my first attempt at photoshop...

[macawmagic]

We'll I'm working on my portfolio to get into upper division architecture school and decided to buy photoshop. well adobe photoshp elements 7 to be exact. of course...instead of working on my portfolio, I photoshopped a coral pic first. LOL. I had to play around with it a little!

original pic

photoshopped one.

i need some feedback...whatcha think (be honest) lol

 

[macawmagic]

picture was taken with canon 20d. lens was 18-55 with a 10+ magnifying glass type thing on the front. (a lot cheaper than the 100mm macro for now)

 

[Poseidon]

I think you need to work on exposure. You will want to strive to get the image "right" in camera, not in photoshop. Your submission lacks contrast, is not really sharp, and to be frank lacks interest.

Okay, harsh critique out of the way.

Now, for the helpful stuff... Take el cheapo magnifying glass off, use a tripod, and find the minimum focal distance of your lens. Set the camera to Av, F11, and the EV to -1... Then post the image here.

 

[Reef Pets]

Poseidon always gives great advice. I have learned a lot from the photographers on here. I photos are getting better and better.....

 

[macawmagic]

ok...it took me a while to figure out all those settings...but hope these are better!!! side note. I really am going to try and take a photography class at school.

this one I used the magnifying glass to get closer! (i know i know) but it was $40 vs. $500.

 

[Reef Pets]

Those are much better. But, I am not one to give advice on a subject I know little about. Once you get into photography a little more trust me the 500.00 is well worth it. When I started taking photos of coral I thought 500.00 for a macro lens???..... Once I purchased it and learned what it can do it was a very good investment. Not only does it take great macro photos but it takes great outdoor photos as well.

 

[macawmagic]

oh...i understand it'll help soo much...but its hard to justify $500 when ur in college making like $1200/month and my car payment, insurance, and gas is like $800. (note to self...3 expensive hobby's are cars, reef tanks, and photography) I'm saving for it though!!!

 

[macawmagic]

poseiden...thank you very much for those settings. should I always shoot with those settings? how'd u know those would work? lol can you tell I'm a total newbie? I've tried shooting in manual mode and play with all the settings to see what each thing does. but I really really need to take a photography course!

any feedback on those pictures?

I'm trying to take some good pics as we've got a local fragswap coming up...and I want to represent the corals as best as possible!

 

[macawmagic]

also...how can I get rid of those little specks that look like they're in the water? I've got all the flow off, but for some reason theres still things in the water? maybe put a filter sock on for a little before taking pics to "filter" the water of all the little specks?

 

[Reef Monkey]

In the full version of Photoshop you can use the clone tool to get rid of specks like that. I'm not sure if the clone tool is offered in Photoshop Elements though.

 

[Poseidon]

poseiden...thank you very much for those settings. should I always shoot with those settings? how'd u know those would work? lol can you tell I'm a total newbie? I've tried shooting in manual mode and play with all the settings to see what each thing does. but I really really need to take a photography course!

any feedback on those pictures?

I'm trying to take some good pics as we've got a local fragswap coming up...and I want to represent the corals as best as possible!

You're Welcome. That setting is just a starting point, you can improve from there. The next thing you can do is learn! Leaving the camera on Av mode, and the EV to -1 try different apertures, the SMALLEST # that you have available, and then the largest, it should be 4 or 5 point something... and then the largest will be 22 or maybe 32. Look at the difference in the images, and listen to your camera for the difference in shutter speed. (Yes, I said listen. )

also...how can I get rid of those little specks that look like they're in the water? I've got all the flow off, but for some reason theres still things in the water? maybe put a filter sock on for a little before taking pics to "filter" the water of all the little specks?

The water must not have stopped moving yet when you took those images. After you turn the pumps off, wait about 5 or 10 minutes, that will reduce the white specks. I doubt a filter sock would do anything.