Through the Lens :: Photo Challenge 1

It's been a few weeks since the new Camera Challenges & Tutorials series hosted by The Littlest Thistle was announced and I shared about my camera and where I am photography-wise. The first challenge was posted soon after and it's time to report in.

Here was the 1st challenge:
For each preset [on your camera], take a photo of a subject appropriate to the preset in both the preset mode and the full automatic mode.  

My camera's presets are:
Program
Automatic
Portraits
Landscapes
Close-ups
Moving Subjects
Portraits at Night

I chose to take each set of photos with three presets, Program, Automatic, and then 1 of each of the other modes. Hubby and I took the camera with us on a Saturday adventure to the city. Note location, presets, and shooting order in each photo.

Seattle Center ~ Portraits (l-r), shot in program, automatic, portraits

Kerry Park ~ Landscapes (l-r), shot in program, automatic, landscapes

Chihuly Garden and Glass ~ Close-ups (l-r), shot in program, automatic, close-ups

Seattle Center International Fountain ~ Moving Subjecs (l-r), shot in program, automatic, moving subjects

 

Writing this post, I realized I forgot to take portraits at night. And I see I need to work at taking the exact same frame if I want to accurately compare my shots. Lots to learn. But I'm anxious to see what others have done on this first challenge, as well as take in what Katy has to say. At the very least, I'm a tad more familiar with the camera settings available to me.

 

Linking up with Camera Challenge 1.

Through the Lens :: interlude

It's an age-old phenomenon, and I'm as guilty as they come. That would be the attempt to really learn about one's camera. The simple fact is, when I heard (ie: read) Katy/The Littlest Thistle's post about the Camera Challenges & Tutorials series she's starting, my ears perked up. I've tried, yes. But either my retention is really poor, or it just hasn't remained an important focus. But I'm willing to try again! Here's a glimpse of where I am today . . .

What do I have?
I've shot with a Canon EOS Rebel T3i for nearly 3 years. When hubby bought it for me, he called it an advanced beginner's dslr - my very first. It came with an 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 lens, which stays on probably 95% of the time. I also have a 55-250mm f4-5.6, a medium range telephoto lens. It's used more on vacations than with my quilt photograpy. But the good news is, I do know how to switch the lenses out.

What I know.
I got off shooting automatic right away. I'm comfortable in Program mode, fiddle in Macro mode occasionally, but haven't explored much beyond that. I finally know how to control the auto-focus though. And I can manage downloading and editing my own photos, though have plenty to learn about composition and all that.

Where have I been?
I've participated in photography challenges online, specifically with Plum and June last year. I posted about those experiences then - taking fabric photos, subject and composition, and about white balance. I hate to admit whatever I learned I either don't continue to practice, or have forgotten entirely.

What I meant to do.
I have a Pinterest Photography board where I collect all sorts of things about photography. I'm sure I could learn a lot through what I've collected, but I haven't read most of it. I purchased a Craftsy photography class (Shoot It! by Caro Sheridan) and another that I can't even remember {not good}. I watched neither.

So yeah. Pretty pitiful. Good intentions but not much progress. That's why I'm gonna do my best to follow Katy's posts and learn what I can. I know there's alot she can teach us me.