What advice would you offer a fellow photographer? (Page 17): Decide what type of photography you like most - portraits, landscapes, sports, macro, etc.

Blues Dude

Decide what type of photography you like most - portraits, landscapes, sports, macro, etc. - then buy the best camera, lenses and ancillary gear you can afford related to that type of photography.
Next, really learn how to use that equipment, manually first and then with auto.
Join a local camera club; get feedback on your images and make friends and mentors.
Take lots of pictures and have fun doing that; your images don't all have to be perfect, the goal is to learn as you're doing it.
Enjoy!

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

luvmypets wrote:

There are so many posts about equipment and in almost every one the subject of technique over equipment has come up.

If a fellow photographer came up to you and asked what would be your best piece of advice or best learning technique to improve their photography, what information would you offer them? We all know "read the manual", "practice, practice, practice" but how would you suggest they start and how should they build on that?

Dodie

Keep notes on your exposure for each shot and learn from them.
Mundy

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

PepCgirl2020 wrote:

Oh...Ugly Hedge Hog?
Then why are you on their site? I'm so confused.

If you have read all the posts you will see that there are differing opinions of what knowledge to work with first and for someone knew to photography that can be confusing. Which to learn first can be up to the individual but I think it's best to go with what they learn best....art or technical. Sometimes it a case of trial and error. Several times I have tried something different using the methods offered to see which works better for me. It can be a true learning experience to try doing something a different way from which you are use to doing to see if it's a better method or to confirm your way is best for you.

Dodie

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Blues Dude wrote:

Decide what type of photography you like most - po... (show quote)

Wonderful advice, Blues Dude!

Thank you!

Dodie

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

mundy-F2 wrote:

Keep notes on your exposure for each shot and learn from them.
Mundy

This is something I wish I had done from the first photos I ever took with an SLR. Very good advice!

Thank you!

Dodie

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

luvmypets wrote:

This is something I wish I had done from the first photos I ever took with an SLR. Very good advice!

Thank you!

Dodie

You are welcome Dodie.
Mundy

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

luvmypets wrote:

There are so many posts about equipment and in almost every one the subject of technique over equipment has come up.

If a fellow photographer came up to you and asked what would be your best piece of advice or best learning technique to improve their photography, what information would you offer them? We all know "read the manual", "practice, practice, practice" but how would you suggest they start and how should they build on that?

Dodie

Photography has undergone a revolution with the advent of digital computers and digital cameras. The best piece of advice I'd give to a novice is to embrace the new technology and use it to your advantage; the technology is fun and it can work magic in producing great images.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

pecohen wrote:

Photography has undergone a revolution with the advent of digital computers and digital cameras. The best piece of advice I'd give to a novice is to embrace the new technology and use it to your advantage; the technology is fun and it can work magic in producing great images.

That is so true, pecohen! I purchased my first SLR in the mid 70's. If you had told me then what I would be working with now I may not have believed you.

Good advice! Thank you!

Dodie

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Some wold be: Find a club and a mentor. Find fellow photographers at locations and see what they do and even ask. Read, your manual, photo books and look at other photographer's pictures.

its_yoshie

i took some classes at my local community college. sure did help me.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Picture Taker wrote:

Some wold be: Find a club and a mentor. Find fellow photographers at locations and see what they do and even ask. Read, your manual, photo books and look at other photographer's pictures.

Very nice!

Thank you!

Dodie

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

its_yoshie wrote:

i took some classes at my local community college. sure did help me.

Very true! I just finished a beginner photo class. I'm not a beginner but a refresher never hurts and it was a good kick in the pants to get out and take photos.

Thank you!

Dodie

srt101fan

luvmypets wrote:

There are so many posts about equipment and in almost every one the subject of technique over equipment has come up.

If a fellow photographer came up to you and asked what would be your best piece of advice or best learning technique to improve their photography, what information would you offer them? We all know "read the manual", "practice, practice, practice" but how would you suggest they start and how should they build on that?

Dodie

A little late to the party, Dodie, but here are some thoughts off the top of my head. This is really more for a beginner but some of it may also apply to someone trying to improve their photography. Assuming that the learner is a hobbyist and not one required to produce photos on demand, I would suggest five aspects of the photography learning process.

First Steps

1st - You should analyze and understand what it is that attracts you to photography. Most everything else flows from that.

2nd – You should study and understand the fundamentals of photographic image-making: the role of lenses and the concept of focal length, and the meaning, significance and interplay of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. This can be learned, and one’s knowledge improved, using a myriad of sources - from photography articles/books to videos, to online or live courses, to interaction with folks that know more than you do.

3rd – You need a working knowledge of your camera and lenses. Learn how to make the adjustments in your camera to apply what you learned about aperture, shutter speed and ISO. The manual is the best help here, but books written for your camera model can also be very helpful.

Before You Take a Picture

4th – Think hard about image content and subject. This is one of the most important aspects of a good photograph and one that doesn’t get as much attention as it should. Be aware of your eye-brain interaction when you are looking at a subject of potential photographic interest. Be conscious of what your eyes are telling you and how your brain is processing that input. What do you see? Why do you want to photograph it? Will you be satisfied with a straightforward documentary shot or do you envision variations, like enhancing the visual interest of certain parts or aspects of your subject?

Post-processing

5th – Editing digital photos after capture is not necessary to creating a good photograph. However it does open up creative possibilities beyond what the camera alone can provide. This should be considered, and planned as far as possible, at the time you take the picture.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

srt101fan wrote:

A little late to the party, Dodie, but here are some thoughts off the top of my head. This is really more for a beginner but some of it may also apply to someone trying to improve their photography. Assuming that the learner is a hobbyist and not one required to produce photos on demand, I would suggest five aspects of the photography learning process.

First Steps

1st - You should analyze and understand what it is that attracts you to photography. Most everything else flows from that.

2nd – You should study and understand the fundamentals of photographic image-making: the role of lenses and the concept of focal length, and the meaning, significance and interplay of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. This can be learned, and one’s knowledge improved, using a myriad of sources - from photography articles/books to videos, to online or live courses, to interaction with folks that know more than you do.

3rd – You need a working knowledge of your camera and lenses. Learn how to make the adjustments in your camera to apply what you learned about aperture, shutter speed and ISO. The manual is the best help here, but books written for your camera model can also be very helpful.

Before You Take a Picture

4th – Think hard about image content and subject. This is one of the most important aspects of a good photograph and one that doesn’t get as much attention as it should. Be aware of your eye-brain interaction when you are looking at a subject of potential photographic interest. Be conscious of what your eyes are telling you and how your brain is processing that input. What do you see? Why do you want to photograph it? Will you be satisfied with a straightforward documentary shot or do you envision variations, like enhancing the visual interest of certain parts or aspects of your subject?

Post-processing

5th – Editing digital photos after capture is not necessary to creating a good photograph. However it does open up creative possibilities beyond what the camera alone can provide. This should be considered, and planned as far as possible, at the time you take the picture.

A little late to the party, Dodie, but here are so... (show quote)

You're never too late, srt101fan!! Especially with the wonderful advice you have given.

Thank you so much!!

Dodie

Spectre Loc: Bothell, Washington

Learn your camera and composition.