Pictures From A Newbie

Before allowing me to purchase a Digital SLR my father wanted me to

learn how to compose a picture on an inexpensive digital point and

shoot camera. Now I'd like to know if you think I have any talent.

Another image that I manipulated with Photoshop.

Let me know what you think of this image manipulated with Photoshop.

I think the lined background is kind of strange. Maybe you should of just placed it out of focus instead.

I thought using a motion blur instead of a standard blur effect would add something unique to the image.

Tell daddie to buy a DSLR. You've passed his test with flying colors.

Really nice Christina! How about a little tutorial on how you composited those shots? It looks like you could teach us a few things!

 

<p>Sean

<br><a href="http://www.stnphotography.com">www.stnphotography.com</a>

Thanks, I've never written a tutorial so I wouldn't know where to start.

 

Cee

Christina, I think the background is a little too much and is more distracting than anything. A motion blur can be a great effect if used a little more subtly. That said, I know that it is pretty hard to get separation from your background w/ a point and shoot, that will be much easier when you get your SLR. I would also suggest that maybe you use the lens blur or a more subtle effect. Sometimes less is more. Good luck w/ Dad!

Tell daddy to open the wallet...I love what you've done...i love your creativity./I love the baseball girl that each image is a lower opacity than the other...it adds interest...the single girl w/the blur looks a little funny to me, but i still like it...i think its unique...Keep up the great work...you are on your way

wanna job? People lap these up, bolw them up, frame them, sell them and buy your own DSLR or get dad to go you 1/2's in a d2x.

 

Good job. Tone the back ground down a bit.

 

cheers

Mark

www.mcnphoto.com

I agree with all the comments above. Parents will lap up these images. Good job.

Works for me.

Hi

You can learn with a old 35mm SLR , try and learn photography not photoshop .

To be a sport photographer these day is luck and a lot of money .

But it worth it , so go out and take pictures and learn from your mistakes . We all did it .

All the best , marc :-)

I don't understand the luck part but agree with the $$$$$.

First of all, I hope your father is a photog - otherwise, I don't see the point of this 'test'.

 

Seems to me as if the people who post here have never actually shot sports in their lives. I agree with the only real photog here who suggested that you learn photography, not photoshop. You're 'okay' - that's considering you're using a point 'n shoot. You're not incredible. The day I'd even consider saying "go tell your parents to buy you a D2X" is when you can demonstrate your ability to compose within the camera - which is what your father apparently told you to do. He didn't say go edit some mediocre pictures and let's see if I should buy you CS2.

 

What I would suggest is that you go online to GettyImages or other sites, and study the 'good' pictures. And no, not all sports pictures on Getty are good.

 

I'm not saying you're not a reasonable photographer. I'd say you're better than the average person, but I hesitate to be as enthusiastic as others. Work on actual composition, and let's see some originals next time from your D50.

Dave, I hope that wasn't directed at me (the only real photog here).

 

Mark

Actually I have shot a lot of 35mm film and have spent more than my fair share of time working in my fathers darkroom, so I consider myself to be experienced with both film and digital photography. Personally I prefer digital photography and believe that manipulating a digital image with Photoshop is no different than manipulating a neg in the darkroom.

Thank God we have Dave the REAL photographer to set us all straight. He is a legend in sports photography...at least a legend in his own mind! I am a professional photographer and take offense at your ripping on everyone on this forum. I think I am done with this forum now.

I was also offended by Dave's comments, I thought I was being girly but now I am begining to realize that he along with a few others posting in this forum are just stuck on themselves.

 

I came to this forum for advice to help better myself as a photographer, but now I am questioning if being a part of this forum is even worth the effort. Surely there has to be a place where a newbie can get advice without having to sift through the egos.

 

Cee

Howdy Cee, I like them, great start with a point and shoot. Keep up the good work, and Thanks for sharing.

Well said Neale and Christina. I'm a professional aswell, maybe some people need to pull thier heads out of thier ass hey.

 

Keep shooting.

 

Regards

Mark

Hi Christina

Hope you did not take affence to what i said . I looked at the forum and the other

photographers all have a point . But we should not kid our self 's with auto focus and a

telephoto F2.8 lens you can get good results. I would start with a 70 or 80 to 200 or 210

mm 2.8 lens . You do need a bit of luck . To be in the right place at the right time is lucky

some times . I have been a photographer since 1986 and done many top sporting events

all over the world . So just keep shooting and enjoy it .

All the best marc :-)

When I first became interested photography (my father's profession) he decided to teach me the basics using a camera that was completely manual, so I would understand what is required to capture, compose and process an image. Since then I have worked with several different camera formats and I have personally developed, processed and printed each of my photographs in my father's darkroom. So I think that it is safe to say that I know how to compose, develop and process an image.

 

Right now I happen to be working with digital media and as far as I am concerned working with Photoshop is no different than working in my father's darkroom. I am very good with Photoshop and I am just as good in the darkroom, so what's the problem with that? I use Photoshop to manipulate an image, but I still have to create the image using a camera. I do not call myself a professional photographer, I do not need to label myself as others do to prove that I have just as much talent as anyone else posting in this forum.

 

Cee

Then why is there a problem of having to prove to your father that you can compose a picture? If you had the experience you now claim, why the original post? My comments, however negative, are in fact what I think of what you posted (if you can only take offense and not stop to consider what it is that I said - if you cannot, then it would seem as if you posted in search of accolades, not actual criticism) - that if you were indeed 'new', which you now say you are not, you needed to work on actual composition and not Photoshop.

 

If you post pictures expecting only the type of nice, but not very useful, comments, then make that very clear.