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?
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 BeginnersHere is a sample of how I apply it -
Practical Digital Photography for Beginners - Shooting FireworksAs 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.
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!
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
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!
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.
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.
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_0YouTube - Nikon D3500 tutorials.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nikon+d3500+tutorial
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.
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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