Photography Course

paddyrg

You've already learnt the most important lesson - that the camera sees things differently from the human eye. The camera probably has more pixels, but the eye is connected to an incredibly powerful computer (your brain!) which is what makes sense of the image, compensating in a hundred different ways. The brain even fills in information that is missing from the image (you can demonstrate blind spots simply - it's where the optic nerve connects to the retina, we all have them, pilots are taught to work around them!).

This means all photographers have to learn to compromise to get anything even close to what you see live. During daylight, for static objects, it's pretty easy. In the dark with non-white lighting and lots of movement it's another entirely. You've picked a scenario that the professionals have to think twice about! It really makes you respect great camerawork when you have a go!

There are several combined issues - the sensor is hungry for light, but the response to red light is about half that to green light (Bayerised sensor if anyone's interested), so you have to open the aperture wide (the hole in the lens) in order to let more light in. This reduces the depth-of-field (the range of things in focus), so more of the shot will be soft. Add to this that the autofocus will struggle searching for focus on these conditions, and the shot is softer. Add to this the motion blur (something moving whilst the shutter is open, appears as a steak or smudge) which is exacerbated by long exposure times (in order to try to get more light to the sensor). And just as a bonus, you might be shooting hand-held on a long lens (increasing shake, which is more obvious on a longer exposures). The perfect storm.

It may help to start with some less challenging subjects until you understand your camera well. You can focus more on composition when there's no rush and other complicating factors too. At the simplest level, you'll learn the "rule of thirds", dividing the frame into three vertically and horizontally, aiming to get the most important part of the image onto one of the four points where the lines cross is an easy win and will do you a lot of favours. Learning about light, how to use light, etc is a job in itself, but your pictures will come to life the more you understand it!

iamjamesbold

Would it be possible for you to upload a few photos to show us with your settings? It sounds like settings but you can never be too sure.

What mode were you shooting in? It should generally set everything for you if you are shooting in auto and it shouldn't really be a problem other than if its forcing flash etc.

In terms of moving forward, you could check out this great list of free photography tips on the cnet site - cnet.com/uk/how-to/50-essential-photography-tips or even go as far as to join an online photography course. I personally recommend Smart as they offer one-on-one mentoring so can literally talk you through everything - smartphotocourses.com

Undervalued

Farway wrote: »

I know it was said with a wink, but I did see an article a bit since where the magazine had given the likes of David Bailey a cardboard disposable camera from a supermarket, the ones with film in that had to processed, and the professionals' photos taken were superb

Which is a variation on....

"It is not what you have got, it is what you do with it"!

Yes there are a few basic concepts to understand to get you onto the most appropriate setting for, in this case, fast moving subjects etc. However the rest if far more about an affinity with your subject, thinking before pressing the button and lost of practice.

Once you have mastered that then you will be in a position to benefit from higher quality lenses etc etc.

Zola.

Join photography-forum.org and ask questions

lemontart

when I got into photography I took a one day course to learn the functions on my then bridge camera - great but ended up buying a dslr as felt fraustrated by some of the restrictions the bridge presented me with.

Now semi pro with two dslrs and a compact that shoots raw.

Found the internet a fantastic source of info for free too - check this site out https://www.snappersforum.co.uk