Lamborghini Gallardo + My New Nikon 3100

[juan ruiz]

Well, I finally pulled the plug and got myself a real camera, the Nikon 3100, with so many cameras on the market and so much information is overwhelming trying to figure out which one was the best. I settled on the Nikon 3100 mostly because I saw a lot of positive feedback, and so far I'm very happy with it.

It just happens that I had a detail job, so after 325 pictures, here are some of my best ones, I think they are ok for a first-time user?

With that said I'd like to know if you guys have any tips or settings that have worked better for you?

[Cdnone1]

If you are trying to do before and after shots to show improvement make sure you watch your color balance and saturation. In the shot of the tires the first shot or what I guess to be the before shot has a completely different color balance and saturation.
If you want to use your camera for that type of work get yourself a good gray scale and color chart, put your camera on manual and shoot and color correct to them.
Get yourself a tripod so you can shot "lock off's " of your before and afters.
You obviously have a good eye and from your business should know what angles a car looks good at so you should have a blast and expect some really good results.
What lenses did you get?
Steve

[Cdnone1]

Oh and buy a couple of polarizers, linear and circular.

Steve

[juan ruiz]

Thanks Steve! The lenses are the standard one 18/55

[grendiers]

Sorry dude, but as a 20 year wedding photog, with high-end Nikon digital gear, anyone can photograph a beautiful bride or a Lambo, your pics are barely average. Try photographing some turds, then get back to us. Entry level camera ya got there, don't 'shoot' for the moon for feedback unless you have a portfolio to back it up. Anyone with a credit card can post a website, a few pics on a forum, not gonna listen.

[bivenator]

^^^^
I think you missed the point of his post. He was looking for advice on how to shoot a better picture. He probably didn't anticipate getting punted by the most awesome wedding photog ever.

[Normy]

Oh I want a Gallardo!

I love that car. I'm serious- My next car is either a silver 928GTS or a Lamborghini Gallardo. I've been looking at the Gallardo's for a while on eBay, and there was a medium blue [the name of color escapes me right now, but it was gorgeous!] for sale about a year ago out in San Diego, and the owner wanted $80k. If I sacrifice, I can just about afford that, but I'd miss a few retirement targets, so I didn't go for it. Give me another year or two and I might pull the trigger.

Good grief, I might have to sell my 928 if that happens~

If you can give me any advice on these, I'd appreciate it.

N

[Mrmerlin]

grendiers, I am astounded at your participation here.
Why did you even bother?
Was this your way of being helpful and informative?

Your words will soon return to the roost from whence they have come.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by grendiers

Sorry dude, but as a 20 year wedding photog, with high-end Nikon digital gear
blah, blah, blah

Wow, what a great guy.

I guess mom never told you "if you don't have anything nice to say, STFU".

[Baz]

Originally Posted by grendiers

---snip---Try photographing some turds, then get back to us. ---snip---

Very professional!

[Normy]

Originally Posted by grendiers

Sorry dude, but as a 20 year wedding photog, with high-end Nikon digital gear, anyone can photograph a beautiful bride or a Lambo, your pics are barely average. Try photographing some turds, then get back to us. Entry level camera ya got there, don't 'shoot' for the moon for feedback unless you have a portfolio to back it up. Anyone with a credit card can post a website, a few pics on a forum, not gonna listen.

Troll.

N!

[Bill Douglas]

Nice pics Juan, and nice camera.

I have a humble Sony a290 (my apologies everyone - very low end) and love it. With the high res I take a lot of pics then crop them to get nice composition.

[LWJ]

Nice detail! I particularly liked the exhaust. Pics are nice as well. Don't know what is up with the wedding dude.

Have a great day. Post more.

Thanks,
Larry

[RWebb]

be sure to get a Nikon raw file for each jog - then work post-processing

oh, and ignore mow-rons

[livi]

Looking at those pics I think its time for me to get a real camera too. The pics from my five year old mobile phone sucks. As you mention its a jungle of choices and I have no idea what to buy.

Great pics!

[scottbombedout]

Originally Posted by grendiers

Sorry dude, but as a 20 year wedding photog, with high-end Nikon digital gear, anyone can photograph a beautiful bride or a Lambo, your pics are barely average. Try photographing some turds, then get back to us. Entry level camera ya got there, don't 'shoot' for the moon for feedback unless you have a portfolio to back it up. Anyone with a credit card can post a website, a few pics on a forum, not gonna listen.

You may be the worlds best photographer, but sorry dude, learn to engage your brain before opening your mouth.
The OP was looking for advice

Scott 'amateur crappy Canon Eos user'

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by grendiers

Sorry dude, but as a 20 year wedding photog, with high-end Nikon digital gear, anyone can photograph a beautiful bride or a Lambo, your pics are barely average. Try photographing some turds, then get back to us. Entry level camera ya got there, don't 'shoot' for the moon for feedback unless you have a portfolio to back it up. Anyone with a credit card can post a website, a few pics on a forum, not gonna listen.

Wow, I bet you're a real joy on wedding days. Aren't wedding photographers one step above the guy at the Sears photo booth?

Juan, the shots look pretty good to my non-pro (non-prick?) eye. Great looking detail too!

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by grendiers

Sorry dude, but as a 20 year wedding photog, with high-end Nikon digital gear, anyone can photograph a beautiful bride or a Lambo, your pics are barely average. Try photographing some turds, then get back to us. Entry level camera ya got there, don't 'shoot' for the moon for feedback unless you have a portfolio to back it up. Anyone with a credit card can post a website, a few pics on a forum, not gonna listen.

Wow, were you born as an arrogant prick or did you take lessons or something?
Aside being the world's gift to photography, you're also a class A douchebag!
Please leave Pelicanparts for good and never ever return, Mr hot shot wedding photographer...
You're a disgrace to the Pelican community.




OP, you're pictures looks just fine.
I'm sure you'll get some good tips here.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Tell us more about the second row of pics. Are you using a sanding sponge?

[UconnTim97]

Juan,

My wife and I got bit by the photography bug this year too. I got her a Nikon D90 for her birthday this summer. We are still learning our way around all the settings.

The best advice I got from a real professional was that digital pictures are free and offer instant feedback, so take tons of them. I did this on the auto setting and looked at them in Picasa after to see what settings the camera used. The camera is still smarter than I am...lol It is a great way to learn what settings work best for different scenarios and set the correct manual settings for the best pictures.

My wife is taking a photography class right now. She rally enjoys it and it is free through our work continuing education program. So there is also the taking a class route. It has really helped her (and me ) understand the camera and all its abilities.

Have fun and keep taking more pictures!