First beauty shots

[samantha.t]

Hi everyone. These are the first head shot/beauty shots I have tried. I am a complete amateur only taking up photography as a hobby in the last few months. I am hoping with lots of self-study, constructive criticism and feedback I can begin to take some good shots. At the moment I only have my Canon rebel T1i and a manfrotto tripod. I am hoping to buy a few lenses this year depending on how I get along.

I guess this should have been in the 'Introduction section', I hadn't meant to ramble on so much! Anyway, I am hoping to be a regular member of this forum as it seems full of great tips and lovely photographs. I am currently in Scotland but am moving to Santa Maria in 2 months so decided to join this California forum.

Nice to meet you all!

[samantha.t]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shtaylo...n/photostream/

Above is the link to the pictures on my flickr page. I haven't made the pictures small enough to upload yet. I will know for next time. Can anyone suggest a quick way to do this. Like I said, I am not very clued up on everything yet! Especially the computer side of things!

Sam :)

[Lilikoi the cat]

Samantha,
I wouldn't bother trying to resize and upload unless you feel really compelled to do so. You can link to your Flickr and not worry about resizing.
While some of you pictures are not sharp because of slow speeds or the exposure is slightly off, the way you composed most of your photos amazes me. Especially how you use your foreground elements. I like what you did with IMG_8954_5_6_tonemapped, very nice.
Think about a 17-40 or 17-55 Canon lens, they look like they would fit you.
Enjoy the new found sunny weather when you arrive.
Welcome

[samantha.t]

Hello, thank you for the tips! I think I will go with your advice and just stick to using links to my Flickr.

I am interested in your suggestion of lenses. I was looking at buying the Canon 50mm lens. What are the advantages of the 17-40 or the 17-55? I know that the 50mm is meant to be good for portraits and blurred backrounds, I tried it out once and really loved it.

The HDR image was my first try, I love the way it shows so much detail in the clouds. Scotland has lots of stormy and cloudy days so seems perfect for HDR imagine. I am hoping to take advantage of this before I head over to sunny California. Other than that...I cant wait to be in the sun!

Samantha

[Killjoy]

Hi Samantha,

I love my 50mm f/1.4 lens. It has great bokeh and is tack sharp even wide open at f/1.4

I don't own either of the other two lenses you were asking about, so I really can't give an honest opinion. I can only parrot what you may have already read on the web. Sorry. :(

[samantha.t]

bokeh; that's the word I was looking for! I think the 50mm is going to be a definite future purchase of mine! I love the blurred images, really quirky. I am also going to have a look into the lenses that 'Liliko the cat' mentioned above. Thanks again. :)

[samantha.t]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shtaylo...7625956800326/

New shots taken today!