Photography 101 (..or more correctly Help! cos I haven't got a scooby!)

I'd be the first to admit I know very little about photography. It just isn't a subject or hobby I've ever found remotely interesting but suddenly just like typing or working computers it's a modern life skill a person needs!

With the forum being such a big part of the AM collecting hobby I NEED to be able to take decent pics. In the past I've gotten by with passable snap shots but looking at some of the amazing pics taken by many members on here snap shots are no longer good enough!

I must get better at this photography lark! To illustrate how serious I am about this I'll even admit that this morning I actually read my camera's user manual!

So I thought a thread where members could share know how and tips with the less informed amongst us (That'd be me!) would be good.

Here's where I am at the moment..

I got one of these so to the casual observer I almost look like I know what I'm doing!



..and here's my first attempts.







All advice and constructive criticism gratefully received!

Great stuff , I really like the 2nd pic as it is very well posed and the lighting looks good ,but I am a terrible picture taker myself, I too would like to know more on how to take a great picture !

Steve are you using auto focus or turning on the macro setting (flower icon) ?

I also use the self timer this stops any miniscule vibrations

ak615 wrote:

Steve are you using auto focus or turning on the macro setting (flower icon) ?

I was alternating between the auto focus and the little camera icon but can't remember which I used on which particular pic. I had the macro on and was also using the function where you half press the shutter so the camera focuses and then fully press to take the pic!

Great stuff Steve !!!! amazing shots mate. When i do my photo's I usually always use auto. I don't know if your camera has the function, where if you push down (but not click) the photo button, it auto focus' for you with a green square?, if so wait for the green square to appear then snap your shot .
I do use macro setting, but only if there is fine or small details to get. I am also a big believer in photo editing, it can greatly improve most shots.

here with your 2 nd pic, i have dropped the brightness and saturation, and slightly higher ed the contrast and warmth



with this version, (of the same photo) using the editing tools on pb, i used the effects "dean option"



here i use clyde (the apply) then back into effects and indigo (save again)



and if you want an oldie world option, try clyde (apply), sepia (apply) san carmen (apply) drop brightness slightly, up contrast a little, drop saturation, and higher warmth (quite a lot), into frames and add antique option, then back into effects and select clyde option again.



This is a lot of fun, and sometimes frustrating to do!, but you can really change the look of a shot . Editing is a great way of improving any shot mate. keep at it, you've made an excellent start

Use the self timer if its got one and you may need more light

I actually use a cheap Kodak camera... My mom got it off of ebay for $23.00. It was new in the box...
Anyhow I take shots with a flash, some without, tilt the camera different ways, etc.
I take many pics and use the best ones. Mine are never touched up by photoshop etc...
I myself have not got into using extra lghting yet... I just do the best I can with what I got...

I take alot of outside night shots for a couple of reasons... One being the fact I'm alittle shy when it
comes to having the neighbors watch me play Gi joe...

Another reason is using a flash in the darkness makes the background dark so it hides any ugly backgrounds...

I take alot of my pics down our cellar... Nobody bothers me down there...

I always tried to hide my Joe picture taking from my wife until the day she came home early from
shopping and seen Gi joe riding our cat...
Then things didn't matter much...


But anyhow when I look at pics on any forum I do not judge the quality of the pics of others...                        
If I can see the object/s I just sit back relax and enjoy them...

Looks like those originals pics were taken without a flash?
My shots look alittle grainy without enough light... (no flash)

I noticed whatever Dal did with photo editing cleared that all up... Interesting...

inntruderr61 wrote:

Looks like those originals pics were taken without a flash?
My shots look alittle grainy without enough light... (no flash)

I noticed whatever Dal did with photo editing cleared that all up... Interesting...

Its all done with the editing option on photobucket Jim!

Blondeactionman wrote:

inntruderr61 wrote:

Looks like those originals pics were taken without a flash?
My shots look alittle grainy without enough light... (no flash)

I noticed whatever Dal did with photo editing cleared that all up... Interesting...

Its all done with the editing option on photobucket Jim!

I need to investgate this option...

inntruderr61 wrote:

Blondeactionman wrote:

inntruderr61 wrote:

Looks like those originals pics were taken without a flash?
My shots look alittle grainy without enough light... (no flash)

I noticed whatever Dal did with photo editing cleared that all up... Interesting...

Its all done with the editing option on photobucket Jim!

I need to investgate this option...

good man

There's some great advice being offered in this thread!

Light seems to be my problem at the moment..I can't seem to get it right, either too much or not enough!

I forgot to ask steve, do you have the studio facing a window?, natural light might help light the studio area better?

This pic looks very good Steve...

somekindajoe wrote:

There's some great advice being offered in this thread!

Light seems to be my problem at the moment..I can't seem to get it right, either too much or not enough!

This pic looks very good Steve...

ak615 wrote:

Steve are you using auto focus or turning on the macro setting (flower icon) ?

Andy, just checking are you calling Steve a little flower icon or is this something to do with photography?

Steve,  so what's wrong with snaps!!!

Oh and a great figure Steve and i like the 2nd snap er I mean photo too

Mark...you leave my little rose petal, oops I mean Andy alone!

Snaps are great I just want to take better pics like Dal, Ralph, Paul and multiple photo of the month winner Richard!(little chat joke there! )

..and glad you like Joe in his ceremoinial finery too.

Steve my little passion flower   check this link out not too much detail on the photography but its the best tutorial I`ve found on posing and photographing figures.

http://www.sixtharmygroup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7915

Great thread Steve! I've got a tip for those that want to take better photos but still use mobile phones, its a tip on how to take steadier photos.. If you have earphones with the built in hands free with volume etc on them, plug them in and you can position phone as you would your camera and when in camera mode you can use the button on earphones to take shot so you don't touch and disturb phone! I know its not very professional to use your phone but for some its the easiest option and some people may have better cameras on their phones than their actual camera!

Excellent tip Rose

A great link Andy!

ak615 wrote:

Excellent tip Rose

[quote I'll even admit that this morning I actually read my camera's user manual! 1st of all put the user manual down and step away from it , and we will never speak of it again just remember that you are with friends here we all love you and are here to help you seriously the rest of the thread is full of good advice

Sorry it was a moment of weakness, you know the old adage..

If all else fails read the instructions!

Tried natural light today..





They aren't as sharp as I'd like. Is that some focusing issue?

'Say HELLO to my little friend!'