I’ve just acquired a shiny new toy. It’s dead good.
But a camera is only as good as the person behind the lens. This means my camera is…um….
Now, bolstered by the laws of statistical chance I’ve been known to take the occasional passable photo. But this is a new camera, right? My first digital SLR. So I’m allowed some leeway for ineptitude. And if I can have some more leeway on top of that, I’d be very grateful. You’re a gem.
So, for the last few weeks I’ve wandered around with my camera in my hand, holding it all wrong with the gripping finger atop the shuttery-clicky take-photo button thing (whatever it’s called) and at various intervals the camera has made an alarming WHIRR-CLACK! noise which by time-stamped cross-referencing I can later associate with a photograph of something alarmingly indistinct.
Take this.
Don’t know about you, but this curdles my blood.
For something rather more phenomenological, here’s a view of York’s Lendal Cellars.
The effect that I was working hard to achieve here was a kind of fuzzy-eyeballed alcoholic stupor – a representative view of how the Lendal Cellars is experienced by the average Friday night patron. I’m delighted that I managed to achieve it simply by accidentally taking a photo one-handedly without remembering to turn the flash on.
MAKE IT GO AWAY, MAKE IT GO AWAY!
Sorry about that.
There’s something truly fascinating on this tiny section of the York City Walls. Can you see what it is?
If you can, please write in and tell me, because I’m damned if I know.
The bright side?
I can only improve.
finally you’ve posted some pix.
it’s all about reading the manual, tell me you read the manual.
i’ve had my dslr since dec and i only just got around to fixing my white balance (WHATEVER THAT IS!) and shit if i know what i’m doing 95% of the time. it’s the fun-ness of it all.
and i do hope you’re having fun.
(tho you are allowed to be frustrated and tempted to want to kick it occasionally. go ahead, i give you permission.)
Finally, I did.
I should add that I’ve taken some half-decent ones, but because I am an Artiste / total idiot, I’ve kept those for later.
The manual is bare-bones, so I’m brushing up my “skills” with a couple of books from Amazon and some creative tinkering on Photoshop Elements.
I think white balance is the amount of detergent you use. Hope that helps.
Interesting texture on the wall?
Those photos are fun.
Oh, and I looked at your flickr photos so I can see what you’ll be capable of – once you get used to the new toy!
*If* I get used to it.
(Thanks!).
Looks like you just need to learn about aperture. The 30D is a great camera but the flash sucks, I think you could have nailed the cellar with a wider aperture and a steady hand
This is a great site if you want to learn the basics:
http://digital-photography-school.com/
I’m buring myself in beginner’s SLR handbooks at the moment – and when the weather allows (it’s hammering down at the moment) I’ll be wandering the streets of York, playing with manual settings.
But yes, tripod, as we’ve discussed elsewhere. Gorilla Pod – check.
lightroom!
you coulda gone for the 500d comme moi 
Oh, I already have wayyyy too much camera for my little brain with this baby. Lttle steps, little steps.
I toyed with the idea of Lightroom. For now, though, it’s Elements. Once I feel confident I know its limitations (and mine), I’ll go hunting elsewhere.
What I’d really like is a copy of Photoshop, but they’re around £4.5 million quid each. Even second-hand on Amazon. So that’ll have to wait until I’m sleeping on a mattress stuffed with £50 notes. Which is part of my long-term plan, of course.
how much do you want photoshop? i hear your soul is still available……….
ha ha too funny. I think you succeeded very well in capturing the alcoholic’s view of the wine cellar. The wall? No idea.
No no. The alcoholic’s view would be crystal clear.
No, that’s my view – an alcohol lightweight who is bladdered after one hastily-drunk glass of fruit wine.
That is exacly how I remember lendal cellers, very nicely done mr mike. The wall? maybe some sort of crustose lichen?
Trust you.
*ahem* just read the comment above…i’m sure when you said “alcoholic” you meant “undergraduate”…right?
Good point.
I will contact Roget’s Thesaurus immediately. This needs fixing.
nice to know you’re using it, and quite an interesting post.
but why the picture of (a confusingly bespectacled) Sméagol in the middle?
i realise you like the tales of middle earth, but this isn’t necessary!
ps. it’s all about exposure (and in the case of the wall, depth of field!)
No expensive CGI was used in the creation of the third photograph.
Or cheap CGI, just to head that sarcastic comment off before it reached your lips.
Exposure is a prime concern, definitely. I always wrap up well.
You can publish a book called “Bacheca”. You will be in all the best museums and become world famous. If you stop telling the truth about what you are up to, that is.
Every artist’s dream.
I mean, it’s nice to be understood.
But to be misunderstood? That’s *real* power. Where every accident, random idea and downright cockup gets over-analysed and heaped with meaning the creator never intended it to have.
(See: Lost, seasons 2-7).
I might be looking for a photographer for next year’s season… Just thinking aloud Mike, just thinking ALOUD.
LALALALALALALALALAAAAAAAAA IIIIIII’MMMMMM NOTTTTT LISTENING LADEEEDAADEEEDAAAA!
Well, okay. I might listen a little bit. Maybe.