Best advice for a newbie
Jul 28, 2017 20:06:07 #
You all have a lot of did some to share , I am new to the craft. I have been learning on a Nikon Super zoom for the past 4 years. I now have my 1st DSLR , a Nikon 5600. My question to the community is, What is something you wish you had knowen when you started or what is your best price of advice for a Newbie?
Jul 28, 2017 20:13:04 #
Read, read, then read some more. Start with Jeff Wignall's "The Joy of Digital Photography". And practice. Practice builds experience. Also, asked questions as you have done here
Jul 28, 2017 20:17:20 #
Other that learning the basics, including composition, lighting, exposure, etc..
Read the camera manual, many times!
Experiment - you can always delete.
Read the camera manual, many times!
Experiment - you can always delete.
Jul 28, 2017 20:25:25 #
I agree, learn the camera step by step. there's soo much there and it takes time but it's where you should spend your energy to start.
Jul 28, 2017 20:34:41 #
Sean's Shots wrote:
You all have a lot of did some to share , I am new to the craft. I have been learning on a Nikon Super zoom for the past 4 years. I now have my 1st DSLR , a Nikon 5600. My question to the community is, What is something you wish you had knowen when you started or what is your best price of advice for a Newbie?
Learn the basics of photography, shutter speed, aperture, ISO etc. Two books I can recommend are "Tony Northrup's DSLR Book: How to Create Stunning Digital Photography" ($10 in Nook or Kindle) - it has links to video turorials that are updated from time to time and/or "Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera"
by Bryan Peterson ($16 in Nook or Kindle).
In the mean time take lots of pictures and then evaluate them or get others to help you. Subject-good, bad Composition and framing??? Exposure (start with the basics in the book and experiment with one feature at a time, them combine two, then three.
The great thing about digital as opposed the film days when I learned you can take pictures and experiment a LOT while seeing the results nearly instantly (don't rely on the camera's back screen, get them on a monitor - the bigger the better so you can see them). Study them, what worked, what didn't? Then you delete the failures and try again.
If you don't have the "eye" for composition naturally then also look at good photography every chance you get - why is it good, how is it different from what I am doing? The same advice given to those who want to be writers - READ things by the good/great authors.
Try a few different types of photography (subjects) and pick one you are interested in then practice, practice, practice.
You also need to get basic editing apps for your computer and learn to use those - it is a huge part of digital photography.
And yes, I am a retired classroom teacher so I can come with lots of things as "home work".
Jul 28, 2017 20:38:29 #
Go to the Nikon website and download a copy of the D5600 User Manual to your desktop computer, laptop, tablet or cell phone. This way the manual will always be a ready reference.
Jul 28, 2017 20:57:03 #
Sean's Shots wrote:
You all have a lot of did some to share , I am new to the craft. I have been learning on a Nikon Super zoom for the past 4 years. I now have my 1st DSLR , a Nikon 5600. My question to the community is, What is something you wish you had knowen when you started or what is your best price of advice for a Newbie?
WOW! Your have received a number of great comments without a hint of bad vibes, no off topics comments, and great responses. I commend all the responders to your question. I'm not sure I can add amything other that has already been suggested other than follow the suggestions you have received. I read your post and started thinking, I should suggest these things. Well, other people already had (with a couple that I didn't have experience with). Bottom line is practice (by taking photos), be critical of your own photos (try to determine what is good and what is bad), then practice some more. I have to emphasize read you camera manual, many times! Also Brian Petersons book titled "Understand Exposure" is excellent.
I wish you the best and keep learning this wonderful and satisfying hobby.
Jul 28, 2017 21:12:32 #
Sean's Shots wrote:
You all have a lot of did some to share , I am new to the craft. I have been learning on a Nikon Super zoom for the past 4 years. I now have my 1st DSLR , a Nikon 5600. My question to the community is, What is something you wish you had knowen when you started or what is your best price of advice for a Newbie?
Two suggestions:
1. Research the "exposure triangle" until you understand it thoroughly, and
2. Practice, practice, practice. Examine EVERY ONE of your shots, no matter how bad, until you understand what you could have done better. Too many photographers just look at the good shots and don't learn from the bad.
Jul 28, 2017 21:13:00 #
Take pictures, realize how much just a few inch one way or another can make or break a shot, look at the whole image before you snap (might you be able to frame one side with a tree or branch), remember for westerners we view pictures like we read left to right, compose with that in mind, look for a lead into the picture, look for something to keep you in the picture. Learn the rules then learn that rules are to be broken. Play with aperture and shutter speed, how the depth of field changes, how sometimes you want movement (slow shutter speed) others you want to stop the action (high shutter speed).
Jul 28, 2017 21:24:53 #
Jul 28, 2017 21:32:21 #
Sean's Shots wrote:
You all have a lot of did some to share , I am new to the craft. I have been learning on a Nikon Super zoom for the past 4 years. I now have my 1st DSLR , a Nikon 5600. My question to the community is, What is something you wish you had knowen when you started or what is your best price of advice for a Newbie?
Go to school!
Find a junior college, or college, or art school near you and enroll in classes.
What you will learn there can not be learned on the internet or in a club or by yourself.
Yes, it's a sacrifice and it's not free but education always has a price. Good luck
SS
Jul 28, 2017 21:39:30 #
Watch lot of how to tutorials on camera, composition, lighting, exposure or any other questions you have on utube University.
Jul 28, 2017 21:53:47 #
In addition to what others have said,set photography goals for yourself to stay directed in your education, training, and commitment. Being directed will allow you to grow your photography education much faster than simply moving around from one point to another without direction. Meet your goals and then continue to move forward in your photography journey.
Jul 28, 2017 22:05:14 #
WOW!!!!!!Thank you all for the solid advice and guidance. Looks like I have a lot more reading to do.
Jul 28, 2017 22:35:36 #
Sean's Shots wrote:
WOW!!!!!!Thank you all for the solid advice and guidance. Looks like I have a lot more reading to do.
I would put Michael Freeman's book 'The Photographers Eye: A Graphic Guide" at the top of your reading list. It is an easy read since it is mostly pictures and graphics. It is a great source for learning composition that can be applied to any level of photography.
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