File :-(, x, )
I'm a rank amateur Anonymous
I know exactly nothing about camera settings. At most, I mess w. the white balance, but usually the selector on the ol' camera stays on AUTO. So, I'm gonna upload a few examples of my "best" work, and I'd appreciate any advice anyone can give me.

This first one is of the Phoenix Hall of the Byodoin Temple near Kyoto. Taken with a Canon A-20. And, silly me, taken in the rain...
EXIF data available. Clickhereto show/hide.
Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon PowerShot A20Maximum Lens Aperturef/2.8Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaLens Size5.41 - 16.19 mmFirmware VersionFirmware Version 1.0Owner NameRobert AtendidoImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution180 dpiVertical Resolution180 dpiImage Created2002:05:04 20:08:12Exposure Time1/6 secF-Numberf/3.5Lens Aperturef/3.5Exposure Bias0 EVSubject Distance2.47 mFlashFlashFocal Length7.84 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1600Image Height1200Focus TypeAutoMetering ModeEvaluativeSharpnessNormalSaturationNormalContrastNormalShooting ModeManualImage SizeLargeFocus ModeSingleDrive ModeSingleFlash ModeSlow-SynchroCompression SettingFineMacro ModeNormalSequence Number1White BalanceAutoExposure Compensation3Sensor ISO Speed143Image Number101-0103
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Tokyo Tower. Canon A-20.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon PowerShot A20Camera SoftwareQuickTime 6.0.2Maximum Lens Aperturef/2.8Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandImage OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution180 dpiVertical Resolution180 dpiImage Created2002:12:27 10:22:13Exposure Time1/250 secF-Numberf/8.0Lens Aperturef/8.0Exposure Bias0 EVSubject Distance1.21 mMetering ModePatternFlashNo FlashFocal Length5.41 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1600Image Height1200
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Something called the "Hifuri Matsuri" (Fire Swing Festival).

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon PowerShot A20Maximum Lens Aperturef/2.8Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaLens Size5.41 - 16.19 mmFirmware VersionFirmware Version 1.20Owner NameRobert AtendidoImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution180 dpiVertical Resolution180 dpiImage Created2002:08:15 19:43:40Exposure Time1 secF-Numberf/2.8Lens Aperturef/2.9Exposure Bias0 EVSubject Distance5.95 mFlashNo FlashFocal Length5.41 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1024Image Height768Focus TypeAutoMetering ModeEvaluativeSharpnessNormalSaturationNormalContrastNormalShooting ModeManualImage SizeMediumFocus ModeSingleDrive ModeSingleFlash ModeOffCompression SettingFineMacro ModeNormalSequence Number1White BalanceAutoExposure Compensation3Sensor ISO Speed143Image Number100-0020
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Cherry blossoms, in a park near my apartment.
Canon A-80

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon PowerShot A80Maximum Lens Aperturef/2.8Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaLens Size7.81 - 23.41 mmFirmware VersionFirmware Version 1.00Owner NameRobert AtendidoImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution180 dpiVertical Resolution180 dpiImage Created2005:04:11 13:43:41Exposure Time1/500 secF-Numberf/4.0Lens Aperturef/4.0Exposure Bias0 EVFlashNo Flash, AutoFocal Length7.81 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1600Image Height1200RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoScene Capture TypeStandardFocus TypeClose-Up (Macro Mode)Metering ModeEvaluativeISO Speed RatingAutoSharpnessNormalSaturationNormalContrastNormalShooting ModeFull AutoImage SizeUnknownFocus ModeSingleDrive ModeSingleFlash ModeRed-Eye Reduction (Auto)Compression SettingFineMacro ModeMacroSubject Distance0.160 mWhite BalanceAutoExposure Compensation3Sensor ISO Speed128Image Number100-0041
>> elf_man
>>51505
Looks nice, but what's the big light circle? Spotlight?
>> Anonymous
It's a raindrop. The flash auto-fired, and it was raining...
>> Liska !!LIVFOETqL8j
Okay, i'm going to say this first, before going into anything else; Don't be afraid to play around with your camera. If you can mess with the apeature, and shutterspeed, do so. You may get cool effects. Go to the library or go on the internet, do a little bit of reading on camera basics, then go out and play.

>>51505
I really like this one a lot and aside from aforementioned distracting blot right above it, the lighting and exposure is wonderful on it.

>>51508
I like the concept of this one, but it doesnt' work as well as it could because there's no ligh variation in it. It's all in the shade. I also would've zoomed in closer to a few of the flowers, or zoom out a little bit to get the whole cluster in.

