rmbennett30 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

Im Robert, just trying to learn this hobby and youtube only teaches so much and so many conflicting videos. I have zero friends, no one to talk to, Im 54, married :(, bored and just plain lonely and need a friend to chit chat with or help me. I have zero family, zero friends, and just sit here by myself bored and trying my best to learn this hobby. Anyone willing to drop me a line or response, feel free. Ill be sitting here watching videos or out trying the camera out. Please and thank you.

Burtzy Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA

Hi Robert. I'm not one for chit-chatting. But I do have a bit of advice that may help. Forget trying to learn photography. Let your artistic side take control. If your camera has an "A" (for automatic) setting, just go out and take a stroll someplace interesting. When you see something...an event, a building, a flower...that appeals to you on any level, take a picture of it. Take as many as you like, from as many angles as you want. If someone else with a camera is out there and willing to chat...photographers are always out there...chat about your mutual interest. You may make a photo friend. If not, you will have something interesting to look at later and show your wife. Your skills and artistic bent will come in time on it's own. But don't try to shove the hobby down your throat.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Robert, I’d bet money that there is a photography club in your area. Check out the Flagler Beach Photography Club on Facebook. Visit a local camera store and inquire about photography groups or clubs. Good luck in making a connection with some folks who share your interests.

Stan

rmbennett30 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

Thanks much, you’re the first person to suggest using automatic mode. All the pros on YouTube say NEVER use automatic…. lol. I just might have to try that for awhile and do as you say, work in being artistic

rmbennett30 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

Thanks Stan, I’m not on FB but will do just that on trying to find a club

flyboy61 Loc: The Great American Desert

RIGHT!

flyboy61 Loc: The Great American Desert

Robert; Burtzy said it right! YouTube can be very confusing, that's why I avoid it mostly, and I have been in this magical pastime for more than a half-century! If you want something that will help with a basic knowledge of photography, if you are into a little "book larnin' ", I would suggest "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.
He advocates shooting in MANUAL mode, but that can be ignored until you become comfortable with your equipment. In my never-humble opinion, the 3rd edition is the best of the series. That and one of the "Dummies" series of books for your personal camera will always be there for a reference, unless you wear yours out, like I did mine. They are most likely available on AMAZON.
Also, take a basic photography class. A local school district may have evening classes. You'll meet some very nice folks.
Most important, as was mentioned, take pictures...indoors, outdoors, whatever. The more we shoot, the better we get!
AVOID anyone who will bad mouth your equipment, whatever it may be, and "experts" who will say you "need" this camera or that lens (mostly more Expen$ive) to do "good" photography. BALDERDASH!
Even basic cameras are capable of excellent work.
And...if you never wish to advance beyond P or AUTO modes, SO What? Photography should be enjoyable, not a constant struggle! It toook me years to figure that out! Be well!

rmbennett30 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

Thank you so very much

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Hi Robert, I'm Robert also. Just curious because you say you are lonely, bored and no one to talk to, and you are married. Don't you talk to your Wife or am I missing something? I lost my Wife to cancer on May 2nd, 2015. I still consider myself as married. I hope you aren't in that situation. I found out real quick that the silence in that situation is deafening. Good luck to you Robert, there are a lot of folks on here that know a lot about photography.

SnoShuSam Loc: Texas, (ex Virginian)

I met a National Geographic photographer one day and during our two hour talk he was showing me the book he had done on "Gypsies". Enter his girlfriend and she told him to tell me who shot the cover image and what had they used.
He smiled and closed the book to show me the cover photo. Taken of a market scene from a balcony by a Kodak Brownie Instamatic by the girlfriend. To sum it all up, he told me the best advice he could give me was to concentrate on the subject and not the equipment. Concentrate on the subject, its background and hold the camera very steady. The last thing he told me was not to stop taking pictures. Take notes and evaluate each shot try to figure out how each shot could be better; what could you have done to make each shot better. Good Luck and have a ball.

bonjac Loc: Santa Ynez, CA 93460

Hello Robert. What is it about photography that interests you? What do you want to do with your photography? The answers to those questions may help you decide how to proceed. I would say searching through pictures in your area of interest might help you focus and inspire. Take a look at the photos posted in this forum or other venues and note when an image really strikes you -- that's a clue for you. As others have suggested, set the camera on Auto and just go out and shoot. I don't have a lot of time but I am willing to help you, if I can.

For me, the one photo that really got me interested in photography was by Dorothea Lange "Migrant Mother". I want to do that, take photographs that create an emotional reaction. Not that all my photos have to be of people but that they create emotion -- landscape, flowers, streets, wildlife, old buildings and items of the past. Let your soul take over and hopefully it will bring you joy.

Jack

rmbennett30 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

Honestly wildlife / beach photography for sure. I would LOVE to one day go out west to say yellowstone, montana, wyoming area for some of those larger mammas I see all of these great youtubers post shots of. Im not much a birder, other than hummingbirds for my wife to see, or the larger birds of prey. Maybe someday I might even get skilled enough for portraits or something, but Ive been hunting since I was 4 years old, know the woods, know how to hunt and feel at home there, so now that Im disabled and my love of hunting is gone, I would still like to experience it, and this time do my shooting with a good camera setup!

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

You're married. You have zero family. Learn to count first.

rmbennett30 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

sigh, you and the other gentleman are entirely right. Im an ass. I do apologize for that one.

JBuckley

Check out any of the local camera clubs. They have members that are pros as well as first day photo buffs.
There are also community centers with small groups that also take one-day photo shoots around town or the local parks.
If you have a local community college nearby, check their catalogues for beginning photography.
That’s where I started out in 1967, after struggling with photography for 4 years.