Hello! I'm a Newbie Here!

[Emma Ciarrocca]

Not new to photography but I know I'll have to learn a whole new kettle of fish! I have updated my camera from a point & shoot casio EX-Z75 to a canon 550D slr ....

My aim is to get creative with taking shots of my handmade jewellery. Although my EX-Z75 was doing just the job, sometimes it took many a shot until i was happy.

As well as my jewellery, I love taking architectural shots and landscape. And I wouldn't mind picking up some advice for portraits!

I hope in time I can offer some advice to other newbies as I pick up some lessons along the way and pass the knowledge on!

[Cathus]

welcome to the site, you'll love your new camera, the thing to do is just to use it, lots.

[adam_christie]

Welcome! I've recently just done the same as you, and also have a 550D! It's a great piece of kit, and can take some stunning photos! Which lens kit did you go for?

[Drew Smith]

Hello Emma, welcome to the Forum.

The 550D is a cracking camera and with access to the range of Canon's lenses will do everything you want for many t=years to come.

My advice for coming to grips with your new babay: Take lots of pics to experiment with SS, F Stop and ISO, post pictures in the Critique forum here and ask for advice, join in the 'Weekend Comp' (it doesn't matter that you are new) and have fun.

[chris-p]

Welcome to the forum Emma

[mondmagu]

Welcome Emma,take lots of shots and enjoy.Some great people and advice on this site.

Des

[Emma Ciarrocca]

Thanks Guys!

[Emma Ciarrocca]

Originally Posted by adam_christie

Welcome! I've recently just done the same as you, and also have a 550D! It's a great piece of kit, and can take some stunning photos! Which lens kit did you go for?

I got the lens with the camera ..EF-s18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS . It came as a package via Jessops. I also got a Tamrom AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 LD MACRO 1:2. This is hopefully going to make my jewellery shine and also any photographs of flowers etc look better than point and shoot!

[jet_kit]

Hi Emma and welcome,
Of vital importance - get yourself a tripod and flashgun. Use the flash with pictures of flowers and they'll sparkle and stand out against the (darker) background. Use the tripod all the time. For best results get a remote cable release as well - you don't have to get a Canon one, the after-market ones are very good and will save you a packet.
Giotto, Gitzo & Manfrotto all make very good and affordable tripods. The 055 series Manfrotto has a clever centre column allowing you considerable flexibility for close-ups, which I guess you'll be doing a lot of.
Nissin make a very good and competitively priced flashgun. Always use rechargeable batteries - using alkaline batteries is like thowing £5 notes out of your car window.
Good luck and enjoy.