Too new to know :)
Nov 20, 2012 10:44:33 #
PhotoGator
Loc: Florida
I got my first DSLR camera in June/2012.
But before I bought it, I read everything which came my way online. I also watched many video tutorials.
I learn a lot from www.adorama.com/alc
But before I bought it, I read everything which came my way online. I also watched many video tutorials.
I learn a lot from www.adorama.com/alc
Nov 20, 2012 10:54:34 #
It has been my experience that photography is perhaps the widest, deepest, virtually infinite hobby, habit, profession on planet earth. You will find people here who picked up a digital camera a year or two ago and are now experts...and those of us who have made a lifetime profession of photography will only claim to be stumbling on through the fog. The more you learn about photography the more you understand how little you know.
The pure enjoyment of preserving a tiny slice of time and space to share with others or to just savor yourself is a very addictive habit.
Welcome aboard the Hog...take photos...squeal with joy!!!
The pure enjoyment of preserving a tiny slice of time and space to share with others or to just savor yourself is a very addictive habit.
Welcome aboard the Hog...take photos...squeal with joy!!!
Nov 20, 2012 11:01:38 #
allan catt
Loc: gillingham,kent,uk
annielee wrote:
I've been watching from afar for awhile now, and h... (show quote)
Hi,Annielee, If you want play around with your photo's download Picasa3,its a free download and you can have fun
Nov 20, 2012 11:10:16 #
Annielee-i have that Z981 also and have had many happy shooting sessions with it.Hope you downloaded the extended manual because the little instruction info that came in the box doesn't by any means cover all the features this camera
has within it.It will explain how to use them all.Move on from totally automatic to aperture priority,shutter priority,and explore those possibilities and enjoy.
has within it.It will explain how to use them all.Move on from totally automatic to aperture priority,shutter priority,and explore those possibilities and enjoy.
Nov 20, 2012 11:53:37 #
saichiez
Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon
Annielee,
Looks like your camera is VERY capable. It falls in the category often referred to as a "bridge" camera (between a P&S and a DSLR), or a Superzoom...
Here is a review from Steves-digicams, one of my favorite camera review sites.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/kodak/z981/kodak-easyshare-z981-review.html
Although they are not seen all that much, Kodak has always provided consumers with very high quality digital cameras. They use Schneider Kreuznach lens glass, which is some of the finest in the world. SK was extremely popular lens providers in the large format film market and has been around for years, probably as long as Kodak.
Kodak Sensors are reknowned in the digital camera industry. They partnered with Nikon on one of the very first BIG DSLR cameras. They are noted for rendering some of the finest color of any sensor produced for digital camera's. This generally show in their own camera's. They have been an industry leader in sensor production. Many quality brands have used Kodak sensors.
One nice thing about choosing a fixed lens camera is that you will never have to deal with dust on the sensor from lens changes.
The review from Steve indicates a very capable camera, with all the features one needs for full manual operation if you take your pastime that far.
Two suggestions:
1) If you are near a Community or other college, check the Community Education section for classes on camera setup and usage. Don't be put off by all the DSLR's in attendance. Most people in those classes are simply the purchase price away from knowing anything about their camera's. You don't need interchangeable lenses to take great pictures.
2) Is there an active, local camera club in your area. If so, attend a few meetings. They will usually let you do that before asking you to join. I would say attend as a guest for 4-6 months. You may end up with a photo buddy, or go on some outings. Again, beware the ego of some people, simply because they can take the lens off their camera's.
Don't feel pressured to move up from your Kodak, until you've tapped it's potential. It looks like a good one.
Looks like your camera is VERY capable. It falls in the category often referred to as a "bridge" camera (between a P&S and a DSLR), or a Superzoom...
Here is a review from Steves-digicams, one of my favorite camera review sites.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/kodak/z981/kodak-easyshare-z981-review.html
Although they are not seen all that much, Kodak has always provided consumers with very high quality digital cameras. They use Schneider Kreuznach lens glass, which is some of the finest in the world. SK was extremely popular lens providers in the large format film market and has been around for years, probably as long as Kodak.
Kodak Sensors are reknowned in the digital camera industry. They partnered with Nikon on one of the very first BIG DSLR cameras. They are noted for rendering some of the finest color of any sensor produced for digital camera's. This generally show in their own camera's. They have been an industry leader in sensor production. Many quality brands have used Kodak sensors.
