How to take good pictures?

[Fuganater]

So I have a Sony a350 DSLR and I want to learn a bit more on how to set it up for taking still shots of my systems. Does anyone know of a good tutorial that I could read to figure out some better settings? I've played with my settings some but I am looking for some good solid advice or a tutorial.

Thanks in advance,
Fuga

[Twigsoffury]

So I have a Sony a350 DSLR and I want to learn a bit more on how to set it up for taking still shots of my systems. Does anyone know of a good tutorial that I could read to figure out some better settings? I've played with my settings some but I am looking for some good solid advice or a tutorial.

Thanks in advance,
Fuga

Check youtube? theres probably tutu's on your specific camera.


Number one rule about taking still shots though?

Get a tripod and use the timer setting.

[Fuganater]

I've looked around but there are just sooo many different things out there. I want to know what people here are doing.

And talking about specific settings. Fstop, apature, ISO, etc. I have been using a tripod and setting my ISO to 200.

[diluzio91]

rule of thumb.... external lighting is your friend, no flash.

Tripod.

Timer.

set ISO as low as possible, as this results in better color satruation.

Backgrounds help computers POP more.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/39164_423013568425_601993425_4828996_6723549_n.jpg

This is the kind of pics i managed with a cheap pocket shooter using those rules...

[CorsePerVita]

rule of thumb.... external lighting is your friend, no flash.

Tripod.

Timer.

set ISO as low as possible, as this results in better color satruation.

Backgrounds help computers POP more.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/39164_423013568425_601993425_4828996_6723549_n.jpg

This is the kind of pics i managed with a cheap pocket shooter using those rules...

Awesome pointers! And so true, flash is a horrible thing. I try and use it only if i just want to take a picture of something and I don't care. Otherwise, no flashie flashie! Leave the flashing for mardi gras.

[mDust]

rule of thumb.... external lighting is your friend, no flash.

Tripod.

Timer.

set ISO as low as possible, as this results in better color satruation.

Backgrounds help computers POP more.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/39164_423013568425_601993425_4828996_6723549_n.jpg

This is the kind of pics i managed with a cheap pocket shooter using those rules...

This is about what I would say as well. The only things I would add are *soft* external lighting is your friend and no flash *unless you are outdoors in twilight conditions*.


I've looked around but there are just sooo many different things out there. I want to know what people here are doing.

And talking about specific settings. Fstop, apature, ISO, etc. I have been using a tripod and setting my ISO to 200.
The proper settings to use are a mix of 80% environmental conditions and 20% personal preference. Entire books have been written on each of those subjects covering when to use what and how to achieve various effects with each of them. There is also lens type, focal length, shutter speed, various digital filters, etc. If you give an example scenario, you'd likely get better tips that apply to what you want to do.

[artoodeeto]

A good macro lens is a good idea too for those close-up shots that are so necessary in documenting your builds. You can take an otherwise unremarkable shot and make it look good simply by getting razor-sharp focus on your subject and letting the background blur out. Usually you have to buy a specifically "macro" lens as their whole point is being able to focus on subjects that are far closer than a normal lens can handle.

Also, any advice from tutorials, books, friends, etc I'd recommend using as a starting point, and then try adjusting settings from there to see what the result is. Oftentimes it doesn't take much of an adjustment to make a big difference. For instance, you might kick the camera up or down a couple of fstops just to test how the change will affect the photo, but for the final photo you may only change it 1 stop or even only a fraction of a stop.

Ditto on the ISO - as low as possible. I once photographed an airshow with my ISO set way high, I think around 1600 (it was a goof-up on my part, I didn't realize it was set that high). My resulting photos were just awful, very grainy. The only time you should use higher ISO settings is in low-light, and even then, IMO, only as a final attempt to get something to show up in the photo.

[dr.walrus]

There's nothing wrong with a flash. You just have to learn that you need a lot of extra gear - soft boxes, diffusers, reflectors, even a ring flash to make use of them properly:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/A18/
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/using-flash-diffusers-and-reflectors