So I started taking pictures myself. Although it was just with my cell phone. I then started taking some pictures threw digiscoping.
One of the first things I learned was for every 50 pictures I would take. I might find 2 I would like. Or at least it seemed that way.
This fall has been a great one for not only tags in pocket but the amount of time I was able to hunt. Unfortunately the vast majority of the time a good picture wasn’t in the cards do to various equipment issues.
So I decided to buy a DSLR camera. I know I need to get a couple of lenses but here is the start with what the camera came up with.
Other then I know the quality of the lens issues I have. What are some other issues you guys see?
If you are wanting to blow up pictures, make sure you know at what ISO number your pics are getting blurry, and you can usually set up your camera to max out at a certain number. Do this. Because otherwise, you may take a great picture, but your camera may jack up your ISO in order to reach the shutter speed you've asked for, and in the end, your effort is all for naught. Thought you had a great pic, but you look at it and it is grainy. Big time bummer. You'll notice those kinds of things in 3 out of 4 of your mulie pics above. At the end of the day I always think everything revolves around light. If you can understand the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO as a basic function of photography you''ll get your way around and have a great time! If you don't understand the relationship between those things, I would suggest reading until you do. It's all about light. There's a limited amount of it, and you may need to "give" in one area in order to "get" in another. Ex) you can't have a long depth of field, AND quick shutter speed in low light. (unless you've got a wicked lens :) But even then, money can only get you so far.
Unless it's daytime and there is snow on the ground - then you can have everything :)
A camera is nothing more that an instrument that produces an image based on light.
Think of a camera as an eye-
Speed is how long light is allowed to enter the eye. On the human body this is eyelids i.e. how fast do you blink. The faster you blink the lesser amount of time light enters the eye. The slower you blink the greater amount of light enters the eye. 1/60 allows more light than 1/400, etc.
Light amount is how much light is allowed to enter the eye. On the human body this is your eye pupil. The higher the f-stop (the smaller pupil size) the less light enters the eye. The lower the f-stop (the larger the pupil size) the more light enters the eye. f 2.8 allows more light to enter than say f 8.0.
In order to avoid grain (aka noise in photography) stay on lower ISO numbers ISO 100 would give you a sharper image than ISO 1600. This is very important when considering enlargements
I would recommend 3 lens to pretty much handle your photography needs-
50 mm lens @ 1.8 18 - 55 mm lens @ 3.5-5.6 55-200 mm lens @ 4.0- 5.6
Tripods can be beneficial when taking still photos
Chips are cheap- take lots of photos and delete nothing until you look at your work on a computer screen. What looks good on camera viewer may not be a good photo at all.
The best ways to learn how to use your camera: 1. Hang with somebody that is a good photographer 2. Take a basic/beginners photography class 3. Take photos to experiment and learn.
Best of luck- photography is like archery/bowhunting or golf- it is a challenging, fun & exhausting/agonizing activity. You will never perfect the skill.
All the pictures were taken in an automatic setting. Since these were all taken in between coyote calling stands I thought I needed to take fast pics since all of the deer seen me. After reading your comments I did go back and review what the shutter speeds and ISO was at for the various pictures. The camera did kick the ISO up to 3200 on the buck pics.
I do believe I was using the wrong Auto setting like Peco talked about and the camera didn’t always focus on the deer.
Honestly I don’t think much of the quality but a friend had told me to just get out there and shoot some pics to see where your starting point is. Lol
I plan on being in central SD over the New Years weekend so hopefully I can get some more pics that trip.
Michael's Link
I was sitting there calling coyotes not enjoying the fog because it made it hard to see any coyotes coming in. This buck walks right by me at 35 yards. I reached into my coat and grabbed my cell phone and took some pics.
Stick with it, learn your camera and lens, get some training if possible and you will see your quality improve, your satisfaction improve and your personal acceptable benchmarks improve. BB is one of my photography inspirations on Bowsite. Study his works and it will help you improve.
I 2nd PECO's comments about the learning curve. I started with a film SLR and man that is a major pain trying to remember what you did. I would also say your buddy is right about just playing with the camera for starters. But I would start playing with it in "S" and "A" mode as those will be what you use most. That's shutter and aperture. Pay attention to what happens as you spin the dial. Notice as you crank the shutter speed up, the camera will be forced to move the aperture number to get smaller at a certain point. Understanding that relationship is key and finding the limitations. You will enjoy that lens. 300mm gets you out there. It is very enjoyable to have a good camera with. I just wish I could edit pics. I don't really know how so I just don't.
APauls I will second that your fox pic is a great one. I don’t see many fox in the Midwest these days like we did when I was a kid. I might see one a year if I am lucky. Have never called one in either.
Personally as a hunter, on the move, I use my Panasonic Single Lens Digital camera, 60 X optical zoom lens, for ease of operation as I do not have time to change lens and the two setting I use are SCN (scenery for the depth of field) and then the Auto setting. Also, I do not want to carry the additional lens equipment as added weight. I down load all of my photos to my computer, ie, Picasa photo system for storage and adjustments.
I know BB started out this way and dazzled us with some great photos but then he decided to upgrade all of his equipment and to really get serious about his wildlife photography. More equipment, time and effort for sure but his final results are excellent, if not stunning.
I do acknowledge what others have stated above, you will take many photo to get one excellent one that meets all of the criteria. Framing the picture, using the correct lighting, and then understanding what the camera is capable of, will be important.
I take my camera on all of my hunts, well almost, and the two times I did not, I had a great opportunity to take a few wonderful shot of scenery and animals. Learned the hard way so now the camera is "attached to my hip". Now, if I wanted to produce "professional quality" photos, I would surely update my camera and most likely, extra lens and not worry about the weight or the ease of operation.
Good luck with your new toy. my best, Paul
Mike
