Pbase Newbie says "hello" and ask for comments ;)

[omero]

I'm just a newbie digital photographer from Italy, and I'm trying hard to improve my techniques and inspiration (which I lack tremendously, but I'm trying to fix this).

I've had a Fujifilm F601Z for over 2 years, it's been a good machine for my skills, and helped me experimenting a bit (a few manual controls, WB, etc...), but it was too ankward to go "full manual", so I recently decided to switch to a Canon G5.

I'm trying for the big leap (full manual + external flash & diffuser + filters), and I've just bought the following equipment:

Canon Powershot G5
1 GB Hitachi Microdrive
Hi-power spare Battery (1600 mah)
Canon Speedlite 420EX Flash
Sto-fen Omnibounce OM-EX (for 420EX)
Lensmate 52 mm black lens adapter
B+W Filter UV (010) MRC Slim 52mm
B+W Circular Polarizer MRC Slim 52mm
Optech Classic Strap
Canon SC-1000 Soft Carrying Case
Canon CP-200 Dye Sublimation Photo Printer

I think this setup will suit all my photographic needs and will help me to improve my skills and inspiration.

Currently I'm still trying to understand how to get the best out of my new baby, toying with WB, RAW Conversion, manual focus and manual exposition... and I'm still experimenting with my new Speedlite 420EX, I know it can dramatically improve my photos, but I haven't been able to use it at full potential yet.

P.s. I haven't had enough time to work on my new stuff, so most of photos here are my old fuji's photos... comments are welcome, especially when they are costructive critics!



Please come visit me here: Omero's Lair

[framewerkz]

Generally, great pics. You might want to work on your composition a little - the pictures I saw were mostly center-positioned... which tends to be a glaring sign of a newbie.

[omero]

Generally, great pics. You might want to work on your composition a little - the pictures I saw were mostly center-positioned... which tends to be a glaring sign of a newbie.

Thanks for the comments and the small hint, you are indeed right. After all I AM a newbie

I'll try to work on it, I pretty much know all the basic stuff (rule of thirds and the like), but I don't actually put it to real use. I'll try it more from now on. Thanks again

PS check your sig, the link is wrong (/com instead of .com)

[dcoleman59]

I liked your photos. I was especially impressed with the Colors & Shapes gallery. My favorites in that were World from a jail, gone, and light shapes.

Dan Coleman
http://www.pbase.com/dcoleman59

[omero]

I liked your photos. I was especially impressed with the Colors & Shapes gallery. My favorites in that were World from a jail, gone, and light shapes.

Dan Coleman
http://www.pbase.com/dcoleman59

Thanks Dan. Those were some "experimental" shots, something I like to do now and then...

I had a look at your galleries... a lot of your pics have potential ("crete", "fall color in the smokies", "return of the butterfly", etc...) but IMHO they are severely limited by the low quality of the pics (haze, low contrast, wrong white balance, noise, no sharpening, dull colors, etc...).

I strongly suggest you to do some serious editing in photoshop, you can dramatically improve the look of some of your pictures. They have potential: bring it out .

If you need suggestions/hints/whatever on how to do it or what to use, ask here or on the forum, and you will get polite and useful answers for sure

[shadepuppy]

Since you asked for constructive critiques, I've left some comments in your galleries. You show an eye for expression and color, and a willingness to practice and improve.

Your portraits will be even better as you learn more about the use of lighting, elimination of non-related elements in the background, and control of depth-of-field (as much as digital compact cameras allow).

You might find some of these links interesting, and helpful in your continued practice. Have Fun!

http://www.lightingmagic.com/topics.htm
http://www.pbase.com/pnd1/root
http://tinyurl.com/3gqnw
http://tinyurl.com/3avxo

[omero]

Since you asked for constructive critiques, I've left some comments in your galleries. You show an eye for expression and color, and a willingness to practice and improve.

Your portraits will be even better as you learn more about the use of lighting, elimination of non-related elements in the background, and control of depth-of-field (as much as digital compact cameras allow).

You might find some of these links interesting, and helpful in your continued practice. Have Fun!

http://www.lightingmagic.com/topics.htm
http://www.pbase.com/pnd1/root
http://tinyurl.com/3gqnw
http://tinyurl.com/3avxo

Thanks Shade, I really appreciate all this, I actually am willing to improve as much as I can.

Now I'm tired (its late here), but tomorrow I will have a close and deep look to all the links you pasted here.

Thanks again.