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Things I have learned about Photography, so far.
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Jun 25, 2017 20:18:32   #
Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado
 
I began my journey into photography, a mere, year and 8 months ago.
Here is the"sob" story, everyone has one, here is mine.
I had a tumor the size of my fist in my right kidney. I have big hands. It was discovered, just as my kidney was about to explode. Which would have prevented me from writing this, due to the fact that would have killed me graveyard dead.
So to make a long story, longer, I just sat down and felt sorry for myself for about a year . I knew I needed to find something to do, a hobby. Anything to get me up and moving again. Wood working is out of the question, I cannot nail two pieces of wood together, I can weld the crack of dawn, but I can mess wood up faster than God can grow it. Knitting, nah still on the couch. I ran through a multitude of hobbies in my head, until I thought of buying a camera.
Bingo
I love it. I am cancer free. Both my physical and mental health have improved.

Here are a few of the things I have learned in a short time.
Please feel free to add to add the things you have learned as well.

I have learned ,photography ain't cheap.
I have learned that I can buy used, for a fraction of new.

I have learned to slow down.
I check my settings, I make sure my exposure is right. I have begun to think before I press the shutter

I have learned to shoot in manual mode.
For me this is part of slowing down. Relying more on myself than the camera. What f /stop, what's my light. I am not claiming to be smarter than my camera, and sometimes the results prove just that. But I like taking control over a shot.

I have learned, I hate tripods.
I know that they are a invaluable tool. I have been pinched, I have missed shots, and generally look like a monkey F@!$ING a football setting one up. I have a gimbal head on a tripod and a ball head on a monopole, hate em both.

I have learned, lenses make a difference.
When I first started taking pictures, I thought a lens was a lens. Then, I bought a old 100-300 mm L lens off e-bay for $225.00. I have bought 4 more. The most I paid for one was a prime, 300 mm f/4 L . I paid 550 for for that one. all the rest were 400, gotta love craigs list and e-ba

I have learned to move my focus points.
Along with changing f/stops. How to create bokeh, when I want it and when I don't

I have learned, that, The more I learn, the less I know.
When I first picked up a dlsr camera, I had no idea what a f/stop was. I read and then I read some more. The internet has a wealth of information.

Like I write earlier. Please feel free to add to this.
What have you learned?

Reply
Jun 25, 2017 20:26:30   #
BebuLamar
 
You don't claim you're smarter than the camera but in fact the camera is smarter than nobody. The most important thing I learned is that a photograph never looks like the real scene. So I learned to imagine what the photograph will look like. There are many possibility so I could choose which I want my photograph to look like.

Reply
Jun 25, 2017 20:58:57   #
jkm757 Loc: San Diego, Ca.
 
Nice list RFG. Along with everything on your list, I've also learned to check my equipment and bag before going out to shoot to make sure I will have everything I will need (extra batteries, sd cards, filters, lighting, lens cleaning items).

Reply
 
 
Jun 25, 2017 21:00:35   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
Great comeback to the world. Congratulations!
Keep shooting and learning.

(I've learned that life can be a lot shorter than you think it will. (but not from photography.).)

Reply
Jun 25, 2017 21:18:31   #
quagmire Loc: Greenwood,South Carolina
 
Where are you from rfgwac? May be someone close you can hook up with to go on a shoot, wish there was someone around here.

Reply
Jun 25, 2017 22:39:08   #
DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
 
Great! Keep working with the tripod – you'll discover that some of your better images are made using it. I hated it until Ed Heaton beat me up for not using it. Now I love it even though I still make many images off-hand.
Retired fat guy with a camera wrote:
I began my journey into photography, a mere, year and 8 months ago.
Here is the"sob" story, everyone has one, here is mine.
I had a tumor the size of my fist in my right kidney. I have big hands. It was discovered, just as my kidney was about to explode. Which would have prevented me from writing this, due to the fact that would have killed me graveyard dead.
So to make a long story, longer, I just sat down and felt sorry for myself for about a year . I knew I needed to find something to do, a hobby. Anything to get me up and moving again. Wood working is out of the question, I cannot nail two pieces of wood together, I can weld the crack of dawn, but I can mess wood up faster than God can grow it. Knitting, nah still on the couch. I ran through a multitude of hobbies in my head, until I thought of buying a camera.
Bingo
I love it. I am cancer free. Both my physical and mental health have improved.

Here are a few of the things I have learned in a short time.
Please feel free to add to add the things you have learned as well.

I have learned ,photography ain't cheap.
I have learned that I can buy used, for a fraction of new.

