Who Here Is a Photo-Guru, or active with photography? Options

[96stgreendemon]

So i just got a brand new camera for christmas, already taken some good shots, Im using the Canon EOS Rebel T1i with a 18-55mm and 55-250 Lenses.
Im getting the hang of it pretty well and wondered if anyone has any advice?
On a side note i refuse to shoot on auto, cant stand it, but other than that, advice anyone?
and does anyone on here have a flickr? debating on going pro, any really big upgrades besides stats and being able to throw up more pics?
Flickr account name "ShirleyNKY"

[mkernz22]

you should definitely talk to Mike (Tigawoods)

[Tigawoods]

thanks for the referral!^

glad to hear its a canon!
ive used both the t1i and the t2i and they are great cameras.
do you have any knowledge about the settings the camera has? like aperture, shutterspeed, iso. etc?

if you dont want to shoot auto(good for you lol)
start in Av or Tv mode
Av is when all you have to adjust is the aperture and exposure lvl, the camera has the shutter speed on auto
Tv is where you adjust the shutter speed and the exposure lvl, and the camera has the aperture on auto

my advice is to shoot everything. make that camera a part of your body.
and post stuff, people can critique you and help you grow. knowing that you just starting out nobody will bash you.

the one thing i like about flickr pro is the stats. so you can see how many ppl are seeing your pictures.
i had it but have not repaid my yearly due. maybe this christmas money will help lol
ill add you on flickr
lmk if you have any other questions at all

[mkernz22]

thanks for the referral!^

It's no problem at all Mike! I've seen your work and I admire it soo much.
I'm beginning to get into photography little by little

[96bluevert]

Check out photography-on-the.net for Canon online forums, they are really helpfull.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

I know theres a few 6gc members on there too.

[96stgreendemon]

Wow mike, still looking through your flicker and more and more impressed, noticed on some of the shots you were using a wide angle, what lens is that? and been looking at getting the "Nifty Fifty" lens, thoughts? oh and im uploading more pictures to flicker if anyone would care to comment on them that would be great

[96stgreendemon]

Oh and any recomendations on Photoshop or lightroom? also want to do some HDR pics, was looking at photomatrix, how exactly do i do this?
on a side note about the first comment you made, i have been using my old camera like a slr for years lol, always used manual setting on it, i know how to set the ISO, Shutter Speed for different lighting backgrounds, ive been using the manual setting on the camera and toying around with different settings, ill PM you my number mike