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Aug 18, 2022 11:06:02   #
Ramstt1
 
Where is a good place to go to get basics on taking pictures. I have a Nikon d3500 digital camera and I would like to be able to take pictures of the family. Also I have seen cheat sheets advertised,are they worth having?

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Aug 18, 2022 23:30:32   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
Ramstt1 wrote:
Where is a good place to go to get basics on taking pictures. I have a Nikon d3500 digital camera and I would like to be able to take pictures of the family. Also I have seen cheat sheets advertised,are they worth having?


A quick google search will get you a lot of choices. Many photography sites and blogs offer free lessons via email.
You might even get some one on one guidance here if you ask the right person.

Cheat sheets are reminders, you still have to know the basics to get the best out of them.

As the old quote goes, there are many ways to skin a cat. Some techniques or lessons might contradict and many would say theirs is the best way to do things. Example is the back button focus. Many swear by it and just as many says it does not work for them. You just have to try and see what suits you best.

For me, this is my basic go to technique- Practical Digital Photography for Beginners
Here is a sample of how I apply it - Practical Digital Photography for Beginners - Shooting Fireworks

As a beginner, stick to auto or semi auto settings; A, P & S. On your free time however, when not shooting for keeps, play with your tool. Knowing your gear goes a long way. Read and understand the manual or have someone get you through it.

May you always have bright days, good luck, and have fun.

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Aug 19, 2022 03:11:30   #
SteveInConverse Loc: South Texas
 
Photography is supposed to be fun. That said, learn the very basics but don't ever be afraid to experiment! Look up videos by Tony and Chelsea Northrup. He has written many books and his videos are easy to follow along with. He's also done tons of tutorials on many different cameras, yours included. Enjoy the journey!

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Aug 19, 2022 07:21:59   #
traderjohn Loc: New York City
 
Ramstt1 wrote:
Where is a good place to go to get basics on taking pictures. I have a Nikon d3500 digital camera and I would like to be able to take pictures of the family. Also I have seen cheat sheets advertised,are they worth having?


YouTube has a wealth of information

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Aug 19, 2022 07:51:21   #
ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA
 
In my early days (not that long ago), i was lucky enough to be able to attend a “Beginning Photography” course at a local arts center. In-person instruction from an experienced and patient teacher was extremely helpful. These kinds of courses can be found at community colleges, local camera stores, etc. If you have a local camera club, they can be helpful as well. Good luck and have fun!

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Aug 19, 2022 08:08:38   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
ClarkJohnson wrote:
In my early days (not that long ago), i was lucky enough to be able to attend a “Beginning Photography” course at a local arts center. In-person instruction from an experienced and patient teacher was extremely helpful. These kinds of courses can be found at community colleges, local camera stores, etc. If you have a local camera club, they can be helpful as well. Good luck and have fun!



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Aug 19, 2022 08:16:00   #
jdm Loc: Cape Cod
 
Ramstt1 wrote:
Where is a good place to go to get basics on taking pictures. I have a Nikon d3500 digital camera and I would like to be able to take pictures of the family. Also I have seen cheat sheets advertised,are they worth having?


I recommend Creative Live, the online learning site. John Greengo offers a fantastic Fundamentals of Photography course there that does a deep dive into the basics. John breaks everything down into clear, understandable concepts and great visuals.

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Aug 19, 2022 08:17:04   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
traderjohn wrote:
YouTube has a wealth of information


ditto

Everything you could ever possibly learn in photography is discussed and demonstrated for free on utube. Save the titles you like, paying attention to the authors, as they probably have other good videos on other topics too.

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Aug 19, 2022 08:35:35   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Ramstt1 wrote:
Where is a good place to go to get basics on taking pictures. I have a Nikon d3500 digital camera and I would like to be able to take pictures of the family. Also I have seen cheat sheets advertised,are they worth having?


I wouldn't be too quick to pay for an online course. There is a lot of instruction available on YouTube for free. Also, speaking of free, creativelive.com has free instructional videos running every day, and they keep repeating. You can also buy them. The best deal is to record the videos on your computer as they are being run for free.

Today, for free - "Mastering the Art of Photography." https://www.creativelive.com/onair?via=site-header_0

YouTube - Nikon D3500 tutorials. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nikon+d3500+tutorial

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Aug 19, 2022 08:35:51   #
sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey
 
jdm wrote:
I recommend Creative Live, the online learning site. John Greengo offers a fantastic Fundamentals of Photography course there that does a deep dive into the basics. John breaks everything down into clear, understandable concepts and great visuals.


I agree. I have watched his lessons on the cameras that I own and he is very good.

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Aug 19, 2022 09:14:22   #
kmielen Loc: Eastern NC
 
Ramstt1 wrote:
Where is a good place to go to get basics on taking pictures. I have a Nikon d3500 digital camera and I would like to be able to take pictures of the family. Also I have seen cheat sheets advertised,are they worth having?


Leigh the Snap Chick has a great free basic course..
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyrKONqDZzIxiX--NvupIJO0MyopnDSy-

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Aug 19, 2022 10:05:48   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
BOOKS - you remember those ? ! .......John Hedgecoe has some particularly good ones - some go back 35 years some are newer - ALL are good ! Check ebay ......

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p3519243.m570.l1313&_nkw=john+hedgecoe+&_sacat=267

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Aug 19, 2022 10:06:28   #
cascom Loc: Redmond
 
Ramstt1 wrote:
Where is a good place to go to get basics on taking pictures. I have a Nikon d3500 digital camera and I would like to be able to take pictures of the family. Also I have seen cheat sheets advertised,are they worth having?


I have taken photos since I was six, but I still enjoy looking at magazines for ideas. Each month set aside some photos that you especially like. Come back the following month or year and compare them to your most recent photos. I use to do this when I freelanced with the Richmond Times Dispatch in VA. Today I have a five-terabyte drive that I am consistently deleting the early images. It is amazing how technology has helped the photographer.

Family portraits of the Queen are interesting. The web can give you many examples. I like the suggestion to set the camera on automatic and let it do the thinking. Post a few here and look for comments.

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Aug 19, 2022 10:11:06   #
sxrich
 
https://www.amazon.com/How-Create-Stunning-Digital-Photography/dp/0988263408/ref=asc_df_0988263408/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312057344057&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16944878467991002863&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9005966&hvtargid=pla-434254677573&psc=1

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Aug 19, 2022 10:22:52   #
coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA
 
Try YouTube.

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