@darhawk lets discuss :)

Musturd · Mar 24, 2013

Hot damn tony I'd rock the shit out of ur car . That Thing looks awesome .

Tony · Mar 25, 2013

Darhawk said:
Tony I like the last one the best, but the 2nd one is good too. If you would have combined them together then that would be spot on for this image. But I wouldn't have blurred the background. But that is purely a judgement call, based on the original person who took the picture. It's good you took out the sharp glare, that was a great idea. It is good you tried to hide the snow, because that would be a minor distraction. So nice job with this image.

Here is my 2nd ( 1st crop see above ) version of how I would have cropped it and I did some very minor tweaking. Not much different from yours. See if you can find the differences.

def got rid of the bright glare on the quarter, lol. cropped it and sharpened it? i'm starting to think my camera really is kinda sucky. reason being is that it wont take good pics w/o alot of light. no matter how i try to adjust. when i use it on bright days..i get crazy glares, lol. time to get a real camera i think!

Darhawk · Mar 25, 2013

[MENTION=17070]Tony[/MENTION] I did all the things you mentioned. I also filled in the rear view mirror and took some brightness off the covertible boot. I also lightened the rear end a bit and made the just the wheels a tad brighter. Well the Noon sun is also part of the problem regarding bright glare. I don't know if you have done this but check your lens and make sure it is clean..sounds simple I know, but that is something that gets missed often since your using a point and shoot. A dirty lens can cause you problems. Can you please tell me the model and brand of the camera you are using?

I know you work in the evenings, but if you can swing it I'd like to see a close to sunset shot, next time you go and shoot some. The warm sun will be much better light. Give it a try. or early morning is best too, up to about 1/2 hour after sunrise. If you can't then no worries.

It's not a car...but show the differences when you use the same position of a scene and just shoot at different times a day.
http://www.pbase.com/joanteno/assignment_2_digital_lighting_photo

Car shooting tips

http://photo.tutsplus.com/articles/shooting-articles/10-tips-on-creative-car-photography/

I think you have already outgrown your point and shoot... it's time for a DSLR!!!!
Buy used and same some money...
For example, I have owned a Canon 10D through 50D and loved them..they are cheaper now and you save some money...you want to put the better money on a quality lens.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/SLR-Digital-Cameras/ci/15488/N/4294182649

I can help you pick out the good stuff when the time comes.

Tony · Mar 26, 2013

i will def get ya some shots like that [MENTION=16788]Darhawk[/MENTION]. i think you'll agree that they look grainy. so yea, i think you're right. dslr time huh, lol.

how much $$ for an easy to use dslr ya think. new...not used? what one would you suggest?

oh, and awesome link. i'm ready man, lol. i gots ta have it

Darhawk · Mar 26, 2013

Tony First off your buying a system and not just a DSLR..so I'd either go Canon or Nikon. Which ever you feel is better in your hands. Personally I shoot Canon, and I have shot Nikon before. Something about Canon I just love it. I try not to be a fanboy of brands, so they are both awesome systems and each have there pluses and minuses. I like the Canon because I do a lot of Birding and I needed the Faster Frames per minute. If your not going to be doing sports or fast type action, then you don't need a fast Frames per sec camera and can save some money.....

Bottom line is for a NEW DSLR that can be easy to use would be - Your going to need a lens too! So a package deal will be a good starter.
Canon
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/732048-REG/Canon_4460B004_EOS_60D_DSLR_Camera.html

Nikon
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/910170-REG/nikon_1503_d5200_digital_slr_camera.html

These comes with lenses but they are not the best lenses. I'd pay more for something else, but that is up to you and your budget.
So for Canon and you can't spend a ton, then get a 60D or Rebel T4i both are awesome and the T4i has a touch screen which I think helps you. I have the T4i and I like it a lot. I also have Prime lenses and a few zoom lenses too.

Nikon I would get either the New 5200 or the for a little bit more cash D7000. I have shot the D7000 and it is a very nice camera. D7000 is on sale now.
The D90 is a bit older model that you can get new, but it is a nice option too.

Go to a camera store and touch and feel.
I buy from B&H all the time and they are wonderful and have great customer service. TOP NOTCH!! once you buy from them you won't go anywhere else.
I don't , I try too and they have really good prices.

