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Hey guys, Just yesterday I went out on my property to shoot some pictures. I wasn't too pleased with the results due to my inexperience.

I have a Canon EOS 40D with the 28-135mm IS lens. I appear to be over exposing. I am pretty sure I was shooting on full auto and some on P, and experimented with the other creative zones.

Here are some results. Please leave some tips.

1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27441342@N07/2615728275/

2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27441342@N07/2616555160/

3. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27441342@N07/2615727137/

4. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27441342@N07/2615726743/

5. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27441342@N07/2615726507/


I dont like the white areas. I would like to see some more detail in the grass, It was very bright that day. Tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Canon 40D 28-135mm IS lens.

hi, I don't know where to begin.
It seems to me initially you are postioning youself in the wrong places.
You have to make up your mind what the main subject is going to be and try and realise how the background will affect the exposure and composition of the final picture. Photographing a dark subject in the shade will produce an over exposed background if the background is in bright sunlight. Hope I make some sense.
John

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Nikon D80, D40 and various lenses.

yes i see what you mean. I have to learn how to use the natural light. If I understand correctly as a rule of thumb I should have the sun behind me?

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Canon 40D 28-135mm IS lens.

You should never shoot against the light, unless you know how to control the light, but that's a bit more "advanced"...

Anyways; yes, it seems that you were at the wrong position to allow your camera to meter the scene.

When you're shooting, look at the condition of the sky. Where is the light coming from? Note that direction of light and shoot in a way that it won't harm your shot. If you see the ground is filled with light, don't meter it. Put your camera on Spot metering and meter directly on the subject(s). Then you won't risk over/under exposure of the important part of your shot. Or vice versa, if you wanted the grass to be well exposed, then spot meter the ground.

Multi-segment or average metering will usually meter for whatever tone is highest. (i.e. more shadows, or more highlights).

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-Blog- || -My Flickr-

spot metering is very tricky if you are a beginner. I suggest to practice using all metering modes in all sorts of condition. Pretty soon you will get used to it.

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Canon 40D with battery grip, Canon Power Shot SD870 IS, Canon 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS USM, Canon 100-300mm USM, Canon 50mm f1.8II, Canon 430 Speed light with diffuser.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jzabfc/

Hi Twcman306,

Does this following link help you? It demonstrates how to use auto exposure lock on a Canon 450d. I am not sure if the 40d has the same function, but i'd be surprised if it didn't.

Auto exposure lock

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Horden Hillbilly

Canon 1000D & kit lens, 55-250 & 50mm 1.8
Canon Ixus 60

Yup - the 40D has the same feature.

Mark

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Canon EOS 40D / EF-S 17-85mm IS / EF 50mm f/1.8 / My Flickr

hey guys. thanks for the help. That video sure did help alo too.

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Canon 40D 28-135mm IS lens.