Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque

[funkyant]

Hi Everybody. I'm a total beginner so would appreciate constructive criticism

I'm 40 years old and have always appreciated photography, but never given it a go. I think I have a pretty good natural eye, but am technically a complete novice.

These are the first shots I ever took. Camera was brand new (4 weeks ago), and went to visit the Grand Mosque with friends visiting from out of town. I know I still have LOTS to learn!! I was pretty happy with a couple of these shots, ie. I actually was surprised when I put the SD card in my PC and saw them on my monitor. No PP on these at all - literally straight off the card.

[dubaiphil]

Nice shots - I've shot there many times and there are lots of great details to shoot as well as the big picture, some of which you have picked out well. Dusk is a great time to go - tripods are allowed inside as well - did you go in?

One thing to be wary of - there is a mausoleum on the opposite side to the public car parks - be careful not to point a camera in that direction as you will get the attention of security via CCTV. They're pleasant enough, but they'll pick you out from hundreds of metres away

[bnnrcn]

Welcome, you certainly have an eye for photography, very nice shots

[funkyant]

Yes we went in, but I wasn't so 'lucky' with my settings on the camera inside. I didn't bring (own) a tripod and shot on full manual (can't learn anything shooting auto I guess)

To be fair, I actually learnt the most from the shots that didn't turn out so well

My camera is only an APSC NEX5r with a 50mm f1.8 and the kit zoom. A friend (who is a respected local pro photographer) recommended this body as something very compact and ok for a beginner. I have to agree that at this point my skills are below what the camera is capable of haha. I can afford a serious camera, but my friends' very good advice was to learn how to shoot before I decide on an expensive camera. Then I can make a more educated choice with regards to my needs.

[dje]

Very impressive indeed, another dubaiphil in the making ! (Scary thought )

You have an interesting user name too.

Look forward to more of your work.

Dave

[funkyant]

Welcome, you certainly have an eye for photography, very nice shots

Thank you. Yesterday I was driving down a road at sunset and saw an amazing angle of Dubai skyline that I've never seen a shot of before. I'm going to try to get back there in the next days, and will post the results. I am learning so much from this great site!

It's so nice to come across a helpful creative community, which is what this forum seems to be

[funkyant]

Just with this one, would I be correct in thinking that the focus was good, but the shutter was too slow?

[IzzieK]

Welcome to CiC...I am sure you have met Dubaiphil here already. He is one good heck of a photographer and always helpful. Your images are very good...and colourful....but what PP are you using? Your image doesn't have any EXIF...just curious...

[funkyant]

Welcome to CiC...I am sure you have met Dubaiphil here already. He is one good heck of a photographer and always helpful. Your images are very good...and colourful....but what PP are you using? Your image doesn't have any EXIF...just curious...

Haha - NONE. These are straight off the memory card. And I'm very sorry but I didn't even know what EXIF is without Googling it

Maybe Imgur is stripping it out?

I can view on camera and dig the info out if you like?

Edit: The first shot with the woman in the sunset is:
f/13
1/125 sec
ISO100
35mm focal length - 43mm

[Shadowman]

Nice series, great patterns and lighting.

[John 2]

Keep going! If these are beginners shots then yes, you have a good eye. Excellent series.

[deetheturk]

Welcome to the forum James, a very impressive first posting, thanks for sharing

[Barbara Ponder]

+1 to John 2's comments! I look forward to seeing more of your work.

[Mike Buckley]

Keep going! If these are beginners shots then yes, you have a good eye. Excellent series.

Amen to that!

You asked about the shutter speed of the photo of the fountains. If you were intending to stop the action of the water, you're correct that your shutter speed was too slow.

[Texas Dave]

Very interesting place and captures.

[Whistletown Wilds]

Nice stuff, can't wait till get to master it!

[WJT]

Welcome James. Wow what a great Mosque it is, and a place to return to again and again I think. You do have a god eye and these are very good photo's, in particular I like the second and third images. The only suggestion is that you go back and photograph it again as it is an amazing subject. Perhaps try and work some more angles with those long corridors. Keep at it.

[Stagecoach]

Welcome to CiC James. Very nice set, look forward to seeing you post more.

[funkyant]

Welcome James. Wow what a great Mosque it is, and a place to return to again and again I think. You do have a god eye and these are very good photo's, in particular I like the second and third images. The only suggestion is that you go back and photograph it again as it is an amazing subject. Perhaps try and work some more angles with those long corridors. Keep at it.

Thanks for the feedback

I did shoot a lot more angles, but messed up a lot of things like exposure, focus, etc. Like I said I was shooting full manual, and am a complete beginner.

Great thing about Dubai is that there is so much incredible architecture to shoot.

It might be an interesting experiment to return to the Mosque in some time, when I feel I've improved a bit.

Also big thanks to everybody for the kind words of encouragement!

[dubaiphil]

Thanks for the feedback

I did shoot a lot more angles, but messed up a lot of things like exposure, focus, etc. Like I said I was shooting full manual, and am a complete beginner.

Great thing about Dubai is that there is so much incredible architecture to shoot.

It might be an interesting experiment to return to the Mosque in some time, when I feel I've improved a bit.

Also big thanks to everybody for the kind words of encouragement!

Let me know if you need any pointers on locations to shoot which are a little less used. I'm not there at the moment but was in Dubai for 10 years up until April 2014