Ooooh, I would be interested in people's opinion on this.
I do very little (actually none) PP.

I use Raw Therapee and wondered what is considered the best freeby for a complete amateur. Would this be better?

That's very kind of you fatspider.
No, no PP.
Thanks for that, now I know what the terminology is, I can look into it.
Thanks again.

(Also a try to see if I can post a picture)

Hi everyone, I really am a beginner, having had a camera only couple of months and struggling for time to play with it.
I see phrases like 'noise' etc, and I am learning a lot.
(Mainly by messing up loads of photos )
I occassionally get this in low light I think.
Ignore the photo, I was just messing about freehand.
It was dusk with a flash.

You see the stuff on the black part?
Is that 'noise'? or 'graininess'? please?
Thanks



(Hopefully that link has worked.)

Nice, thanks.
Yes, I will do, looking forward to it.
It is how to learn eh?
I need to make time for this.
Also, I need to keep the camera in the van by the looks of things.

Hi all,
I have definitely found the section of the forum to learn.
I am a total beginner so will be reading avidly.
I couldn't resist commenting though.
What a great photo.
Can I ask?
Is that all natural colours?

Thanks everyone.
Am I right that the way to get criticism on stuff is upload it to the gallery and get people to be critical about it?
Cheers in advance.

Hi Carl,
cheers for the welcome.

wow, not sure about that.
I am doing most everything in manual to learn how to do it.
Many errors, but fun.
I am also trying to get in there with my Raynox which is showing me all sorts of different challenges.
I feel like a kid, such fun
Time and rain are an issue though.

Not even considered cropping or PP yet. One thing at a time for me.

Does one upload photos to one's profile to get criticism and advice?
Ah, it appears that I can't do that for 30 days.

Yes, I agree it depends what one sees as budget, which is why I thought I would mention it.
Personally, my budget is next to non existent and I want to have a play with things to find out what I would like first being new to photography.

Boy I drool at the quality of some of the lenses in some of these discussions, I would love to play with them. Maybe for Christmas??????

In the meantime:


FROGFISH!!!!!!
You can put them both together???????
I can't believe I hadn't thought of that.

I am off bug hunting, thanks.

Yup, sorry, another noob.
Looking through here, we aren't lacking in enthusiasm are we?
How great is this DSLR thing eh?
Take as many as you like AND focus on what you want.....
Faints with joy.

I am the same as many others: MEF years ago, life got in the way, now I have just realised how cheap a secondhand K100D was. Happy me.
Budget of about zero but thoroughly enjoying snapping away with some old Pentax fit lenses I had. (good old Pentax).
Again like many others, been tempted by some old lenses of course and drool at these modern ones.
To be honest though, I rather like playing around in manual and learning how to take a photo.
(Also just plumped for a cheap man's macro......Raynox 250 is quite fun)
I look forward to learning much much more from everyone everyone seems so friendly.

Hi there,
I suspect I am just jumping in here and about to put foot in mouth.
I have only just joined and I am a complete beginner so please feel free to point out any dopey comments I make.
I too was drawn by the macro and looked at lenses, and have looked for old ones that might give the same result but it just appears they need to be expensive to be worth it.
(I am on a budget of about £0)
I ended up trying out the Raynox 250.
It doesnt get you very far away, but it is great fun for a low price.
(Apologies for just butting in, but I thought it might just be worth a mention)