Full steam ahead. Full stop.

I have been going full steam ahead since changing my project. I am so glad that I ended up having to change projects since I am quite passionate about photography, but just never have time to really get into it and always think that I do not have the money. Several of my friends take pictures professionally on the side now and I always am envious of the quality of their work. I have no aspirations of taking pictures for money, but I am excited to have clearer pictures of my children and of the vivid colours of Saskatchewan sunrises and sunsets!

 

It’s been a whirlwind few days since I bought my camera on Saturday off of used regina.

 

I have been looking online for tutorials to help get me started, but I first started by finding an online manual for the Canon Rebel. I must admit it got a little tedious to read so then I decided that I would rather watch videos!

I found some good online video tutorials on YouTube that used the Canon Rebel as the camera that was featured. They reminded me of what I think participating in a MOOC would be like since they are actual lectures at South Puget Sound Community College.

 

Video 1:Art 170: Using the Canon Rebel XS

 

 

Video 2:

I watched this one on film speed/ ISO:

 

Video 3: Shutter speed

 

Video 4: Aperture

I went out and experimented with my camera at the Park yesterday. I took pictures of different sizes- S, M, L and RAW. I then took pictures that were at different ISO’s. I tried to take pictures at different shutter speeds and apertures, but quickly realized that the one thing that the videos did not actually show how to do was how to change it on my camera- oops!

 

Another thing that is a problem is that I left the camera on RAW and when I got home my laptop would not read my photos. I am trying to watch videos on how to fix this. I am hoping if I update my operating system it might help. My operating system is ancient on this laptop (Windows Vista I think). I also bought the camera used so I have no software and the memory card must is formatted to Canon and takes me to a link that no longer works. If you have any ideas on how I can fix this please comment below. I also own a dinosaur of a Mac desktop (9 years old) so if I can find my memory card reader I could try to download my pictures there too. I did watch this video and will try to watch others or perhaps read the manual some more 😉

Here are some of the photos that I did manage to download when I was trying to learn about image quality:

Smallest quality:

Second smallest:

Medium quality:

 

Second most medium quality:

Second largest:

 

Largest quality:

 

Now these pictures may have been condensed or altered a little by my computer or by Word Press, but can you see a difference? In all honesty I don’t see too much of a difference on here, but I might if I went to print them. It could also be the scenery that I chose.

So my goals for this week are: 1) to figure out how to download my RAW photos 2) to figure out how to change the aperture and shutter speed settings and experiment with them 3) to figure out how to take a video of myself learning this project

Let me know if you have any feedback. I look forward to hearing from you!