http://lh3.ggpht.com/onnong/SFddr2E4...jpg?imgmax=576

ppl posting self portraits here quite a bit...
just snapped this one, thought i'd share ^^

*edit: errr.... the place i upload my picture sharpened it too much >.<

nicely done, mind giving a bit of info on the lighting, backdrop and how you took it?

gfunk, ur always the first one to reply to my stuff >.< just like kathy's picture...

anyway, its just a simple rim light + fill. cam on timer heh
i should probaly photoshop and clean up that stuff a bit though, edges looks rough :S

This would probably look pretty cool in B&W or sepia with some vignetting :)

My shitty PSP skillz...

http://www2.moltenimage.com/photos/r...edited05-1.jpg

Anyone got a good starter's URL for taking photos?

Most of my pictures are at night and they're either:

-too grainy
-blurry
-too dark/dim

I'm really trying to capture the ambience and lighting that my eyes see even though i've taken some cool shots.

(asking here because the links in the FAQ thread are b-b-b-broken)

I'm rocking a newer canon A series camera and have fiddle around with different modes and settings -- manual, easy, Program mode, night scene mode, etc...

Here's a picture for example (left at full size -- shrunk it at first to be polite but the grainyness is hard to see)

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/IMG_0025.jpg


shrunk version
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...IMG_0025-1.jpg

EDIT: forgot to ask, what software does everyone use for importing and managing their photos?

I'm looking for something that will show me all the settings i used (up front) to take the picture so i can track my own pics.

The pic i posted was probably the best result i was able to achieve at night

I think it was night mode with +2 to the +/- thingy (don't know the termanology yet -- white balance?)

To my eyes IRL those 3 lights on the right had a pinkish tint (and orb effect) but it didn't translate in the photo, overall the picture didn't capture the TRUE mood when i was out there.

The car is a red Madza 3 i was going for those three pink lights to match in name and color...

Adobe Lightroom is a good starter app for photo management and basic editing, and it will let you organize your photos by any of your exposure settings (shutter, aperture, ISO, etc.)

First problem you have with low light is your camera's small sensor: it will be inherently noisy at higher ISOs: I see that one is at ISO 250; a newer DSLR with its larger sensor would have less grain at ISO 1600.

Secondly, your blur problem is likely caused by hand-holding the camera. A tripod is your best friend here, especially coupled with a remote release cable, so you don't shake the camera when you press the shutter button (if you don't have a remote trigger, you can always use the self-timer).

As for darkness, well, chances are your metering is being thrown off by the car's headlights. The camera is exposing for them, and since they're far brighter than the surroundings, the surroundings turn out dark. Easiest way around this is to shoot in brighter locations. Other options are lighting up the surroundings with flood lights, flash, etc. Either that, or use something to darken the car's lights so you can use a longer exposure on the shot.

As for the color and missing "pink" shade, that will partly be an issue of white balance. You might get it back (at least partially) with some WB adjustment.

Beautiful Qualicum sunset last night:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/...3cbed94b_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/...565c7819_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/...dfc4ba2c_b.jpg

Comments are welcome!

todays shoot taken on h3dii. im being nice and showing you guys super secret teasers, and a nice 100% snipit from the image, so don't ask to many q's. keep in mind, this is pre-processing.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/...b9d908b3_o.jpg

@ 100%
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/...5c38091e_o.jpg

thanks soundy

wow some people's pictures here are really sharp -- i hope i can get those results on my camera (canon a590IS)

I coulda got the A720 IS for $20 more (woulda been teh wise choice) but this one felt better carrying around.

Some of those are using lenses that are worth five times your whole camera to get that level of sharpness ;)

Honestly, it wouldn't have made any difference. I know you were asking in a different post about a decent point-and-shoot for a cheap price, and that's exactly what it is. You can't expect to get super sharp images with a $180 camera.

Most of the guys on here (if not all) use DSLRs + high quality lenses. To get some of these sharp images you'd have to invest probably at least $1,000 and that would be for something used (Rebel XT + "L" series lens for example).

I would just keep practicing with the camera you have right now, get familiar with the functions/controls, and once you think you wanna get serious about it, or just get better images, invest in a DSLR.

Good luck :)

wow, that picture of the girl taken with the h3dii is super nice! :)

:) .

that`s pretty much the plan ;)

Damn, that's pretty sick...
What's your setup like??

Why the hell are you guys ripping LCV for his camera choice? He already knows what he has and he will work with that.

Anyways, Dennis, was that done recently?

probaly can't get super sharp images with that little thing, but that camera doesn't stop u from taking world class photos.

sharp or not thats not the most important part.

^^Nobody's ripping him.

He wanted to know why his shots look like they do and how others here get such great shots.

We explained the difference.

Nobody's ripping anything.

heres my experimentation with long exposure...not a very original location but you get the point

C & C welcomed :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/...0472ac62_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/...f5d8678a_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/...21417603_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/...49244efa_b.jpg

I was gonna say the same thing.
Thank you Soundy.

It's alright -- i didnt take it as a diss....

i've seen amazing work done with a canon a-series -- it's done by that world famous guy, you probably know who i'm talking about even though i don't have the name handy.... i'm trying to get that outta the camera (eventually)


those are some vivid pics dton

I was trying to find that guys link after reading some of the responses but I'm not sure where it is. Don't forget though, his stuff looks really dope on the web but i highly doubt it in print. but once again, sometimes quality doesn't mean much.

best of luck to you ^^