Mandy-Moo

Hello fellow photographers !!

I'm extremely passionate about photography - have been taking photos for years - relying on my own flair and my trusty CANON EOS 40D.

I'm by no means a professional photographer . . . but I would love to be one !!
I'm planning to purchase a new camera and lens (upgrading) but I realize that my technical knowledge is limited - I wouldn't say I'm a novice when it comes to taking photos, but I've never had any training or taken any classes . . . admittedly, I don't use EVERY function on my camera either.

I want to take my skills up a notch - possibly pursue a career in photography (that's my dream!!)

What's steps should I take first ?
1) Enroll in a class first - then purchase a new camera ?
(or the other way around ?)
2) Which classes would you reccomend ?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Thanks !!

PATMAHONEY Loc: Canada

Leisure Learning offers great courses with Cathy Adams Clark.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I would do the classes first. Then, I would go to the library and study photography going back to about 1900.

The neat thing about photography is that is both science and art. Even though I am a scientist, the science is a means to an end, an artistic or journalistic end. You have to be good at the nuts and bolts: shutter speeds, f-stops, depth of field, "film" speeds, and the rest. You want them to be second nature. A great thing about digital photography is that the cameras make the nuts and bolts easy and out of the way of your shooting. That is, they leave you with more time for the creative.

While the Internet is a treasure trove of tips and technics on both the art and science, it lacks one very important feature: real-time interaction with a mentor. That is why I suggest taking a class or two in an adult education program or at a local community or junior college. Nothing beats working with an interested teacher and classmates.

My second advice was to look at photographs. Get books, go to exhibits, look online. I am attaching two links below. Figure what you like artistically and technically. Build your own vision around that. Do not copy other photographers; let their work inspire you.

Oh, I think I remember something about buying a new camera. I am unfamiliar with the 40D but I do have the 60D. If the 40D is merely an older version of the 60D, I suspect it has pretty much everything you need at the time. Need, not want. I do not care how good or expensive the camera is, if you do not understand how to use the basic and some intermediate bells and whistles, it is just a very expensive, complicated point and shoot camera. Just think of the equipment and darkroom work that produced fine images years ago. Even the 40D is a better camera and darkroom than those pioneers could have ever imagined.

Good luck with all this.

http://extras.denverpost.com/archive/captured.asp

http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2011/11/03/141983255/exhibit-exalts-new-yorks-early-radical-photographers

pooterpa76 Loc: Lebanon, Pa.

Dear Mandy,
I'm certainly no authority either but, IMHO, I would say stay with the camera you've got for now & master it(know all of it's functions &how to use them)& then, later, if you want to "upgrade" , you can go with the canon5D FULL frame sensor 21mp & most of it's functions will already be familiar to you from the similarities of the 2 canon bodies.If you really apply yourself , you can learn alot from online tutorials , videos etc. & if you're not already a member, join your local camera club as they often have pro guest speakers/seminars etc. just my opinion

CamObs Loc: South America (Texas)

All good suggestions. Photography is a wonderful medium. IMHO, to be a professional will require a lot of dues paying. Fact - You will most likely have to work under a professional for years to learn the craft and the business. Fact - Photog assistants don't make a living wage, so don't depend on the job supporting you. Fact - photos that sell are not generally what you want to shoot unless you get into a speciality such as catalogue, web, advertising or , God forbid, Fashion! It is a VERY cut throat profession and most of what you learn will be by mistakes and frustration. Please take this advice and consider your options carefully. I'm not trying to disillusion you, just relaying my experiences. Good luck.

Nevada Chuck

This answer may sound flippant at first, but trust me, I am sincere in what I'm saying.

Forty years ago, when I was thirty years old, I first developed my flaming passion for photography, and so I first approached NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICS with my query as to how one bacame a staff photographer. Most of what they told me isn't relavent here, but the one thing that they did say, and which I believe is still probably true, is that a degree in Photography from the Rochester Institute would open many doors, not only with NG but with many potential employers in the photographic field.

None of this means much if you want to hang your own shingle as a free lancer or independent business person, but as far as getting on someones payroll I think it means a lot.

Of course, there are many factors that might make this advise totally worthless, such as your age, financial and familial status, etc. But for the moment, it's the only thing I have to offer that you probably won't hear from the next twenty people who enter advice for you here.

Good luck; follow your dream.

Mandy-Moo

Wow - thanks ever so much for taking the time to reply everyone.
Lots of fantastic advice. I'm grateful for all the information and for your thoughts and will certainly heed your recommendations.
So delighted I joined Ugly Hedgehog !!

CamObs Loc: South America (Texas)

I agree with Chuck...however, here's a story that happened to my son. He did get a degree in Fine arts, photography from TAMU Commerce (Texas A+M Affiliate). He sent out 1 resume (only) to NASA and was hired. Sometimes good things happen mysteriously. But you will need skills. Keep after it and build a Portfolio. Try to get some experience with a wedding photog as a back up shooter. Wedding photography is basically working in the salt mines as a slave, but it is work, and it is usually outside the normal workday so you can still work somewhere else as a human.

Nevada Chuck

good advice, CamObs:

Here's the rest of the NG story that backs up what you said regarding skills and building a portfolio.

The reply I received from National Geographics stated that they were not trying to discourage me in my persuit of a job with them, but just to let me know what i was up against. They told me that every year they hire 7-12 staff photographers, just to cover attrition (retirement, death, etc. Interestingly, quiting for a better job was not listed), and that these new hires came from over 12,000 submissions! They wanted to see a portfolio of 50-100 photos of the type normally seen in NG; in other words, don't send they your coverage of the Miss Universe contest, etc.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

I shot with a 40D and honestly I feel there is no real reason for an upgrade until it dies an untimely death. The 40D will do everything you want or need it to do. What lenses are you shooting with? I would upgrade my glass before my camera body.

Feel free to take a peak at my images. I have a few posted here on the board, all taken with my "tank".

Also flickr has a group just for us 40D users:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/40d/

usaellie101 Loc: Spring Hill, Florida

Before you invest a penny in a class to become a professional I suggest you talk to several pros. See how they run thier businesses. Learn how they get customers/ clients and see how the market is in your area.

The computer and the ease of digital cameras have taken much of the marlket for pros. I have been to several weddings and where normally there would have been a pro photographer there was none, just a lot of guests with digital cameras.

Keep shooting away! Carpe Diem!