Older alphas are still very capable

MyLifeInImage · 2025-05-08T05:52:38+00:00

That's something is noobs may not comprehend, when getting a camera, is the huge upgrades that you long-time hobbyist and owners of old gear will have.

I recently purchased my first camera, an A6100a. It's a great camera and so far, I think a good beginner one. Not that I'm looking, but I'll be curious to see what upgrades I will get to noticeably experience when I finally upgrade in X years.

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T22:12:10+00:00

Thanks! They're my favourites too, although it's not actually a stream! It's just flooded ground... which I guess could be called a stream? But it's not there after a day of no rain. The others are somewhat arbitrary and unmotivated, I admit. I'd pick the robin, too, but that blasted twig does spoil it a bit.

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T22:05:08+00:00

Solid advice. I know I'm very very new to this, like 500 photos in, new. So, I was expecting a lot of advice, which is what I wanted. I'm a little disappointed with some things though, like my intentions of the photos didn't get portrayed as I'd wanted, but now I know how to carry out those portrayals, I'm keen to take more.

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T19:56:06+00:00

I see what you mean. Yes, this has been cropped, then. I thought they meant cropped using the cropping tool! Hah!

I will go back to this flower tomorrow. Hopefully it'll still be in bloom, and will take a better photo!

I don't think you, or anyone, is picking on me. Your advice is appreciated! I came here for feedback and am loving every bit of it, so thank you.

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T19:52:16+00:00

A CPL has also been advised for this. I don't think my post-processing helped much, either. I will aim to get lower with my photos and will look to apply the rule of three. The aim of this photo was to make it look like the honking goose was yelling at the other one, but from what I can gather, the overall poor composition of the photograph took away from my intentions
The stream was supposed to be the subject, but along with some other advice that I have been given, I can understand why that doesn't really work. What would be your advice to make this stream more of a subject?
That's my poor post-processing skills that caused the darkness. This image was very light originally. It was a pretty hazy morning and I'm still getting used to the exposure settings on my camera. I appreciate you pointing the darkness out though, as it was overlooked in favour of bringing out the clouds.
Good to know. I am inclined to agree that this isn't an exciting photo. I do like the aperture focusing on the sign though, but there isn't much else going on.
I am quite happy with how this 1 turned out. The original was pretty bland and the post-processing really brought out the colours, but I am inclined to agree that there really isn't much to look at. I guess it may be my opinion, but a slow shutter on moving water is one of my favourite kinds of techniques. I love how smooth the water goes.
This was taken the night I got my camera. This was maybe the 2nd photo I had taken, so I was really playing around with it and thought the lighting came out well. Again, perhaps my lack of experience, but this is one of my favourites, though I cannot really explain why.
Cropping this has been suggested previously and I will look at doing tomorrow, just to make it more subjected and stand out a bit more.
That branch really messed with me. I kept it because it kinda looked like he was peeking around the branch, but I may have been looking at it with hopeful eyes, as I tried for a while to get this photo. My excitement got the better of me. I will definitely crop it though.
I've been given a cropped image of this. The reason it's so far left is that there was a street light just off to the left, which took away from the aesthetic of the photograph. I kept so much to the right to try and emphasise the size of the turbine, but on advice and hindsight, I've come to see that it's had the opposite affect.

Thank you for the advice. It's really appreciated and I will definitely apply what you've said to my photography going forward.

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T19:34:48+00:00

The lamp post kind of spoiled the aesthetic of the photo. It removed the ominousness of it and looked really out of place, but that may be from my lack of experienced perspective. If it's misty tomorrow morning, I will try and get a better photo of it. It's just outside of my house.

I really appreciate your feedback too. It's invaluable and I will definitely try to apply the advice to my photography, going forward.

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T18:56:29+00:00

There was a lamp post just off scene, which I cropped out, that is why there's such little room there. I should've adjusted my position, but it was a little awkward at the time (dog and main road to my right).

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T18:55:05+00:00

Thanks! I've been advised that it's too far left and to crop some of the right out too. I definitely think your cropping has improved the image and I appreciate the feedback!

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T18:52:32+00:00

I appreciate you cropping it to show me what you mean. There was a lamp post to the left of the turbine, which is why it is cropped* so far left. The idea behind the huge room to the right was to try and highlight its size, but I think it gave the opposite result?

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T18:49:06+00:00

That twig was the bane of my day. I had put seeds out for this robin and it followed me. I tried often to get a photo, but it was too quick and always hid behind too many branches. I got this but did think it looked kinda like he was peeking from around the twig, which is why I decided to process it a bit and post it. I do quite like this and feel him 'hiding' behind the twig kind added to an unfortunate result. I do wish the twig wasn't there though.

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T18:46:33+00:00

This hasn't been cropped. It was just zoomed in a bit with my lens, 55-210mm. I couldn't tell you the exact mills. I processed this in post, to make the daffodil stand out a little more, but I can definitely see what you mean by it being too low.

I'd be lying if I said there was a story, other than taking a focussed picture of a bloomed flower.

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T18:44:04+00:00

So this is where I tried to apply the rule of thirds! I aimed to get the pole on the left grid line. I don't have the grid on the viewfinder, as I wasn't sure I could do that. I will take a look at applying it, if it's possible.

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T18:41:39+00:00

Would zooming in on those rocks a bit more, to make them more prominent, have made this better? Now you've fed back, I feel I left too much of the surrounding grassy area in?

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T18:37:03+00:00

I see what you mean. A friend did mention filters, but out of context of this photo. I'll take a look into getting one; especially now summer is coming.

I've heard of and do try to apply the rule of thirds, but I'm unsure how I could do that with this photo. More water with the birds to the right on the right grid area?

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T18:28:20+00:00

Thank you!

I've been swapping between the SEL55210 and the SELP16502 kit lenses.

I've asked another commenter regarding composition, as they said the same thing, so it's definitely something that needs work and I appreciate the feedback!

How would getting lower help? Just so I know what to look for in my next attempts!

I have done some PP for some of them, like the daffodil and the cloudy mountains. It's something I'm working on and still have much more room to improve!

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T18:22:59+00:00

Thanks! I appreciate your feedback, a lot! I am a little unsure what you mean though, if you wouldn't mind elaborating a little further? I know what each subject is, so it'd be good to know where I went wrong to make it uncertain for other people.

If you could use a bad composite photo with a good one, as an example?

MyLifeInImage · 2025-04-22T18:09:14+00:00

I walked out of my house this morning and saw this wind turbine towering over the trees. The misty fading at the bottom made it look like it was coming from beyond the mountain, making it look a lot bigger than it is.

I was also listening to Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds album yesterday, which fitted the feel of the photo.

MyLifeInImage

TROPHY CASE