How to improve your photography skills!

[Deleted member 29185]

I went looking for a general photography thread as I know we have lots of really great photographers on AFF and I desperately need all the help I can get. Trouble is, although we lots of photos, I can't find a dedicated thread to help us improve our skills (or lack thereof). So here it is. Mods, if one exists, please merge the threads.

My current quandary is that my photography skills have always been ordinary. I would like to improve them and I think I may need to start by investing in some slightly better cameras. I currently thinking of these new purchases, but they will put strain on the budget so I'm asking for advice from anyone who knows something about it all.

I'm thinking of buying 3 new devices, being:

1. Mavic Air drone - I want the ability to carry a drone on our travels that's small but high quality and this one looks like it covers all bases.
2. Blackmagic Pocket 4k cinema camera - Although I don't really want cinema, as I know the problems with the aspect ratio and frame rate, but this one is settable to all the standards and it looks like it will be a pretty reasonably priced and comes with the full version of DaVinci Resolve 15.
3. Huawai P20 Pro - I've been using a Huawei Mate 8 for a few years now and I really like it a lot. The photos it takes with it's 16M camera are pretty good but this one seems to be head and shoulders above it with a triple Leica setup to 40M (RGB), 20M (mono) and 8M (tele). Seems like a great addition for those shots I can grab when I only have my phone in my pocket.

The only other thing I'm thinking about is a good underwater camera. I currently use a GoPro Black Hero 4 and I must admit to being fairly disappointed with the quality of the video, both under water and on land.

So, any comments would be appreciated.

 

[Pushka]

I am no expert. Period. But I think if you are after quality photos then I think the go pro cameras just don’t offer the same as the usual style of camera. I’m calling out to @TheRealTMA and others who are the experts here.

These 3 photos I’ve taken, using a good quality but basic point and shoot, have been sold for use online. It isn’t all about the camera but it does help.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Point and shoot sounds like my style. Given time (and a looming retirement someday) I hope to spend more time on delving into photography, so what I purchase now, I'd like it to be good enough to use as learning camera into the future (in particular the Blackmagic).

 

[Pushka]

Point and shoot sounds like my style. Given time (and a looming retirement someday) I hope to spend more time on delving into photography, so what I purchase now, I'd like it to be good enough to use as learning camera into the future (in particular the Blackmagic).

Then check out the thread I started last year; same thoughts as you

Photography and Cameras

 

[juddles]

Then check out the thread I started last year; same thoughts as you

Photography and Cameras

My advice (and we use photography at work) is that unless you are a true expert, then trust auto settings. Modern cameras (including drones) have an amazing amount of research and input. You really have to be an expert to beat those auto settings. But each yar there are more and more variations of "auto" - research and learn all these!!!!

 

[Pushka]

My advice (and we use photography at work) is that unless you are a true expert, then trust auto settings. Modern cameras (including drones) have an amazing amount of research and input. You really have to be an expert to beat those auto settings. But each yar there are more and more variations of "auto" - research and learn all these!!!!

I kind of came to that conclusion the more time I spent pfaffing around. One thing I do want to get good at though is slow shutter speeds around waterfalls etc. and fast speed for action shots.

 

[VPS]

And there is this thread

Recommend me a point-and-shoot camera

I love photography and I have this one which takes good photos. I'm hoping to do a photography course now I'm semi retired but I keep taking contracts away from home - one day

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V: Digital Photography Review

 

[tgh]

I haven't held an auto camera that can "see" the art in the light, hence I regularly override meter settings.
Puska nails it .. arguable ratio's but often 90% eye and 10% equipment.
Meet lots of creative people who use little more than a smart phone these days

I have mavic pro, clever little sucker , and a nice artistic tool.
The gimbal is uber fragile and I would never hope to take it travelling.

 

[Hvr]

Well lets get down to the basics. What do you think is wrong with your photos? Composition? Focus, lighting etc?

Once you know where you need to improve the focus (pun always intended) on that area.

Unless you know and address the problem a different camera cannot fix the problem.

 

[Denali]

Im finding a lot of places Im going to have no drone signs up these days.

Re underwater camera - its about a good camera with a housing and lights/flash because of back scatter and colour disappears as you get deeper. Ive taken some good stuff with a gopro while diving but I find editing a bore so leave that to hubby.

I usually book a photography tour for hubby when we go to places, so he gets the local point of view to places but most will also offer workshop/pointers for better photos. Saw a mobile phone photography course the other day.

My husband use to teach underwater photography. He now has a guys group that meets monthly to take photos, talk BS and swap ideas/talk about gear.

 

[exceladdict]

Before buying that gear - in particular the Blackmagic camera- I'd suggest doing a course in using one, where they provide the camera to use. That way you can get a feel for it. Some of the major camera brands do events where they bring a bunch of gear for you to try, hoping you fall in love with it and buy.

I believe the Blackmagic cinema range require sometimes significant colour grading work in post for all shots. I may be wrong but this will add a significant time to your average video edit.

