Going to Rome, have a Canon 10D - NO IDEA how best to take great photos

[Joe Fisher]

Hi all, thanks for taking the time to read this - I need some advice if you will be so kind...

I'm going to Rome in a few weeks time, and so decided to purchase a second-hand EOS 10D with a Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens, seeing as it was an around decent "Travel lens" to buy considering the reviews I read - all in all I spent £350 on it all, not bad I think?...

Anyway - I am totally new to using DSLR cameras, totally new to photography, I think I understand the basics of photography, like focus, ISO, but just the aperture, depth of field, and exposure of photography is taking some time for me to best understand..

I want to be able to take some really nice shots of the architecture, and a lot of beautiful night shots, however I have no idea how to do this, at this point in time I can picture myself taking 30mins upwards trying to get each particular shot right.

Is anyone out there available to offer me some simple tips, in Leighman terms, of

how I can make the most of my lens

how best to achieve good photos,

explaining how to get the light right,

how to take a photo withought camera-shake,
when best to use a tripod (I'm thinking night shots) (I need to buy one - any reccomendations where I can get one cheap, something sturdy and light enough to carry around, I'm willing to spend up to £80 on one...

Tips on aperture/exposure

Also what about filters, can anyone reccomend any that I would find useful? - where best to buy them, and use them etc - also really don't want to spend too much - suggestions anyone??

etc..etc....

Any advice would really help

Thanks!

:getmecoat:

[Bandit]

Hi Joe,

to coin a fraze I'm not too keen on, your request is "a big ask". As I'm sure you can appreciate it's rather difficult to turn you into a architectural tog expert with a few words on here.

My advice is to get some books on the subject, Waterstones and Borders is bursting with them.

I will add the lens you have is a little long for landscape work too. You may need something a little wider to fit all those buildings in.

:)

[elbie]

You defo need a tripod if you want to do night shots. There are alot of canon EOS tutorials on youtube which will help you with the particular camera and it's functions etc. But seen as you need to learn the basics, I agree you need to read up, either from books or research on the internet.

[copycat]

Best advice I can offer is to echo those above:

Read, Read, Read and then Read it again

And

Take your camera with you everywhere over the next couple of weeks and take lots of photos, then take some more, then go back and retake shots

Oh and 30mins trying to get a shot sounds about right

[Joe Fisher]

Ok, thanks to everyone for posting such quick and helpful replies, however just a few more questions...

I'm going to get a few books then to help me out, anyone read them?..

"Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera" by Bryan Peterson - link - http://tiny.cc/2LLio

Also, any ideas on a where I can find a good second-hand Tripod?

And also, what about filters?... any suggestions?....

This book seems ok, what does anyone make of it? - http://tiny.cc/s3ina

Many Thanks!

[Bandit]

Ok, thanks to everyone for posting such quick and helpful replies, however just a few more questions...

I'm going to get a few books then to help me out, anyone read them?..

"Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera" by Bryan Peterson - link - http://tiny.cc/2LLio

Also, any ideas on a where I can find a good second-hand Tripod?

And also, what about filters?... any suggestions?....

This book seems ok, what does anyone make of it? - http://tiny.cc/s3ina

Many Thanks!

Ebay has hundreds of Tri-pods :ok:

As a beginner I would not worry too much about filters just now. The Books look fine though, Lee Frost has been writing books for years. Just check it's geared more toward digital toggin, some film books are a bit dated now :)

[canonman]

Hi all, thanks for taking the time to read this - I need some advice if you will be so kind...

I'm going to Rome in a few weeks time, and so decided to purchase a second-hand EOS 10D with a Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens, seeing as it was an around decent "Travel lens" to buy considering the reviews I read - all in all I spent £350 on it all, not bad I think?...

Anyway - I am totally new to using DSLR cameras, totally new to photography, I think I understand the basics of photography, like focus, ISO, but just the aperture, depth of field, and exposure of photography is taking some time for me to best understand..

I want to be able to take some really nice shots of the architecture, and a lot of beautiful night shots, however I have no idea how to do this, at this point in time I can picture myself taking 30mins upwards trying to get each particular shot right.

Is anyone out there available to offer me some simple tips, in Leighman terms, of

how I can make the most of my lens

how best to achieve good photos,

explaining how to get the light right,

how to take a photo withought camera-shake,
when best to use a tripod (I'm thinking night shots) (I need to buy one - any reccomendations where I can get one cheap, something sturdy and light enough to carry around, I'm willing to spend up to £80 on one...

Tips on aperture/exposure

Also what about filters, can anyone reccomend any that I would find useful? - where best to buy them, and use them etc - also really don't want to spend too much - suggestions anyone??

etc..etc....

Any advice would really help

Thanks!

:getmecoat:

I posted this earlier last week, read through it and it may start to guide you in the right direction. The text below refers to aperture and shutter priority modes, with a Canon 10D, "AV" on the control dial = "aperture priority", "TV" = shutter priority.

If like many you are fairly new to the world of digital SLR photography, or you have a "bridge" type camera with dials and settings you don't understand, then perhaps this may help a little ?

The very fact that you have invested in a camera with controls, would suggest that you are looking to achieve more with your picture taking. To get the best from it, you now need to invest in time and research to begin to really understand the basics of image capture. I am also assuming a basic level of understanding with regard to light levels, and the basic function of a cameras light meter. If unsure about this, I would suggest that as your first piece of research.

