How to use it properly? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

01/09/2007 11:39:02 AM · #1

Is there anywhere on this site, or on another, that can tell me how to setup and use my camera to it's full capacity? Things like set ups in menus, best white balance for diffrent shots etc. And are there any books people would reccomend reading to learn both on the camera and on how to use photoshop to the full.

Cheers

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

01/09/2007 11:41:11 AM · #2

I am assuming you mean besides the owner's manual?

Maybe the canon forum. and if you google photoshop, you can probably find some online tutorials.

jfriesen

Panasonic LUMIX GH5

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/09/2007 11:41:32 AM · #3

Your camera's manual is a good place to start..

It will tell you of all the features and how to use them.

After you are familiar with the functions of your camera, you can then experiment with them.

If you don't know what a term means, you can easily google it and usually find more information than you would want to know..

01/09/2007 11:46:12 AM · #4

Try Canon's website.

//www.canon.ca/digitalphotography/english/learn.asp?sid=13

mase

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

01/09/2007 11:46:42 AM · #5

The thing is there are that many tutorials and books out there i could spend half my life reading them and not getting the most useful info, i just never seem to be happy with the colours in my images i've tried changing settings and nothing seems to give me what i want? Maybe i should take up knitting!

01/09/2007 11:52:11 AM · #6

In that case, you may want to take a course. Your local community center or college may offer something that would give the info you need.

MudHut

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

01/09/2007 11:52:13 AM · #7

Just stick around this site for a few months and you will see the difference in your photography

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/09/2007 11:53:52 AM · #8

My wife says that "Size doesn't matter, it's how you use it that counts."

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Slippy

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

01/09/2007 11:54:05 AM · #9

I've tried knitting, and while I know there are many, many people who are good at it and enjoy it, my personal recommendation is to stick with photography. You'll get it.

To limit your reading, try the tutorials here and see if there is anything there to help. If not, or instead of, try posting a shot here (or linking to one) that you are not happy with. The folks here are miracle workers when it comes to "fixing" stuff.

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

01/09/2007 11:54:39 AM · #10

No matter how many books you read its how much you can remember when the heat is on that counts. The only way to that is by experience. Read the manual, use the camera, practice, play, read again, play some more .....

There's no easy way ;-)

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

01/09/2007 11:56:38 AM · #11

Originally posted by mase:

If you have a specific issue, you could post some examples and what settings you're using and there will likely be someone here who can help you. Broader questions like "how do I do everything" are more difficult to cover.

For books, I like the ones by Scott Kelby, full of photos and easy examples for learning dummies.

For websites, Radiant Vista and Luminous Landscape both have some very helpful information on Photoshop and LL has quite a bit on photography in general.

(Edited to add that I find knitting much easier than photography ;) )

Message edited by author 2007-01-09 11:57:13.

fotomann_forever

01/09/2007 11:57:44 AM · #12

Originally posted by MudHut:

Just stick around this site for a few months and you will see the difference in your photography

Seriously, practice is the key. There are no set settings that will get you the best photos. If there were, we wouldn't always need to be tinkering and we'd all have ribbons ;-)

But, mase said he wasn't happy with the color. So, let me ask: are the colors not accurate (color shift) or are they over/under-saturated?

If it is a color shift (tint) then you need to start playing with White Balance (WB). If they are over-saturated, try turning down the camera's saturation some, the opposite if they are under-saturated.

Message edited by author 2007-01-09 11:58:25.

slickchik

OM System OM-1

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

01/09/2007 11:58:17 AM · #13

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

My wife says that "Size doesn't matter, it's how you use it that counts."

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Slippy

Aawwww, she is just trying to make you feel better. ;-)

fotomann_forever

01/09/2007 11:59:35 AM · #14

Originally posted by slickchik:

Originally posted by Strikeslip:
My wife says that "Size doesn't matter, it's how you use it that counts."

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Slippy

Aawwww, she is just trying to make you feel better. ;-)

She was talking about his EGO :-)

slickchik

OM System OM-1

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

01/09/2007 12:00:17 PM · #15

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by slickchik:

Originally posted by Strikeslip:
My wife says that "Size doesn't matter, it's how you use it that counts."

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Slippy

Aawwww, she is just trying to make you feel better. ;-)

She was talking about his EGO :-)

LOL!

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/09/2007 12:01:33 PM · #16

Originally posted by slickchik:

Whenever we're out and see a guy with a really big lens, she looks at me and says, "You're jealous, aren't you."

mase

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

01/09/2007 12:02:40 PM · #17

What i mean aswell is is there a best setting to keep my camera on for shots when i don't have time to set them, or my camera, up as with taking candids, which seems to be what i do mostly at the min?

The colours seem to be flat and not the colours that i'm seeing, i've tried messing around but it still doesn't seem to give a true representation of what's in front of me?

Some great help coming in already thanks guys. Think i can put the knitting on hold for a while, although it is a little cold and a scarf would be good........hmmm

Message edited by author 2007-01-09 12:05:13.

Photologist

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/09/2007 12:03:19 PM · #18

.

While your camera's manual is a great starting point, for more information about your camera (specifically), the "Magic Lantern Guides" series of books take the manuals to the next level.

I bought one (Pentax version) for my camera. Physically, it is about the same dimension size as the original manual, but with much more detailed information and photos. I keep it in my camera bag.

Message edited by author 2007-01-09 12:04:33.

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

01/09/2007 12:03:34 PM · #19

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

My wife says that "Size doesn't matter, it's how you use it that counts."

I'll PM you some links to tutorials on how to use it properly. ;)

01/09/2007 12:05:52 PM · #20

The settings always depend on the situation. However, using P mode until you get comfortable with shutter speed, aperture etc is a good place to start.

Being able to describe what you don't like in an image is a start. Next is to determine what setting affects that.

As has been stated - if the colour cast is off, play with the WB
If the saturation is wrong, play with the saturation parameter

Trial and error, practice, practice, practice.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

01/09/2007 12:06:36 PM · #21

Originally posted by lesgainous:

.

While your camera's manual is a great starting point, for more information about your camera (specifically), the "Magic Lantern Guides" series of books take the manuals to the next level.

I bought one (Pentax version) for my camera. Physically, it is about the same dimension size as the original manual, but with much more detailed information and photos. I keep it in my camera bag.

I have a Lantern book for my film camera. Well worth it. It describes the cameras features better than the camera manual.

hankk

Canon EOS-5D

01/09/2007 12:09:00 PM · #22

Try this site //photoworkshop.com/canon/
there's a digital rebel section on the lower left. There seem to be a couple of tutorials there.

nards656

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Tamron SP AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical IF for Canon

01/09/2007 12:15:29 PM · #23

On top of everything else, take a lotta shots.

piaffe529