DSLR - How To Make Your Photos Stand Out.

[Highway Ranger]

These two were shot in a forest near Hosur. They were shot @ 300mm, f/6.3, 1/25(first)- 1/20(second), ISO200, handheld from a distance of 3 meters. They were shot within an interval of 4 seconds.

Now, coming to composition, I feel the first image is better composed - even though there is a slight disturbing element on the right.

 

[gandhi]

After 5 days of continuous reading, googling, watching several videos on YouTube and some discussions with experts; Finally releasing my first DSLR camera output by today. Edited in Nikon ViewNX2. A pic from totally a non-technical person.

Gurus, your comment.

I think, this photo were shot @55mm, ISO 2500, 1/20s, f5.6, +2.3 EV

 

[manojodungat]

Cold + wet + dark days continue = no opportunity for any outdoor shooting.
Was checking my newly replaced 150-500 mm lens. Poor light and needed a faster action hence high ISO 1400. f8 + 500mm + handheld. No significant PP except for heavy cropping !

​

I think, this photo were shot @55mm, ISO 2500, 1/20s, f5.6, +2.3 EV

+2.x EV and then darkened significantly while post-processing ?
Get your camera stabilized on a decent tripod and shoot at lower ISO values in low light. ISO100-400 is a good start. I am not sure which camera you use but you are no way helping yourself while being at as high ISO as 2500.

Do shoot with the file format set as RAW+ JPEG for some time. While you already have a JPEG for your immediate use and reference, the RAW copy is always available for future use once you are comfortable with PP.

 

[gandhi]

+2.x EV and then darkened significantly while post-processing ?
Get your camera stabilized on a decent tripod and shoot at lower ISO values in low light. ISO100-400 is a good start. I am not sure which camera you use but you are no way helping yourself while being at as high ISO as 2500.

Do shoot with the file format set as RAW+ JPEG for some time. While you already have a JPEG for your immediate use and reference, the RAW copy is always available for future use once you are comfortable with PP.

You were correct. I did the same way. I use Nikon D5200 with 18-55 Kit lens. Currently don't have tripod, may go for it in future.

Shooting with lower ISO, the pic was not so clear in the camera display unit. So increased the EV. Obviously understood this is not best practice. Now will work on with lower ISOs.

 

[manojodungat]

You were correct. I did the same way. I use Nikon D5200 with 18-55 Kit lens. Currently don't have tripod, may go for it in future.

Even without a tripod, one can get satisfactory results. For a selected aperture, setting an adequately fast shutter speed is the key, which of course is determined by one’s own handholding technique. The picture below was shot at 1/100 s handholding a 3kg gear. With the subject being stationary, even a slower speed will allow for lower ISOs if one has a steady hand.

I have cropped it heavily for composition.

​

 

[manojodungat]

Could not resist from sharing this !


And finally, keep “over-sharpening” your pictures until there is a white boarder visible around the edges !

Happy clicking !

 

[edios]

Could not resist from sharing this !

View attachment 158276
And finally, keep “over-sharpening” your pictures until there is a white boarder visible around the edges !

Happy clicking !

Then boast about how many megapixels their camera has.

 

[Lameassonwheels]

Could not resist from sharing this !

View attachment 158276
And finally, keep “over-sharpening” your pictures until there is a white boarder visible around the edges !

I wish to confess "Been there, done that" some 5 years ago (A tick in the box for all above stated things) . Later I figured out I know nothing about photography and kept myself away from buying more lenses until I learn a thing or two about it .

Thanks guys for reviving an old but useful thread.!

 

[vijay_968]

Non-guru's comments

... Gurus, your comment. I think, this photo were shot @55mm, ISO 2500, 1/20s, f5.6, +2.3 EV

View attachment 154212

As a non-guru, am I eligible to contribute ?

Shutter Speed:
While hand-holding, follow this rule to get good results:
Minimum shutter speed = 1/focal length in seconds.
Say, for a 55mm, shutter speed = 1/55 sec,
it is 1/18 sec for 18mm,
1/100 sec for 100mm,
1/300 sec for 300mm and so on.

For Low Light shots: Though your D5200 is capable of shooting at ISO 25600, force ISO to 1600 (lesser the better).

TRY it again:

• In General, it is not easy to get the flame on sharp focus. It can be done by a sharp decoy object kept near the flame to get the focusing right.
• Open the aperture all the way (for a brighter image).
• Choose an ISO for maximum screen brightness.
• Set Ev to 0 (increase if needed).
• Frame your shot with minimum focal length (FL) possible. Use your legs.
• Set the Shutter Speed to 1/FL. Make it slow, if your hands are steady (I am good at 1/10 - 1/15 sec).
• Set metering to spot and aim at a darker portion of object and lock the exposure (half press and hold).
• IMPORTANT: Do NOT release the shutter button.
• Recompose image w/o releasing the shutter button. Move the camera w/o affecting your focus pre-set.
• Bring Ev to 0.
• Set ISO to 400 or 800 or 1600.
• Ask someone to remove the Decoy object.
• Take the shot. Post the Pic here.

