Last night I took a two hour photography class that was offered through our
community education department. It was called
"Point, Shoot & Wow!". We were to bring our cameras and our camera manuals and the instructor would show us how to use the various functions so we're able to take the very best pictures possible using the equipment that we already own.
Here are some shots that I've taken over the past few months while trying a few of the automatic settings on my camera. But I wanted to learn how to use more than just the automatic settings.
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| Orange Lamps |
I've registered for this class three other times but have had to cancel for some unexpected reason or another. This time it was a broken ankle.
I decided to call the community education people with my little sob story. Got voice mail. Left a message. When the staff member called me back she said that she had made arrangements to have a wheelchair waiting for me in the foyer of the building. Excellent.
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| Corks |
The class was conducted by a professional photographer from our area. He was a bit chatty about his business and his wonderful portfolio but he was a likable guy and very knowledgeable.
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| Dominoes |
I learned some things . Mostly how to read the camera manual. Camera manuals always seem to be written in a foreign language. They're not. You just have to know the terminology and it all falls into place. The instructor told us that if our point and shoot cameras have a manual setting (and mine does) to use that. Set the
exposure manually by trying different
aperture and
shutter speed settings.
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| A Plaster Rose |
So I'm going to experiment with the camera and that manual setting and I'll re-shoot these photographs with the exception of the orange lamps which are in a restaurant in Kansas. . It'll be interesting to see how they turn out.
Some day I'll get myself a really, really good camera but for now this little Canon A720 IS will be just fine.
He gave great advice. There's no better way to make your camera see what you see by tweaking the shutter speed and aperture. (and ISO) You've taken some lovely shots here, Cheryl. I'm looking forward to seeing much more.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice. And once you've spent time using the manual settings you'll have a better idea of the kind of camera you want next. The shots you've taken are wonderful; can't wait to see what effects you get when you redo them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea - to reshoot the same subjects trying the manual settings.
ReplyDeleteI'm doubly impressed with the photos you've shared on your blog now that I know they were done with a point and shoot camera. A few months ago, I got a Canon Powershot SX20 IS, an advanced point and shoot. I haven't really used the manual settings yet, but you're inspiring me to try. I love the orange lamps. I think it's worth another trip to Kansas to see what difference the manual setting makes. :)
ReplyDeleteI think the pictures you showed us are WONDERFUL! But I certainly understand wanting to know more about the use of your camera...And in my opinion, most manuels are written by people who's first language is NOT English and so, sometimes everything is harder to understand than it might be if English was one's first language....Much Good Luck, my dear.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are great, I can't wait to see more xxx
ReplyDeleteGood for you Cheryl, I'd love to be able to take a course like this one you're in or was it a one time only thing? Sorry I'm reading fast, I still have 2 chapters to read before bed tonight and the clocks a ticking!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and I'm looking forward to seeing these same subjects shot in manual mode.
Wonderful shots! A photography course sounds like fun. My course consisted of my husband refusing to let me use the automatic settings - I had to move straight onto the manual ones. Practice is the way to go!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote of confidence, Hilary. It really means a lot coming from you. I'll have my nose in that manual often.
ReplyDeleteThat's true, Blissed-out Grandma. And it'll be fun figuring out this little camera's capabilities.
Hi Linda M.! Yes, I'll take some time in the next week or so to do just that.
Thanks much, Linda. Really, you should try some of these things with your new camera. I'll bet it's a great one. And about the orange lamps...that's a great idea and we're going to Kansas the middle of April. Maybe we can have a meal there, again.
Thank you, Naomi. You are kind. And I do believe you're right. Since the cameras are probably made in another country, it's logical that the manuals are written there, too. Never thought about that until now.
Hi there, Fran! Thank you...will post new shots, for sure. I need to stop by to see what you're up to across the pond...will do that today.
Thanks, darlin. I really do appreciate your visit because I know how busy you are. Good luck with those classes. Bet you think they'll never end!
Very cool! I think you did great! I especially like the orange lamps.
ReplyDeleteThat's so neat that you're doing that! I would love to learn what all the functions on my camera mean. Great photos, my favorite is the plaster rose, something about the way it casts shadows on itself. Thanks for your visit to my blog and your comments. It means so much!
ReplyDeleteLady Fi, I think you have a very wise husband! I haven't played with those manual settings, yet, but I plan to spend some time this weekend working on them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Betty! I like those orange lamps, too.
Very cool : )
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteYou've definitely got an eye - the diminishing perspective in that dominoes shot is excellent. It's great you're developing your skills!
ReplyDeleteThanks, tatty! The dominoes are in Kansas, too, so will have to redo that shot in April when I'm there.
ReplyDeleteI love your images, especially the orange lamps. You have a great eye! I like photos of simple objects seen in new light, like the dominoes and corks. I'm still learning more about using the manual settings on my little Canon AE 590. Someday, I plan to get back to a larger camera. These are great, Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteI like your photos as they are, but I'm not an expert photographer. Those orange lamps are cool!
ReplyDeleteWhen I got my camera, I made a little progress reading the manual, but who knows where it is now. I really should find it and finish reading it. I think I have a manual setting on my camera, but don't use it.
I can't remember, does your daughter live in Lincoln?
I think my problem is never learning how to read the camera instructions. Hope you can learn all about using the manual settings.
ReplyDelete