First Pictures - Sony a200 (Amateur)

[martynrg]

Hi,

I got a Sony a200 at Christmas and I've been out and about taking some pics.

As Im a complete amateur in the world of photography, I think this camera will be good to learn with.

Since I've been using it, I've been on the web learning/understanding the terminology of photography (ISO, Aperture, shutter speed etc.)

Here's a few pics so far, I would appreciate comments and advice

The two above are pics of Tatton Park.

I got lucky with the two pics below of a brave Robin:

A friends tortoise:

and finally, slow shutter speed of the M58 earlier on:

Again, comments and advice appreciated.

Thanks,
Martyn G

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

All seem alright to me..

Liking the puffed out robin .. there are a few in my garden on a regular basis looking the size of tennis balls at the moment !

Tortoise looks like he's not amused at having picture taken. But then they are funny looking creatures anyway...

Advice ... erm .... keep practicing easiest way to learn.

 

[ukaskew]

As above really, nothing wrong with these at all, and you seem to be doing the right thing (practising!) which is the best advice anyone can give.

Exposure seems particularly good with the first two for those type of scenes, is that Matrix Metering (not sure what Sony call it)?

 

[Leeshez]

Crackin piccys.

 

[martynrg]

Cheers for the comments

Thats what I've been doin really; practising. Can't put the thing down! lol.

ukaskew, I don't know what Matrix Metering is

I like the second landscape shot but it probably would have been better if I'd have got the full length of the tree in.

 

[ukaskew]

ukaskew, I don't know what Matrix Metering is

There are generally 3 or 4 metering options, one of them is usually called 'Spot' and another generally has "Centre" in the title, the other could be anything, Matrix, Multi or something.

It's basically so you can choose how the camera looks at the scene in front of you in terms of how light/dark it is. I'm rubbish at describing it, but the most obvious example is change it to Spot during a Sunset and take pics with the Spot in different places, you will soon pick up on what it's up to.

Spot will just take a reading from whatever point you highlight, Centre will take a reading from the Centre, and the other one (Matrix, Multi or something) will evaluate the entire scene.

I generally ignore it, but apparently it's quite useful to know!

 

[martynrg]

Ah, I understand. So the camera itself will choose the correct exposure automatically?

 

[ukaskew]

This is worth a read, explains it far better than I could.

http://cubox.info/2007/10/22/selecting-the-metering-mode.html

 

[Brown.]

Just a quick photoshop of your first image, something liek a grey grad filter would just help to capture the detail of the clouds/sky a bit better......as i say a very quick PS...bit noisey but ya get the idea......i also suggest you skim through Ukas's previous post's, will show you whats possible with a digital camera.

Before:

After:

( must stress this i s a quick PS lol )

 

[martynrg]

This is worth a read, explains it far better than I could.

http://cubox.info/2007/10/22/selecting-the-metering-mode.html

Thanks Ukaskew.



Wow! Thats ace Big_Peaches. The image really stands out now; brings the detail out a lot.

Thanks for the advice. Been looking at the 'Flickr Photo Stream' thread, some good picures to learn from in there.

 

[Pigeon]

I Love Slow Shutter Pics!!!

Good Stuff Bro, Id Like To Get Into Photography!

 

[D4N13L]

i can tell from the pics u just posted off yourself

 

[chrispy.clio]

Ha ha the robbin looks well grumpy