Ideas on getting started

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I have this great canon rebel xt and have the basic technical aspects of how to use it in manual mode. I don't have a tripod, but would really like to get out and use it. I was just wondering how people went about doing so...

I know it is obvious I should just get out and shoot...but I don't really know where to start.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

If you want to walk around taking pictures, a tripod will be a hindrance.

To get started, you could set yourself a project. It's a spectacular autumn... see how many good shots you can get of the leaves changing colour, from landscapes to close-ups. Good excuse for some exercise in the countryside (or your garden). There is some possible inspiration here...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=29706562

Or - if you have relatives / family close at hand - why not try and get one good portrait shot of everyone for an up-to-date family album?

Have fun
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Mike

1) Point the camera at something interesting

2) Review what you just took

3) Make adjustments as necessary

Think about an interestisting and original theme.

Think: which are themes I'm bored by, which theme I won't loose my time watching at them for less than 1 minute? don't pick photos related to that themes, don't waste time and disk space.

But 1st be really patient, do and redo same theme until you won't get full satisfaction. And if you are starting you'll get home many shots you'll have to discard, be prepared and don't give up!

bye

ricc.
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http://www.provisum-illumina.com/portfolio

I have an XT as well, and I have found that the Bogan/Manfroto 055X Pro tripod with a 488RC2 head works well for any lens I want to use. I ordered mine from B&H. Good luck.

Jerry
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http://jchoate.zenfolio.com/

One thing thats great about digital cameras is that they don't take film and you can take many many more pictures in 1 go. Sometimes just walking am inch to the left or right will make a difference in how the picture looks. also take pictures of things just for the heck of it, you never know how it'll turn out after and you might like an aspect in that picture that you can use later.

Just for fun, go watch Brian Peterson's photo tips. They are free, then go out and try to use them one at a time. I think that would be a lot of fun.

http://www.ppsop.com/tips.aspx

Peterson's book on understanding exposure is one of the best.
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Cheers, Craig

cuncam said:

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I have this great canon rebel xt and have the basic technical aspects
of how to use it in manual mode. I don't have a tripod, but would
really like to get out and use it. I was just wondering how people
went about doing so...

I know it is obvious I should just get out and shoot...but I don't
really know where to start.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Click to expand...

Some very good ideas previously mentioned.

Shoot in good light, early morning/early evening, golden hour light

Pick a simple subject and experiment shooting with different settings one by one, changing aperture, iso, white balance, exposure comp and review the results to see the effect. Experiment with changing shutter speed with a moving subject. Also try different camera angles and camera-subject distances. Try shooting the subject in varing lighting conditions - front light, back light, side light, in sunlight, shade, artificial light and flash.

Control the variables so you see the effects of what you are doing.