COJ photo class/Q&A thread (Page 3)

newbz - 2010-11-02 11:22 AM could be the lens (dont know canons lenses well), could be due to a low shutter speed and camera shake, could be camera settins (less likely), or what you are doing in post processing (more likely if the lens is good).

newbz - 2010-11-02 9:47 AM

Ok, this actually sounds like a good idea (tynan).

So here is what i'll do right now. I'll put a post on the blog.


we'll work through shutter speed and aperture first (i'm going to leave ISO projects out of it as almost all of the newer cameras are reducing the diff between high and low a LOT more than the older ones/film).

I'll put up some example photos and then we can hash out some project photos on here and talk about them/provide advice/crits etc.

That should provide some very basic projects/info that you can take ANY direction you want to.

axteraa - 2010-11-02 8:23 PM



I have that same camera/lens combination.  My guess is it's the lens as I tend to just get 'ok' pictures with it as well.  It seems to do a bit better when I don't have the aperture wide open but it's never as sharp as when I use my higher end canon lens.

momo - 2010-11-03 8:26 AM




On the project ideas yes on posting here, that way we can all take a look, offer some advice, etc.






As for programs, i am currently running Photoshop CS. Nothing newer will run well on my computer (its an OLD mac laptop).

Do almost all of my work in CS. Will add lightroom and newer CS once i upgrade the computer hopefully this winter sometime, but right now CS does about 99% of what i could ask from it (i'd like a better/newer RAW editing/adjustments software but thats about it).

are we posting these photos? here?

axteraa - 2010-11-02 8:23 PM

I have that same camera/lens combination.  My guess is it's the lens as I tend to just get 'ok' pictures with it as well.  It seems to do a bit better when I don't have the aperture wide open but it's never as sharp as when I use my higher end canon lens.

momo - 2010-11-03 11:13 AM I noticed that when i use my XS, not so much with 50D.. A little trick I have used was to not shoot with it full open (18mm).. i turn it alittle.. pictures changed alot from doing that.. they became a sharper. what program do you use to resize your photos? i used microsoft stuff one time.. i completely changed the photo i took when i resized it.. needless to say no using it anymore. picasa seems resize my photos pretty well.

Malgal - 2010-11-03 11:09 AM



Totally stupid question - if it is the lens, then a better lens for the same camera would be OK (without having to buy a new camera)? I simply cannot justify a $2000 camera.

Malgal - 2010-11-03 2:09 PM

Totally stupid question - if it is the lens, then a better lens for the same camera would be OK (without having to buy a new camera)?  I simply cannot justify a $2000 camera.

axteraa - 2010-11-03 1:54 PM



If you know anyone with a canon camera who has one of the better quality lenses you could ask to borrow it and take a few pictures of the same thing with your lens and theirs and see if you can notice a difference or not.   Keep in mind it will have to be an EF or EF-S lens and not one of the professional level ones as I think they have a different mount.  The lens that I have is a 50mm f1.4 and I get noticeably better pictures on it than the 18-55mm kit lens.

Malgal - 2010-11-04 6:22 PM

Bumping this thread up.

My attempt at this assignment equates to an epic fail.  So I managed to get something half-decent for the different shutter speeds but buggered if I could do anything with the aperture.

I think the problem is that I don't know how to use the camera. I have settings to switch to so I can adjust the shutter speed or aperture manually.  But when I make the adjustments, the camera automatically changes the other and screws me up.  Perhaps I was changing them by too much (I was shooting indoors and if I made too much of a change, I'd not have enough light for example).  If I made smaller changes, I couldn't see any difference.  I cannot find my camera's manual, although I did download one from the internet.  Just not so convenient having to run back and forth between computer and camera on tripod.  I thought I had a clue after reading Newbz's blog but evidently, I don't.

momo - 2010-11-04 9:04 PM



its tough but keep at it.. i can talk canon stuff.. i will help

find a fountain.. turn you camera to Tv(shutter priority)

sit close to it.. 1st shot set shutter to 1/800, take a couple pics various focal lengths..
(should see individual drops of water)
2nd shot set shutter to 1/400 or slower take a couple shots different focal lengths.
(water should look almost like it flowing)

try that for shutter.

newbz - 2010-11-05 8:56 AM






for the aperture part, like tynan said, first bump up the ISO.


next, set the camera on the table or some other hard surface (you'll be shooting from here).

take a gi joe, action figure, or other small toy, and set it as close to the same as you can and still take the photo, at a full range of aperture settings. the table should provide enough support that things will be in focus. they may not be award winning photos but it will show you how the diff Fstops effect the photos.

As an aside, for anyone that does not know this, when you are looking through your camera, you are seeing how the photo will look aperture wise at the widest F-stop, some cameras allow you to "stop down" and see what it will look like focus wise at whatever your currently set at as well

newbz - 2010-11-05 9:24 AM

1: for a personal website, gallery you're fine, for commercial use you do need one.

2: lens wise, if you dont want to buy something like the 70-200mm 2.8 take a look at either the 55-200 VR lens or the 70-300mm G series (i think that one works with your camera).


if you didn't see the link before check out some of the lenses from kehcamera.com