One nice thing about choosing a fixed lens camera is that you will never have to deal with dust on the sensor from lens changes.
The review from Steve indicates a very capable camera, with all the features one needs for full manual operation if you take your pastime that far.
Two suggestions:
1) If you are near a Community or other college, check the Community Education section for classes on camera setup and usage. Don't be put off by all the DSLR's in attendance. Most people in those classes are simply the purchase price away from knowing anything about their camera's. You don't need interchangeable lenses to take great pictures.
2) Is there an active, local camera club in your area. If so, attend a few meetings. They will usually let you do that before asking you to join. I would say attend as a guest for 4-6 months. You may end up with a photo buddy, or go on some outings. Again, beware the ego of some people, simply because they can take the lens off their camera's.
Don't feel pressured to move up from your Kodak, until you've tapped it's potential. It looks like a good one.
Nov 20, 2012 13:50:04 #
Good Luck with your camera. What I suggest, and sometimes overlooked, is take your Owners Manual, camera in hand and practice. No matter how many cameras I have owned, soon after purchase I sit down and go through the manual with camera and each page, to get to know the camera. A lot of info is in there and some of the terminology is right in the manual pages. Then after awhile I forgot something and return to the manual. Every camera has its functions. And don't forget other forums and printed books. Soon a lot of the terminology will be very familiar and how to use it.
Nov 20, 2012 14:44:51 #
WELCOME to the HOG Annie Lee...I also have a Kodak Z981... I know that the manual that came with the camera doesn;t give you much help...Did you download the Extended user guide?... If not, DO IT NOW! www.kodak.com/goz981support
I saved PDF copies to my computer a flash drive and favorites... If you need more help , you cam PM me or post it here.. Tony
I saved PDF copies to my computer a flash drive and favorites... If you need more help , you cam PM me or post it here.. Tony
Nov 20, 2012 15:48:41 #
Welcome Annielee. Your Kodak z981 is one of the best cameras Kodak ever made. If all their cameras were of like quality, I think Kodak would still be in business!
That said, Auto works fine 90% of the time. Manual settings can fix the other 10%, like blurred action, snow scenes and concerts. Keep shooting and you will learn which is which. Good luck and happy shooting!
That said, Auto works fine 90% of the time. Manual settings can fix the other 10%, like blurred action, snow scenes and concerts. Keep shooting and you will learn which is which. Good luck and happy shooting!
Nov 20, 2012 16:28:01 #
Sorry, everyone if I was wrong. Your manual may not be of much help-I do not know. All the Nikon manuals have been pretty good.
Nov 20, 2012 18:35:36 #
R.G. auto mode would not be a good preference if you were shooting a group, a subject that would have something closer for the camera to focus on. That is the main point, in auto mode, the camera will focus on what is closest and the rest of the shot would have a blur, again the situation of a group shot. The center would be in focus, but as you go out to the edges of the shot, they would not be crystal clear. Also, if there is something, say a vase of flowers in your composition, but you want the person sitting a little to the side or behind the vase, the vase would be in focus, but the person would be a blur.
I hope that helps in being simplistic. :)
P.S. Welcome to the forum. :-D
I hope that helps in being simplistic. :)
P.S. Welcome to the forum. :-D
Nov 20, 2012 20:45:10 #
annielee wrote:
I've been watching from afar for awhile now, and h... (show quote)
A very good reference : Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure."
Good freebies and very convenient is Adorama TV & B&H TV on You Tube.
Nov 20, 2012 21:15:58 #
annielee welcome to the world of photography.
I started a photo club in NW Missouri 4 years ago and it is doing well. Many of the members started out knowing very little and now some are wining a few photo contest. What I'm driving at is if there is a photo club near you check it out. Most clubs are like a social club at least ours is. We "eat and show photos" we even ask questions about photography "ha". Anyway a club is a good way to meet like folks and have fun. As has been stated before the internet is a great place to get info also the manual that came with your camera should have all the lingo. Best of luck and keep it fun. Bob B
I started a photo club in NW Missouri 4 years ago and it is doing well. Many of the members started out knowing very little and now some are wining a few photo contest. What I'm driving at is if there is a photo club near you check it out. Most clubs are like a social club at least ours is. We "eat and show photos" we even ask questions about photography "ha". Anyway a club is a good way to meet like folks and have fun. As has been stated before the internet is a great place to get info also the manual that came with your camera should have all the lingo. Best of luck and keep it fun. Bob B
Nov 20, 2012 21:22:35 #
I have a KODAK Z990, and the first thing I did with it was switch to P mode. There's too much fun to be had with some controls, i.e. moon shots, clouds, sunsets, etc. It does take a little experimentation to get things right, but hey - this is digital, and megabytes are a little cheaper than film and can be recycled very easily!
