Mike D90's Digital Learning Thread

M

Mike D90

Senior Member
This seems to be popular here so I figured I would start mine.

As stated, in my intro, I am a newbie to digital SLR's and digital photography in general.

Here I will post my photos as I progress and learn.

My main intitial goal is to get comfortable with my camera and its settings and not the quality of the actual photographs I am taking.

Advice and criticism is welcomed.
 
M

Mike D90

Senior Member
First post.

I have set up a bird pirch outside one of my windows. It is place within 20 feet of the window I use for a blind. I made sure the background is about 10 feet or more away (behind) the pirch.

My first shots were tests of exposure settings. I have set A-priority of f5.6, ISO sensitivity to max of 1600 and set ISO at 400 with minimum shutter speed of 1/250s.

I also dialed in (-) exposure comp of -0. 3.

Of all the shots this was the best. I know, there is no bird there! It will take time to attract them I guess but this should allow me to shoot more often without having to travel to a site.

Give me some critique on exposure levels and focus, also bokeh if you want.


test_exposure_01.jpg

EXIF Data:

D90 with 55-200mm DX VR ED lens
f 5.6
1/250s
ISO 720
180mm focal length
No flash
 
M

Mfrankfort

Senior Member
Those clear birds in FL are hard to see. ;-) Keep shooting, and keep posting!! Remember if you have any questions, let us know. We're pretty helpful here.
 
M

Mike D90

Senior Member
Mfrankfort said:
Those clear birds in FL are hard to see. ;-) Keep shooting, and keep posting!! Remember if you have any questions, let us know. We're pretty helpful here.
Click to expand...

I know why there aren't any birds today. The mosquitoes ate them all. They almost took me down while I was outside this afternoon. I cannot believe how bad they are.
 
M

Mike D90

Senior Member
Was at work and had a minute to step out back with the camera. No wildlife showed up so I wanted to test the shutter speed vs. aperture to capture fast motion.

I just shot some leaves flapping in the wind. Today was very chilly and breezy so the leaves were moving quite rapidly. I need the practice with setting my camera so I shot what I could :wink-new:

Anyway, nothing spectacular here just shooting to get some practice. Still, I want any feedback anyone is willing to give as to exposure, shadow, lighting, etc.


shutter_speed_test_01.jpg
 
M

Mike D90

Senior Member
These leaves were also flapping wildly. Also, sun was coming from behind the leaves. Maybe too much shadow? Should have used fill flash maybe?



exposure_test_01.jpg
 
M

Mike D90

Senior Member
dramtastic said:
Mike you posses both passion and humility. I look forward to following your future posts.
Click to expand...

Thank you Brian for the kind words. I have learned one thing for sure; be honest with yourself and others. Nothing is really humiliating except the outcome of failure when you repeatedly refuse to learn. We all have to start somewhere and we all make mistakes. Its part of the learning journey. I don't pretend to know everything and I love to learn new things but I also know where I am at any given point and am not afraid to admit when I need improvement.
 
Top