DSLR Newb Here. Any tips?

E85BMW · 04-26-2014, 05:49 PM

I'm about to purchase a Canon T3i from a friend of mine. I admit I am an amateur when it comes to photography, but I do admire it, and it will be a step up from shooting with my phone. Plus, I want to take night shots as well.

TLDR, any tips for a beginner?

BMW F22 · 04-26-2014, 05:58 PM

I guess the only tip I have is to go out and shoot/practice. Also, you should pick up a copy of "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.

I'm not an expert so I'll let other, more qualified members on here chime in (dcstep, m_six, druu, seminole, etc.).

ddk632 · 04-26-2014, 06:26 PM

If you want to take night shots, get a decent, sturdy tripod with a ball head. I like Manfrotto and their prices are reasonable, with good quality.

Read Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson.

Then, understand exposure

(Seriously!)

And yes, go out and shoot with it often.

E85BMW · 04-26-2014, 08:06 PM

Thanks

M_Six · 04-26-2014, 08:49 PM

3rd vote for Understanding Exposure. Single best photography book there is.

Twix · 04-28-2014, 11:56 AM

4th vote for Understanding Exposure. I came to this page last year after buying my first camera (T3i) and they recommended that book. After reading it my photos have become exponentially better and better.

druu · 04-28-2014, 04:50 PM

Once you've done a little reading try to just go out and shoot, shoot until you've reached the limits of your gear before you even think about any kind of gear upgrading too. A camera, kit lens, tripod and any entry level flash unit is pretty much all anyone needs for a very long time.

E85BMW · 04-29-2014, 12:07 PM

Thanks again, everyone. I will definitely give this book a read and once I've gotten somewhat proficient with the camera, I'll post some pics and hope they come out alright.

khaye1 · 04-29-2014, 09:16 PM

What they said...when I first started, someone in here actually sent me a digital copy of Understanding Exposure. For some odd reason I can't seem to find it now...I looked before posting this. It is a good read.

Fort Walton beach! I was stationed at Elgin for a bit. I love that place and if there's any place you go out and shoot landscape/beaches, that would be it.

Post some of those emerald waters and spring breakers would you!

E85BMW · 04-30-2014, 11:24 AM

Nice. I'm from California!

dcstep · 04-30-2014, 04:55 PM

Welcome.

What kind of night shots are you going for? Some require tripods (streaking tail lights of cars, some night architecture), but others, like street photography merely requires raising the ISO up around ISO 1600 and holding the camera real steady.

The T3i has pretty good high-ISO performance, but starts adding a lot of noise past ISO 1600. If you need to push for higher ISO, then you'll need to start shooting in Raw and invest in some noise reduction software. Canon's Digital Photo Professional came with your camera and is a great way to start playing in the Raw world without any incremental investment.

While you're learning exposure and getting used to your camera by shooting a lot, JPEG shooting is an okay way to start. Ultimately, you'll need to go to Raw, if you want to get the most out of your images.

Dave

04-26-2014, 05:49 PM	#1
E85BMW Private First Class 58 Rep 198 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Crestview, FL iTrader: (1)	DSLR Newb Here. Any tips? I'm about to purchase a Canon T3i from a friend of mine. I admit I am an amateur when it comes to photography, but I do admire it, and it will be a step up from shooting with my phone. Plus, I want to take night shots as well. TLDR, any tips for a beginner?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-26-2014, 05:58 PM	#2
BMW F22 Major General 3661 Rep 9,783 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	I guess the only tip I have is to go out and shoot/practice. Also, you should pick up a copy of "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. I'm not an expert so I'll let other, more qualified members on here chime in (dcstep, m_six, druu, seminole, etc.).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-26-2014, 06:26 PM	#3
ddk632 Chief Senior Executive Managing VP of Orange Sales 599 Rep 2,578 Posts Drives: 17 BMW F87 M2 6MT MG HBDGR ! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Aventura, FL iTrader: (2)	If you want to take night shots, get a decent, sturdy tripod with a ball head. I like Manfrotto and their prices are reasonable, with good quality. Read Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson. Then, understand exposure (Seriously!) And yes, go out and shoot with it often.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-26-2014, 08:06 PM	#4
E85BMW Private First Class 58 Rep 198 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Crestview, FL iTrader: (1)	Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-26-2014, 08:49 PM	#5
M_Six Free Thinker 19341 Rep 7,552 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	3rd vote for Understanding Exposure. Single best photography book there is. __________________ Mark markj.pics "Life is uncertain, eat bacon now." -UncleWede
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-28-2014, 11:56 AM	#6
Twix Lieutenant Colonel 659 Rep 1,922 Posts Drives: 2011 e91 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i xDriv ... [0.00] 2002 Land Rover Dis ... [0.00]	4th vote for Understanding Exposure. I came to this page last year after buying my first camera (T3i) and they recommended that book. After reading it my photos have become exponentially better and better.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-28-2014, 04:50 PM	#7
druu Second Lieutenant 52 Rep 298 Posts Drives: 2020 M8 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Once you've done a little reading try to just go out and shoot, shoot until you've reached the limits of your gear before you even think about any kind of gear upgrading too. A camera, kit lens, tripod and any entry level flash unit is pretty much all anyone needs for a very long time.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-29-2014, 12:07 PM	#8
E85BMW Private First Class 58 Rep 198 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Crestview, FL iTrader: (1)	Thanks again, everyone. I will definitely give this book a read and once I've gotten somewhat proficient with the camera, I'll post some pics and hope they come out alright.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-29-2014, 09:16 PM	#9
khaye1 Colonel 161 Rep 2,811 Posts Drives: 24 G87 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego iTrader: (8) Garage List [10.00]	What they said...when I first started, someone in here actually sent me a digital copy of Understanding Exposure. For some odd reason I can't seem to find it now...I looked before posting this. It is a good read. Fort Walton beach! I was stationed at Elgin for a bit. I love that place and if there's any place you go out and shoot landscape/beaches, that would be it. Post some of those emerald waters and spring breakers would you! __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-30-2014, 11:24 AM	#10
E85BMW Private First Class 58 Rep 198 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Crestview, FL iTrader: (1)	Nice. I'm from California!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-30-2014, 04:55 PM	#11
dcstep Major General 1298 Rep 7,389 Posts Drives: '09 Cpe Silverstone FR 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 M3 [8.40]	Welcome. What kind of night shots are you going for? Some require tripods (streaking tail lights of cars, some night architecture), but others, like street photography merely requires raising the ISO up around ISO 1600 and holding the camera real steady. The T3i has pretty good high-ISO performance, but starts adding a lot of noise past ISO 1600. If you need to push for higher ISO, then you'll need to start shooting in Raw and invest in some noise reduction software. Canon's Digital Photo Professional came with your camera and is a great way to start playing in the Raw world without any incremental investment. While you're learning exposure and getting used to your camera by shooting a lot, JPEG shooting is an okay way to start. Ultimately, you'll need to go to Raw, if you want to get the most out of your images. Dave __________________ Flickr Photos Ucm, Inc.
	Appreciate 0 Quote