testing my picture skills

**ibjmg** · 12-20-2005, 10:45 PM

everything seems to be going good in the reef.lets see if the guy on land ,can the guy on land get good pictures of it?

Tried to focus on just the branch... partially

here ya go

**ibjmg** · 12-20-2005, 10:47 PM

real grainy

2.0 mega pixal

**Poseidon** · 12-21-2005, 10:51 AM

It's not the megapixles... I have used a 2 megapixel setting on my 20D lots of times for web pictures. Remember most of our monitors only resolve at 60 dpi (dots per inch) so a ton of megapixels are not needed. HOwever the older cameras with fewer pixles also had more noise in them. That is what is making the pictures look grainy.

Overall I think you did an excellent job! Keep practicing!

**ibjmg** · 12-22-2005, 11:03 PM

THANKS Mike,
still looking for the right camera, ?suggestions?one that I can do all that stuff you all talk about shutter speed ect..... I never thought that taking pics of moving fish was going to be a task.. I spent the last hour tring to get a GOOD pic clean non fuzzy focused picture.I also noticed while tring to teach my clarkii to sit and smile and NO it wouldnt listen. ITs tale fin is turning white, the top tip of the fin is if you can tell through the fuzz is this normal,Ihave been checkin it out like the last six months colors are getting bolder.

I have 4 options on my camera (auto,man w/sun,mountain,flower)

**ibjmg** · 12-22-2005, 11:20 PM

what program are you guys using to edit your pics?

**Poseidon** · 12-23-2005, 08:56 AM

Well.... Those pictures are a start. Try a higher ISO setting so that you can get a faster shutter speed.

Not real sure what man w/sun means, if you can set your own shutter speed ISO and apeture, you should be able to get something to work out just by trial and error. Start with 400 ISO, and try and keep the shutter speed above 1/125th.

As far as editing pictures, I use Adobe CS2. Hard not to when brides are paying you to make their pictures just RIGHT!

**ibjmg** · 12-23-2005, 02:18 PM

I guess sometimes you have to make the brides look good

**ibjmg** · 12-23-2005, 02:36 PM

man w/ sun is man w/star (night captue),mountain is (distant scenery),flower is (close up less than 28 inches).So should I use close up or auto focus, also I found a setting for exposure comp??? it is set at 0.0,burst (On/off).I see some old posts,you've already given tons of info...CLEAR AS MUD

So now I ask myself do I want pick the money tree more for the camera with detach lenses or can I find something that has every thing I need in the "smaller version".???

shutter speed
ISO
steady hand

Tri pod

**Poseidon** · 12-23-2005, 03:25 PM

I have yet to see a point and shoot that can match a DSLR for overall picture quality. Especially in using high ISO settings. DSLRs have a MUCH larger sensor then point and shoot cams do, that is one of the many reasons they are more capable cameras. Also instead of settling for OK at this and OK at that, a DSLR can just change lenses, and now it is VERY good at this, change again, and it is VERY good at that. You can get very specialized equipment that is designed for exactly what you are doing.

**Reefland** · 12-24-2005, 08:15 AM

I am really pleased with our Nikon, although I can't get great pictures with it, it isn't because of the camera.

It has more options that I'll ever need, use, or understand.

***zhenya*** · 12-24-2005, 08:55 AM

Well, check out what this fella accomplished using point and shoot camera.
http://www.mplonsky.com/photo/article.htm

Now,something like this will take certain determination, understanding photography as a whole( and close ups in his case) and a whole lot of practice. I agree with Mike that DSLR give you so much more options and control but I do know that point and shoot cameras are very capable of taking exellent pictures in right hands. ;)

**Reefland** · 12-24-2005, 10:10 AM

Those pics give me the willies!

**Poseidon** · 12-24-2005, 10:18 AM

THose are very nice Gene! That particular artist has posted over at Fred Miranda before I think. ;)

He does have a couple of signicant advantages that we don't though. First he is shooting outside, under bright sun, or bright overcast days. Second he is using flash on almost all of his pictures. ;)

Unfortunatley even under my halides I am no where near the intensity of bright sun light. :0 SO we are forced to use higher ISO settings to get useable shutter speeds. THese higher ISO settings are the killers for point and shoots. Everything I have read points to larger sensors as the key to reduceing noise, like the 1Ds and 5D having full frame sensors for the best possible performance. Now I don't see everyone in our hobby running out to get a $8000 camera body, or even a $3300 dollar one. BUT if they can justify a DRebel or a D50 from Nikon, they will have a much more capable camera then almost any point and shoot at any price.

I know you and I are on the same page with DSLR's, we are both HOOKED! I think Canon should start sending us commision checks for as much as we push them!

**ibjmg** · 12-24-2005, 01:06 PM

wow not only do I do alot of research on my tank creatures .. now the last couple of days alls Ive been doing is research on cameras kinda leaning toward the nikon d50 now I guess that the next question is lenses??? I was just thinking maybe I should go to the local J.C and take a class in photo, honestly in my younger days I always wanted to be a marine bioligist,wild life ranger,and Ive always loved pics of wildlife /nature. BUT.... instead I became a woodworker (pattern and mold maker making millions for some D-bag...

Guess Im going to have to pull more money off the tree

thanks for all the info guys

**ibjmg** · 12-24-2005, 06:37 PM

I think this one is ok , I ve taken 25 pics with every option on this camera, and this one was taken with night capture??Its kinda hard with cheap camera and operator ERROR

who knows maybe Ill wake up in the morning and open a present that I wrapped from myself to myself.