An Amateur Photographer -- New Hobby

[CrankinSteve]

Hello Everyone,

During this past December and January, I built up my tools of the trade (camera and lenses, etc.) just ahead of our most recent trip to Spain based on wanting to take better photos when traveling. I have a lot to learn as I work to maximize both my enjoyment and investment in photography equipment.

After substantial research and thinking about the locations (streets, buildings, landscapes) and the reasons as to why I want to capture better photos, I bought a Sony A7cii and some lenses. I have acquired some Sony lenses: a nice wide and fast 20mm F/1.8G, a practical 40mm F/2.5G, a super-compact and very light 28-60 F/4.0-5.6, and a 70-200mm F/4 Macro G OSS II with the G-Series 1.4x Teleconverter. At the end of March, I have my last purchase coming which is the new Tamron 35-100 F2.8.

I am reading books, looking to join a local photography club, and will possibly take a course all towards helping me learn and succeed as an amateur photographer. I hope that in joining this group that I learn, and are made aware of the endless number of nuances that are all part of what is a new hobby for me, photography.

So, I hope this introduction demonstrates that I am serious about becoming a capable amateur photographer.

Here are three pictures (a tiny sample) that I took recently in Spain with the new camera and new lenses. One in Madrid, one in San Sabastian, and one in Zaragoza. I know these are not amazing, but they will help us remember the trip.

Looking forward to learning from this group and to get better at taking photos.

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 20mm F1.8 G
• 20.0 mm
• ƒ/2.2
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 1600

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 28-60mm F4-5.6
• 60.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/100 sec
• ISO 100

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 28-60mm F4-5.6
• 28.0 mm
• ƒ/10
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 100

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

Welcome! Sounds like you have all the gear planned out.

 

[alexpler]

Welcome to the forum! With those lenses you will have every situation covered. Nice sample images.

Remember you can click on the "insert full image" button of each picture and the will appear larger and with the EXIF data.

 

[CrankinSteve]

Welcome! Sounds like you have all the gear planned out.

Yes, I hope I am ready to try out things based on the circumstances. Lots of flexibility!

 

[CrankinSteve]

Welcome to the forum! With those lenses you will have every situation covered. Nice sample images.

Remember you can click on the "insert full image" button of each picture and the will appear larger and with the EXIF data.

Ahh, thanks for the tip on the images. I check out this ability to upload the full image. I would guess that having the EXIF data would be a welcomed addition.

 

[CrankinSteve]

Welcome! Sounds like you have all the gear planned out.

Yes, lots to learn and I believe I have all kinds of possibilities on how I go about things. Should be very interesting.

 

[CrankinSteve]

Ahh, thanks for the tip on the images. I check out this ability to upload the full image. I would guess that having the EXIF data would be a welcomed addition.

Okay, I just got those full size images uploaded. At first I caused a bunch of duplicates, but now I think things are under control.

 

[Soundmike]

Welcome to the forum. I like your dining room table.

 

[CrankinSteve]

Welcome to the forum. I like your dining room table.

The palace has lots of guests.

 

[Richard A]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Unframed Dave]

Welcome Steve.

San Sebastian is my spiritual home, I can feel the burn in the thighs from the "aerial" view of La Concha.

 

[CrankinSteve]

San Sebastian was the highlight of our trip and a place that I would certainly visit again. One other highlight of the trip was the 24-hours of Tamborrada which will forever be burned in my memories. And, of course Pintxos everywhere.

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 20mm F1.8 G
• 20.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 6400

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 20mm F1.8 G
• 20.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/250 sec
• ISO 100

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 20mm F1.8 G
• 20.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 320

 

[Unframed Dave]

I've been going there since my early twenties. I worked with a foundry nearby and always stayed at the Hotel de Londres. Right on the beach front. We honeymooned there and were given a suite with sea views. Unfortunately my wife came down with a stinking cold and a Spanish pharmacist gave her what can only described as almost ketamin. She was out of it for the duration, we then drove onto Pamplona and she was fine.

We've carried on visiting almost every year since, normally sleeping in a car park near the University in our motorhome.

I have to say the tapas scene is still amazing, but not a patch on what it was 30 years ago.

A lot of the famous iron castings that you see around the town were made by the Foundry I worked with, but had moved onto cylinder blocks when I was there.

A truly spectacular place and well worth a visit.

 

[CrankinSteve]

Hard to imagine even better tapas. My perspective on tapas is forever changed with expectations of grandeur.

 

[jacobomerced]

Welcome to the forum. Spain in general is always a great place to photograph. I haven’t had the opportunity to go to Sansebastian. This year I’ll try to go in October if our Portugal trip doesn’t get to complicated. How do you like your A7Cii? I bought mine a year ago, and i love it.

 

[CrankinSteve]

Welcome to the forum. Spain in general is always a great place to photograph. I haven’t had the opportunity to go to Sansebastian. This year I’ll try to go in October if our Portugal trip doesn’t get to complicated. How do you like your A7Cii? I bought mine a year ago, and i love it.

I am very glad I bought the A7cii. It has met all of the expectations I had for it and I am still finding more and more capabilities as I develop my skills. It is an amazing piece of equipment. Lately, I have been working more on the PASM shooting modes as well as trying to find the best uses for the variety of lenses I have on hand. I went out today to see if I could capture a photo of a bird or birds using my 70-200 f/4 II. It was more challenging than I could have ever imagined. My 1.4x teleconverter would have been helpful, but I now see why these photographers have very long lenses. I will study up a bit more on this area. I ended up with about 3 or 4 decent photos (shot about 100), but nothing all that amazing. It was fun. After this massive challenge of shooting birds, I took a picture of a couple of horses; that was easier. My goals are to learn more about photography both art and science as well utilize the camera and lenses in the best way possible. I imagine this will keep me busy for a few years.

I'll be in southern Portugal hiking for a couple of weeks in late September. Looking forward to getting some good pics while there. Enjoy your trip and the amazing A7cii.

Some sample photos from my morning adventure. I have certainly gained a substantial amount of respect for those that take superb bird photos.

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II
• 135.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/1000 sec
• ISO 50

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II
• 200.0 mm
• ƒ/4.5
• 1/640 sec
• ISO 50

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II
• 200.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 50

 

[iamdlewis]

I went out today to see if I could capture a photo of a bird or birds using my 70-200 f/4 II. It was more challenging than I could have ever imagined. My 1.4x teleconverter would have been helpful, but I now see why these photographers have very long lenses. I will study up a bit more on this area. I ended up with about 3 or 4 decent photos (shot about 100), but nothing all that amazing.

Yeah 200mm is a little short for birds. Don't get caught up in thinking that more reach is always going to be better because it isn't always. Many photographers make many types of photography seem easier than it really is. If you think bird in a tree has some challenges wait till you get into bird in flight. When I started I would say that I probably had a 10% keeper rate but honestly that was too high, today as long as I am not doing birds in flight I probably have a 15% keeper rate because I take fewer images but also am more selective. Birds in flight I would put the keeper rate in the 1% and that might be high.

It was fun.

Excellent. Well on your way.

After this massive challenge of shooting birds, I took a picture of a couple of horses; that was easier.

Boxed in animals that what your attention generally make much easier subjects.