Begginer Photos

[strider_ani]

Well this is my 4th post on these forums and Im just going to get right into it. Ima a student thats 15 years old and Im a newbie just learning the ways of photography. These are my frist few shots soley for the purpose of taking photos, something I don't do much but like. I took them of things around my house and of things I like. Being a newbie and not knowing much about photos I gather they're going to be pretty crap, but any comments about stuff like what I did wrong and what I can improve on would be appreciated. :D
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/strider_anirp/25-10-06-12.jpg
This is a picture of my Digital Piano. I think the purple wall looks good and the tilt makes it look dramatic.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/strider_anirp/25-10-06-9.jpg
This is a picture of a Knex motor bike I made. I tried to take it on some glass so I could get a reflection but it didnt really work.:p

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/strider_anirp/25-10-06-5.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/strider_anirp/25-10-06-3.jpg
More Photos of my piano, this time with a close up on the keys. The first one is my second favourite of the group.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/strider_anirp/25-10-06-2.jpg
This one is my favourite. Its a scene from my backyard. Its a sort of rustic feel I think that makes it look good. ((to me))
Well those are my first Photos posted here, and I think they're alright for my first time. Oh yea, and I took them with a Nikon Coolpix 4200. Thats all I can afford right now.:D

[wh0128]

Nice choice about what to get into as either a hobby or an interest that hopefully will become a career.

I'm sorry but this might be harsh, but none of those pictures appeal to me personally. Though on the close-up keyboard shots you are getting a cool angle to shoot from and the depth of field is good too. The picture of the crooked digital piano isn't bad at all and actually I was going to post that I didn't like it, but had to go back and look at it a second time, and I don't mind nor think it is annoying for it to be crooked. Though I don't know if it creates a "dramatic" effect? Your fourth photo is also good as well, but since you are using a Nikon Coolpix you can not control the overall exposure, because as you can tell the highlights are all washed out in the sky, some leaves on the tree, and on the dirt on the ground where it really shouldn't be white like it is. Though this last part probably isn't due to how you were using the camera.

I'd suggest if you are really starting to get into photography, and want to learn more about it, since you posted on this forum, start reading reviews on a whole bunch of different DSLRs either from Nikon or Canon, though you might already like Nikon because of your Coolpix. I believe once you get a DSLR or try manual film, you will start to improve your photos. Those Coolpix and other P&S cameras aren't very good at haveing TOTAL control over the setting you are photographing.

[strider_ani]

Thanks for the comments. I see what you mean about the white parts in the forth shot. The nikon coolpix is just temporary until I get the Canon 30D... well my Mum is and I'll probably use it more. The main reason for having the piano on an angle was to try out different things. Does it look good? Take a picture and find out. Thats what I thaught anyway. And theres not much you can say that is harsh cus I know they arn't that good. They're my first pics after all.

[cwphoto]

I like the angled piano shot - particularly the highlights on the black keys and the way the lines converge. :)

[strider_ani]

Thanks! So they're alright for some first shots? Maybe not the Knex one, I was just trying new things when I did it.

[wh0128]

yeah overall they aren't half bad for your first photos. Can I ask you something, why don't you save up and buy your own DSLR like a d50 or d70s or rebel xti?? That way you can take thousands of pictures and not worry about your mom saying "Hey I need that right now!"

[cwphoto]

Probably because he is only 15...:confused:

[strider_ani]

Well I suppose my Mum doesn't use it much anymore, except for special occasions, compared to when I was a kid. And I kinda don't know what the difference is between alot of cameras so choosing is kinda hard for me. My mum talks about the D30 all the time so Im guessing its a good camera anyway. Plus I havn't got that much $$$ :( But I would Love to buy my own If I get the chance and understand more. But I would like to know what the differences of the cameras you mentioned compared to the D30...:)

[RichNY]

Welcome to the board. I happen to really like your third picture.

As for the camera, enjoy your coolpix. When it comes to developing an eye for composition its as good as any DSLR out there, except lighter to carry and you are more likely to have it with you.

Having use of your mother's camera will be a nice thing but at 15 I'd be more interested in putting your money towards things like girls :)

[John_Reed]

I liked that piano photo too. Your photos show a budding imagination, a pretty good eye for composing photos. One thing about equipment: You can always find better cameras with more capability, more lenses, etc., but as Rich said, you can develop your eye for composition just as well with what you have right now! Better cameras don't make as much difference in the quality and attractiveness of a photograph as the quality of the photographer himself. So train yourself by reading books, looking at other people's work, developing your own style, etc.

As for over-exposing as happened in one of your shots, I'm sure there are ways to reduce the exposure with your Nikon to bring that kind of stuff under control.

[strider_ani]

Cool, thanks alot guys, composition is one thing I was worried about, but with the coolpix, at least I don't have to worry about all that other stuff until I can take shots with good composition. :)

[RichNY]

There is a great book I'd recommend you buy and read- Learning to See Creatively by Bryan Peterson. It is dedicated 100% to composition, easy to read, has great photos, and inspires you to go out and shoot. It's as applicable to your Coolpix as well as any DSLRs.

When you start working with DSLRs and setting ISO, Aperature, and Shutter speeds, you should get his book, Understanding Exposure.

Amazon has a special where you can get them both for only $32 total.

[strider_ani]

Cool, well I think I'll see if I can get them in a Libry or something, then look at buying them.:)

[wh0128]

Another book is John Freemans Composition book that I just picked up and he explaines everything for you and also gives you techniques to use on Photoshop if you have it, to improve your composition. Very helpful