[FONT=Arial]Ok, so I said I would post some pics after I got a chance to use my new lens and here they are. I have never posted pics anywhere, ever, this is my first time. I'm totally a beginner at photography, so please be gentle with the feedback. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]Here is the scoop on the pics. I used my Reb XT, shot at "sunny" AWB, 4000 (or 3500 can't remember) Shutter speed, sorry can't remember the f-stop (4.0?), ISO 400. I haven't done any alterations to the pics at all. A few were cropped, that's it. I shot 140 pics, liked 25 of them and chose 6 to post (my favs). I had no real "goal" with the pics, other than to just get out and use this lens! [/FONT]
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Originally Posted by nightspidy [FONT=Arial]Ok, so I said I would post some pics after I got a chance to use my new lens and here they are....[/FONT]

pic #2

here is # 2

#3

#4 - i love this head shot of the horse

#5

last but not least, #6

I don't know much about horses, but these shots look real good! Congrats on the new lens....

#1 and 4 are the best ones IMHO... keep shooting and you'll get the timing down cold! I think you're just about at the right settings for shooting horseys. If the horse is coming at you, f/4 will usually be too shallow to get both the rider and horse's head in focus. You'll usually need around f/5.6 to get them both. The lens is stopped down too, so image quality should be ideal at f/5.6. On shots perpundicular you can go wider...although I find that to bokeh is generally fine at f/5.6 so I leave there. I'll drop it down to ~f/3.2 to do side portraits of the horse's head, usually before the run starts or panning while the horse flys past me at close range.

Great shots, esp. for a beginner. You've done a pretty good job of catching the action and your in-camera framing will get better with practice. Did you use a monopod/tripod or did you handhold?

If you will be doing more shots of jumpers you'll have to post some more when you get more used to your lens. I got a lot of practice doing a photo fundraiser for a swim team this summer and when I look back I can see how much I improved over the course of a couple of months (shooting mainly just every Saturday).
I just bought a canon 70-200 2.8 (no IS) after swim season ended and can't wait to try it in fall swim.

Great job!

Originally Posted by Katie Beth Great shots, esp. for a beginner. You've done a pretty good job of catching the action and your in-camera framing will get better with practice. Did you use a monopod/tripod or did you handhold? If you will be doing more shots of jumpers you'll have to post some more when you get more used to your lens. I got a lot of practice doing a photo fundraiser for a swim team this summer and when I look back I can see how much I improved over the course of a couple of months (shooting mainly just every Saturday). I just bought a canon 70-200 2.8 (no IS) after swim season ended and can't wait to try it in fall swim. Great job!

Hi Katie,

I handheld all shots. I figured with the IS and the fast shutter-speed I was using I could leave the 'pod at home.

I have been getting to know my Rebel since last May when I first got it and have saved all of my shots on my computer. I look back at those beginning shots and I can see how much I have improved to my shots that I have taken this summer. I also look at my pics and wonder where/how I can improve them.

I plan to "shoot" as many of the horse-shows in the area as possible. I used to show arabians in western classes, so I find "shooting" horses a way of still being connected to the horsey life, just in a different way. I do plan to post more pics though! Thanks for the positive feedback

Originally Posted by wmstumme I don't know much about horses, but these shots look real good! Congrats on the new lens....

Thanks!