The kit lens works great!!!

As a test (and a challenge for myself) I decided to shoot a small wedding with ONLY the 18-55 kit lens from Canon.

All my gear was handy. I could have abandoned the idea at any time. But hanging out here on the beginner forum as often as I have lately, I decided to go back to my roots. I used a Canon 450D and the 18-55mm kit lens for the entire shoot.

Before any of you seasoned people freak out on me telling me how unethical it was to deprive my customer the best I could offer, I will tell you this: I had an assistant at my side the entire time holding my primary camera just in case I felt I needed more.

I never did. And thoroughly enjoyed the challenge!!! It made me think in ways I was not used to doing. Racking my brain harder than ever before looking for possibilities with "inferior" equipment in my hands.

Now for all you beginners, I hope the below shots give you some hope. Keep practicing, and never let the passion die.

This was against a black grand piano. I used a 5 second shutter time in a very dark room and had the assistant (my wife) manually fire a flash while holing it in her hands.

beltzclan wrote:

As a test (and a challenge for myself) I decided to shoot a small
wedding with ONLY the 18-55 kit lens from Canon.

I have been observing your work for a while now and this is something that I would not expect you to do at all....

..... But you've certainly proved your point!, great shots.

James -

I always enjoy your posts and the amount of information that they contain. These shots are fantastic.

Thanks
--
Tutorial on DOF:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7394992_UpiXL

Tutorial on The Rule of Thirds:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7399326_BoLgW

Tutorial on 'Seeing the Light':
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7399332_QEgdi

Passion is the thing that should drive us in all we do. For
it is only when passion is applied, that we can both be
successful and fulfilled. - James Beltz

Full Gallery at http://www.BCphoto.biz

I like the tutorials in your signature as well. Thanks.

Very nice work.

Proves again..

Good photographer= Good shots! Even with a kit lens.

Something for most to think about..what matters more? I think you made the point rather well!

I watched your rule of thirds video..all valid stuff.

But IMO it's nothing more than a "starting point" or a guide.

Not to be followed or done to the letter, or even "near enough"

I avoid using the rule of thirds very often, it can be often too predicable..

beltzclan wrote:

As a test (and a challenge for myself) I decided to shoot a small
wedding with ONLY the 18-55 kit lens from Canon.

All my gear was handy. I could have abandoned the idea at any time.
But hanging out here on the beginner forum as often as I have lately,
I decided to go back to my roots. I used a Canon 450D and the 18-55mm
kit lens for the entire shoot.

Before any of you seasoned people freak out on me telling me how
unethical it was to deprive my customer the best I could offer, I
will tell you this: I had an assistant at my side the entire time
holding my primary camera just in case I felt I needed more.

I never did. And thoroughly enjoyed the challenge!!! It made me think
in ways I was not used to doing. Racking my brain harder than ever
before looking for possibilities with "inferior" equipment in my
hands.

Now for all you beginners, I hope the below shots give you some hope.
Keep practicing, and never let the passion die.

This was against a black grand piano. I used a 5 second shutter time
in a very dark room and had the assistant (my wife) manually fire a
flash while holing it in her hands.

good pics,
I don't plan on doing any weddings soon but nice to know what's possible

I appreciate your words.

As far as the rule of thirds, it is only one of many. It is my very humble opinion, that if one takes the time to learn and practice those rules, really gets it into themselves so that it is second nature to look for them, then work can only get better.

Then once you have a firm grasp on those rules, figure out ways to break them and still be creative.

I hear often from people that discount the rule of thirds or other rules like it, saying that you should not follow them as a daily biblical type practice. Those same individuals often just stumble across something inspiring. They also claim to seldom use the rule of thirds, and then display work that they think breaks those rules. However, because they don't have an understanding of the rest of the compositional "rules" they did not realize all the other rules that they accidentally followed. And a lot of time it followed the rule of thirds that they thought they ignored. Why? Because they don't really understand the way the rule works.

I believe that in the beginning, you should learn, practice, and employ the compositional rules. Your images will only improve over night when you do so. Then once you have learned to recognize the opportunity where a rule can be followed for effect, then - and only then - look for ways to break them. Because then when you break them, your work will be far more compelling.

I love the images you posted. Many demonstrate a lot of those compositional rules. Even the rule of thirds.

I hear your point. I agree with your point. The rules are there to use as tools very much like a better lens is over a kit lens is in the photographers bag. I just believe you should understand those tools as well as you can before you try to break them. You can't break them if you do not even know what they are, right? You could just say, well I just do what feels right. Most of the time people do what feels right, they accidentally follow a rule that they did not even know what it was. So I say learn them, practice them, grow by them - and with them - as tools, the reach out and break them from time to time. In photography it is OK to be rebellious and break a few rules.

God I love what I do.

