Today is my birthday - and I am now the proud owner of a Panasonic Lumix FZ 1000. It's very exciting, since I've never had more than a point and shoot camera (in the dim and distant past) and an Iphone for happy snaps more recently.
I visited Lackford Lakes (near Bury St Edumnds, Suffolk) for an hour or so this morning with my hubby, and just missed some bramblings. The Volunteer at the visitor centre was most excited about seeing them. But I did see a siskin on one of the feeders and a lovely grey wagtail stalking about on the ice at the edge of a shallow pool - however I had hardly switched on my camera before he had disappeared again. I did get some shots of the siskin and a few blue tits, but they looked quite blurred through the viewfinder (I had it set on IA - Intelligent Automatic - something I am not!!).
Luckily for me, I was able to find a 10 week beginner's course running at the revered and well established Ipswich Institute and attended my first session on Wednesday evening. Getting to grips with all the acronyms on the dials, plus function buttons - not to mention puzzling out why turning the focus had no effect (I had it on autofocus, so I guessed that disables the manual focussing) is a challenge. I came away from the session with head spinning, but am hoping for gradual Enlightenment over the weeks and months.
We wandered off to a hide and I saw some Egyptian Geese, Teal, Tufted duck, cormorants, coots, swans etc - so that was a delight. I even managed to get a few shots of the scenery, though light levels were pretty low!
Many thanks to all the friendly folk (Angus, Mike and others) who helped me find the right camera (see the thread "Bridge camera for a complete beginner").
Thanks, Nigel. I am sure they will, given how very cold it's getting. I did see a blue tit sitting there staring at the feeding holes, putting his head on one side, then deciding he'd rather shop at the Other Place (ie the sunflower feeder) as it was easier!! LOL
I have been having fun experimenting - not sure my camera (which is sure to get a name soon - most things of interest get one in our household) - is enjoying it, though!
Hi James - what a revelation! I didn't actually notice that little dial thingy - and now I can actually see through the viewfinder... Hurrah! Thank you so much for the tip...
At my first photography lesson, we learnt (amongst other things) about White Balancing... and tried it out in the local park. The penny has dropped as a result:
Hmm - very bluey tinge
This one is more like it, though it was much brighter/sunnier in reality...
As they say Karen, practice makes perfect, good luck.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Thanks, Catlady - I am so enjoying it all!
Hurrah! Our shy goldfinch has spotted the feeder, and spent some time having his Deluxe Dinner on it today. Maybe he was celebrating Burns Night? Wot, no Haggis??!
I see someone has shared the Getting off auto link.
Photography is as wonderful a hobby as watching the birds and other wildlife.
Photography generally is about light and composition. After a while, you'll start to see things how the camera does and not how you perceive the subject to be. That way, you'll appreciate the tinges in photos that you didn't see.
With photography today being digital, the opportunity to experiment and learn is easy, unlike the days of film, where cost was a big stumbling block for many, plus the wait for the photos to come back from the developers.
A notebook can be handy to note the camera settings, though most modern computers today when using File Manager will allow you to see what the settings each photo you took were used.
Enjoy your new camera, even those of us who have been taking photos for years struggle to get all the photos perfect, and we're happy to share our amusing but awful photos in the "Bad pics of fab wildlife" thread.
https://community.rspb.org.uk/chat/f/the-tea-rooms/113733/bad-pics-of-fab-wildlife---part-2
We look forward to seeing you photos, and don't despair on the dull days, nature is still very busy when you think it should be hiding away from the elements.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
I am getting along nicely now - with help from this forum, plus a course and family/friends.
I was pleased to snap this little fellow through a window, at a distance of 20 feet. I like the contrast with the honeysuckle berries...
It was annoying that 2 long tailed tits and a goldfinch visited this morning, when they were nowhere to be seen on Garden Birdwatch weekend! They must have had a problem with their diaries - or maybe too much in demand from other folk?!