Nov 20, 2012 21:44:14 #
Like many others, what I'd say is go out an practice. One of the joys of shooting digital is that shooting 10 pictures costs about the same a shooting 1.
I'd say that probably 90% of the first pictures you take will look fine on 'auto' or 'program' mode. It's the other 10% that make photography a real challenge.
One way to learn is to start changing variables one at a time. Try going to the A (aperature) and S (Shutter) modes and then try taking pictures with them set to different values. Pay attention to where things get 'weird'. This will be useful when you want those kinds of affects later.
Then try messing with 'film' speed (aka ISO) settings. see what a difference they make.
Read up on those subjects (Get books from the library, or just hunt stuff on the net) so that yo have some theory to back up your experiments.
and, most of all, have fun.
I'd say that probably 90% of the first pictures you take will look fine on 'auto' or 'program' mode. It's the other 10% that make photography a real challenge.
One way to learn is to start changing variables one at a time. Try going to the A (aperature) and S (Shutter) modes and then try taking pictures with them set to different values. Pay attention to where things get 'weird'. This will be useful when you want those kinds of affects later.
Then try messing with 'film' speed (aka ISO) settings. see what a difference they make.
Read up on those subjects (Get books from the library, or just hunt stuff on the net) so that yo have some theory to back up your experiments.
and, most of all, have fun.
Nov 20, 2012 23:59:52 #
Annie, Let me emphasize two things that have already been recommended in this thread. 1. Download the owners manual from Kodak. 2. Go to Amazon and buy Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure".
At this stage, those two things are all you will need to gain the technical knowledge your looking for. Now, that said, I want you to know that I think you have the potential to become a darned good photographer. Most of the technical aspects of photography can be learned by just about anyone if they simply spend a little time doing it. After reading your posts here, it seems to me you already have a couple of qualities some folks never manage to develop. You have an innate curiosity and if your friends think some of your photos could be sold, you also must have a naturally acquired "Good Eye". A good eye can recognize good composition, texture, contrast and the way light can effect an image. Some people are born with this ability, others acquire it after lots of experience and some struggle with it for years but never really master it.
So, download the manual and get Peterson's book. Post some of your photos and lets see if you have the potential I think you do, or if I'm just talking through my hat. ........ Coot
At this stage, those two things are all you will need to gain the technical knowledge your looking for. Now, that said, I want you to know that I think you have the potential to become a darned good photographer. Most of the technical aspects of photography can be learned by just about anyone if they simply spend a little time doing it. After reading your posts here, it seems to me you already have a couple of qualities some folks never manage to develop. You have an innate curiosity and if your friends think some of your photos could be sold, you also must have a naturally acquired "Good Eye". A good eye can recognize good composition, texture, contrast and the way light can effect an image. Some people are born with this ability, others acquire it after lots of experience and some struggle with it for years but never really master it.
So, download the manual and get Peterson's book. Post some of your photos and lets see if you have the potential I think you do, or if I'm just talking through my hat. ........ Coot
annielee wrote:
thanks Rex-
For now, probably personal use, I think I take some good shots, still and action but I do like to use the satutration on some of the stills.
For a true photog, this is kind of a given no-no isn't it?
I would love to be able to sell some of them, and been told I should look into it. I wpuld have no idea how to go about that in the first place I have not had anyone with any real knowledge look at anything I've shot.
A possible (?) lack of ......?
For now, probably personal use, I think I take some good shots, still and action but I do like to use the satutration on some of the stills.
For a true photog, this is kind of a given no-no isn't it?
I would love to be able to sell some of them, and been told I should look into it. I wpuld have no idea how to go about that in the first place I have not had anyone with any real knowledge look at anything I've shot.
A possible (?) lack of ......?
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