is my kit lens holding me back?

[Donald]

Can't remember where I heard or read about this statement from Ansel Adams but apparently he likened the act of taking a photograph to writing a score of music. The act of processing the photo is like an artist interpreting the score and transforming it into music.

Malcolm

He said that in a few of the interviews he gave later in his life that can be accessed online. He also refers to it in 'Examples: ....' his book in which he describes how he made 40 of his most iconic images - A wonderful book that is never far from my side. I can spend hours just looking at one of the 40. There is so much to see in every image.

[markfay]

not thought of using the blend mode like that Geoff, and will try unsharp at those settings. thanks for the help.

[mariaramil]

By the way, a cheaper way to improve your photography (whatever your lens) is to get hold or a decent tripod. If you see a scene and feel it's worth the bother of carrying the weight, getting your kit out of the bag, setting it up, putting up with funny looks from strangers etc... then it's likely the picture IS worth taking. Also, the tripod will help you stop and think before you take it, which always helps (even if the subject is moving sometimes... )

Some examples of mine, which I couldn't have done without my new tripod (my old one wasn't solid enough):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mazu_92/6583116571/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mazu_92...n/photostream/

[Shadowman]

By the way, a cheaper way to improve your photography (whatever your lens) is to get hold or a decent tripod. If you see a scene and feel it's worth the bother of carrying the weight, getting your kit out of the bag, setting it up, putting up with funny looks from strangers etc... then it's likely the picture IS worth taking. Also, the tripod will help you stop and think before you take it, which always helps (even if the subject is moving sometimes... )

Some examples of mine, which I couldn't have done without my new tripod (my old one wasn't solid enough):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mazu_92/6583116571/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mazu_92...n/photostream/

Some interesting shots but even a tripod is limited when your action is moving.

[mariaramil]

...even a tripod is limited when your action is moving.

..that's a valid point if you intend to 'freeze' movement (portraits? sport?).

However, if you can get the scene sharp and nicely composed (with help of the tripod) you could record the action as a deliberate blur, conveying the dynamism without actually showing the fine detail.

[Geoff F]

not thought of using the blend mode like that Geoff, and will try unsharp at those settings. thanks for the help.

Just one extra suggestion about using duplicate layers with different Blend Modes.

While this works well, it can significantly increase file size. A 'cheaper' method is to add an Adjustment Layer (eg Curves Adjustment Layer but don't alter the actual curves). Then you can change the Layer Blend Mode with just a slight increase in file size.

And as you now have a mask automatically attached to the layer it is easy to apply the effects selectively. Although, if you aren't proficient with this technique it can be easier to see the altered mask state on an actual image by temporarily hiding the background image so only the masked layer is visible.