Taking a good picture

[russh]

here are my pointers for what they are worth...

1. Take loads of pictures. (they are free, and you can always delete the ones you don't like later)
.

I would say the opposite, think you only have space for one or two pictures on your memory card. So rather than just snapping away you must really think about the picture you are taking. Take into consideration what you are looking at will become 2-dimensional, try to get in the optimum position.

Is anything untoward in the background, are there any unwanted reflections, including yourself, again check your shadow, in bright sunshine use flash, (if the camera has a fill in flash option) honest, it will lighten the shadows and bring out the forground (if photographing objects, people bikes etc. doesn't work on landscapes!)

[Hagrid]

consider buying a more expensive polorising filter for balancing overexposure in the brighter outdoor shots.

Tops filter this one...

Well except for when the autofocas swivels it... (Hey I'm a muppet, hence my Cokin days are over... )

[FatFergie]

Just one little tip on the subject of camera shake;

The lcd screens are great but in low light it helps to use the viewfinder, Your head and body are great balast for damping the movement in your hands.

[Chad]

Just one little tip on the subject of camera shake;

The lcd screens are great but in low light it helps to use the viewfinder, Your head and body are great balast for damping the movement in your hands.

this is where the beauty of the DSLRs come into play as what you are looking at through the view finder is through the lens

im currently saving like a ******* for either a nikon or a canon

[Steve C]

Everyone's view is personal, so these are a few lines from my thoughts or borrowed from people I respect. (FWIW, I did photography as a second major (is there such a thing?) in the degree I did back in the 70s)

The absolutely most important thing a about a photograph is being there to take it - capturing the moment that nobody else captured. The most important thing after the camera making sufficiently accurate exposures is the glass - but the most important thing of all is your eye; but the absolutely most important thing of all is being there to take it, as the rest just don't matter unless that bit's done.

Take photographs for yourself, nobody else. It's like dancing as though nobody's watching - the time you'll do your best stuff.

The most wonderful thing about making photographs is that it allows us to explore and express our creativity without needing to learn to draw.

Your camera Dave - wowee - Cartier Bresson used a camera that would likely not perform as well as that, though he did have the advantage of film. His rule was "print the whole negative" and it's a good discipline.

I'd try not to dismiss a photograph that has potential - just put it away. I have photographs going back a long way and like so many things, they acquire gravitas and importance with age because they mark a time and a place, a moment of your life.

If you haven't already, have a look at the Magnum site - stacked full of some of the best stuff in the world - IMHO, of course

http://www.magnumphotos.com/Archive/...d=2K7O3R1VX08V

[Hagrid]

(FWIW, I did photography as a second major (is there such a thing?) in the degree I did back in the 70s)

Come on, your not fooling anyone here Steve... We know they didn't have cameras back then... U had to entertain yourself at the Pictures, watching a few talkies

One of my Fav. photographers... Frank Sutcliffe Here.... I've Got a few of his prints... (Takes you back hey Steve )

[Steve C]

You're so right Fletch
We knew how to make our own entertainment in the old days

[Hagrid]

We knew how to make our own entertainment in the old days

Talking of which... How you feeling? Up to speed yet?

[mini-thumper]

I also studied photography at University, and a photographer I really admire is O Winston Link www.linkmuseum.org. Incidentally I think I've learnt more reading this thread than I did as a student, but thats Fine Art for you!

Boyd

[Steve C]

Talking of which... How you feeling? Up to speed yet?

Thanks for asking man
Well, I'm in seeing the nice physio lady on weds, so she'll tell me what a layabout I am and everything will be as it should

Generally, it's as good as it's going to get now for about six months - or rather, I have my 60% or whatever it is and the rest takes 6-months. I'm hoping I'll be able to get back into my weights, chin ups and elliptical cross training videos again soon - doing my bit to stay fit and trim