We are the Sheppards

i’ve been spending a lot of time learning how to use my canon eos rebel t3i.  i have been reading & reading & reading.  i’ve also been snapping pictures every chance i get (read: i don’t leave home without my camera.)

i’ve been reading my manual as well as darcy’s series of 31 days to a better photo.  i’ve also read the pioneer woman’s what the heck is aperture series.  there has also been random websites here & there with snippets of information.  (it’s amazing what the internet can provide). 

overall, i’ve been super happy with my progress.  i am doing a decent job at figuring out what i need to change on my settings should a picture not turn out well (over or under exposed).  

i also like that there are a battery of online editing sites to help me spruce up or play with a picture.  

below is a picture, of emilia, that i fixed up.  i immediately knew that i over exposed this picture but thankfully was able to tame it down & make it beautiful (in my opinion).  (sadly, i didn’t write down all that i did, i was just playing.  whoops!)  

i am looking forward to spending more time editing more pictures.  i love that i will be able to add my own personality to them!

I have been learning the manual functions of my new camera little by little, bit by bit.  I am thoroughly enjoying the learning process.  As I mentioned here, I want to use my camera to it’s fullest.  I want to know that I can shoot manually (or automatically) and be comfortable & happy with the end result.

For the last two or three days, I have been playing around with the shutter speed.  Shutter speed refers to the amount of time the camera’s shutter is open and is measured in fractions of seconds.  Basically, I need to let the right amount of light in to take the picture with out over or under exposing it - too light or too dark of a picture.

In my head, I know I want to jump in feet first & not look back but I am not allowing myself to do this.  Sure, I’m taking pictures like crazy & at random moments but I am also allowing myself proper time to learn the functions.  I really don’t want to move on until I know I understand what I am doing (yikes, that was a lot of “I’s”).

These two pictures were shot moments apart.  Everything about the pictures are the same, except for the shutter speed.  Both were 28 mm // f/4 // ISO 3200

1/400

1/1000

As you can see the picture on the bottom, the shutter wasn’t open as long as the top.  It’s darker. Whereas the top picture, the shutter was open longer allowing more light in.

I have many more pictures that I’ve taken watching & studying the shutter speed.  As I caught on, my frustration level went down.  With time & practice, it will become easier & really a second nature (at least that it was is I am telling myself).  Normally, I’d move on to the next chapter but I am going to spend a little more time perfecting shutter speed.