Jw. You around?

r9stedt

Can I ask some more stupid camera questions?

j-w

Yup, just got here!

r9stedt

NM! Found my answer in my understanding exposure book!

j-w

Oh man, I was just getting excited to see if I actually knew the answer!

r9stedt

I was wondering about shutter speed, and why I never see a fraction. Then I figured out that number I always see is the denominator. Duh. Anyway, new question, focal length? What's that? I bought UE yesterday. This is the first time I have had a chance to look at it. Thanks for all your help!

r9stedt

Lower exposure (is that the correct terminology??) for darker situations? So like 1/60 vs 1/200, correct? Brighter the quicker/higher number? (my spawn is at grandma's so I have the next two nights to have undivided attention with my camera!)

j-w

Focal length, I definitely can't explain yet!  You really start to notice the darkness when you get up into the 600s+ for shutter speed.  One way to change the exposure is to use exposure compensation, which is the +/- button next to the shutter release.

r9stedt

Yes! I have already been playing with the exposure compensation feature! I actually did so this weekend when I was taking pictures. I definitely over exposed some, but that is how you learn, I suppose. Thanks for your help! Do you think I would look ridiculous taking a Teddy bear out and taking pictures of it for practice? much more willing than my child.

j-w

I like to play with the exposure compensation for things like Christmas lights, candles, etc.  But, I am now addicted to doing it totally on manual to get the right exposure.  I am super excited to get to Photoshop, but have no idea when I'll have the time to sit and mess with it.  Somehow 2 kids doesn't leave all that much free time!  I would definitely mess with a teddy bear!  My DS is such a little camera freak, I hope it never changes!  DD purposely avoids me, isn't that sweet?

r9stedt

Maybe the Teddy bear and I will go for a stroll in the park tomorrow. However, he doesn't quite have the face that would attract shadows (that I'm trying to avoid) like humans do! Lol. I love photoshop. It is a blessing. I used to use picnik.com when I had internet and didn't have photoshop. I only have elements 2.0, so a VERY old version, but for what I am doing right now it works. And it was free! Thanks for all your help. Your daughter sounds like my son! Um... I'm sure I will have lots of more questions. I'm sure it just takes practice, right?

j-w

I just got the newest, I think 7.0?  To avoid shadows, look for open shade.  It is the bright sun that makes the shadows really bad.  And one tip in a book I read was to fire the flash and it would help soften the harsh shadows from direct sun, so you could mess with that!  It takes practice, for sure!

r9stedt

7.0? Color me jealous! How long have you had your camera?

j-w

I just checked, it is 7.0!  I got my camera in November and have come a loooooooong way with it!