TrikeGuy Loc: Eugene, OR

Hi everyone. I'm new to photography. I'm trying to find out how you people learned the art of photography. I have seen ads for various schools and books but have decided to try to get some feedback from people who have been doing this for a while before I spend the dollars for these items.

Thanks, TrikeGuy

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Started in the 70's with film. As one who enjoys art, drawing, painting and the like, I am convinced that my involvement in those other arts helped me in photography. Plus shoot, shoot, shoot and be ruthless in your editing of the good ones from the just OK ones.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I did a career in broadcast television, mostly in photo journalism, and I started the hard way, in a small town television station that needed help.

I had a broadcast background from both radio and television with the US Air Force at this time but video was new to me.

I had also had some still work, in film then of course, but that was it.

I did all my learning on the street.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

First, it's important to realize that it isn't going to happen as fast as you want it to. Even if you enroll in formalized training where you sit in a classroom for a few weeks, it's still time-consuming.

Try to decompose the entire gambit of photography, then attack it one piece at a time. When you learn something new, take your camera and practice it.

In a training video, I once heard Moose Peterson taking questions from the audience. One lady asked what books she could buy that would help her advance in her photographic expertise. Moose briefly contemplated the question, then replied, "The best advice I can give you is to lay the books down, get your camera and go out and take some pictures. If they don't look like you want them to, determine what you can do differently and go take some more pictures." I understand his advice, because I've learned the most by evaluating the photos I've taken. There's still a lot for me to learn, though.

The most important thing is to have fun while you're learning. Ask questions (none of them are dumb!!) and use the answers by going out and taking some pictures.

Midnight Rider Loc: Alabama

It depends on how well you can read and understand, then put in to practice, things you might read in a book. I taught myself, by reading, the MECHANICS of how a camera works, shutter speed/aperture, etc. I learned on a manual camera and 50 speed slide film. But I absorb technical material/instructions well. Some people don't, as their brain just doesn't function that way. But books can teach you basic rules of composition, depth of field, and some methods to get the results you want. But, there is no substitute for taking a LOT of photos and being very critical of the results. I threw away thousands of slides, but kept thousands as well. Digital makes it easy to learn, as you see instant results and the cost is minimal after the initial investment in equipment/hardware/software.

After I sort of had the mechanics down, I took "Color Photography" at a local University. It was a Special Studies series of classes (not for academic credit) and the courses were taught by local professionals for a minimal cost. I learned a lot there too, especially about the "art" of photography. I also took some one to two day seminars when available in my area, whether from the camera manufacturer or a pro who was teaching a weekend class/workshop. I later took a week long class with Rocky Mountain School of Photography...they do great classes in beautiful locales, and then critique your work for the previous day in the afternoon. It was not an inexpensive class, but I feel it was worth the money.

I see that you live in Eugene, OR...have you checked to see what the University offers with regards to photo courses? Or local community colleges?

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Good points. I recently posted this on another thread and it may be appropriate here:

Stages of Competency:

1- Unconscious incompetency

2- Conscious incompetency

3- Conscious competency

4- Unconscious competency

After 35 yrs in photography I usually find myself around stage 2 or 3. In rare times I have been in stage 4 and it has been transcending, losing all track of time, an almost "out of body" experience.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

I'm still trying to figure it out and have been since the late sixties.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Years of trial and error, self taught, never read a book, can't be bothered, get a camera and get out

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Welcome TrikeGuy! I first took a brief "how to use your SLR" class, then a couple of years later took a year of Black & White photography at a community college. It was before digital, and we did a ton of printing, but I think would be helpful to anyone re composition and lighting, textures and tones. I also had a few art classes in high school, though I don't know how much rubbed off on me :)

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Love the list!
That can apply to a a lot of things on life.

Nightski

This is coming from a complete newbie, but I really like this answer. Every word is true. I would just like to add one thing. If you get stuck, post a question here before buying anything. The people here often have great suggestions for free links and resources.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

before i could afford them i spent years reading books on guns and cameras. when i could buy them i used what i knew at practice, and used any tips and new info that came my way.i still do. like many of us i got caught up in the "you really need these" cycle. i too late realised that 3 guns and 1 camera with 2 lenses would have been enough.

wierdphotoguy Loc: the snow belt in Michigan

I used instamatic film cameras for years, then went on to P&S digitals. I love to take photos but got frustrated with the limits of the P&S cameras so I bought an entry level Sony a37 and two books. The first was a beginners guide to digital photography, the second was advanced techniques for more professional photos.

I read throught the camera manual with the camera at hand, played with the menus shot some pics etc. Then I read through the beginners guide, stopping along the way to test stuff out on the camera.

Then I shot a lot of pics. When I had practiced for a little while I went online and googled free photography tutorials. I read through three or four of these, and shot a ton of pictures.

I learned how to control exposure and found out that PSAM does not stand for Photograph Shoes Again Mike before going through the second book.

Now I am out nearly every day finding different things to shoot. If the pics don't turn out right, I go back and look stuff up in my books or online.

The most important part of photography cannot be learned from a book; that is the eye of an artist. Your eye can be trained to look at a scene and see what a camera will capture, but no book in the world (IMHO) can tell you how to spot beauty. The camera is simply a pixel storage interface between art and artist.

Mike

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

First, if you havent already, get a camera.
Doesnt really matter what it is at this stage, cause if you 'get the bug' it wont be with you long.
If it comes with 'kit' lenses, get the lenses.
If it doesnt, buy a 1.8 or better 50mm lens.
Then just practice, practice, practice with that camera.
Carry it with you, sleep with it, eat with it beside you and look for interesting situations or images to capture.
But get to know your equipment and start to develop what some call, a photographic 'eye'.
Study the 'masters'.
Every American (and many others of course) has heard of Ansell Adams, http//www.anseladams.com/‎
he among hundreds of others can demonstrate, through his work, what makes a memorable picture.

If, after say a year, you are starting to get the idea, I am sure you will ditch your first camera, and the disease will have taken hold.
You may never sell that first 50mm lens by the way.

Of course, today there is another aspect to photography, that is imperative.
The digital darkroom!
If you want stunning pics, it is not enough to just be an artist with a camera.
The computer becomes your easel where you apply the final brush strokes, so try different processing programmes, look on UHH for the most popular.

Heaps more to it than this of course and after more than 45 years behind a camera I'm only scratching the surface of Digital.
Just my take and advice I give to all who ask.
Cheers

francesca3 Loc: Sausalito, CA

You learn by 1.) taking photos 2.) reading about how to take photos