Please tell me I'm a crap photographer!

[Cap_Dingo]

Guys, I've just started out in the world of photography... 2 months old. Bought a 2nd hand Minolta A1 and it does the basics. However, I'm starting to get cold feet thinking that I may not wish to continue with the Minolta series, and probably move to Nikon.

So I'd like advice to either reassure me or have pointers of how to get the results I'm lookin for.

1. Colours are not as vibrant/rich. Example: photo number 2 in http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=194651 . The guy who took the photos informed me that the childcare was just well lit. But the photos are so good - it seems they've been edited. If he really did take the photos without edit... am I being short changed with my A1?
Mine: http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...90edit-low.jpg

2. Pics not as sharp with the standard kit lens. f2.8 to f11, 28-200mm. Do I need to upgrade, and what would be the best value lens to get?

Examples compared: Other Clubsnapper: http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=183242
Mine: http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...o/PICT1494.jpg

3. It seems like nearly all the the pics are naturally on the "bright" side and lacking the rich-ness in contrast.

I checked to make sure I was using nearly exact settings as what this other guy did, ISO, apeture, shutter speed, tripod. There was a very slight breeze that night, but I reckon even without the slight breeze, there is no way I could take as tack sharp as the other clubsnapper. My inexperience or crap lens?

Would appreciate honest and constructive comments on how to go forward with these issues. Honestly its seriously a let down for me... - (I hope the problem is with me and not the camera! At least there will be hope.)

Thanks in advance.
Andrew

[jeryltan]

Try using a tripod.. It's invaluable for night scenes..

Originally Posted by Cap_Dingo Guys, I've just started out in the world of photography... 2 months old. Bought a 2nd hand Minolta A1 and it does the basics. However, I'm starting to get cold feet thinking that I may not wish to continue with the Minolta series, and probably move to Nikon. So I'd like advice to either reassure me or have pointers of how to get the results I'm lookin for. 1. Colours are not as vibrant/rich. Example: photo number 2 in http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=194651 . The guy who took the photos informed me that the childcare was just well lit. But the photos are so good - it seems they've been edited. If he really did take the photos without edit... am I being short changed with my A1? Mine: http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...90edit-low.jpg 2. Pics not as sharp with the standard kit lens. f2.8 to f11, 28-200mm. Do I need to upgrade, and what would be the best value lens to get? Examples compared: Other Clubsnapper: http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=183242 Mine: http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...o/PICT1494.jpg 3. It seems like nearly all the the pics are naturally on the "bright" side and lacking the rich-ness in contrast. I checked to make sure I was using nearly exact settings as what this other guy did, ISO, apeture, shutter speed, tripod. There was a very slight breeze that night, but I reckon even without the slight breeze, there is no way I could take as tack sharp as the other clubsnapper. My inexperience or crap lens? Would appreciate honest and constructive comments on how to go forward with these issues. Honestly its seriously a let down for me... - (I hope the problem is with me and not the camera! At least there will be hope.) Thanks in advance. Andrew

[+evenstar]

for (1)...100% the photos are edited, sharpened, etc. your pictures has camera-shake problem due to slow shutter speed.

all photos need processing

[Terence]

I'm also hazarding a guess that the images are edited. Bumped up contrast, color saturation, levels. The shots you posted are extremely lo res but with a bit of resizing and simple edits, you can get half decent results. Most files out of any camera can always use some sharpening etc... it's not a crime and the A1 is a decent camera to work with.

Your image:

[JLee]

As all B&W photographers need some basic darkroom techniques, all digital photographers need some basic post precessing skill as well. Post processing are not only for those who do digital manipulation, HDR and etc. but are an extension of all digital photography. Take some time off to learn basic post processing

[satay16]

just to tell you, minolta is famous for its film-like colour, meaning very natural colours. if you want saturated colours, just turn your left knob to "COL" and set to +3 or +4.

[dominator]

Yes!
Don't blame the camera.
You are a crap photographer who simply lacks some digital and post-processing skills.