Also check Costco for deals.

Ok lets talk Lenses!
Getting a body is the easy part...Lenses can be a struggle, because they are not cheap! You can start with cheaper Kit lenses but if you really want to upgrade you images you have to get good glass. Don't waste money on low end glass if you can help it.
Here is the lenses I would buy to complement my new camera body. I am assuming your on a budget, So I will try to keep the price reasonable. These are
Super Wide Angle to Telephoto lenses. So if you want to get PRIME lenses, then we can talk about that too. These lenses are not considered "FAST" lenses as the aperture is a slow F5.6. You don't want to own anything slower than a F5.6. Sometimes maufactures sell F6.5s and that is not a good lens to purchase. A fast lens would be more like a F1.8 to F2.8 Medium speed would be F3.5 to F4.5 somewhere in that area. Faster the lens the better. You can shoot longer outside when the sun goes down or you can shoot at lower ISO indoors. Most beginners start with a F5.6 lenses, but the one below have image stablity so that helps alot indoors and late outdoors.
For Nikon
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/545654-USA/Nikon_2178_16_85mm_f_3_5_5_6G_ED_VR.html

For Canon
EFS 15-85 this is a great lens and very useful for everyday shooting. I goes wide and has a nice zoom to it. Check out the USED section and get it for $550.00. I might just get it for that goood a deal.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/647013-USA/Canon_3560B002_EF_S_15_85mm_f_3_5_5_6_IS.html

These are just an idea of what lenses you could get. Remember spend more money on you LEN!!!!!!!!!!! not the body. It's the Lens that matter the most. I'd rather shoot a used Camera body and it be 3 years old, if I could save money and buy awesome GLASS!!!!
You should know what features you can live without versus want, because most the bells and whistles on the body will never get used. I use the inexpensive Canon T4i and don't even use all the features. Maybe write down the good and bad with what you have now and see if the new camera comes with those things or if you can live without them..

So if I was going to go buy a new beginner setup today...I would get the Canon T4i with the 15-85IS..that is my choice. I can use that all day long and create nice images. With a Tripod you'd be happy! but then maybe the Nikon is a better fit for you.
Go to FLicker and look at groups made for each camera you are looking at so you can see samples and see different groups made for lenses. At first you'lll be like ah Hell it all looks the same. But once you study this crap for eternity you'll be able to spot a Nikon image vs a Canon images...which is possible.

Let me know if you need anything at all. You want links to Lens or Camera reviews let me know. I'll HOOK YOU UP!!!!!!!!!!

Tony · Mar 27, 2013

hmmm, wow! i guess i never had a clue that the lens mattered that much, lol. always just kinda thought they were for different types of pics..nothing more than that. i see now that the lens is where it's at then huh? so at about a grand...maybe a used camera is more my budget, lol. but i would def be nervous about buying a used dslr camera. wish you lived here i'd take you with me to buy one, lol.

dude you're opening my eyes to a whole new world here, lol. shit i never even knew. this changes everything i had in my head, lol.

here is my question. what i dont understand is how to get shots of a car that actually look like the car, lol. i seriously have never taken a pic of my car that actually look like my car. i wish i could explain that. it's like it is distorted and does'nt pick up body lines or something. will a dslr change that? make the car look just like it does when looking at it?

Darhawk · Mar 27, 2013

Tony said:
here is my question. what i dont understand is how to get shots of a car that actually look like the car, lol. i seriously have never taken a pic of my car that actually look like my car. i wish i could explain that. it's like it is distorted and does'nt pick up body lines or something. will a dslr change that? make the car look just like it does when looking at it?

[MENTION=17070]Tony[/MENTION] I am sorry if I overwhelmed you! that was not my mission. It's really easy to make it more complicated than it needs to be. Just have to spend a few minutes to think about it to make a good choice. I just didn't want you to rush out and buy the first thing you set your eyes on.

