How do I take really cool pictures (settings)?

You actually really do get interesting colors on long exposures. Perhaps because of what you said, but mostly theres some faint light source emitting light at a certain color temperature. This was taken 50ft away from a bon fire at the beach in pitch darkness for 2 minutes. Who would of known the colors?

 

Yup. Think of the guy you saw outdriving some noob's lifted 4x4 in his beater 2 wheel drive truck. Same thing.

 

Sweet pic!

 

cmack - have you looked at any of the micro 4 thirds cameras?
Smaller size and *supposedly* near-dslr performance.

 

These all came out real well. I would level the horizon in the first pic. Empty sky is kind of boring. Compose the camera to exclude empty sky and include more ground detail if there is empty sky like in 1&2. Conversely, if there are really neat clouds and the ground is kind of boring, compose for 2/3 sky and 1/3 ground. Something to think about!

*edit: the next time you try a shot with a huge landscape (like in your third picture), try setting the camera real low next to the ground. It gives a really interesting perspective.

 

Yeah, criticism taken, and all well deserved. That's what I get for posting a photo with some fairly obvious flaws in a post about composition. It was more of a snapshot that turned out really well than something thought out and planned.

The main reason I posted it is because I think it does a pretty good job at showing the technical capabilities of a P&S cam. I've certainly taken worse with my DSLR before!

Gozar / SiRMarlon nailed it on the funky colors. There's all kind of light that we either don't see, or that we see but mentally render as white. Another major part of photography is understanding how the camera captures light vs. how we see light. That takes lots of practice practice practice.

Also, SiRMarlon again is right on with the practice and shoot lots. When I shoot events out at the motorsport park, I'll fill up most of my memory cards with a total of 1000-1500 pictures and end up with 5-10% that I think are solid. Usually more towards the 5% range though, hah.

 

Haha! Yup! I usually carry a couple of memory cards with me...

 

As was mentioned a million times, a DSLR is your best bet. Even without messing with any settings you'll still get better pics than any point and shoot camera will do. I have yet to really play with my DSLR to really unleash it's full potential. I have a Canon Rebel XTI.

 

So uh, the last page was basically how a Point and Shoot in competent hands can rival a SLR. And if you have a DSLR on auto, all it is is an expensive Point and Shoot with a high zoom optical lens. It's those settings that set it apart from everything else.

 

kraaazy - well stated.

... and ...

Use the appropriate tool for the job.
A bulky DSLR won't be part of my kit when I am backpacking or riding a mountain bike.
The smaller camera will be with me on those trips - and I want to know how to get the most out of it!

 

i just picked up an XSI with a few different filters and lens, taking a photo class next semester to figure out all the settings.

 

Honestly, and this is only my own opinion, this is an "okay" picture. The thing that separates "snap shots" from "photography" is that photography lets the viewer see normal things in a different light.

Here it looks like you just stood there, took a picture and applied a vignette in photoshop. Try to get away from the "eye level" sort of picture. Get down really low or really high. Position the camera from angles people don't normally see.

At your 8mm focal length, you may be able to get some interesting wide angle shots right up next to that hole, or up high right next to the flag.

I can see here that you used an aperture of only 2.8. If you're going for landscape pictures, crank the aperture to as high as you can so that depth of field is larger. Since you are only using a Nikon Coolpix, I would suggest setting your camera for scenery mode.

Lastly, since the sky is plain, compose the camera so there is less sky showing and more ground. If there were really awesome looking clouds then I would say the opposite.

Overall, not too bad for a point and shoot.

 

Here's a pic of one of my old rides that I took with a Nikon 320. The car is understated but you still know what it is. The background is the Seabrook nuclear power station with the sun setting behind it. Irony?

 

This ones a decent photo! Check the noise and pixelation in the shadows and darks. I don't know if this is because of low resolution or compression when you uploaded it online. The white balance might be a tad off; a little towards the blue spectrum. I bet the actual scene had much more vibrant oranges and reds in the skies and reflection. Great picture though.

 

I think the issues are from "enhancing" the pic using some half assed photo software.

 

late ass bump.. Ive been reading up on this and you guys gave great info. Heres one i took with my old cybershot before reading any of this or knowing TW existed(for obvious reasons). If nothing more i think its a cool pic

 

I'd say it has some interesting ideas and colors, but some easy work on composition would really make it shine. The good thing is that the image shows promise that the photographer had an idea brewing.

The arrow needs to either be cropped out or dulled - it's too distracting. It also points the wrong way.
Nothing seems to be the focus. If it's the truck, the truck needs to be bigger, and you possibly should be at a lower angle to emphasize the truck's "eye level" (headlight level at an angle to show movement, or ground level pointed up to show dominance - play around, take a few shots) and hints of movement. If it's the sky and surroundings, sky needs to be huge and we need more road to let the mind wander.

 

Almost a great pic. Besides the color being a tad bit desaturated, it looks like theres a giant bush growing out of the truck. Always be mindful of what's behind your subject. Ie: trees/poles behind cars or peoples heads.

 

With the color, that was actually not far off of what the sky was looking like(huge storm-a-brewing). This was just a random shot i took, not really paying much attention, just wanted a pic of the truck. Thanks for the input tho. I wouldve loved to get a moving shot, but it wouldve been hard with me being alone and having to take the photo w/o a tripod LOL.