Again, great shots!
--
Tutorial on DOF:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7394992_UpiXL

Tutorial on The Rule of Thirds:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7399326_BoLgW

Tutorial on 'Seeing the Light':
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7399332_QEgdi

Passion is the thing that should drive us in all we do. For
it is only when passion is applied, that we can both be
successful and fulfilled. - James Beltz

Full Gallery at http://www.BCphoto.biz

OK...so I just bought this wonderful new toy and have to try to figure out how to use an Fstop while learning DOF, lighting, etc. So...for a learner that has to do to learn and has this Rebel XSI and kit lens...would you be so kind as to add some reference points for us?

I have a unique opportunity that most people don't have...that being a wildlife rehab center and its patients and educational ambassadors at my photographic disposal - up close! (I am SO excited as is the exec director). I'd like to stop by tomorrow and get some shots with different depths of field, etc. Can you help a newbie out with some pointers please?

Also...my hubbie took me out on his boat last weekend and I got this shot that is ever so much better than my P&S could ever get but....I still know it's not great.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20224712@N08/3294430128

(so sorry but I haven't figured out how to post to this forum yet).

Could you give me some pointers? Your tutorials are great btw!

We're headed to Africa in a few years so I hope I have time to learn all of this stuff! Geesh!

beltzclan wrote:

I appreciate your words.

As far as the rule of thirds, it is only one of many. It is my very
humble opinion, that if one takes the time to learn and practice
those rules, really gets it into themselves so that it is second
nature to look for them, then work can only get better.

Then once you have a firm grasp on those rules, figure out ways to
break them and still be creative.

I hear often from people that discount the rule of thirds or other
rules like it, saying that you should not follow them as a daily
biblical type practice. Those same individuals often just stumble
across something inspiring. They also claim to seldom use the rule of
thirds, and then display work that they think breaks those rules.
However, because they don't have an understanding of the rest of the
compositional "rules" they did not realize all the other rules that
they accidentally followed. And a lot of time it followed the rule of
thirds that they thought they ignored. Why? Because they don't really
understand the way the rule works.

I believe that in the beginning, you should learn, practice, and
employ the compositional rules. Your images will only improve over
night when you do so. Then once you have learned to recognize the
opportunity where a rule can be followed for effect, then - and only
then - look for ways to break them. Because then when you break them,
your work will be far more compelling.

I love the images you posted. Many demonstrate a lot of those
compositional rules. Even the rule of thirds.

I hear your point. I agree with your point. The rules are there to
use as tools very much like a better lens is over a kit lens is in
the photographers bag. I just believe you should understand those
tools as well as you can before you try to break them. You can't
break them if you do not even know what they are, right? You could
just say, well I just do what feels right. Most of the time people do
what feels right, they accidentally follow a rule that they did not
even know what it was. So I say learn them, practice them, grow by
them - and with them - as tools, the reach out and break them from
time to time. In photography it is OK to be rebellious and break a
few rules.

I don't think we disagree.

I find I dislike the term "rules" it implies something has to be followed, this is not the case really.

The rule of 3rds is very much a basic compositional guide, and fairly sound at that. Like I said a good point to start from, and to be aware of it. Rather like a sound technical understanding of basic photographic control, depth of field, apertures, shutter speeds..etc etc.

Composition is very much a compromise on most subjects, it's even more challenging for scenic and landscapes, simply because we scan our eyes around..and see a whole huge vast area, but only have a relatively small part we can show at one time (bar panoramic shots etc)

For the ist shot, my subject was mostly the rocks..and I felt the skyline was not important to it..bar the mountains in the background. My choice was to cut it down..and concentrate on the foreground subject more. The same for the sepia wall, the lower level enhances perspective and distance, far more use than the background and sky area.

So in closing the rule of 3rd is sound, but the ability to look beyond it, is very important too. Sometimes just shifting off of a central composition (for faces) and not to a 3rd point can also do the job nicely. The shot with the boy and the towel, works mostly on balance. Like I said, it's worthwhile looking at alternatives, and beyond 3rds only. True enough to say a dead level horizon def does not work sometimes (it can though..), and it's useful to get new shooters off the habit of doing that (many do), and onto more balanced sound areas compositional wise.

Composition is like exposure, I don't know how many times I hear "correct exposure". True there are ways to reduce noise by doing that, there may well be exposures that tend to be more in line with most folks thinking. But..there really is no such thing as correct exposure, it's another tool to use..how you see fit. A person shot can be low key, high key, the photographer makes the choices.

That's what is so fun, had 10 other people been at those places and times, everyone would have different shots..

We agree. Totally. A good place to start from. I will also say that in my class we cover 10. At the conclusion of my class I explain how don't think you have to use these rules or the shot is junk. I explain how breaking them can be great fun.
--
Tutorial on DOF:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7394992_UpiXL

Tutorial on The Rule of Thirds:
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7399326_BoLgW

Tutorial on 'Seeing the Light':
http://www.bcphoto.biz/gallery/7399332_QEgdi

Passion is the thing that should drive us in all we do. For
it is only when passion is applied, that we can both be
successful and fulfilled. - James Beltz

Full Gallery at http://www.BCphoto.biz

He gives many tips for free on this forum, and if you email him, he will reply and help out any that asks.

