Out and about

[Monkeychunks]

So there I was-my new kit, a Canon 400D a couple of lenses all recently bought with advice from the good folk here. A dull day but a great location - Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall Powys. I had read my instruction book a couple of times; played with the controls and did a few dry runs in the house. Full of confidence I dragged the family out for the day. My wife armed with her Panasonic point and shoot and my 12 year old daughter borrowing my Finepix F500.

Just to make it interesting we had a family competition (I am keen for my daughter to get the photo bug). The best picture of the day gets a prize = the picture printed and framed.

Supremely confident we set out; I gave it my best shot bracketing exposures, getting the composition right and using all my considerable past experience (apparently long past) to bear.

We looked at the falls, the rock formations, the moss formations, birds in the trees. It was a great day out.

My mutual consent I came third in the group of three. My daughter knocked my socks off with well framed and composed shots; they were clear and really caught the feeling of the venue.
My wife had more good shots than me, with some interesting compositions.

Lessons from the day! - Its not the gear its the head behind it. My daughter was not distracted by controls and trivia, she just concentrated on what was in front of her.
As for me - not daunted I will be out again this weekend a little faster and less fumbly with the camera I learnt a lot at the waterfalls and will take on the family again in a re match.

I think I might PM for the guides offered by one of our resident experts to help my daughter progress. (when I say daughter - I might have a peek).

[buzfuz8149]

Looks like your daughter has got the bug and gave you a thrashing as well , seriously though I am glad to hear that you all had a good day. That's what it's all about making memories to treasure.



Carol.

[smartie]

So when is your daughter going to join WAB and show us her photos? Or is she here already?

[badgerwatcher]

Ex-hubby never forgave me for my crystal clear shot of the Red Arrows against a blue sky. Taken with an old Instamatic.

[eeyore]

I'm happy to send you the guides - I have sent beginers and birds in flight tonight and will send the others as soon as they are completed.

I have an ambivalent relationship with pystyll rheadr - it is a great location but one which it is often hard to get the best from. below is probably the best I have acheived there so far

[Monkeychunks]

Nice shot of the falls eeyore; the light was terrible on the day I went but I suspect thats due to some degree with its aspect. We had to wait for people to move on and then there was an orange plastic bag stuck in a tree which limited the shoot.
My daughter is typical for her age and has fleeting interest in lots of things; however she really does enjoy an interest in Nature and photoraphy so this may become an expensive direction to encourage!
As for posting her pictures - well maybe; I will chat to her at the weekend (I work away through the week).
We may talk about her joining the site, but I was a little unsure as to age limits. + she recently had a hard time through a site aimed at young kids which led to cyber bullying, so we have limited her access to the web. This site seems very supportive and could be a nice way for her to regain a bit of confidence in the media.

[eeyore]

there are no age limits here - and stu and moderators (and for that matter established members) wont tolerate any cyber bullying or other inappropriate conduct or content. So long as she is sensible enough not to give out personal details on the boards or via pm (or at least not without consulting you first) then she should have no problems here

[badgerwatcher]

What about a 'junior member' status on the profile, then we could all keep an eye out, or would that be encouraging trouble makers?

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by badgerwatcher

What about a 'junior member' status on the profile, then we could all keep an eye out, or would that be encouraging trouble makers?

everyone should be ,and largely is, keeping an eye out for and reporting unacceptable behaviour, not to mention spamming etc anyway - this is one of the freindliest communities on the web and I am sure that Ms monkey chunks junuior would have no problems here

[joekid]

well monkeychunks im sure your pictures will get better when the shine wears off the camera,my mates the same takes a good picture but gets blinded by his new gear, untill the shine wears off that is,