New to photography need comments to learn

[kapilvibha]

I am an absolute newbie. I have clicked pics of my dog Sasha. Please comment on how to click better photos.

[steve welle]

you have a good model to photograph. Letting us know something about your camera and lenses might help in terms of getting advice. Something about Sasha's eyes looks wrong. Did you fire a flash directly into her eyes for this shot?

[Shadowman]

Nice shot.

[rpcrowe]

You have done some things very right, like getting down to Sasha's level for the shot.

I would suggest:

1. Shooting from a further distance with a bit longer focal length lens which will produce an image with a less elongated nose...

2. Do not shoot flash directly at the dog. If you have a hotshoe flash, bounce it. If you are shooting with the built-in flash, obviously you cannot normally bounce it. However, you can improve direct built-in flash pictures somewhat using a very inexpensive Pixco Diffuser

I shot this image of my Goldendoodle as a test of the Pixco Diffuser which I had purchased for my son-in-law. It seems to wok "fairly" decently. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/110663984023?lpid=82



As far as bouncing the built-in flash, Demb Flash Products carries a built-in flash bounce attachment. I have not used this attachment but I swear by many other Joe Demb Products..

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...G&Q=&A=details

[Kris V]

As far as bouncing the built-in flash, Demb Flash Products carries a built-in flash bounce attachment. I have not used this attachment but I swear by many other Joe Demb Products..

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...G&Q=&A=details

Richard. Thanks for posting this link. Didn't know there was such a thing.

[Manfred M]

Hi Kapil, and welcome to CiC.

All of us were beginners at one time, and frankly learning has become so much easier through the power of the internet. There is information on photography, sites like this one that have exellent information and knowledgable members who are willing to share their experiences. Remember, all of us were new to photography at some point.

Photography has two closely intertwined aspects; the compositional side and the craft side (i.e. knowing how to use your equipment). The best way to learn is to go out there and shoot, and then compare your work to that of others, figuring out what they did that you like (and don't like). A camera does not see the same way as a human does, and learning to see "like a camera" is probably the most important aspect of photography.

The quote below, by Henri Cartier-Bresson says a lot...

[Kyle]

You're in the same spot I was only a couple of months ago. I knew nothing about photography, got a brand new camera and found this site.
This forum is a great place to learn. A good place to start if you haven't already is the tutorials, they are immensely helpful. You've already got some great advice. Just keep taking and posting pictures and you'll see improvement. You've got a beautiful dog there, would love to see more!

[kapilvibha]

thanks for the advise everyone. really appreciate it. here are some more pics of another dog teddy. Let me know how to improve. I am using Nikon D5100 and have 2 lens 18-55mm and 55-200mm. Thanks in advance

[bnnrcn]

Hi Kapil, welcome to CIC If you could add the exif data for your shots,that would be helpful for the members to make comments on your photos.