Canon 60D - help!

[greenink]

Here's my first attempt with a borrowed camera. Much better than previous, but what should I do to improve the image? (Here's a link to higher res 2.8mb version)

Here are the settings:

I'm thinking higher f-stop to increase depth of field a bit - that redmoor root in the background is a bit out of focus. But then what film speed? And what else do I need to do?

Also, what do people think about the colour balance? And the background? I quite like the way it's now blurred...

(Here's the comparison shot with my actual camera - a panasonic lumix)

 

[Tom]

I'd try ISO 800 at F4/5.6.

Or if you have a longer lens, stand back, zoom in and keep the aperture open. You should then get a slightly better depth of field, better angle and keep the background blurred.

Colour balance doesn't seem too bad. It's focused right at the front of the tank. I would try using a center point and focusing slightly further back on the green stems.

Tom

 

[greenink]

Thanks - that's really helpful. Here's a shot with a longer lens:

(Higher res version available here)

With these settings:

anything else I need to do? Not quite so happy about the background sharpening up - doesn't look as natural...!

 

[George Farmer]

Looks good to me! Well done.

Play with the camera in manual mode and note the influence each setting has on one another.

For instance, if you increase your f/stop by one stop i.e. from f3.5 to f/4 then you'll need to slow the shutter speed by one stop i.e. 1/60, or increase the ISO by one stop i.e. 400 to get the same exposure.

Understand these relationships and you've nailed the basic mechanics of photography.

 

[greenink]

Yup - a real improvement. You'll be amazed by the difference the tripod makes too.