Comments on: Focus on Photos

By: DameCatoe

DameCatoe — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:11:54 +0000

I’ve been visiting SP for a couple years to download free kits, but I just found the blog today! There are some great tips here. My 35mm prime has become my go-to lens. I started with the 50mm, but yeah, on a crop-factor camera, it was often just too close to the subject. It’s always fun to read about other photographer’s faves!

By: linz

linz — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:44:08 +0000

I love reading about which lenses people use, because it is so hard to decide what to buy, particularly when you are not hugely experienced. I bought the canon 40D body without the lens kit and with it, bought the 18-250mm lens. This is a Huge lens and I needed the big body to mount it but it has been amazing for taking photos of small children at play, landscapes… well anything really. I have been told it is a cop out lens, as it doesn’t require any thought or planning or knowledge. But it has such a huge range that you can have a lot of fun zooming in and out and capturing pictures that you might not otherwise have got. I guess it is a lazy person lens, but then again it is perfect for travel and trips. I do have another lens. 50mm 1.8, which I bought largely because it was very cheap and the shop assistant recommended it for portraits. He was right and it is brilliant, I have been rapt with my shots on this. I would like to collect some more lenses, but slowly as I learn the ins and outs of my camera.

By: Beckie

Beckie — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:01:01 +0000

YAY! thanks, Rikki!! We’re really glad you’re finding this information to be helpful!!

By: Beckie

Beckie — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:00:01 +0000

Hi Robin! ahhh…this is the dilemma with lenses, LOL! WHICH ONE?! here are my thoughts about your situation and what lens to get…since you’re just getting started in your photography journey (and by the way – the Rebel is an excellent camera and will do ALL of the stuff we’ve talked about here!), I suggest going with the 50mm 1.8 to start off. It will only cost you about $100 (US) and will let you test out all of the various techniques we’ve discussed in these posts. Since you have the kit lens that came with your camera, you can continue to use that lens for “all-around” activities, especially in-doors or tight spots, where your 50mm will be “too tight” for you to get the shots you want. Take several months with that lens and just learn all the basics of photography, how your camera functions, etc. Having a $400 lens won’t help you if you haven’t mastered your camera anyway!

Once you’ve used the 50mm for a while and learned how to really use your camera, you can decide for yourself which way to go next. For me, I desperately wanted another prime lens that would give me sharp focus and gorgeous bokeh but that would be better indoors and in tight spots, so that’s why I went with the Sigma 30mm 1.4 next. But like I said – I definitely want to get the 50mm 1.4 at some point, as I’ve read so many wonderful reviews and seen so many gorgeous photos first hand.

Welcome to blog! we’re so glad you found us! drop us a line or a question any time! :)

By: Robin

Robin — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:54:18 +0000

Hi Becky ~ I just discovered this section tonight.
Thanks for the photo tips. We’ve only just got a Canon 1000D (I think it’s the Rebel over there?) as a first go with a DSLR so am not up with the play on it yet. It shoots well enough in auto, lol.
I’m wondering – in your comments below the heart bullet points, you say the 30mm 1.4 is your favourite lens. Do you mean 50mm? Or is there a 30mm 1.4 and you like this better than the 50mm?
I read somewhere else about the 50/1.4 and how sharp it is. I doubt we’ll get one soon but I’d like to consider it for sometime later when I’m more used to the camera (& have the extra funds!).

By: rikki

rikki — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:48:03 +0000

hi beckie,

i just wanted to say that this was a very helpful post. i’ve been reading photography tip blogs for about a year now, but i feel like i’m learning new things from the SP blog! thanks for keeping it fresh and informative!

By: Shabby Princess

Shabby Princess — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:30:18 +0000

LOOOOOVE it, beckie! another great photo post with TONS of wonderful info :o) THANK YOU!

By: Kylie

Kylie — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 03:08:29 +0000

Beckie – another fantastic post! I’m like Christine and don’t YET own an SLR – digi or manual! But so love reading all your fantastic tips and am learning heaps in preparation for the BIG moment when I finally make that wonderful purchase. In the meantime, I’m having fun playing around with the manual settings on my little Canon Ixus to see what tips I can master now. Thanks Beckie!! :o)

By: Beckie

Beckie — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:07:24 +0000

me, too! SP was one of the first sites I ever discovered…and through scrapping I’ve developed an insane desire to become a better photographer. I love how things work out that way! ;o)

The Canon 500d is branded as the T1i here in the states…I’ve heard great things about it! I hope you love it!!

By: Beckie

Beckie — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:05:03 +0000

Hey Christine! thank you so much for your sweet comments! ;o)

I think everyone does something different for printing, but here’s what I do: I have an action created in photoshop that saves a web version (for uploading to my FAVORITE site, ha ha) – and saves a high res .jpg version to be printed to a folder called…PRINT. ;o)

Then I watch my favorite on-line print sites for sales and upload LOTS of them all at once to get printed. Normal US rates are about $1.99 for 12×12 plus shipping (watch out – some sites REALLY get you for shipping). But with sales you can get either free shipping and/or prices as low as $1.49 per sheet. Then I buy d-ring albums at craft stores and put my pages into the clear plastic sleeves. I don’t scrap in chronological order, so this gives me the freedom to scrap what I want, when I want!

I use scrapbookpictures.com, but I see good reviews from persnicketyprints.com and mypictales.com also. I’m sure there are more (others jump in here, LOL!)