A change of style badly needed.

[glsammy]

Recently I've been a bit fed up of always taking the same type of shots. Close ups of Blue Tits and the like are hardly much of a challenge.
Today we decided to chase the sun and drove into the Yorkshire Dales to some sites I've never been to before. I decided it would be a good chance to try something different, so I slapped my 10-20mm lens on my old 20D. I had a great time, we both thoroughly enjoyed the day and will definitely be going back, if only for me to try the shots I took again!

I'm shocked how badly I did! Badly exposed, poor composition, you name it I did it. I could blame the camera or the lens, the truth is I've become lazy. I was still in bird taking mode, where just about all I have to think of is which direction the sun is coming from and how close I am.
The experience has at least woken me from my lethargic state. I intend to get out with that set up and try and do it correctly next time.

It did show me how much I'd become reliant on on of the 40D features that's not on the 20D, the flashing exposure feature. When I looked at some of the shot I'd taken on the 20D, I thought the exposure looked OK. It wasn't. On the 40D, those burnt out skies would have been flashing a warning at me, forcing me to change my settings. I know I should have checked the Histogram, but as I said at the start, I've become lazy!

All in all a good day, and a hard lesson learnt.

There will be no shots from today, I'm too embarrassed by them all!

[ron1863]

Graham, I for one wouldn't have minded seeing some of your shots from today as I have never looked at a poor glsammy photograph yet.

[galanthus]

Sometimes it's quite refreshing to set yourself a challenge. Whether that's limiting yourself to a small area or with 1 lens only or even just indoors with a macro. I doubt your shots weren't great Graham, it's just you're used to absolutely perfect perfect shots doing birds. We'd probably be proud to own them

[Meta menardi]

That must be one of the most inspirational posts I have read for ages.

Must get out of my rut, I am taking some photos again and again. Thank you for this jolt, I have been getting stale in finding new things to see, and thus photo.

[squishy]

thank you for posting this! it has inspired me to learn how to use my new camera's live histogram reading

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by glsammy

Recently I've been a bit fed up of always taking the same type of shots. Close ups of Blue Tits and the like are hardly much of a challenge.
Today we decided to chase the sun and drove into the Yorkshire Dales to some sites I've never been to before. I decided it would be a good chance to try something different, so I slapped my 10-20mm lens on my old 20D. I had a great time, we both thoroughly enjoyed the day and will definitely be going back, if only for me to try the shots I took again!

I'm shocked how badly I did! Badly exposed, poor composition, you name it I did it. I could blame the camera or the lens, the truth is I've become lazy. I was still in bird taking mode, where just about all I have to think of is which direction the sun is coming from and how close I am.
The experience has at least woken me from my lethargic state. I intend to get out with that set up and try and do it correctly next time.

It did show me how much I'd become reliant on on of the 40D features that's not on the 20D, the flashing exposure feature. When I looked at some of the shot I'd taken on the 20D, I thought the exposure looked OK. It wasn't. On the 40D, those burnt out skies would have been flashing a warning at me, forcing me to change my settings. I know I should have checked the Histogram, but as I said at the start, I've become lazy!

All in all a good day, and a hard lesson learnt.

There will be no shots from today, I'm too embarrassed by them all!

Yey!!! This sounds fabulous. Your shots of birds and insects are so stunning its true, but when you have mastered something it definately should be stimulus to try new things new angles, - that's how you get the once in a lifetime images that take your breath away and make you feel all proud even years later.

I can't wait to see what you come up with

Go Graham

[JennyS]

Must get out of my rut, I am taking some photos again and again. Thank you for this jolt, I have been getting stale in finding new things to see, and thus photo.

Now's a good time for lichens ..... but beware, obsession warnings have been posted

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by JennyS

Now's a good time for lichens ..... but beware, obsession warnings have been posted

I am way ahead of you, my first digital lichen pic was 1998!

[JennyS]

Oops, I'm usually lagging behind!

[Tormentil]

Originally Posted by glsammy

Recently I've been a bit fed up of always taking the same type of shots. Close ups of Blue Tits and the like are hardly much of a challenge.
Today we decided to chase the sun and drove into the Yorkshire Dales to some sites I've never been to before. I decided it would be a good chance to try something different, so I slapped my 10-20mm lens on my old 20D. I had a great time, we both thoroughly enjoyed the day and will definitely be going back, if only for me to try the shots I took again!

Yer quite right Graham. We get a bit overly concerned about "light conditions" etc., when we really should be out there whatever the weather. It's about time the old "18-55mm kit" lens had an airing.