SuKai Loc: California

I consider myself a beginner in photography and the more pictures I take the more I realize I have so much to learn. I was wondering if it's worth taking lessons.

I don't have any college close (45+ miles) to me or that even would fit into my work schedule. And this campus only offers Photoshop. So, I found some sites that offer on-line or CD/lesson type course work. One is the New York Institute of Photography.

What I was wondering is if it's worth the money or should I just keep experimenting with the camera since it's not like I have to pay for printing. Or does anyone here at UHH have any better suggestions.

I don't plan to become a professional I just want to be a better picture taker. :P for my own satisfaction.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I don't know that I would just poke around with the camera by myself...I WOULD however take advantage of all of the good info on the net.

There are literally DOZENS of instructional videos ON ANY GIVEN SUBJECT for free on youtube...take your pick of what you want to learn.

Personally? i wouldn't. I'd watch videos to answer my questions, read books, blogs, and websites, and practice, practice, practice!

randym77

I've taken online courses, and they have their advantages.

But have you considered a book instead? They are much cheaper.

I found this one very helpful:

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera, by Bryan Peterson

Blues Loc: Duluth, Mn

I checked into New York Institute of photography, it was quite spendy. I would try getting some books.Bryan Peterson has a couple that are quite good. you could also logon to Adorama.com. there is a section called Adorama TV. there are a bunch of episodes om camera knowledge

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Check this site out, it's free. I have not been through any of the classes but this was recommended by a friend who has. She was very impressed and thought it was well worth the time she put into it.

http://tv.cse7.org/2010/fall/

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Yes! Ditto! Ditto! Ditto!

For a beginner...this is a great book.

ggiaphotos Loc: Iowa

I am not an expert or a pro by any stretch. I agree with what everyone has said. I like the "Dummies" books, some are specific to your camera and some in general. Then I think it takes shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, experiment, shoot, shoot, shoot! Advantage of learning today is digital film is sooooo cheap :-)

BigDaveMT Loc: Plentywood, MT

Biker Chic, check with whoever sponsors adult education classes in your area. They might be interested in adding a digital photography class to the lineup of courses they offer.

Your location is listed as Tehachapi, CA which Google tells me is in Kern County. I would suggest checking in with the Kern County 4-H program and volunteering as a photography leader. Why would I suggest that? Because I think you probably have the photography skills to work with a group of raw beginners. Plus, as a 4H leader, you'll be able to get into some more advanced training workshops that are held both for the kids and the leaders.

It's definitely worth looking into. http://cekern.ucdavis.edu/Youth_Development/

I'd also stick around UHH and continue to post photos and ask questions.

Dave

SuKai Loc: California

Thanks I always forget about You tube. I agree you can find anything, I mean anything there. :lol: I will check out the books too I am flying to Hawaii Sunday and have a long flight ahead of me so what better time to do some studying. Thank You for all your suggestions I definitely plan to play with my camera while I am there and experiment with different things. :thumbup:

SuKai Loc: California

Just took a quick look and WOW is all I can say oh Yeah and thanks, Pepper this will save lots of $$. This will be great I bookmarked it even though I won't get feedback from an instructor I can ask Yall' at UHH for critique :thumbup:

rambler Loc: Masssachusetts

Here is a free site that e-mails weekly info if you wish:
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/digital-photography-tips-for-beginners

For those of you who mentioned Bryan Peterson, why not take a course from him?

http://www.ppsop.com

I have enjoyed taking courses here: http://www.betterphotos.com

For a month you are given weekly assignment to submit 3-5 images you have taken which are then critiqued by the instructor. You not only see your photos, but the photos of each person in the class with all of the critiques. It is a great way to learn getting you out taking pictures. The pros are excellent photographers and not once did I receive any condescending comments. On the contrary, they make an extra effort to be helpful and not judgmental. One of the instructors, Rob Sheppard, has written several books on photography similar to Peterson.
Visit Rob's website and in the right hand column, a gray shaded area, look for his video tips for Photoshop. Great tips and lots of free advice throughout the site.

http://robsheppardphoto.com/

Another site that has free tutorials for all levels of photographers is the Cambridge in Color. Guaranteed you will also be impressed by the quality of photos that members of that forum have posted, and the same can be said for Luminous Landscapes.

Photography Forum is another site I frequent.

Wonderful books on learning photography were written by John Shaw, so google him.

travlnman46 Loc: Yakima WA

Hi Biker_Chic: There are so many different ways of learning photography as well as post processing or (PP). Sometimes it can get a little overwhelming. Indeed this forum is a great place to begin. All of the above suggestions have merit. Free tutorials from You Tube, or Adobe, or your camera's manufacturer, I've found many great photography books used at Abes books for as little as one dollar. Here is the book stores web site. You might want to check around and see if there are any camera clubs in your area. Best wishes for finding what you need, to learn Photography. Once you get the bug, most are never content with our level of our ability and are always trying to improve... Hope this helps.
http://www.abebooks.com/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's like learning to ride a motorcycle. You can teach your self, have you friends teach you, or learn form a professional. There are lots of online sources available, like http://www.digital-photography-school.com/. Karl Taylor has a good site with a free mini course. Take a look at http://kentweakley.com/blog/. He has lots of tips and information, and he also offers courses that you must pay for.

Others - http://www.expertphotography.com/

http://photoextremist.com/

http://www.bcphoto.biz/Other/Bonus-Tutorials/6608281_mTPEN

http://www.shortcourses.com/guide/

Do a google search for tutorials on your camera. Once you learn all that these sites have to offer, you should be taking pretty good photos. Oh, and don't forget youtube - lots there, too. I would take what these organized sites have to offer before spending my money.

maryp Loc: Boston

A few weeks ago someone on the site pointed out www.elitevideo.com as a good site to purchase a video specific to your camera. I got the video for mine and it is fantastic. The video goes step by step on all of your camera features and the how and why to use them. It has been very helpful as I really needed to learn and begin to understand the basic fundamentals

guy145 Loc: Norridge IL

That looks really good