Edit: I love my google pixel XL and the XL2 continues to have excellent camera reviews so I'd suggest trying that. Along with open camera, it becomes great (I shot half of a recent doco on it using a $200 gimbal, it and an external audio recorder).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Well lets get down to the basics. What do you think is wrong with your photos? Composition? Focus, lighting etc?

Once you know where you need to improve the focus (pun always intended) on that area.

Unless you know and address the problem a different camera cannot fix the problem.

I think it's everything. I think I do alright with picking a subject and framing it, but then it all seems to regularly go south. The Huawei Mate 8 actually seems to take the best photos for me. I have an 8M Sony but I like the Huawei pics better, hence why I'm keen to update that with the P20 pro. I guess that may be a good start.

I appreciate the info on the Blackmagic exceladdict! The absolute last thing I want is a camera that needs excessive editing. I find editing tiresome so the less the better IMHO.

I don't think the "No Drones" signs will be prevalent where I want to use it Denali. I'm not your average beaten track traveller. I want to do Kokoda again and this time with a drone and I'd love to get some pics of the Tufi Fjords from a drone. The photos from grubby plane windows have the tendency to wreck what is actually stunning scenery. We're also going bike riding down the Buliminsky Highway in New Ireland in September and I think drone footage would be spectacular. Lastly, now that PX fly to Pohnpei, I'd love to check out the mysterious Nan Madol ruins and a drone would really be a necessity to take all that in.

 

[VPS]

For all the photographers out there and I know there are some great photographers on this forum.

Panoramic Canvas Big W has 50x100cm canvas photos at $59 instead of $230 - not sure if this is a good deal or not.

A free Udemy course on Photoshop for beginners.

Photoshop CC 2018 for Beginners : Adobe Photoshop Course

Enjoy

 

[Denali]

From my husband, My Nikon Life. Free seminar in most states.

Experience the new Z Series
Welcome to the new era of Nikon imaging with the Z Series. A system born from our unending quest for perfection. Inspired by our past but designed for tomorrow. A system only Nikon could create.
Join us to experience the future of imaging at our upcoming event.


He'll be at the Sydney Nov 3rd seminar, I wonder how much this is going to cost us

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm thinking of buying 3 new devices, being:

1. Mavic Air drone - I want the ability to carry a drone on our travels that's small but high quality and this one looks like it covers all bases.
2. Blackmagic Pocket 4k cinema camera - Although I don't really want cinema, as I know the problems with the aspect ratio and frame rate, but this one is settable to all the standards and it looks like it will be a pretty reasonably priced and comes with the full version of DaVinci Resolve 15.
3. Huawai P20 Pro - I've been using a Huawei Mate 8 for a few years now and I really like it a lot. The photos it takes with it's 16M camera are pretty good but this one seems to be head and shoulders above it with a triple Leica setup to 40M (RGB), 20M (mono) and 8M (tele). Seems like a great addition for those shots I can grab when I only have my phone in my pocket.

The only other thing I'm thinking about is a good underwater camera. I currently use a GoPro Black Hero 4 and I must admit to being fairly disappointed with the quality of the video, both under water and on land.

As an update to this post, on advice from exceladdict, I decided not to go down the Blackmagic path. I did however invest in the other two.

The outstanding winner is the Huawai P20 Pro. What an sterling device! Easily my most favourite toy of late. The phone is great and I'm really happy with that, but the camera (and software) are amazing. I'm still a lousy photographer, yet many of my pics now look really good so I am exceptionally happy with that (except now I cringe even more when I look back at my past photos).

The Mavic Air is great as well. Very capable camera (I am experimenting with different filters, but even straight out of the box, it's exceptional, IMHO) and it's pretty easy to fly. The size and weight is not a problem to travel with and I now have some pretty spectacular footage from above. I'm very happy with it as well.

I've been mucking with filters for the GoPro and I have to say, I'm still left unimpressed, but I have got a little better with it.

 

[Pushka]

From my husband, My Nikon Life. Free seminar in most states.

Experience the new Z Series
Welcome to the new era of Nikon imaging with the Z Series. A system born from our unending quest for perfection. Inspired by our past but designed for tomorrow. A system only Nikon could create.
Join us to experience the future of imaging at our upcoming event.


He'll be at the Sydney Nov 3rd seminar, I wonder how much this is going to cost us

Dammit, the Adelaide one is the same day as our Son's Wedding reception for Australia! Might check out the other states.....

 

[Denali]

What time is the reception as theres an 11am to noon session. Or bring them along for a wedding shoot

 

[Pushka]

What time is the reception as theres an 11am to noon session. Or bring them along for a wedding shoot

Now that would set the cat amongst the pigeons! Its at a McLaren Vale winery which is a bit of a trek. Possible though....

 

[exceladdict]

As an update to this post, on advice from exceladdict, I decided not to go down the Blackmagic path. I did however invest in the other two.

Interestingly I am now considering the "pocket" cinema 4k - in particular, if I can convince work to fund it. We're looking to upgrade our videos, currently shot with DSLRs, and the price point of a body and MFT lens not much over $2.5k is very appealing. I just need to spend some time watching reviews to decide whether to go down that path or not.

 

[VPS]

The year's best astronomy photos

Some amazing photographs here