual mode is.

@tml

I am not just into portraits. I am into anything except nakedness and poison animals. I love to shoot anything but that lens was all I could afford. You hit the nail on the head. I was going to get the 24-70 f/2.8 lens.

@Redneck

My background is films. We never ever do anything automatic. I tried to day to do something automatic and the camera would not take a picture. I think there was not enough light. I am still playing around, I have had this camera for 1 week now.


Does anyone know a professional who use auto?

[Porter]

Originally Posted by AvidVisionary

Does anyone know a professional who use auto?

Don't let what other people do, whether pro or not, be your benchmark.

In my, limited, experience most "serious" photographers use the Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, or Manual exposure modes, depending on what the situation demands. I don't know of anyone except Schmuck Rockwell who advocates the use of any of the other exposure modes.

In all honesty, your exposures look fine to me. It is your focus that needs attention. Spend some time learning how your camera's AF system works, and how to utilize it to its fullest potential.

[j1mmyj4m]

Originally Posted by AvidVisionary

Thanks for the replies.

@j1mmyj4m

I know what manual focus is and I know what manual mode is.

I wasn't trying to insult you, but it wasn't coming across that you understood the difference. No offense meant.

[AvidVisionary]

Oh I know dude no offence was ever taken :)

[Redneck]

Originally Posted by AvidVisionary

Does anyone know a professional who use auto?

I don't know any pro that would NOT use auto focus if available. Of course sometimes there might be not enough light for the AF to work, then you have to focus manually.
Personally, I trust the AF of my camera more than my eye looking through a small viewfinder.
If you have the tools - why don't you use'em?

[donlfaulkner]

"completion circles"

Could it be you're talking about "circle of confusion"? Not sure I can explain it but a search on google should help, or you can use this forum's search feature. There have been several posts about it.

Welcome to TPF. Enjoyed your shots and looking forward to more.

[AvidVisionary]

Thank you all for your support and encouragment.

[danchez]

maybe try resizing your images a bit too, 800 pixels wide is usually pretty good.

[LWimages]

Welcome to the forum Joseph.

C&C on your photos:
#1 is OK, but you have too much space on top

#2 your focus is all over the place, and thus blurred in the wrong place.
Suggestion: Use a smaller aperture so the people will all be somewhat in focus. Study your lens' capability so you can still get blurry backgrounds if that's what you're aiming for.

#3 Could be sharper on the face.
Suggestion: Use automatic focus, but don't let the camera choose the focal point. Put the focal point on one of her eyes and let the camera adjust the focus.

#4/5, I like #5 better. Maybe it's just the workflow you're using, but with brighter skins, it seems that the face is a bit sharper. Can still go sharper, though.

The last one (the one with the baby) looks good.


With all that said, I personally think you should know about your camera and lens' capability and functions first and foremost. This is the same that I've told my friends who asked for advice after they get their new camera.

Throw away all the books that teaches you all the rules of photography for now.
Take your camera, and learn every nook and cranny that's available, even with your lens' capability.

And I think this alone can be overwhelming.

Check the difference of every functions: meters, Tv, Sv, M modes, EV settings, etc. See what works and what don't and try it again in different conditions.

Once you know your camera inside and out, that you can change settings without pausing for too long, then you go and grab those books back and start learning it.

I personally only use Automatic focus, but I select my own focal point.
I use M mode only in the studio and when I have plenty of time to get set up. I use Sv mode when I shoot sports and AV for when I'm just walking around.

Last but not least, have fun. There will come a time when you think that you're burned out. When that time comes, put it down for a while and pick it up again and try different things.

Hanging out with other photographers also helps. This is the perfect place for that too. Anytime you have any questions, ask away. We're all here to learn and help out. Don't get frustrated with some of the answers, just take it with a grain of salt, as the next person replying may have a better answer.

I expect to see more of your posts :)

[apollo.11]

Originally Posted by AvidVisionary

Thanks for the welcome.

Yes they were taken with that lens. 5D mkii is very expensive so I was able to buy only one lens.

You should save up for a Tamron 28-75 great lens for ~300 US. Similar sharpness to the Canon 24-70 but a whole lot cheaper. It will make your 5D shine. Focal length would complement your 70-300.

Nice shots overall, but #2 doesn't have a focal point.

[apollo.11]

And yes, I agree with other posters that you need to learn more about your camera. You have one of the highest resolution SLR's around. You need to know how to use it to get the most out of it, not just use auto.

A good book to start on is "Understanding Exposure"