Photography Tips

[peepsalot]

Hey everyone. I have a Canon Powershot 510 camera, kinda middle to low end I guess. It seems to take decent pictures most of the time, but whenever I am in my apt, and I want to take a pic of a car part or some realtively close and still object, I come upon some difficulty.

With the flash on, the reflection and glare from it is often overwhelming. But if I try to take a pic with the flash off, the exposure time is too long, and leaves everything blurry(my hands are not steady, and I have no tripod).

I was trying to see if I could reirect the flash to light up the room, and not the object directly but this made for strange shadows. Or maybe mask it or something. It seemed like putting a piece of paper over it helped a little bit.

Anyone have some tips for making good images without washed out whites, or stupid glare or whatever?

 

[mountjonas]

i find that the flash on consumer cameras is good for point and shoot instances.

for better pictures...tripod tripod tripod, get a polarizer filter as well, that cuts down reflections on non-metallic surfaces.

 

[peepsalot]

Hmm, i can't find a polarizer filter for it
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=SNAModelSuppliesAct&fcategoryid=811&modelid=11086
I don't know how to tell what filters would fit, are they usually made to universal sizes, or can I only use canon products?

 

[mountjonas]

Hmm, i can't find a polarizer filter for it
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=SNAModelSuppliesAct&fcategoryid=811&modelid=11086
I don't know how to tell what filters would fit, are they usually made to universal sizes, or can I only use canon products?

hmm, it doesn't look like that camera has the thread for the filters. a tripod will be your biggest aid in making your pictures better.

 

[peepsalot]

well, it does have this ring that removes, and you are supposed to be able to attach telephoto lenses or something. The filter attaches differently?

 

[mountjonas]

i got my adapter for my g3 here. http://lensmateonline.com/ it doesn't look like they have one for the 510, but if you ask them, maybe the ones for the a80 might fit.

 

[mountjonas]

here http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=CNLADC52F

 

[peepsalot]

that looks promising, but what adapter would I use for a polarizer filter? Some of those pics are awesome, like that macro one practically turns it into a microscope.

 

[peepsalot]

ok, thanks, i posted before I saw your secnd link

 

[flat_black]

Using indirect or omnidirectional light helps, too... I would suggest pointing a light at the ceiling, and turning it on to get the illumination to fall on the object evenly, without the hard light that causes shadows. On cameras that have adjustable flashes, pointing the flash upward helps, too, but may or may not make the camera happy. Also, make sure you're taking photos in macro mode, if you're taking them relatively close. I'd say within 5 feet or so. Otherwise, it'll probably attempt to autofocus behind the target.

 

[GI-]

photography is all about lighting...without good lighting, you wil never get a good picture

~the first thing you need to buy is a tripod

~the second thing you need to buy are some good filters

if you want a "natural" look to any subject you are shooting, longer exposures with a tripod are dramatically better than using a flash of any type in any low light situation...PERIOD

 

[peepsalot]

can I get just any tripod? Like do they all pretty much use the same threading to attach to the camera.

The canon site doesn't even list a tripod as an accessory for my camera, but I have seen the screwhole in the bottom for one. (stick)

 

[MiaTurbo]

get a tripod. you can get a cheap one for less than $20 to use for what you want to do..

 

[GI-]

can I get just any tripod? Like do they all pretty much use the same threading to attach to the camera.

The canon site doesn't even list a tripod as an accessory for my camera, but I have seen the screwhole in the bottom for one. (stick)

the threading is universal

just go out and buy any tripod

longer exposures in poor lighting = teh win!!!!

no tripod with longer exposures makes for horrible pictures. if you can fill the room or area you are shooting with ambient light, that is great, but if you can't get your camera mounted on a tripod and use a longer exposure

 

[mountjonas]

yes, any tripod will work. since you're doing still photography, you won't need a fluid head, so any old tripod will do. although there are some cheap tripods that suck. like mine. do a little homework, and you can get a relatively cheap and good tripod.

 

[MiaTurbo]

if you're doing stuff on a table, get on like this

or if you need a tallish one, this will work

 

[peepsalot]

Thanks for the tips guys, I really appreciate it. I'm kinda pumped up about this, maybe I will take up photography as a serious hobby, instead of the usual half assery.

 

[GI-]

Thanks for the tips guys, I really appreciate it. I'm kinda pumped up about this, maybe I will take up photography as a serious hobby, instead of the usual half assery.

i hope you have alot of money if you do decide to seriously get into photography. i've dropped over 2,500 the last few months alone on equipment.

Went for a walk Saturday evening and got a few shots in...we were up at the cabin.





I stalked up on this feller...he had no idea i was even there until i focused


Then i stumbled across this feller here...cute little porcupine baby...he was a photogenic little guy




I decided to see if there were any deer hitting up our food plot, and sure enough...


Last shot...a beautiful night





i just wished the pictures of the black bears turned out...but shooting with a 75-300 lens and shaking a little bit makes for poor pictures.

 

[romand]

Try resting the camera on something like a table or against a wall.

Roman

 

[GI-]

http://www.msprotege.com/members/GI-/IMG_0078.JPG