To answer your question, I think the answer is YES..Yes you can get your car to look like your car..lol. If you practice and have a nice DSLR and lens you will be happy. Your pictures will stop being grainy and the color will be much better. You images will be clearer. If you go to http://www.autoblog.com/ you can find images taken with Nikon and Canon. Look for pictures of cars that you like and then save them to your desktop. Then right click on the image and go to Properties. Hit the tab that says Details and then you can scroll down and you'll see what ( sometimes ) what camera they actually used to create the image.

For example this Ford Fiesta St was taken with a Canon Rebel XSi ( ← cheap DSLR )
= ↓ great pics!
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-ford-fiesta-st-first-drive/med/#photo-5763681

Shot at :
F5.0
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/125
Focal length of 100mm

Based on the properties of the images it tells me it was on a tripod and it was a zoom type lens, because they don't make a prime 104mm..
That pic looks awesome! Of course they cleaned it up a bit in Photoshop CS3

The Canon XSI is no longer made, but it can be found for around $550.00 new! If you can find one. I think the T4i is much better anyway. If you have large hands, then you might not like the feel of the T4i cause it's small.

Tony · Mar 27, 2013

dam those fiesta pics are fn clean!! i'm more interested in super clean shots than having wild backgrounds and surroundings. i am going to look at that cannon rebel to see if i can find it. those pics seem to be exactly what i want. super sharp and clean. you like the T4i better huh? can ya tell me what ya like better about it. are the pics cleaner? if i can just get clean sharp images i wold be happy. then just pic spots to take the pics. do a little editing and done.

if i find a rebel would you maybe walk me through some settings on it? just whenever ya get free time dude. not gonna hound you to death about each individual setting hahaha! have i told you that you're awesome btw? thanks a ton hawk!!

Burninrock24 · Mar 27, 2013

What camera are you using Tony? From what it looks like you're not getting much bokeh (depth of field). It makes the images look flatter and more shallow. Darhawk is right in that at this point a new camera with a good lens will be the best way to find improvement.

The best way to take a good picture after everything is said and done is to take hundreds of them! lol. Seriously though, I'll take hundreds and hundreds of photos at a shoot and only keep about 25. You'll find things you like and don't like about each photo and somewhere in there you'll find a gem. Wild animals call this superfecundity. Lay hundreds of eggs and a handful will survive. :thumbsup:

Then my next tip is to use a tripod with an auto timer. The smallest bump will soften the edges. Then after that play with your ISO, shutter speeds, and bring along a plain white piece of paper to set your white balance correctly.

Tony · Mar 27, 2013

yea i use a tripod. i just use a fuji a170. so what do yu mean by use a white piece of paper for the white balance? can you explain that a little more?

Darhawk · Mar 27, 2013

Tony Well now the T5i is coming out soon!!! $749.00 nice price! Since this is coming out, the T4i will drop in price. So also a T3i is about $599.00 new. You'll need to buy a 2nd battery when you buy these too..cause they need it.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/945049-REG/canon_8595b001_eos_rebel_t5i_dslr.html

I wouldn't buy a Canon Xsi, but if you like it then go for it. The top of the line Rebels series is a great starting place and it may be just a couple $100 more.
Plus try to get newer in case you want to upgrade in the next 2 years. Lens hold their value, most of the time if you keep them in great shape.

Your hands might like the 60D better. It's $799.00 and it's really awesome! It doesn't have a flip out touch screen like the T4i or the newer processor, but the 60D is still a great camera. If you look on my profile you can see my rear end shot, that is done with a T4i and a 85mm prime lens..I think it was a 85mm, maybe it was a 50mm. The picture in my sig was with a T4i and a 85mm. Of course I have destroyed it by photoshopping the crap out of it..LOL!

Go to B&H and look and then compare the cameras..just click the box of 2 or 3 and then you can see the differences.
A T3i has only 3.7 Fps ( frames per sec)
a T4i has 5.0 Fps
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...9+4058298243+4293918093+4058298238+4045021216
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@Burninrock24 I know you are helping..but
Bokeh isn't depth of field ( DOF) , it is the aesthetic quality of the blur when using a shallow depth of field. The more blades in the diaphram the better. The term "Depth of Field " describes the range in a photograph, from near to far, that appears to be in focus. But this is way past the his learning curve for right now. Let's get him a camera and lens first..LOL!!!!