Hi everyone i have been regularly spotting in and around Bournemouth now for 9 months-ish, i get out most weekends and have taken (what i think to be some good pics) alot off photos.

I haven't edited any off them and have only just started to play around with the idea that maybe i should do just that, i.e cropping images etc

I'm new to photoshop and lightroom and have downloaded a few pdf files which im currently reading through.

I'm always playing around with the setting's on my DSLR for effects etc which i have been shown how to do by various other spotters out and about, which im very grateful for there help :-)

I normally just upload the pics, which i know is bad as i don't always upload the pics i am personally happy with, which is even worse, just some times i don't have the time to sit around and edit pictures, but i am looking to do this more and more often as im thoroughly enjoying it!

I'm currently in the process of saving up for a new lens and new flash for my camera, i hear the speedlite 430ex is very good, and the sigma lens are quite reasonable for the money, any ideas on lens as there are so many to choose from??

I have read a few other threads on here regards tips and stuff to do, which has helped me out, but i would like the advice from the pro's.

I must be doing something right thou as i have had one picture put on the site's top pics on front page, im always being asked to come back to events by promoters cos i get on with people whilst im out, im very chatty and love taking pictures.

I'm always handing out dsi cards to people, (which i have noticed a rather large increase of my pictures being transferred from here to FACEBOOK without my knowledge and that's even before i have putt them on there myself? and do people not have to ask for permission to use my pictures which i upload on DSI) and those people don't seem to be tagging them selves on DSI any more???

So i would like to know where i can improve, and wot not to do and what too do!

Thanxs for reading this and any advice will be greatly appreciated

Few comments bud:


quality over quantity, all for getting your spot count up but you'll have to get out of bmouth to do that as I'm assuming you're going to all the local hard music events and at some point you'll prob have spotted everyone there is to spot lol




this is essential and there are loads of tutorials you can look at - try youtube


430EX II is a great lens to learn with - I'm very happy with mine
same with the sigma lenses as I use these, consider the fisheyes, 18-50 f2.8, 10-22, maybe the wider angle primes


top stuff! thats what we need, keep traffic coming to the site, and it is a great place to showcase your work! Your favourite photos on your profile should be photos you've taken mind ;)

Facebook - there is a button under each photo which allows them to be posted onto facebook, I have no problem with people using mine as long as its for their own personal use and they keep the DSI logo


start photoshopping - bring out those colours, dont be afraid to try new settings on your camera, get a Canon flash - they should be your top priorities

Who laughed: billynasty

was trying to quote :p

what he said. and wtf is up with 400 blue pics?

also add that a pro spotter is an ambassador for dsi. you are the face of dsi to the club world
so support it.


dontstayin.com

imo aint going to do you any favours

What they said.


WB set to tungsten?



You know Nadine? I had a shoot with her a couple of days ago :)

Okay, firstly I agree with what has already been said, but I would also like to state that your DSI Profile is far too in your face (yeah I know...I can hardly talk...mine is in a right mess). All very well you have a photo of yourself up on your profile to introduce yourself but do you really need that many? ;-)

Secondly, might not hurt learning some basic html...such as < b r > and & nbsp ; (no spaces) so you can spread our the photos.

Also, you may want to consider alot of the photos within "My Favourite pics which i have taken... " section...alot of them shouldn't be there.


Second, not only will you end up spotting the same people (more or less) every time it's good to cover different events for a little bit of variety...even if you can't stand the music ;-)

It also shows dedication if your willing to travel!

yeah great lens, gives you that fishy effect! ;)

i'd say start uploading only the good stuff like previously said quality over quantity, edit your pictures and just work on these 2 so you can build yourself a nice portfolio :)
430ex it's a really good flashgun i'm using it myself and it does work well for me :)
and lens... i always say you should first learn how to get everything out of the equipment that you already have, if you are using kit lens then keep it. it's kinda shit but if you can get nice results with it then when you move on to different lenses you won't believe how easy it is to have photos in super sharp focus :)

shut it u lol :p

xxxx

thanxs guys, have taken in all off wot has been said here.


Thanxs to billy nasty for ur continued support and advice, really apreciate it.

will be thinking more off dsi as this is where i started, not facebook, but how do i stop people just downloading the images and uploading them every where else??

i dont kow her m8 just asked if i could take the picture and she obliged.

You can't, and that is kinda the idea of taking photos and putting them up on the world wide web!

If they are not using them for commercial purposes....then personally I think, take it as a compliment that they like your photos!

ok thanxs :-)