PS: I have the luxury of using manual focus lenses in NEX. I chose the Shutter priority from Camera and the Lenses provide Aperture Control. The above is what I do. With the Camera controlling your Kit lens' aperture, you may have to try it a bit different, in Nikon. Good luck.

 

[gandhi]

Re: Non-guru's comments

As a non-guru, am I eligible to contribute ?

Ha..ha...,knowledge is the base to share. I follow this rule for most of the times, "If you have it, please share it".

As I'm new to DSLR, want to take first short of "Deepa (lighting the lamp for my DSLR journey) on the function day of Karthigai Deepam (celebrated in TN).

So later understood my faults in handling the DSLR. still learning and correcting myself.

I will take you inputs & try it definitely.

BTW, some other pic with minimal Post Processing. I posted here in http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/member-s-lounge/557-your-best-photographs-221.html#post427847
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/member-s-lounge/557-your-best-photographs-219.html#post421951

 

[gandhi]

Could not resist from sharing this !

View attachment 158276
And finally, keep “over-sharpening” your pictures until there is a white boarder visible around the edges !

Happy clicking !

First 2 points were ticked. Yet to do other points

 

[manojodungat]

First 2 points were ticked. Yet to do other points

And then start your chase to get as many “thanks”/ “favourite”/ “like” as possible. Do you know how? Keep giving “thanks/Likes” generously to those who are in a similar boat ! 200-300 is your target/day, which should ensure an earning of at least 50 “thanks” in return.

It's all personal choices at the end of the day

As a non-guru, am I eligible to contribute ?

That is a lot of advice !

Go out and shoot, as simple as that. Try shooting the same subject at different exposures and pick the one ‘you’ like the most ! Next time you will know where to start. You will never stop learning though !

Shot this using the “wrong” lens for the purpose = a 500mm bazooka, handheld with a total weight of 3kg at hand. I didn’t spot any birds and wanted something in the kit.

 

[vijay_968]

Re: Non-guru's comments

...As I'm new to DSLR, want to take first short of "Deepa" ... (celebrated in TN).

I can connect. My first shot with NEX was Pic of Gods. We are centi, aren't we ?

...BTW, some other pic with minimal Post Processing. I posted here in http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/member-s-lounge/557-your-best-photographs-221.html#post427847
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/member-s-lounge/557-your-best-photographs-219.html#post421951

The first has highlights washed out. 2nd one is a good silhouette. Keep trying. For time being forget PP-ing and concentrate on using histogram and rulers for composing a Pic. Use PP to Crop and add EXIF info. Do not try to enhance your images in PP for time being. If you do so, you would end up learning PP more than Photography and the software more than your Camera.

After posting my earlier one, wanted to try how my method would fare with an everything-all-Kit-Lens. Used Pattern (multi) metering though. Result is below:



The Matchstick was the decoy, that I mentioned. The Pic was taken as I got ready early to office in the morning and the Lamp drew my attention w.r.to this thread. Pic shot at ISO400 didn't come good. I did something wrong, as I've not used the Kit lens that much to understand it.

Pics below were taken today evening using two of my manual focus Prime lenses with manual Aperture control. The next two are an example of getting slightly darker Pics at lesser ISO than jacking up the Ev and darkening later in PP. First is brighter due to ISO1600.



This one below is darker due to low ISO setting. Noise also will be less.


This is a 100% crop of another shot taken at ISO400.


These things are incomplete without one from a 50mm prime.


A 100% crop (I believe) of the flame is below:
.

Get a classic "Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D" lens with aperture control ring. It's available around 6K. Set the D5200 in Shutter priority and start fiddling with aperture on the lens. You'll learn faster and will keep this lens for many years. AND, do not think of investing in many lenses unless you've understood this 50mm at least 80%.

PS: The available light was a single 11W or 14W CFL lamp and the Diya / Deepa lamp.

 

[manojodungat]

“Real comedy is not when you laugh at an idiot, it's when the idiot laughs at you.” Grow up man, not just in terms of age.



Was returning home after having fun with some bird in action shots, hence the very high shutter speed, 1/2000 s. I thought this street dog had something to say. The picture was shot after the sunset and hence the high ISO = 2000 = noise.

 

[vijay_968]

Some (known) tips on Framing the shot, but explained very easy to understand. Read it here 9 Composition Techniques to Use to Improve Your Photography - Digital Photography School