Crazy88

I got a Rebel XTi, last Monday and Have been experimenting and all (its my first DSLR). I have always loved those soft river pics so I tried some on my own for the first time, please tell me what I can do to improve this style of picture. I will be taking LOTS of river pics in the future because I live across the street from one (not this one though).

These pics are from a few hours ago.











I feel like they come up a tad sharper on flickr. maybe its just mental.

srika

Great for being experimental first shots! My fav is the 2nd from the last. I think we will be seeing some good stuff from you!

Crazy88

thanks man....I'm beginning to think I need to diversify my pictures. Most of my pictures are scenic mountain or outdoors pictures. I'm startin to shoot around town a little bit.

Mizouse

nice

wndrlst

Congrats on the camera! There is some really nice light in these photos. I agree with Srika - I anticipate good things! What got you interested? Have you taken classes in the past?

Crazy88

Thanks I had a P&S for years and was never really satisfied with what it could do. I go to school here in CO so Ive always had an eye for nature + mountain photography.

And, no I haven't taken a photo class, I could kick myself for not taking photo in High School. I might try to get into a photo class here at school if its not restricted to art majors.

waTSX

Those came out really well. I know a lot of landscape shooters use neutral density filters so they can drag the shutter more in brighter conditions and blur the water more, but your shots look nice. It looks like the conditons were right to get the effect you wanted.

Crazy88

hmm I'm gonna have to look into those neutral density filters. When I was shooting, I wanted the shutter to stay open longer, but it was just too bright out. Are there different levels of ND filters? If so, which one is most commonly used. Thanks.

wndrlst

You can get ND filters that cut the light 1 to 4 stops. I think 2 or 3 is pretty common.

Check out Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. It's a good start for exposure tips and tricks, and he touches on filters - all in all a really good jumping off point.

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-...e=UTF8&s=books

jupitersolo

I know what you're saying. Even though I can do it, I want to do more and learn more. I know you're out west, but for those of you in the DC area. I found a place. I'm going to take a film workshop here shortly. Three hours a day for eight Saturdays for about $350. And they offer so much more.

http://www.wsp-photo.com/

wndrlst

I work 2/3 Saturdays.

Crazy88, def check out photo classes while you're still in school. It's so much harder to fit that stuff in once you're out. I kept telling myself I'd take a college course to get back in a dark room, but I kept taking those damn science classes instead. Then I accidentally graduated.

jupitersolo

D-

They have many classes, even different days, there are some other courses that I want do, but they offer those weeknights. Oh, what a drive that will be. They're in Bethesda.

wndrlst

In other words, I should actually click the link?? I'll check it out, thanks!

Crazy88

cool finds guys, thanks. I think ill go with a ND filter with 2 F-stops reduction. I think that should be enough for my needs.