Go shoot, go try and learn, soon you will be better!

[tokrot]

OK u want nice color and contrast right? U need to ask the right person me which is me. PM me if you are really interested. I will tell you my secrets how to make your pics look great. For now you can click on my signature to check.

[blurblock]

You camera is ok, if you want rich and unnatural colour, it can be easily done ..... but it definately look fake, isn't it?

[Agetan]

Hi there,

There is nothing wrong with your Dimage A1.

As other have mentioned that, its not the camera, but hey... from what I gather, you are quite new to photography let alone digital photography.

With film, the lab (good lab) will adjust the colour saturation, sharpening and everything else for you... but with digital, you do need to do those yourself, hence you need to learn some basic photoshop technique.

Photography is independent of camera gear (some people might think.... here it goes again hart!!) but it is true though... You should learn how to use your camera properly and learn more..

I work as photographer now, but guess what, my first roll of film my my slr was 90% blur... it simply means I don't know how to use the camera at that time and I expect the camera to do what I want... Camera don't think, people do...

The other photos that you showed us, especially with the kindie photos... My guess is the photographer using bounce flash or the lighting in there is pretty good.

I took this photo using my old dimage A2, which is the same as A1 with slight changes to it..


I am sure any decent digital camera can take photos like this... so what is the different will it make on which brand of camera do you use?

I am still learning everyday when I take pictures... there are so much to learn..

What I am trying to say is.. all you need is practice... practice make things perfect... and stop worry about the camera gear.

Regards,

Hart

[+evenstar]

Originally Posted by blurblock You camera is ok, if you want rich and unnatural colour, it can be easily done ..... but it definately look fake, isn't it?

this colour looks natural to me..

[satay16]

i still own the A1. it is true that canon and nikon have more vibrant colours, however, in real life, when you see the object you are taking, it isn't supposed to be THAT vibrant. Minolta cameras are famous for their "what-you-see-is-what-you-get" colours. A1, A2, 5D and 7D are all like that. so basically, canon just brings some processing steps into their camera. but sometimes(when you slowly become a pro), there are some photos that you dun want to be that over-saturated.

so if you find the photos taken by your A1 abit dull, there are two ways. photoshop or turn the "COL" knob(left of the camera) into +3. depends on your liking, i use +3 most of the time.

[Buggy]

i've an even older 7Hi. no probs with that.

[smtan24]

Don't expect to take brilliant photos when you just start. Photography like anything else needs practice. Read up some books on basic photography and than practice them. Since you are using digital feel free to shoot with time you should be better.

[blurblock]

Originally Posted by +evenstar this colour looks natural to me..

nah ... find a piece of cooked vegetable that look that colour of green .... heck .... it is already quite difficult to find fresh vege that looks that colour. The colour of other food, likewise. (I adjusted the pictures to that colour so that it looks like fresh uncooked food :P .... the original ones look like cooked food, the photo I adjusted makes it looks like it wasn't cooked. Great for product shot, but lousy for event shot :P .... just to bring a point across there is nothing wrong with the camera )

[jsbn]

Ok my honest 2 cents worth of opinion on ur shots since u really want to improve.

First photo on http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...90edit-low.jpg

Lack of focus and composition.
The focus, though on the spoon but what do u want to portray in the shot? Colours seems ok to me since Minolta has one of the best natural colours on the block, probably second to that of the S3Pro (minus the Dynamic Range), how saturated do u want? Like the extremely unnatural post-processed one by blurblock? Thats definitely 1 photo that had been post-processed 'out of shape'.

As for ur 2nd photo here: http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...o/PICT1494.jpg

I can tell u something straightaway, it fails in every single aspect and becomes nothing more than a snapshot taken with a Point-and-Shoot. The A1 is a very capable camera and seriously, a shot like this does no justice to the camera.

