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New Photographer Wants Advice

iBookG4user

iBookG4user

macrumors 604
Jun 27, 2006
6,595
2
Seattle, WA
For the light trail pictures you'll definitely want to put the camera on a tripod. Also turns and hills make for more interesting light trail pictures. The sunrise picture could do with more contrast to make it look less hazy, although I do like the composition. For the surfer pic, less photoshop is good and you'll need a longer lens focal length to make those shots really good. I think you'll want to get a higher quality lens like the Tamron 28-75 (Don't know if it can autofocus on the D40 though), and other than that a few edits in photoshop can get you a couple good pictures from that bunch.
 
taylorwilsdon

taylorwilsdon

macrumors 68000
Nov 16, 2006
1,868
12
New York City
iBookG4user said:
For the light trail pictures you'll definitely want to put the camera on a tripod. Also turns and hills make for more interesting light trail pictures. The sunrise picture could do with more contrast to make it look less hazy, although I do like the composition. For the surfer pic, less photoshop is good and you'll need a longer lens focal length to make those shots really good. I think you'll want to get a higher quality lens like the Tamron 28-75 (Don't know if it can autofocus on the D40 though), and other than that a few edits in photoshop can get you a couple good pictures from that bunch.
Click to expand...
I don't believe the Tamron (which is a great lens, have it myself) will AF on a D40, but I will reiterate g4's comments in that a tripod might be a great investment if you want to try long exposure photography. Its not user error, its just not humanly possible to hand hold a light trail shot.
 
K

kwalsh16

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 10, 2007
15
0
New Jersey
iBookG4user said:
For the light trail pictures you'll definitely want to put the camera on a tripod. Also turns and hills make for more interesting light trail pictures. The sunrise picture could do with more contrast to make it look less hazy, although I do like the composition. For the surfer pic, less photoshop is good and you'll need a longer lens focal length to make those shots really good. I think you'll want to get a higher quality lens like the Tamron 28-75 (Don't know if it can autofocus on the D40 though), and other than that a few edits in photoshop can get you a couple good pictures from that bunch.
Click to expand...

I actually just got a new lens... i believe it is the nikkor 55-300 (i don't have the lens at my house right now) Not sure if that is the lens, my camera is in school
 
C

ChrisA

macrumors G5
Jan 5, 2006
12,581
1,697
Redondo Beach, California
taylorwilsdon said:
I don't believe the Tamron (which is a great lens, have it myself) will AF on a D40, but I will reiterate g4's comments in that a tripod might be a great investment if you want to try long exposure photography. Its not user error, its just not humanly possible to hand hold a light trail shot.
Click to expand...

If these are the kind of images he likes then all of them could be improved with even the cheapest tripod. As for the "quality" of the lens, a tripod will do more to increase sharpness of these kinds for photos than would spending $1,500 on a professional quality lens.
 
iBookG4user

iBookG4user

macrumors 604
Jun 27, 2006
6,595
2
Seattle, WA
ChrisA said:
If these are the kind of images he likes then all of them could be improved with even the cheapest tripod. As for the "quality" of the lens, a tripod will do more to increase sharpness of these kinds for photos than would spending $1,500 on a professional quality lens.
Click to expand...

I was not talking about getting a professional quality lens for the long exposures, that was for pictures in general.
 
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