Advice for someone with lots of new camera equipment

[anonymous]

I am an aspiring photographer and would be so appreciative if someone could provide me any assistance in producing high quality and moving images. I read the portion of this website that stated camera equipment and it appears that I have a very similar camera and almost the same set of lenses. I just got the 30D about 2 months ago and bought the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS about 2 weeks ago. I also have a 50 1.8, and an older Ultrasonic 28-105 3.5. I tried to look over the techniques on this website but I'm not fully grasping it the way I should be....any advise or direction would be deeply appreciated.

[McQ]

You have acquired quite a powerful array of photographic tools-- I'm sure you will learn to create great photos with them. I can try and help you with the "high quality" goal, and I can also let you know if there's any gaps in your lens range that might limit your artistic flexibility.

Technically, the #1 recommendation would be to also acquiring a wide angle lens. The Canon 17-55/85 IS, 17-40 f/4L, or ideally the new 10-22 are some of the best additions to your arsenal, in my mind. I mention a wide angle lens because the images you had previously mentioned you liked all use a focal length of 17mm (on a 1.6X cropped camera). I find that the 17-40 f/4L is my most used lens on a cropped sensor. Wide angle photos are often more dramatic for landscapes and architecture because they emphasize depth and perspective.

As far as adding more drama to your photos: almost everything in photography comes down to having the right light. Pay particular attention to this--it's what often makes or breaks a shot.

[shreds]

You talk of producing high quality and moving images.

I presume you are looking at photographing subjects that are in motion. (rather than video)

First off, can you give us an insight into your subjects? Your proximity to the subject and it's speed is likely to have a major bearing on your shot and I presume that you are looking at panning techniques?

Is the subject one where you can utilise a mono pod to good effect or is that going to be limiting?

At a basic level creating good quality shots of moving objects is going to be down to shutter speed and maintaining a focus on the subject, so lighting is going to be important. Can you influence the lighting or are you at the mercy of the elements?

Post a bit more detail and I am sure someone will come along with appropriate advice.

[McQ]

Hi Shreds. I think that by "moving" they meant evocative or "emotionally moving", as opposed to being physically in motion. Pretty funny. This post was sent via email quite some time ago, but I'll drop them a note to see if they have any further questions.