New Canon T2i shots

[Jaded_Heart]

Just got a new camera, so far I really love it, I have almost NO experience with DSLR cameras, but took a YouTube crash course and so far this is what I've been getting.

You folks who have been using DLSR cameras for a while, I would love constructive critiques and advice! Really wanna get good at this!!

Some shots with my reptiles

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2104.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2098.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2143.jpg

Nature

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2373.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2378.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2672.jpg

and at last weeks Harrisburg, PA Dog Show (this was indoor, NO flash allowed here)

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2473.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2514.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/vcae.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2645.jpg

[Walter Smith]

Pretty cool shots, especially the dog pics. How about trying some shots of the snakes in full body. The only thing in focus on them is the heads. I don't own a DSLR but I'm REALLY contemplating on getting one.

I'm more of a Nikon person myself. I've been using a Nikon CoolPix 4500 / swivel body for years and get pretty nice shots, but those DSLR's are amazing as far as the clarity.

Hope you post some full body snake pics. I would love to see how they come out.

Walter
:crazy02:BOUT' CORNS !!

[Jaded_Heart]

here's a few more overall focused snakes

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2060.jpg
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2138.jpg
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2106.jpg

and not the whole body, but the whole shot is in focus, vs. just a small area of the shot
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2081.jpg
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/IMG_2051.jpg

[Walter Smith]

Much better. Nice clarity !!

Walter
:crazy02:BOUT' CORNS !!

[repsolal]

Very nice !
Love the DOF on the head shots
my wife has the XSi and loves it too

[Jaded_Heart]

One thing I've been having issues with, my mother's dogs. they are boxers and frenchies. Well we want some running action in the backyard. and I know what setting stops the action, my issue is, the yard is on a hill, and they are usually running diagonally from wherever I am standing. SO I can't seem to keep them in focus to save my life! Anyone with knowledge about this PLEASE PLEASE advice would be greatly appreciated!! Auto-focus seems to get confused, and manual I get closer to "focused" but not nailing these shots. I just wanna find a setting that makes mostly the whole scene focused so I can pay attention to a good shot, rather than "wait it's focused on the grass a few millimeters behind the dog!" lol

[RobbiesCornField]

Beautiful shots!

[Jaded_Heart]

Today I went to the Luray Rescue Zoo in Luray, VA

They have nothing except rescued and/or confiscated animals. They do not sell, buy, or trade animals.

This being said, they have some amazing animals here.

My "NAILED IT" shot, this one gave me goosies

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/GTP.jpg

Another shot, less "intense"

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/GTP3.jpg

Other Reptiles
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/BlackTail.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/BlackForest.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/Canebrake.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/Gators.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/Eyelash.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/Diamondback2.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/SnapCommon2.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/SawScale.jpg

[Jaded_Heart]

Onto some mammals and birds outside (Bars in the way for most of these pics, posed focusing challenge but manual focus seemed to help A LOT)

ANDEAN CONDOR!!!! OMFG!!!! WHO SEES THESE!??? EVER!!!!!
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/Andean.jpg
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/Andean2.jpg

LOL Yes that's exactly what I said when I walked up to that guy!

Moving right along

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/Kestrel3.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/EagleOwl.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/Snowy.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/Toucan2.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/Wallaby.jpg

and this guy was sleeping inside his den, so the Keeper graciously offered to bring him out for me. I wasn't sure what he intended to do, but turns out all he had to do was go towards the enclusure. AS SOON as he was within viewing distance, this guy was out, calling to him, chuffing, just carrying on like that was his Daddy. turns out, our keeper bottle fed this animal from a cub. Awwwwww

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/Tiger2.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/Tiger.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x330/prymalreptiles/Photography/Tiger4.jpg

[MotleyMedusa7]

those are some really nice pictures! :)

[Mdtalley22]

Is that you touching the tiger? Awesome, if so!

[Pruddock]

Great shots! Nothing feels better than shooting a Canon ;-) Are you shooting in Manual? If not I would strongly suggest playing with it just because it's going to give you as much control over the different aspects of the shot as possible. Also, are you shooting in RAW or JPEG format?

Looks like you're getting the hang of that DSLR quick, keep it up! :)

[Jaded_Heart]

Mdtalley, no I wish it was me but that was the head keeper, he came out because Star, the tiger, was in her sleepy place and I couldn't get a single picture of her. The second the keeper came over though, Star was up chuffing and carrying on like he was her "mommy" it was so breathtaking!

[Jaded_Heart]

Pruddock. Yes I am shooting manual but have not used raw format because I don't have an imaging program that opens those :(

[HeavenHell]

Nice photos. BTW - you can download Canon's Digital Photo Professional (DPP) which will allow you to read and adjust raw images. It should have been included with your camera.

[Pruddock]

Nice photos. BTW - you can download Canon's Digital Photo Professional (DPP) which will allow you to read and adjust raw images. It should have been included with your camera.

Ditto. RAW is an absolute must as you dive further and further into the addictive hobby/profession that is photography.

[whoty]

OK,I know Im late to the party. OP was asking how to stop action...shutter speed. For a shot of a dog running,you may want to use a shutter speed of maybe 1/500th or higher to totally freeze action. Gotta remember though,higher shutter speed = less light getting to the sensor. Also,shoot raw like others have mentioned. It gives you total control when processing your images. You should use AI Servo when tracking moving objects. Switch your focus mode to it,then focus and hold your focus button down while staying on the subject. It takes a lil practice,but becomes easy once you get the hang of it. Another thing,if you really want to get some awesome shots of your snakes,you should look into getting a speedlight. That way you have total control of flash and you can try some OCF=off camera flash. Good luck and happy shooting.

[Eiram]

I done know anything about photography but coincidentally, I was just discussing going to that zoo. After seeing your pictures I'm definitely going to go :) Oh and they are beautiful pictures by the way, I'm so impressed by all yalls work

[Eiram]

Don't* for some reason I'm pretty inept at typing on this tablet lol