naturalite Loc: Up state NY

As some of you know, I'm an old film guy. I've been taking photos for over 50 years now. Half a century, that's a chunk of time. And I'm still learning. Not about photography, but the tools of the trade. So many advances makes the mind swim. But I'm doing OK, making daily headway. That's because of years of basics.
Now on the UHH I've noticed so many people running out and jumping right into entry level DSLR's and floundering. Well no wonder! Most of them don't even bother to read their manual. Let alone understand photography concepts.
People, don't get me wrong here. I'm not saying DON'T, or that you shouldn't. Or that I'm chastising, because it's not my intent to do so.
I'm just saying "do yourself a favor" look before you leap into such an endeavor. Take some classes, read books, or online. Then go for it. It will become a much more pleasurable experience for you then.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

And to add to that - practice and allow your self to make lots of mistakes.

gonate Loc: sacramento,calif

very good advise , take it and run with it ,your intrest in photography may depend on it.I have been taking pics for over 25 years.

tommyest Loc: N. Hollywood, CA

A little over 2 years ago, I decided to get back into photography after being awya for too many years. Of course I realized the need to learn digital, but already knowing photography, I decided to treat digital as just another film/developer combination. The cameras are much more complex, but I shoot everything in manual. The biggest problem was learning Photoshop, but I found a photo school with a great program, and I have been very happy with the results. You just have to dig in and do your homework.

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

":With age comnes wisdom"
*Not that I am calling you old. Perhaps well seasoned :)

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

Well, I started in 1966 with a second-hand Pentax SV -- probably the nearest you could get at that time to a DSLR -- with no manual (because it was second hand). I also had 800 feet of free, outdated, ex-government Ilford FP3. There were no easy sources for books for the first few weeks I had it (I was in Bermuda for the school holidays); the internet didn't exist; and it really didn't take all that long to learn how to use it.

All right, DSLRs are needlessly complicated, but 'film' is free, and surely anyone of reasonable intelligence can work out what to do by trial and error.

Admittedly, I really WANTED to learn how to use it. It wasn't a passing fad, and indeed, it's been an important part of how I've earned my living for about a third of a century.

What WOULD others suggest as a 'learning' camera nowadays, if not a DSLR?

Addendum: I've never taken a class in my life. At first, there weren't any, and I couldn't have afforded them if there had been any, and then, later, when I knew a lot more, I realized how astonishingly little the vast majority of so-called teachers know about the subject, and how they often pass on worthless prejudices and false information.

If you rely on books, magazines, the internet and practice, I suspect that classes are even more worthless today than they were in the 1960s.

Cheers,

R.

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

A new dawn has broken, countless resources exist now at the click of a mouse that were never before available in one place. Never been easier to get ideas, information, specifications, comparisons. Yet people are different with different experiences and backgrounds that we all find ourselves favoring this brand or that, or oner style or technique over another.
Wen have to grow through our own experiences and see what works for us.\\
Many great schools out there. And I submit any competent teacher can guide us through the basics and we can filter out what tilted ideas they may have.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

Dear Bruce,

Para 1: Absolutely. And precisely because of this:

Para 2: The basics are so simple to grasp WITHOUT a school that I can't see the point of courses. Couldn't 45 years ago; can't now. What is a teacher going to tell us that we can't get quicker and easier from books, magazines, the internet and (above all) practice?

Cheers,

R.

iresq Loc: Annapolis MD

Just turn the little knob to 'P' for professional, right?

naturalite Loc: Up state NY

Yup, I've been an instructor for 30 years. Different subjects, not just photography. But one thing I've noticed through out all the years. People want it all NOW! So very few take the time to learn and grasp basics. Especially these days. The whole electronic age of fiddle with the buttons and see what happens. Then whine and look to someone else to do it for them.
Anyway, I'm not here to kick at folks. Just encourage them to educate themselves about their chosen tools. It saves frustration for all involved.

wildman Loc: Bluffton, SC

Wise words, Naturalite!

wildman

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

Like Tommyest above I entered advanced photography with an Argus C-3 camera I bought for $20 in 1960. I stayed with this with several different cameras until the late '80s with a Minolta XD-11. When processing got too high I lost interest and sold all the 35mm things I had in the early '90s.
I picked up on UHH by accident in Sept. and finally got a bug to digital since camera prices are now reasonable and making your own 4x6's is relatively cheap and you don't have to print the bad pix.
Rather than dive into the DSLR investment I chose to get a bridge camera for several reasons.
They are a great learning tool and inexpensive.
The zoom lens is permanently attached which does 2 things; it keeps dirt out of the sensor snd keeps me from impulsive buying of lenses and accessories I may not use.
Less accessories, smaller camera bag.
The learning curve is somewhat simpler than a DSLR.
And it's much cheaper. It took me a month going through specs. and prices for the intended purposes before I selected an excellent Panas. FZ-50 from KEH.
Understand that this is from a beginning digital persons point of view and so far this cameras results are great (even on auto) and it will be some time before I get good enough to graduate to a more sophisticated DSLR.
I see no point in spending a lot of money on something you're only going to use 10% of because you don't understand its full potential. After I get good at using this camera who knows? I'll dread the day I have to make when the decision on which DSLR body to get comes.
That's my 2 cents worth as a beginner.

Unclewiggley Loc: Winter Haven, FL

I have been playing with photography since 1955 when I got a Kodak Brownie. I have had 35mm, 2 1/4, 4X5 and now a new Canon 60D. I have to say this new one is the hardest I have had to learn. I am 75 years young and the memory doesn't work as it use to. I am still contemplating on purchasing a PP program and that will be another thing I have to have this old mind try and learn. I will never live long enough to learn it all, but it is fun trying. There is soooooo! much you can do with this modern equiptment. I have been trying to find a course in my area but there is nothing so far. This forum is the best I have right now for learning and I read the manual every day plus I have David Busch's book for the 60D wich is 459 pages to go through along with the manual of 322 pages, but I am having a ball.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I started with an Olympus OM-1, full manual with a battery free meter built in, was a great camera to learn photography on! The 50mm f1.8 lense was great, but when I could afford a Vivitar Series One 70mm-200mm zoom it was like I was reborn! The new lense opened up a whole new world to explore! Switched to Nikon in the 70's and have shot them ever since. "Free" film in the DSLR's opened up another world, instant gratification, or deletion as the case may be, and never having to wait hours or sometimes days to see your work!
Happy shooting!

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Amen, Naturalite!
I haven't made the jump to DSLR yet but I have purchased 3 super zoom cameras, 2 from Fuji and 1 from Canon. But before I bought any of them, I went to the company's website and downloaded the manuals for all of them, just to see if I could understand what the heck is going on. Some are written more clearly than others, some seem like they are written as if the purchaser already has some photographic experience/knowledge. But understanding the manual FIRST gives you what you need to know...so that you can compare what it says up against the so-called "expert reviewers." So many times I've read reviews on cameras and heard complaints that the camera wouldn't do this or that or didn't have this feature, only to find out FROM THE MANUAL that their assertions simply were inaccurate. So, I applaud you for bringing this to the attention of everyone here on the Hog!