I have learned to slow down.
I check my settings, I make sure my exposure is right. I have begun to think before I press the shutter

I have learned to shoot in manual mode.
For me this is part of slowing down. Relying more on myself than the camera. What f /stop, what's my light. I am not claiming to be smarter than my camera, and sometimes the results prove just that. But I like taking control over a shot.

I have learned, I hate tripods.
I know that they are a invaluable tool. I have been pinched, I have missed shots, and generally look like a monkey F@!$ING a football setting one up. I have a gimbal head on a tripod and a ball head on a monopole, hate em both.

I have learned, lenses make a difference.
When I first started taking pictures, I thought a lens was a lens. Then, I bought a old 100-300 mm L lens off e-bay for $225.00. I have bought 4 more. The most I paid for one was a prime, 300 mm f/4 L . I paid 550 for for that one. all the rest were 400, gotta love craigs list and e-ba

I have learned to move my focus points.
Along with changing f/stops. How to create bokeh, when I want it and when I don't

I have learned, that, The more I learn, the less I know.
When I first picked up a dlsr camera, I had no idea what a f/stop was. I read and then I read some more. The internet has a wealth of information.

Like I write earlier. Please feel free to add to this.
What have you learned?
I began my journey into photography, a mere, year ... (show quote)

Reply
Jun 26, 2017 00:19:34   #
Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado
 
I live in Colorado, between Denver and Ft. Collins

Reply
 
 
Jun 26, 2017 00:35:53   #
Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak
 
And you've learned to overcome. Now you're cancer free!! Congratulations on that. I'm working on it. And you've learned a lot in just over a year. Good for you.

I've dabbled in photography since 1967 when I got my first serious camera, a Yeshiva SLR. I have learned that not every good scene makes for a good photography and that I shouldn't try to make silk out of a sow's ear, as the saying goes. I, too, have learned the value of a tripod, and I don't much like using one either, but.....I use it when I need to.

Reply
Jun 26, 2017 06:02:26   #
johneccles Loc: Leyland UK
 
Very interesting and humorous post, everything you have written is good advice we could all benefit from.

Reply
Jun 26, 2017 06:16:42   #
pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY
 
Retired fat guy with a camera wrote:
I began my journey into photography, a mere, year and 8 months ago.
Here is the"sob" story, everyone has one, here is mine.
I had a tumor the size of my fist in my right kidney. I have big hands. It was discovered, just as my kidney was about to explode. Which would have prevented me from writing this, due to the fact that would have killed me graveyard dead.
So to make a long story, longer, I just sat down and felt sorry for myself for about a year . I knew I needed to find something to do, a hobby. Anything to get me up and moving again. Wood working is out of the question, I cannot nail two pieces of wood together, I can weld the crack of dawn, but I can mess wood up faster than God can grow it. Knitting, nah still on the couch. I ran through a multitude of hobbies in my head, until I thought of buying a camera.
Bingo
I love it. I am cancer free. Both my physical and mental health have improved.

Here are a few of the things I have learned in a short time.
Please feel free to add to add the things you have learned as well.

I have learned ,photography ain't cheap.
I have learned that I can buy used, for a fraction of new.

I have learned to slow down.
I check my settings, I make sure my exposure is right. I have begun to think before I press the shutter

I have learned to shoot in manual mode.
For me this is part of slowing down. Relying more on myself than the camera. What f /stop, what's my light. I am not claiming to be smarter than my camera, and sometimes the results prove just that. But I like taking control over a shot.

I have learned, I hate tripods.
I know that they are a invaluable tool. I have been pinched, I have missed shots, and generally look like a monkey F@!$ING a football setting one up. I have a gimbal head on a tripod and a ball head on a monopole, hate em both.

I have learned, lenses make a difference.
When I first started taking pictures, I thought a lens was a lens. Then, I bought a old 100-300 mm L lens off e-bay for $225.00. I have bought 4 more. The most I paid for one was a prime, 300 mm f/4 L . I paid 550 for for that one. all the rest were 400, gotta love craigs list and e-ba

I have learned to move my focus points.
Along with changing f/stops. How to create bokeh, when I want it and when I don't

I have learned, that, The more I learn, the less I know.
When I first picked up a dlsr camera, I had no idea what a f/stop was. I read and then I read some more. The internet has a wealth of information.

Like I write earlier. Please feel free to add to this.
What have you learned?
I began my journey into photography, a mere, year ... (show quote)


Go back and learn to use the bloody tripod. You can't shoot sunrises or sets without pumping up the ISO. How about making a whispy waterfalls in daylight with a ND filter and 20 sec of shutter or simply stopping and aperture to f/22 for 3 sec shot . You are limiting what you can photograph and likely the quality. If you only shoot in perfect light I'll go &^%$ the football. Time for big boy pants. :)

Congrats on being cancer free.

