Newbie - Bought my first DSLR camera

[grdnangl313]

I have to admit I have not used many features, but want to learn more about the settings on my camera. Where should I start - I have to admit I really am a newbie to the terms used, iso, aperature, shutter speed, oh my!! Where do I begin to learn about it more, so I can start taking really cool pictures?

I bought a Canon Rebel XSI and have two lenses for it - 18-55 and 55-250. I do use the macro setting for my flowers and they turn out great.

What I really want to learn is how to photograph movement. My daughter is on her high school dance team and the photos I take are very blurred. I'm sure it has to do with the lighting in the gym, and the movement of course, etc. ANY suggestions?? Would a different kind of lens help?

[iUma]

Oh, what an adventure you are beginning!!

I would join Kelby Training for a month and watch as many videos as you can!!

(just google it .... they are easy to find).

Congrats.

[dugarner]

Good for you! I've had my dSLR for three years now and it changed my life.

I second Patricia's advice about all things Scott Kelby. I also spent a few months reading the forums on dgrin.com (a Smug Mug photography forum) and learned a ton there.

Don't get discouraged at the beginning---you take take really cool pictures without moving your dial off auto. This is one of my favorite pictures ever

Wildlife - Digital Scrapbooking Ideas - DesignerDigitals

and I took that handheld with my telephoto lens. So you can do lots!

As for your daughter's dance team, yes, the lighting is the culprit. A different lens would help. For the Sony camera I have, one of the right lenses is the 70-200mm 2.8. That means that all the way out at 200mm (zoomed way in), the aperture (the hole that lets the light in) is wide-open at 2.8, letting in lots of ambient light. It's a very expensive lens but worth it. I think several ladies on the forum here have a similar lens for indoor sports (basketball and such).

Find a website that explains the exposure triangle (shutter speed, ISO, and aperture) very well. That is the #1 concept to understand if you're not going to shoot on auto setting. And sometimes the auto setting doesn't "think" as well as you can in certain circumstances. I frequently override auto, switch to manual, and choose different settings that give me an acceptable result.

Good luck! Don't hesitate to ask questions.

[esther_a]

Yes, when I got my first DSLR I was frustrated with indoor action shots, too. Even when I had the ISO on its highest setting (1600). I bought a f2.8 wide aperture lens, too, and it made a big difference.
The blur is because of slow shutter speed. For action you'd need about 1/200th second.
I like this link for explaining the exposure triangle (shutter speed, ISO, and aperture)

[Amy L]

Don't get discouraged about the blurry photos...that's a tough situation to photograph. A monopod may help to stabilize your camera so you can use a little slower shutter speed. You have some good advice here and congrats on your purchase!

[grdnangl313]

Thanks for all the encouragement - there is so much to learn!

[grdnangl313]

So I'm taking pictures tomorrow of my daughter (inside) dancing and have no clue what to set the settings at to stop the blur - anyone give me specifics to start on my Canon camera? I guess I will have to experiment!

[dugarner]

Originally Posted by grdnangl313

So I'm taking pictures tomorrow of my daughter (inside) dancing and have no clue what to set the settings at to stop the blur - anyone give me specifics to start on my Canon camera? I guess I will have to experiment!

You really aren't going to be able to get great shots inside without a fast lens. But you can try putting it on M and setting the shutter to 1/125 or so, bump the ISO up to 800 or even 1600 if you can, and put the f stop on the LOWEST number possible (probably something between 3.5 and 5.6). Take a few shots in the indoor lighting and "chimp" (look at your screen). If it's way too light, bring the ISO down one. If it's too dark, there's not a whole lot you'll be able to do except try to fix it in photoshop. Your maximum aperture (the "f" number) is limited by the lens you're using and the shutter speed needs to be fast enough to stop the motion. 1/125 may not be fast enough. If it's really bright, you can try bumping the shutter speed up a little bit (make the bottom number bigger) and you'll have a lower chance of bluriness.

Does that make sense?

[angelanoel]

My best advice for learning to use a DSLR is simple: take lots of photos.

Sure, I know all of the technical things but, really, just reading about it wasn't enough for me. I had to actually see it for myself.

Whenever I can, I take my camera with me places and snap dozens and dozens of photos. It's digital, all you're wasting is electrons (no, not really, they just transferred but you get the gist). I wind up with maybe a 1:10 ratio of "good" photos to horrible ones that I dump as soon as I get them off my camera. Of those "good" ones, maybe 1 out of 10 is "excellent" and maybe 4 need some simple touching up to get there.

[anke]

The ladies already gave you good advice. I was in the same place a few years back. The kit lenses just don't cut it if you try to take indoor photos, especially with lots of movement. You need the fast lens for that, unless you have lots of light... enjoy the new camera though, you will have such a great time learning (and buying new lenses LOL)

[Myra]

Congratulations! I second the "take a lot of photos" advice. My photography moved to a new level when I started shooting every.single.day. Learn about shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings, and how they all work together. Then everything makes sense.