Problem with Sharpness - Handshake blur.
The Anti-shake on ur A1 serves to complement ur current handheld technique and cut down on handshake, NOT COMPLETELY ELIMINATE handshake blur. If ur basic handheld technique is wrong, u have have anti-shake on ur sensor, anti-shake on ur lens and it will STILL BE BLUR.

Lenses.
The Minolta A1 does not have a replaceable lens like that of a SLR system. Forget about changing the lens.

Everything about ur photos seems to be ur overly high expectations of getting 'instant magic' with a prosumer camera. Ur queries are simply a matter of mastering basic techniques and ur camera.

Getting a SLR or a prosumer and bringing up ur photography skill to par is not an easy or instant thing. U can sell ur Minolta A1 get a Canon, Nikon or Fujifilm and I can still guarantee u the same sets of criticism about ur photos and ur skills will never improve since it seems that all u sought is bettering ur equipment and not ur skill.

Pick up a book in the Library on Basic Photography, go take a basic course (there are excellent basic courses by SLCC and PSS), RTFM and observe things in detail. What makes Photographers stand out over Cameramen are not just photos but a special 'touch' in each photo that u see it in a second and don't the next.

In honest response to ur thread, "Please tell me I'm a crap photographer!" I will reply, "Yes, u ARE a crap photographer at that. Extremely bad. Fail, gone case, sayonara."

My honest opinion to my honest response? Don't give up, enjoy ur camera (not the brand) and photography, take up a course and shoot more.

[michhy]

you are a crap photographer (you asked for it in your thread title...)

[Agetan]

Well said...

Totally agree....

Hart

Originally Posted by jsbn Ok my honest 2 cents worth of opinion on ur shots since u really want to improve. First photo on http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...90edit-low.jpg Lack of focus and composition. The focus, though on the spoon but what do u want to portray in the shot? Colours seems ok to me since Minolta has one of the best natural colours on the block, probably second to that of the S3Pro (minus the Dynamic Range), how saturated do u want? Like the extremely unnatural post-processed one by blurblock? Thats definitely 1 photo that had been post-processed 'out of shape'. As for ur 2nd photo here: http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...o/PICT1494.jpg I can tell u something straightaway, it fails in every single aspect and becomes nothing more than a snapshot taken with a Point-and-Shoot. The A1 is a very capable camera and seriously, a shot like this does no justice to the camera. Problem with Sharpness - Handshake blur. The Anti-shake on ur A1 serves to complement ur current handheld technique and cut down on handshake, NOT COMPLETELY ELIMINATE handshake blur. If ur basic handheld technique is wrong, u have have anti-shake on ur sensor, anti-shake on ur lens and it will STILL BE BLUR. Lenses. The Minolta A1 does not have a replaceable lens like that of a SLR system. Forget about changing the lens. Everything about ur photos seems to be ur overly high expectations of getting 'instant magic' with a prosumer camera. Ur queries are simply a matter of mastering basic techniques and ur camera. Getting a SLR or a prosumer and bringing up ur photography skill to par is not an easy or instant thing. U can sell ur Minolta A1 get a Canon, Nikon or Fujifilm and I can still guarantee u the same sets of criticism about ur photos and ur skills will never improve since it seems that all u sought is bettering ur equipment and not ur skill. Pick up a book in the Library on Basic Photography, go take a basic course (there are excellent basic courses by SLCC and PSS), RTFM and observe things in detail. What makes Photographers stand out over Cameramen are not just photos but a special 'touch' in each photo that u see it in a second and don't the next. In honest response to ur thread, "Please tell me I'm a crap photographer!" I will reply, "Yes, u ARE a crap photographer at that. Extremely bad. Fail, gone case, sayonara." My honest opinion to my honest response? Don't give up, enjoy ur camera (not the brand) and photography, take up a course and shoot more.

[andrewlee]

I'm amazed at the willingness of all you guys to contribute! Keep it up... ... I am beginning to realize that I'm just as terrible a photographer.

No more buying lenses... ... more practise will suffice :-)

[satay16]

wa lao. so bad. me become scared of posting photos liao.