Reply
Jun 26, 2017 07:16:15   #
d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA
 
DavidPine wrote:
Great! Keep working with the tripod – you'll discover that some of your better images are made using it. I hated it until Ed Heaton beat me up for not using it. Now I love it even though I still make many images off-hand.



Reply
 
 
Jun 26, 2017 07:30:44   #
Doug52332
 
I've learned a few things along the way, myself. First and foremost (for me, anyway), flash to subject distance is more critical than camera to subject distance, in getting correct portrait exposure. What is "correct portrait exposure?" That is the point at which you can look at the photograph and say, "that's a great shot." Second, for the most part, on board camera flashes are junk, and their ideal range is only about 7-10 feet. OCF is always a better choice, if you have it, or can get it. Third, don't be afraid to move the camera forward or back. This can be a touchy point when doing portraits, because people sometimes look down on having their personal space invaded. Fourth, it's OK to use the zoom, if you need to, to get the shot you want. I read a long time ago that, while the zoom can bring things closer in, you shouldn't have to settle for a poor vantage point. And, yes, for the final point, make the tripod your friend. It will hold the camera steadier than you can.

Just a quick disclaimer here. The "you" is generic, and not aimed at a specific,or implied, person.

Reply
Jun 26, 2017 07:36:40   #
dcma2005 Loc: Waterbury, Connecticut
 
First, congratulations on being cancer free. Keep up the good work on this point.

I too am relatively new to photography. I am learning and you are right, the internet is a wealth of information on photography but it's very confusing at times at least to me.

I have also learned to slow down in my life. I also think it's important to learn something new every day, no matter the subject.

Reply
Jun 26, 2017 07:41:59   #
ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia
 
Glad to hear you are on the mend.

"crawl, walk, run, sprint" relative to building one's knowledge and purchasing equipment

"Pick my battles and sticking with the original goal, don't get side tracked"

"Read and study what the pros do"

"Six sense anticipation comes with extensive practice"


Retired fat guy with a camera wrote:
I began my journey into photography, a mere, year and 8 months ago.
Here is the"sob" story, everyone has one, here is mine.
I had a tumor the size of my fist in my right kidney. I have big hands. It was discovered, just as my kidney was about to explode. Which would have prevented me from writing this, due to the fact that would have killed me graveyard dead.
So to make a long story, longer, I just sat down and felt sorry for myself for about a year . I knew I needed to find something to do, a hobby. Anything to get me up and moving again. Wood working is out of the question, I cannot nail two pieces of wood together, I can weld the crack of dawn, but I can mess wood up faster than God can grow it. Knitting, nah still on the couch. I ran through a multitude of hobbies in my head, until I thought of buying a camera.
Bingo
I love it. I am cancer free. Both my physical and mental health have improved.

Here are a few of the things I have learned in a short time.
Please feel free to add to add the things you have learned as well.

I have learned ,photography ain't cheap.
I have learned that I can buy used, for a fraction of new.

I have learned to slow down.
I check my settings, I make sure my exposure is right. I have begun to think before I press the shutter

I have learned to shoot in manual mode.
For me this is part of slowing down. Relying more on myself than the camera. What f /stop, what's my light. I am not claiming to be smarter than my camera, and sometimes the results prove just that. But I like taking control over a shot.

I have learned, I hate tripods.
I know that they are a invaluable tool. I have been pinched, I have missed shots, and generally look like a monkey F@!$ING a football setting one up. I have a gimbal head on a tripod and a ball head on a monopole, hate em both.

I have learned, lenses make a difference.
When I first started taking pictures, I thought a lens was a lens. Then, I bought a old 100-300 mm L lens off e-bay for $225.00. I have bought 4 more. The most I paid for one was a prime, 300 mm f/4 L . I paid 550 for for that one. all the rest were 400, gotta love craigs list and e-ba

I have learned to move my focus points.
Along with changing f/stops. How to create bokeh, when I want it and when I don't

I have learned, that, The more I learn, the less I know.
When I first picked up a dlsr camera, I had no idea what a f/stop was. I read and then I read some more. The internet has a wealth of information.

Like I write earlier. Please feel free to add to this.
What have you learned?
I began my journey into photography, a mere, year ... (show quote)

Reply
Jun 26, 2017 08:00:39   #
wbauknight Loc: Buda, TX
 
Do it your own way! I am not a professional photographer and never will be! Upon retirement I invested and continue to invest is quality equipment. Maybe it is my age but I shoot almost exclusively with a RRS tripod since it gives me a better quality image. I highly advise you to learn Lightroom shooting Raw if you don't do that now. The processing will give you results that you will not believe you could produce! That said, do what you enjoy!

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