First photo attempting to use manual technique (from course)

[temperpolk]

WOW! Real photography is hard!!! After a couple of lessons on Proud Photography 101, I took out my brand new entry level Canon Rebel T3 and shot 367 photos.
After reviewing them all, I saved 1...yes, you heard that right....ONE. No matter how many bells and whistles your DSLR camera has, if you don't understand the basics, disaster is what happens when you press the shutter button. Today, I practised blurring the background and even that was hard. This pic was was the only viable one I
could get out of the many I tried. Here it is attached...and it has a lot to be desired... I also practised my motion pan lesson with absolutely no success. I came close a couple of times, but nothing salvageable. But I had to at least save 1 for all my effort this morning. I'm excited about taking photography really seriously, but I'm alreadystumped at simple concepts like shutter speed and aperture. But I'll get there...eventually.

[delboy]

And what is wrong with that for first attempt?
You say you have a new camera, well it takes awhile to get use to a new camera, that's why you never take a new camera on holiday, You always buy prior and get use to it before you go.
May I suggest a few things that may improve your photo, but take advice of the tutor first. Remember the rule of thirds the photo would have looked better if the horses head was say a third in from the left. Also the nose of the horse is slightly overexposed, can you drop the exposure down a little to show the detail of the horses nose. Finally your focus and DOF is good the main of the horse is in sharp focus, with the background slightly out, if possible focus on the horses eyes or any subjects eyes in future. The colouring appears to be right, but that is a personal thing as I do not like oversaturate photos.
Lastly we all take lots of shots and only show the best ones we like. If I had a dollar for every roll of film I have wasted over the years I would be a lot richer than I am now, that's why I like digital you can take photos until you are happy with the result. But with me old habits die hard I still take the minimum number of shots required as if I was still using film. Keep up the good work and enthusiasm

Regards

Delboy

[judyg0313]

Hey, I think you are moving along just fine. It really took me to about Chapter 11 before it really started clicking. Take your camera and take pictures. Use your lessons as guides but take pictures... The more you take the better you get. And I promise you, you'll forget things. Make a check list and use it a your guide. I had one to make sure I did all the right settings. If not I would inevidently forget one. But the main thing is to just enjoy it. You'll get better I promise. It took me a lot of shots before I finally pulled off my first panning. And just keep practicing...Definitely keep up the good work...And have fun!!!

[Kaye]

Welcome to the forum Temperpolk,

Firstly, I just want to let you know that I have moved your thread here from Weekly Photoshots, as it is Course related and more likely to be viewed here.

I really like your shot, and think you have done a nice job of a shallow depth of field (DOF) here.
Once your understand (in your head) about the important connection with Aperture and Shutter Speed, it certainly makes things easier. You can read articles on this so that your brain understands the concepts here, but most importantly, shooting practice is one of the best ways to learn.

What I would try first to cement an understanding of Aperture and Shutter Speed is: In practice, set your camera (not sure what you have, but I have Nikon) to Aperture Priority. This will then automatically set the most suitable Shutter Speed for the shot. Take notice of these shutter speed settings each time. Then you can try in Manual.

** A LARGE APERTURE (eg F/3.5) = MORE LIGHT
** A SMALLER APERTURE (ef F/18) = LESS LIGHT

** A LARGER APERTURE (eg F/3.5) = A SHALLOWER (SOFTER) DOF
** A SMALLER APERTURE (eg F/18) = A GREATER / SHARPER DOF

Please feel free to post any of your shots or trial shots to either "Classroom", or to Photo Critique corner under the relevant headings, eg. Nature & Animals.

I look forward to viewing some more of your photos.