Sketching Out Blog: Sketches of art, watercolor, photos, recipes, books, interviews, Jewish topics, and Highland Park, New Jersey

Ruby Tuesday: Learning my camera


This was my favorite of a series of lily pictures I took at various camera settings. I have a Canon PowerShot 710. Settings for this photo: ISO=80, Colors=Vivid Red, White Balance=Day Light, Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/1600, Av (Aperture Value) 4.0. I lightened it in Photoshop.


This one’s the runner-up. Settings for this photo: ISO=80, Colors=Vivid Red, White Balance=Day Light, Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/500, Av (Aperture Value) 4.0.


These lilies are an example of how the photo looks if the camera settings aren’t right. Settings for this photo: ISO=200, Colors=Vivid Red, White Balance=Day Light, Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/500, Av (Aperture Value) 4.0. Setting the ISO to 200 was too high, so that’s when I took the two photos above.

Clarification: I’ve had this camera for over a year, but this is the first time I’ve had any success with the Manual settings. Other settings include Scene settings, like Beach (used that in Israel a lot), Kids ‘n Pets (I mostly use that one), Foliage, Night, Landscape, Indoor, Fireworks and Portrait. I mostly use those settings, and I use good ‘ole Auto, as well.

A friend suggested I buy a digital SLR camera. Maybe. I’ll think about it.

ruby tuesday

Ilana-Davita says

You beat me for this one - and I thought I was early! I put a similar photo up with my latest Pirkei Avot post.

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Jim says

Hi Leora, thanks for coming to check on my first Ruby Tuesday so fast! You lilly flowers are pretty and pretty red. :-)
I have a YouTube when I was first learning my camera. I took a video instead of a picture, I thought the camera wasn't 'taking' pictures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8sCu4bHH30
..

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Leora says

Jim, ha! I did something similar with video. I switched it from horizontal to vertical while taking a video of my daughter, like you would a picture. Well, something for her grandchildren to think is funny.

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marcia@joyismy goal says

that is a good lesson Thank you I need to learn my camera better too That first shot is nice

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Robin says

Pretty flowers Are you doing Hallie's digital photography course too? And I agree with your friend, you'd really love a digital SLR.

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Leora says

Robin, I started doing the white balance. Today she posted about composition; that didn't interest me as much, as I've spent a lot of time on composition in art classes. I could spend a few months on white balance, and maybe I'll finally feel like it's second nature.

Yeah, I really need to upgrade to a digital SLR.

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Michelle says

I'm inspired to learn more. Maybe I should take a class. My mother-in-law's best friend of 75 years just passed away. I was listening to the stories of how they became friends when my MIL came (escaped) from Germany and was only 13 and how her friend spoke German. All the stories and she wants to write them down and send them to her friend's family. I wish I lived closer as I would videotape them and send one copy to the family and keep one. The lesson is that we need to record our seniors and their stories...sorry..I digressed..
Michelle..

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Leora says

Michelle, I would love to hear more! My mother-in-law came from Germany when she was eight. She was lucky to get out before the war, but her extended family wasn't so fortunate. Maybe you could share the stories on a blog post...

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Mimi Lenox says

Very nice! Great shot.

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maria says

Thanks for stopping by my Ruby.

Those are beautiful pictures.

Have some in front of my house but they don't look as good as those.

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DrillerAA says

Great job!!! This is an excellent progression of photos.
Have a great Ruby Tuesday.

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ShutterHappyJenn says

Great shots! I am not good in photography so I don't think I can buy an SLR.

Mine's also posted. Check it out HERE.

Have a great day!

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ellen b says

What pretty lilies. The only thing I mess with on my camera is flash or no flash and the little flower setting which I assume is macro :0)

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Bobbie says

Hi Leora -

I agree that the first of your photos is the nicest, primarily because the color saturation is better. The second one is nice, too, though. The third one is a bit washed out. I think a lot of people will appreciate your posting the details behind each of the three photos as a learning tool.

Happy Ruby Tuesday.

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Carletta says

The first one is my favorite!
I want an SLR too - I'm dreaming!

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Michelle says

Leora. It's only since my father-in-law died that my mother-in-law has talked about it. It was a common story back then. The children escaped Germany and the parents and extended family did not. The horror of loss and guilt of escaping impact the person's life forever. I don't have many details, but at some point I hope she will share what she is comfortable in sharing. She is a wonderful woman and has been a second mother to me.

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Raven says

The first one is really lovely. Congrats on the new camera. I'm an automatic focuser myself. I admire anyone who can wrap his/her brain around settings.

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Yrsa says

Yes: it takes time to learn your camera and still you don´talways get it right. There are almost too much options in today´s cameras. Pretty lilies :)

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East Gwillimbury WOW! says

What fu to experiment with a new camera!

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Gayle @ The White House says

Wow...I have this Canon EOS 30D. I also have an Image Stablizer 70-300mm lens to go with it. (I got it out of the bag to get all that!). You know so much about your camera...I'm impressed. I must be the only person in the blogsphere who doesn't have photoshop (and I haven't seen it!). Guess it's on my Christmas list. Wonderful shots. So bright! :)

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Robin says

I found the whole white balance experience really helpful. I'm not sure the composition tips necessarily taught me anything I didn't already know (I've been haunting photography sites for months now) but the process of composing a shot specifically to meet the guidelines should be good practice :).

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Leora says

Re: Photoshop
It's very, very expensive. I get mine through my work (I used to pay).
So if you have to pay for it, and you aren't going professional, try Photoshop LE (lite) or Paint Shop Pro. You can still do a lot with one of those.

Thanks, everyone, as always.

Gayle, take one feature on your camera, try to learn it, and do a post! Blogging is a great way to learn. You can ask your audience questions, too. Lots of knowledgeable people in the blogging world.

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Ivanhoe says

The color is just gorgeous and its texture almost like a velvet. Great job learning your new camera!

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Ralph says

These lilies look like pinwheels just slowing down to a stop after their latest whirl. Nice!

Years ago I used a Pentax K1000, and it was all manual. I likes being forced to learn the meter and to under/over expose shots for different effects. The only thing it has a heavy steel body, and is harder for me to use in the wheelchair. The family (and I) use a point and shoot Canon so we just shoot away...

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Dianne says

I love the first photo, very rich!

And posting all the details is great, thanks!

I'm always looking to learn and experiment.

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Tink *~*~* says

Wow, you're a better person than me, learning more than just "point and shoot". It's on my "someday" list to learn a thing or two about basic manual settings on my digital camera.

Tink *~*~*
My Mobile Adventures *~*~*

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LingoVise says

Gorgeous shots! Lilies are a fave. I definitely need to get off the fence & try out the manual modes on my camera.

I'm such a wimp.

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maryt/theteach says

Leora, you have the same camera I have Canon A710 IS! I'm just learning about all the different settings. Of course the auto setting does the job pretty well. Love your first two shots of the RED tiger lilies. Thanks for participating in Ruby Tuesday! :)

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AmberStar says

Your lillies are so pretty. We don't have any now. Must have gotten too shady in our yard for them. Good luck with your new camera....apparently you have a new one. Everyone talking about it :)

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Patti says

I love these lilies. I photographed some in our backyard a few weeks ago. I also use a Canon Digital, I'll have to check it may be the same model.

I've bee using the Auto setting lately...LOL
Happy Ruby Tuesday!

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Anndi says

Manual settings? *gulp* Maybe someday....

Great picture!

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me and my camera says

The richness and colour in your first picture is very beautiful.

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hihorosie says

Gorgeous! The color is stunning.

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