First one's def. my favorite, though.
>> street-pirate
"First one's def. my favorite, though."

Too soft in my opinion. You handheld this, didn't you?
>> Anonymous
>>51517
Yes I did. The only gear I own is the camera itself, although I keep telling myself I should pick up a tripod one of these days.

>>51514
Thanks. I agree about the cherry blossom pic. It was overcast most of that day, and when I could finally get brightly sun-lit shots, I wasn't anywhere near the red and white lanterns...
>> elf_man
As Liska said, get it out of auto, if only so you don't have the flash auto-firing. Heck, if you're using auto, you may as well use Program and get some control over basics like iso and white balance back.
>> Liska !!LIVFOETqL8j
>>51528

if you dont' have a tripod, a fence, mailbox or other flat surface to prop it on works pretty well. :c)
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>51531
Alas, that wasn't an option at the Byoudouin! (^_^)

One more: St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Kagoshima City. See, the weather cooperated sometimes...!

It's getting on to 3AM here. I'm going to crash for a few hours, and check back later. Thanks to all for the advice.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon PowerShot A20Camera SoftwareQuickTime 6.5.1Maximum Lens Aperturef/2.8Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandImage OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution180 dpiVertical Resolution180 dpiImage Created2004:06:18 14:47:51Exposure Time1/640 secF-Numberf/8.0Lens Aperturef/8.0Exposure Bias0 EVSubject Distance1.39 mMetering ModePatternFlashNo FlashFocal Length5.41 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1024Image Height768
>> Anonymous
>>51530
et. al.;
Okay, okay...I'll definitely try playing around with some of the settings. When I have tried this before, I usually ended up with very over-exposed shots, followed by overcompensation. (@_@) Good thing it's a digital camera.
>> Anonymous
>>51528
It's also a good idea to carry around a little beanbag in your case. It lets you put the camera down on something, lets you level it nicely and will let you use something concrete or stone as a level surface without scratching your camera. I rarely use a tripod when I'm out somewhere shooting, I only use it for indoor stuff.
>> Liska !!LIVFOETqL8j
>>51533

Well, know you know you tend to keep the shutter open too long, so dial the other way :D Or meter. The nice things about digital cameras is that you can play around and not have to worry about the processing! I have found sometimes, too, that my darker exposured photos turn out to be better and moodier than the lighter exposure ones.

I hand hold all of my stuff too; hate carrying tripods around. Adapt to what's around you. I've used a mailbox, the flat top of a bird feeder, a fence post and a tree as a "tripod/stablizer" before, too.
>> Anonymous
don't use flash for landscapes, it won't reach so far
>> ac
>>51538
Heh. Yeah. It always amuses me when I see people taking pictures of Niagara Falls at night with their tiny little on-camera flash.
>> Liska !!LIVFOETqL8j
>>51541

If they're doing that, i'm not sure they know how to turn the flash off ;)
>> ac
>>51546
Yeah, I know. But I'm guessing if you went up to them and suggested that they try taking the picture with the flash off, they'd respond along the lines of "But it's dark out..."
>> Liska !!LIVFOETqL8j
>>51547

Smile innocently at them and say "well, the flash will only make your photo darker, because it makes the shutter open and close quicker. Your shots won't turn out as good, as if you leave it out" :)
>> ac
>>51552
Actually, most of them that I see would say "[something unintelligible in crazy moon language]". Also, I'm a timid computer geek, so I don't like going up and talking to strangers.
>> Liska !!LIVFOETqL8j
>>51556

Out! Out of your shell and be social, you geek you! (btw, i do the same thing ;) )
>> elf_man
It's amazing any of us leave the house at all, really.
>> SophiaLee
Omg you go to the outside place? What about the germs and UV rays?!

>>51505

My favorite, I enjoy night pictures. ^_^
>> Liska !!LIVFOETqL8j
>>51588

The light! *hiss, hissss* it burnssss! it burns ussss!
>> SophiaLee
>>51599
Hahaha!The germs will make you get a job and pay bills leading to real lifeitis. Its deadly, you have about 50 years to live, Im sorry... ^_^
>> elf_man
OH SHI- I'm infected!!1!
>> Liska !!LIVFOETqL8j
>>51632

NOOOOOOOOOO---*
>> Anonymous
>>51588
I like the outside place, and I don't worry about germs.

Also, the EXIF says the OP shot the at least the first photograph (the only one I checked the EXIF on) in manual:

>Shooting Mode Manual
>> Anonymous
>>51648

Holy crap, you're right...it WAS on manual! I have no earthly idea why I had it on manual that night...it could've been a lucky mistake.