First shots with post-processing

[creativityasaweapon]

So, for Christmas my lady bought me a Canon Rebel XT and I've been goofing around trying to get some good shots without any flash but the one on the camera, and I think I've done ok so far. I downloaded GIMP to do some basic editing and I'm still trying to figure it out (those tools and the options are overwhelming for someone who has only used a paintshop pro 1). This is my first real shot at some editing (in jpeg) and I was wondering if I could get some pointers. The first shot is the unedited straight from my camera and the second one is with some playing with saturation, contrast around the eye and some blemish removal. Once again, I'm severely new to editing so my blemish removal might be glaringly obvious. If so, what can I do differently? Thanks ahead of time!

 

[MikeFromTheInternet]

Congrats on the Dslr! I have a canon rebel xt too and its an awesome body to learn the basics on and it has done me well. The pic could use some healing to get rid of some of the specks in the water, also turn the shutter speed up a bit. Theres some blurring that looks like its from the camera moving a bit. What were your camera settings with this picture?

 

[creativityasaweapon]

Well, I'd have to take a look at the picture again on the cam for the settings. I know that I took this picture in the auto macro setting just because he was posing and I wanted to get a few shots in a dark fish room without screwing with settings. I also need to get better at manually focusing quickly because I rely on the auto focus a little too much and I'm finding out that without my own intervention I'm getting fuzz where I don't want it. As with all things, I need to overcome the learning curve, but I think I took some recent photos that turned out really nice. I'll upload tomorrow and see what you think.
I'm slowly learning my way around GIMP by the way and my results are quite a bit better.
Thanks for the feedback!

 

[haynchinook334]

Shoot in manual mode. It's easier to adjust to your certain needs. ISO is also key. Shoot in a higher ISO with a 5.6 aperture. And work from there. A off board flash is a must (IMO). To capture the overhead lighting. Light, light, light is a must. If you are not using a flash, try and use a flash light with LED's. "practice" makes perfect. I shoot 1000's of shots to get one that I like. Use it to abuse it.

First picture is with a overhead flash, second picture is adjusted ISO and a lower aperture.







Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[MikeFromTheInternet]

Im all for overhead off-the-camera flash. Best thing imo for fish photography. I think the higher iso depends on your camera. I know my Rebel XT isnt the greatest for high iso shots. I just get too much noise in the image.


Once you get your understanding of Iso, aperture and shutter speed, start shooting in manual. If youre already playing in gimp, download a RAW plugin and start shooting in RAW as well.