Just discovered a nice little editing programme on my laptop, and I've been playing around for a bit to see what kind of things I can make better e.t.c.

Here is a picture before editing...












And after, a bit better, but could still be even better...




Anyway, your opinions count the most to me right now, I don't know much about photography yet, but I am hoping to get my own camera this year or next year. Tell me what you think.

Just though, maybe this thread would be better in the Fisherman's guide to photography section, where more questions are asked oh well

Thanks

__________________
-- James Gill --

Some more pictures --> http://500px.com/James_EG

100x better, the tying's not bad either

Gary

Changed basic brightness and contrast settings.
I believe photography is all about getting the light correct.
Then you can worry about composition etc.

Thanks Gary, much appreciated, I can't wait until I can save up for my camera, then the photos won't need to be edited so much.

Unfortunately the light I have have is just a basic desk lamp, which gives out a nasty yellow type light, so not really my fault the photo isn't good quality, I've been trying to take photos next to a window when it is bright outside, but I still think a proper photography light (or two) would be the best I could do.

Just out of interest, within my family there has been a debate, I am going to try and save up for a camera if I get a job next year, first of all I did some research and settled on the Canon EOS 60D in a kit with a 18-200mm IS lens. BUT, my parents went to a photography shop and looked at the Sony alpha a65. I have been reading through some of the booklets they brought home of the sony, talking about the camera and all of the sony lenses. Now I am torn between the two. In terms of overall quality and the range of features on the camera, lenses, accessories and ease of use, which camera do you think I should go for?

Thanks

__________________
-- James Gill --

Some more pictures --> http://500px.com/James_EG

Ignore Wobbly's sarcasm, I always run my images through photoshop (in RAW), that's the beauty of digital. Why make things harder for yourself if not required
Work with what you've got and add to it as you learn.

Hi James.
It comes down to personal choice. I like Canon, my daughter who did photography at Uni likes Nikon. We both have Minolta 35mm film cameras (mine a 5000 and ancient), Sony took over Minolta. I believe the Minolta lenses fit the Sony cameras though they are slower than the dedicated Sony lenses.
Canon may have more features than Nikon, but Nikon tends to have better build quality and very good lenses.
Checkout the photography section on the forums. Capt'n Fishy is very knowledgeable, some very good info on there.

I think I would find it easier editing, than spending ages trying to get the light I have any better. What's your opinion on the camera, I still have no idea what I'm going to go for, I need more experienced opinions than my own, or a my sister's she seems to think she knows all there is to know about photography, I've learned mainly to ignore her (She only has a basic compact camera)

---------- Post added at 09:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:53 PM ----------

Thanks, I haven't really looked at Nikon much, I think I will have to do a bit of reasearch when I have some time tomorrow, and I think I will send Capt'n Fishy a PM

__________________
-- James Gill --

Some more pictures --> http://500px.com/James_EG

No sarcasm intended. I too use photoshop and shoot in raw. Get the lighting right with the camera and no need to use photoshop apart from viewing and croping the photos and then saving in jpeg.

I'm not qualified to offer advice on camera choice James, I'm 100% Nikon where as Wobbly is Canon, each to their own and both manufacturers are formidable.
It's like everything else, buy what you can afford, but don't skimp on glass

Gary

---------- Post added at 10:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:59 PM ----------

Exactly as I do and use a recorded action to do it, save a lot of time

Apologies for picking you up wrong

Hi James,
Nice fly in the photo You might want to look at the daylight CFL (26watts) that are on the market, they are more of a bright bluish colour and less of the yellow from other bulbs. Not sure if they help but I prefer them.
As to cameras Cannon and Nikon seem to be the 2 players in the DSLR range, both are very good (ignore the cult followings of either camp). I have a bag full of the old Minolta film equipment and had no problems, don't know anything about Sony cameras. You can find lots of good Free software for photo editing or photo related on CNET and other places. Read the reviews then have fun with the apps