I am in awe with my Canon Rebel (ISO, setting, picture)

[FedupWNY]

Originally Posted by Nomadicus

These two tools in your camera will be of much help as you find them and learn just how to make them work for you:
AF Point Selection
Automatic selection, manual selection

Spot metering (approx. 4% of viewfinder at center)

Manual selection of the focal point will connect the spot metering feature to the subject. Try it you will see. Best wishes. Hope you are having fun and not stressing. You have a large leaning curve ahead. And once more because I need to hear it myself. "Rome wasn't built in a day". Now I must listen to myself. I want Rome and the rest of the world today. Not tomorrow. Just my nature.

I was following along with the manual as I was reading your post on manual selection. I'm going to be trying that. I'll check back in later and let you know how it all went.

I'm not having any stress at all. It's great and I have having lots of fun doing so much that is new. The best thing about this Canon, it's not as intimidating than first thoughts.

[ShepsMom]

Congratulations on your new toy!!! That's sooooo exciting! Can't wait to see what you produce with it. There are bunch of tips for the camera online, custom settings, etc, just google it. Yeah, manuals are pain, but once you understand it, it will make whole lot of sense!!
Have fun!!

[FedupWNY]

This shot I like

[Claire_F]

Congrats on your new camera! I know you'll have so much fun playing with it.

[ShepsMom]

Good shot, but dark, were you shooting in a manual mode? Post EXIF so we can see what settings were used.
Keep on shooting!!

[Nomadicus]

Originally Posted by FedupWNY

This shot I like

You got a nice reflection and butt shot. A two in one..

[Bulldawgfan]

I an in awe....

Have fun, FedupWNY! I must warn you though... I think cameras follow the 'boat syndrome'. You never go down on size and quality. As soon as you have used every buzzer and bell... you start wanting more buzzers and bells. Or larger buzzers and bells. Or faster buzzers and bells.
Have fun!!

[Nomadicus]

Originally Posted by Bulldawgfan

Have fun, FedupWNY! I must warn you though... I think cameras follow the 'boat syndrome'. You never go down on size and quality. As soon as you have used every buzzer and bell... you start wanting more buzzers and bells. Or larger buzzers and bells. Or faster buzzers and bells.
Have fun!!

Sounds like this was spoken by someone with experience...

[kdog]

Everybody's a critic, including me.

My recommendation is to use the center AF point only. Shoot in AV mode, and stick with aperture around F8 as a baseline. For that swan shot, you would have needed about +2/3 EC. Keep posting and shooting!

[bibit612]

Originally Posted by kdog

Everybody's a critic, including me.

My recommendation is to use the center AF point only. Shoot in AV mode, and stick with aperture around F8 as a baseline. For that swan shot, you would have needed about +2/3 EC. Keep posting and shooting!

Nice swan shot Fedup. I agree with kdog. Compensate your exposure with +2/3 EC to make the swan whiter. The water is tricking your exposure setting due to its brightness. Check your WB setting as well.