well took my new Camera out for the first time and wow. Just trying to get a feel for what ISO setting and what not I should use from different settings anyone got any links or tips/tricks. Here are a few of the pics. None have been altered except for size.

What model camera is that from?

In normal daylight - almost any ISO will do. In general, keep the ISO as small as possible to avoid noisy images.

Something pretty easy to make the photos stand out alot more - is do a google search for "photo composition" or "rule of thirds".

In a couple of the shots you posted, the subject is nearly dead center of the frame. To the viewer, this is less pleasing than offseting it to one of the sides.

Also for landscapes (like the ones you posted) try and keep the f-stops "small". (f20 is smaller than f5.6)

sorry about that just found the pic thread. For some reason the search function isn't working right. I have a Canon Rebel XTi. Thanks for the tips.

If you really want to get good, learn how to shoot that sucker in manual mode, ie. learn about metering, shutter speeds, and f-stops, and then set all that stuff yourself. It takes a little time but will be worth it in the end. As far as ISO goes, set it as low as possible while still keeping your shutter speed hand-holdable. Take a shot indoors with flash at ISO 100 and then at ISO 1600, zoom in and look at the difference, it should be pretty noticable. For portraits or just pics of people or anything where you really want to draw the viewer's eye to the subject, use an open f-stop (f2.8, f3.5, etc.) but make sure you focus on the subject. For lanscapes use as small a stop as possible, (f18, f22).

I agree, but only to a point. It's always useful to have the technical skills, but not for everyday picture-taking. You need to know it when there are special conditions such as low light, fast action, night shots, or extreme closeups, because your camera's automatic settings don't work as well. That's when the knowledge makes the difference between getting a great shot and possibly not getting a useable shot at all.

IMO, using the automatic settings frees your mind to focus (pun intended) on interesting subjects and good composition, which are - assuming your camera is using proper exposure - the elements that make for extraordinary photos.

This is especially true with the latest cameras. Look at the thread-starter's pics. For the most part, the exposure looks good and the color is phenomenal. I have the original Digital Rebel, and last year we bought my wife a Canon PowerShot SD750. The PowerShot's picture quality (exposure and color rendition) absolutely blows my Rebel out of the water. There's no comparison. My point is that advances in camera technology have lessened the need to know the technical aspects of photography.

The technical side is a lot easier now, but you still have to be able to visualize the result in your head and use your tools (camera, light, etc.) to capture it.

Specific to the thread starter's questions, a couple of recommendations: watch your horizons (2nd pic is slightly tilted), and the pics of the temple or whatever are good examples of a case where the camera's auto settings didn't use the best exposure because of the bright overcast sky. In the last pic, the composition needs work; there's a foot protruding in from the right side and the female subject would probably appreciate it if you waited till her cleavage was less exposed. That shot is too wide IMO, it would be better if it was tighter on the woman and child with some of the koi pond showing for context. Also note the bright glare off the water. A polarizing filter can help you with that and with getting better looking skies. Google it and you'll find lots of advice on buying and using polarizing filters along with before/after examples.

That brings me to one last piece of advice: don't ever get discouraged, and keep learning and practicing.

Good luck and have fun!

Learn how to zoom in on the cleavage in the last pic...

Nice pics!

x2!

Great photos... really like the colors lighthouse pic

I whole heartedly agree.

You're forgetting about depth of field. Ok, don't go all manual, but set it on Aperture Priority and control the depth of field, makes a big difference in the appearance of the photo, and to know what you're doing, you need to understand the basics of photography... again, your average photog doesn't worry about this stuff, but I was talking about taking your pictures to the next level.

My suggestion to go along with depth of field is rule of thirds.

Your main subject should never be placed dead center, you loose everything around it. If you just move it to a side or up or down, it draws your eye to everything around the main focus.

This should be done too before cropping, the best photos don't need to be touched up.

The last photo accomplishes this because the main subject is the women. She's off to the side and you see the dog in the water and the fish, but you always keep coming back to her.

thats a goose not a dog.

this is a pretty good video explaining the rule of thirds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqfAdByngk8

tried some of that this weekend. Came out pretty good thanks guys.



Exposure if a little off on this one.

I thought the rule of thirds was that babes in the picture should wear one third of their clothes...

well she asked me not to post those pictures.

Well, she didn't say that you couldn't e-mail them to me... Then I can post'em...