Question

[robski]

Frank

I assume the decoy photographs on your website are your own handy work ?

Can you point us to your most recent and best work on there.

Looking at some of the photographs using raw format is not going to improve them. Other aspects need to be impoved before worring about how to edit the raw format.

[Don Hoey]

Frank,

I just got round to visiting your web site. That is some pretty impressive work you have done.

Don

[Snowyowl]

Nice decoys, Frank. I started carving this winter but so far haven't finished much. Too busy taking pictures. I will get back to it one day soon.

[Frank Peeters]

Thanks for visiting my webpage. The picture's on the website were taken with a Sony Mavica. I have a lot to learn about lighting and exposure etc. etc.

I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to composition, the use of filters, or other available hardware. Especially the editing programs.

This is what I hope to gain from this forum, some knowledge. I also plan to find a class in our local Adult Ed. system. Hopefuly there's one being offered.

While I'm writing this post I might as well get started. As I mentioned earlier I'm now using a Nikon D50. What would be the recommended settings for a novice to use. Full auto, aperture priority, shutter priority, suggestions please? I will be shooting outside so does ISO come into play? how and why? What about filters? This inquiring mind needs to know

What I have planned to do, to get a feel for how my lenses will perform, is to shoot pictures of a duck decoy on a football field. Starting at the 25 yard line and moving the duck decoy away from me in 5yd increments. At least this way I'll get a feel for what my lenses will do as far as filling the frame. Any other suggestions are welcomed.

Frank
www.decoysbyfrank.com

[Stephen]

It is essential that you understand some of the basics regarding the relationship between shutter speed and aperture. Putting the camera on full auto, whilst giving a god image most of the time will not help you much to understand this relationship. So I would prefer a beginner to forget Auto and at the very least use Program, but preferably Aperture priority or shutter priority. Manual mode where you control both is a useful method to learn quickly however as you can usually see in the viewfinder whatrs happening to the meter scale when you alter either.

There is a good site HERE which will show you in the comfort of your room how these things work. I urge you to check it out

It seems to me you have made a big investment with your kit and you need to make the most of it, so Auto is a big NoNo

[Frank Peeters]

Thanks Stephen, the demonstration of Fstop and shutter speed helps a lot. I'm starting to see the correlation between the two.......back to playing around some more.

Frank
www.decoysbyfrank.com

[Don Hoey]

Loads of info here Frank. http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...read.php?t=919

Don

[yelvertoft]

And let's not forget this thread:
http://www.worldphotographyforum.com...read.php?t=125

[Frank Peeters]

Thank you one and all, I have enough reading to keep me busy for awhile (read a week or so). Once I digest what has been presented I'll take a few pictures and post them and we can go from there.

Again, thank you, you have all been most hospitable and helpful.

Regards,

Frank
www.decoysbyfrank.com