My first recommendation is to switch off the fully automatic mode on your camera, and don't switch it on again unless in a panic situation where you just want to be sure of getting a shot, and you have no time to think !

The two operating modes I will talk about here are "aperture priority" and "shutter speed priority". If either of these terms leave you confused, then stop reading this and go and do some research about the basic mechanics of a camera. Those still reading I assume understand "what" the terms mean, but not necessarily "why" there are these specific modes, or "how" to decide which you need to select. I will attempt to give a quick guide to the decision making journey to embark upon prior to selecting the correct mode.

"Shutter Speed Priority"
1. If you are hand holding your camera, there is a simple guide-line to ensure that images don't end up blurred as a result of camera shake (different formula for the new-age digital specific camera/lens kits). Whatever focul length of lens you have on the camera, should be the minimum shutter speed that you capture the image with. This is assuming you have a DSLR with full-frame sensor. It is important that you find out about the "multiplication factor" of your camera sensor. If you have a sensor with a 1.6x factor then this is the formula. Multiply the focul length of your lens by 1.6, that is the minimum to be safe hand-held speed (unless you have an image stabilised lens) for your shot. The longer the lens the more important this becomes, and the faster the shutter speed required.
2. The subject matter is your next considoration. If the subject is moving, or contains movement, the speed of the shutter will effect the outcome. Fast moving objects require fast shutter speeds to "freeze" the action. A slower shutter speed will leave the same moving object blurred. This decision is dependent on how you visualise the outcome. Only experimentation will tell you what actual speeds work to give the desired effect.

"Aperture Priority"
1. The size of the aperture on a lens has a dramatic effect on the focussing capabilities of a lens. If you don't understand "exactly" what is meant by "depth of field", it is very important that you familiarise yourself with this term. The "f" number on a lens denotes the aperture size, and just to confuse you, the higher the number the smaller the aperture! A small aperture gives the greatest depth of field. Obviously a large aperture will give a small depth of field. The overall relationship between shutter speed and aperture size is this. A small aperture (bigger "f" number) allows the least amount of light into the camera and will require a longer exposure (slower shutter speed). A large aperture (small "f" number) allows a lot of light into the camera, and will require a relatively shorter exposure (faster shutter speed).
2. Be aware that large aperture sizes by nature (reduced depth of field) require far more critical focussing, but can be used to fantastic creative effect.

To summarise, the correct exposure is a balancing act between your physical limitations ( Hand held or supported ,relating to focul length, moving or static subject matter), the desired effect and of course the amount of available light. It is the assessment of these factors, knowing exactly what you are attempting to achieve and thus an understanding of what needs to be the "priority", which lets you set the appropriate "priority mode".

The above outlines the principals as simply as I am able to do so. Any able photographer knows this all off by heart. Making this become second-nature is a fairly good grounding as an introduction to more serious photography.

Enjoy !!

[skida]

I agree with everything canonman says about learning and understanding how to get the best from your camera but I will add some contrary advice:

If this is a once in a lifetime trip you are going on in a "few weeks" and you haven't learned and understood how to get the best from your camera by the time you go, turn the camera back to fully auto, find the mode for bracketing your exposures and take plenty of memory cards!:grin:

[MickT]

My advice M8....enjoy you're trip to Rome...went there a few years ago and absolutely loved it - fully intend to go back soon! Regarding the photographs...you've got some good advice here...you need to read & practice, practice, practice...but if you're not confident then do as Skida suggests- shove it on auto (or maybe take one on auto and then another of the same shot on aperture / shutter priority or manual, depending on what you want to achieve...you can then compare the shots later).

One last piece of advice...if you want a great shot of the city and intend visiting the Vatican...go to the right of St Peters Square and follow the signs for 'Cupola'...this takes you all the way up to a small balcony on the top of the Dome...the view right across Rome is stunning....then come back and post some shots!!!!

Have a great time :)
Mick.

[kya]

My advice M8....enjoy you're trip to Rome...went there a few years ago and absolutely loved it - fully intend to go back soon! Regarding the photographs...you've got some good advice here...you need to read & practice, practice, practice...but if you're not confident then do as Skida suggests- shove it on auto (or maybe take one on auto and then another of the same shot on aperture / shutter priority or manual, depending on what you want to achieve...you can then compare the shots later).

One last piece of advice...if you want a great shot of the city and intend visiting the Vatican...go to the right of St Pauls Square and follow the signs for 'Cupola'...this takes you all the way up to a small balcony on the top of the Dome...the view right across Rome is stunning....then come back and post some shots!!!!

Have a great time :)
Mick.


Thats if you don't have a heart attack by the time you get to the top!..lol :)

[MickT]

Thats if you don't have a heart attack by the time you get to the top!..lol :)

LOL...nearly did...but you can use lifts for part of the way...as I realised on the way down.....:)

[Joe Fisher]

Hey All,

Thanks very much for all your advice - I will be sure to read and read and read and read AND read some more....

And then hopefully I'll have some sort of idea of how to take a decent picture of two when I get there - I'll upload them on the way back and tell all with interested ears all about it (I'm only really going to see all the masterpieces by Michaelangelo and Bernini, I can't wait.... 2 weeks today till I go!!)

Anyway, thanks again.. you'll be sure to hear from me soon....

Ciao

Joe