Help me get the most out of my first camera. Canon SD880

[FearoftheNight]

Assume I know nothing other than turning it on pointing it at something and clicking.

 

[twistedlogic]

Read the camera's manual and just start shooting. Try shooting in different lighting conditions.

Learn from experience.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

There isn't a whole lot from a control standpoint you can do with the SD880. It's a very automated camera, and interesting depth of field is virtually non-existent because of the small sensor.

Don't focus on the hardware, focus on your own creativity.

 

[bobdole369]

You can't control the big 3 - so you are quite limited. However - you can control your composition - at least most of it.

Never shoot something so that its directly in the middle of your picture. The Rule of Thirds is a biggie in photography. It means you should place interesting objects, or your subject at one of 4 intersections.

take a sheet of paper and draw 2 vertical and 2 horizontal lines - trisecting that sheet. You want the lines equidistant at 1/3 the page each. You end up splitting the paper into 9 "zones". Now look and see where you have intersections. There will be 4. In your mind - split up your viewfinder (does that cam even HAVE a viewfinder???) Place your subject at an instersection Try with something else and place your subject at one point and another item at another intersection.


Learn to "see" -

Take an ordinary object - could be anything, a pencil, a fire hydrant, a key, a shoe, a used bandaid - and photograph it from every conceivable angle. Place your object in different light. Take different angle shots, try upside down. Early in the morning - midday sun, while raining, etc.
This exercise helps you see an object and pay more attention to it.


Angles - In a photograph everything is angles. Your viewpoint can significantly alter your picture. Take the same picture standing up, and again lying prone on the ground. Take a picture of your front door while laying on your back with your head against it. Try to focus on the knob. This is quite an interesting exercise - its meant to open your mind up and let you discover that every scene is relative to how you see it (your viewpoint).

I always take pictures of stuff that is repeating (like a picket fence), or converging, like railroad tracks. I like weird angles and finding patterns in things.

Hope this helps.

 

[shocksyde]

Originally posted by: bobdole369

Learn to "see" -

Take an ordinary object - could be anything, a pencil, a fire hydrant, a key, a shoe, a used bandaid - and photograph it from every conceivable angle. Place your object in different light. Take different angle shots, try upside down. Early in the morning - midday sun, while raining, etc.
This exercise helps you see an object and pay more attention to it.


Angles - In a photograph everything is angles. Your viewpoint can significantly alter your picture. Take the same picture standing up, and again lying prone on the ground. Take a picture of your front door while laying on your back with your head against it. Try to focus on the knob. This is quite an interesting exercise - its meant to open your mind up and let you discover that every scene is relative to how you see it (your viewpoint).

I always take pictures of stuff that is repeating (like a picket fence), or converging, like railroad tracks. I like weird angles and finding patterns in things.

Hope this helps.

Excellent advice here!

"Seeing" your photos is the most important aspect, in my opinion. As you take more and more photos, you'll find that it becomes easier for you to choose interesting angles, placements, etc. Example: If you go to disney world, don't take that same picture that all the tourists get of the castle. Shoot it from a different angle. Do something different. Make the photo YOURS.

When I got my first point and shoot in 2001, I took a bunch of pictures and finally showed my dad some prints (he was a big photography nut). The first thing he said to me was "Yup, you've got the eye!"

It's all about showing people the world as they otherwise would not see it. Sure, there are great pictures of everyday items, but that doesn't make them interesting.

 

[bobdole369]

I am currently struggling with the "interesting" part of photography. i.e. every picture I take I am looking at and trying to figure out what is interesting about it. I take that feedback and try to only take pictures that are "interesting". Example. I took a photo of a giant iguana in the hot florida sun. There was a lake in the background. Not much there. So I got down to his level and zoomed in on only half the big guy - That made it interesting to me.

Your eye needs something to look at when scanning a photo and it's your job to put stuff there that is interesting to look at.

 

[FearoftheNight]

Definitely keep this stuff in mind! Thanks guys.