But you should take a trip to his website. He sells a photography class for cheap that many here have tried. Then you don't just get the ability to watch his videos over and over again, but you can email him and ask him questions like a tutor.

Just a thought.

As someone who comes here to read and try and improve my photography skills I am most thankful for your sharing of your expertise.

After watching the rule of thirds video you made I thought I would put the grid pattern on my lcd display screen. I realize it isn't quite the same thing, but thought it would be a starting point for thinking differently. I realized quickly how hard it is to condition oneself to move the subject out of the center and see if it make a better and/or more iteresting picture.

But I have a dumb question - if the subject isn't in the center, will it be in focus in auto mode or p mode? Does the camera automatically "focus" on the center?

I usually set the aperture at 4.5 to 5.6, but the subjects are usually at the center.... so should I raise the aperture setting when trying to compose a picture where the subject isn't in the center since I'm obviously not pointing my camera at the "main part"? I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Sharon

Here are just few insights to what I was thinking and what I did that maybe you can use as tips.

For this shot, I took a knee. Choosing an upward angle at the groom put him in a position of authority. The same approach you would take for a business owner or the pastor of a church. His jacket was open and his hands were on his hip to solidify that even further. The Best Man in the background has his jacket closed and is turned towards the groom recognizing his importance. His jacket is closed and hands down to, again, solidify that point.

The upward angle also allowed the background to be free from distractions, and sered to help simplify the image. Notice how the curving arc of the leaves curve around the groom to help single him out. This allowed the brighter sky behind the subject to contrast against the groom and help extract him from the background.

In this one I got on top of a step ladder. I needed to be above the subject to see the time on the watch, and to shoot past the subject to make it more candid. Looking down also minimized the background. It is free from distracting elements. I had to pull the subject to one side of the sidewalk so that the edge of the sidewalk could not be seen. I used the longer length of the lens and a wide open aperture so only the time is in focus. I used the center AF point. The angle is everything in this shot.

Finally I will tell you that I think through every shot. I don't just shoot to shoot. I think about how something will look in my head. I consider the background and whatever will show up in the frame of the shot. My customer at firsts thinks I am confused. I can see it in their face. But I don't care. They hired me for me talent and vision. They can look at me crazy if they want. They don't have to understand what I am thinking. I can show them on the back of the camera after the shot has been made. Sometimes, if I really like the shot, and they ask to see it because they can see the pleasure on my face, I deny them. I tell them - Nope. For this one you are going to have to wait! I then smile and move on. Thinking through the shot in advance of taking the shot, has moved my keeper ratio to about 75%. By keeper ratio, I mean shots that I don't delete later because I am unhappy. That is a very high number. In the beginning I think my keeper ratio was about 30%. Slowing down and thinking has made that number climb and saved me valuable room on my memory cards.

When my customer asks me how many shots they are going to get, I simply tell them I have no idea. But they will be happy with every one of them. And that is the most important thing. Some wedding photographers, I tell them, advertise that the customer will get 1000 shots. What good will 1000 shots be if only a part of them they will like? The customer always agrees, and I am then free to take my time and get it right.

Hope that helps.

tryintoo wrote:

As someone who comes here to read and try and improve my photography
skills I am most thankful for your sharing of your expertise.

After watching the rule of thirds video you made I thought I would
put the grid pattern on my lcd display screen. I realize it isn't
quite the same thing, but thought it would be a starting point for
thinking differently. I realized quickly how hard it is to condition
oneself to move the subject out of the center and see if it make a
better and/or more iteresting picture.

Even if you don't use the rule of thirds, getting the subject out of the center can mean immediate impact to your images.

But I have a dumb question - if the subject isn't in the center, will
it be in focus in auto mode or p mode? Does the camera automatically
"focus" on the center?

In auto mode, the camera uses all the AF points and tries to figure out what you want in focus. This can sometimes be disastrous. In P mode (Priority Mode) you can tell your camera that you only want one of those points to be active. Most of the time I tell it I want the center AF point only active. This allows me to focus with the most sensitive AF point, lock that focus down with a half shutter press, and then recompose the shot.

I usually set the aperture at 4.5 to 5.6, but the subjects are
usually at the center.... so should I raise the aperture setting when
trying to compose a picture where the subject isn't in the center
since I'm obviously not pointing my camera at the "main part"? I'm
sorry if this doesn't make sense.

The aperture setting has no effect on this. See above.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Sharon

~ : )

Very good examples of the gear is 10% responsible and the photographer 90% responsible for the photography process.

Next challenge: Shoot a wedding with just a Holga
--

Good lesson for beginners.

Holga

Definition:

The Holga is an inexpensive, medium format 120 film toy camera, made in China, appreciated for its low-fidelity aesthetic.

The Holga's cheap construction and simple meniscus lens often yields pictures that display vignetting, blur, light leaks, and other distortions. The camera's quality problems have become a virtue among some photographers, with Holga photos winning awards and competitions in art and news photography.
----------------------------------------------------

Holga:

A shot with a Holga - Not mine...

Now THAT would be a true challenge!!!!