knoxworks Loc: Western Mass.

Very good advice from CHG_Canon and others!

If you have a good library nearby, stop in and look at photos by some of the masters. You don't need to analyze them too much, but if a particular photo looks great to you, ask yourself why. In lieu of the library, there are tons of photos online.

*** Take photos every day if you can!

Know your camera. Spend time with it every night, for instance, with the manual at your side. If you can find a "Magic Lantern Guide" for your camera I think you'll find it worth every penny. (About $20.)

(Note to manufacturers: please don't skimp and deprive customers of a paper manual. It's great for us to have access to a PDF but it's hard to take along with us into the field. And don't use such small type.)

lyndacast

Besides all the wonderful suggestions here from so many UHH members, find photography videos on YouTube. I particularly like Mike Browne, and English guy, who really explains and demonstrates very simple techniques for shooting. You can subscribe to his channel for free and watch his many clips!
There are many, many photographers who have channels that you can subscribe to for free on YouTube who will give you insight/instruction into shooting landscapes, people, still life...anything you can think of....
Good luck with your discoveries!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

REF PDF manuals - print the pages of interest before leaving home, if possible.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

It is possible to improve without spending “tons” of money - it is NOT possible to improve without spending “tons” of time. I have found that one of the best ways to improve is through structured course work such as the offerings of the New York Institute of photography, local workshops with professional photographers and constructive critique by photographers who know their craft. The other critical factor is “practice, practice, practice”. You could also find a mentor to guide you. I note that you have a “pretty good assortment of lenses”. Learn to use a 35mm prime shooting manual mode and you’ll see your work get better.

ELNikkor

My son is also interested in photography and sometimes wonders if his photos would be better if he splurged and bought a Leica. I told him he might be spending $4,000 to find out it wasn't the camera. The outfit you have now is all you need. I often say, "Good photographers go where the pictures are." Get out and around, go to places that provide photo opportunities, whatever your interests might be. My most memorable shots have been when I've been on the road somewhere.

dzynrab

Both reply’s are spot on. Also, practice your photography every day!!!! When you don’t understand something google your question or consult a book. Joining a camera club is import. You’ll be with like minded people who will give you gentle critiques and support as you move along the learning path. After you learn the ”basics” and you feel like you’ve learned everything, there will always be something else to learn, so allow yourself to be open to new ideas and practices. Above all, have fun and be patient with yourself. 😉

tcthome Loc: NJ

2nd or 3rd this.
After purchasing my camera, Took a dozen pics , looked at the settings the camera chose, put it in full manual mode starting off with some of the settings the camera chose & started making adjustments from there. If shooting raw & developing your own pics(via post processing in Lightroom or some other photo software), then white balance isn't a problem. If your using jpegs you will want to adjust this or leave it on auto. Also use auto ISO, you might never have a need to take it off auto except to take very low light pics. Except for moving subjects, the aperture settings would be the first place to start off. Put your camera in the Aperture (A) mode & start with the lowest number(which equals the largest lens opening)
& work your way up to say f22( a much smaller lens opening) . You can probably view the pics on the back of the camera but, put them on your computer & see the differences & pic what you like for that shooting scenario. And that would be the start of it all. Lots of good videos on You-Tube also.
Have fun , Tom

Adamborz

Just a last comment from as you said you’re working on your 107 so I know you’re into the real estate thing which is my side job.

Here is a listing (MLS and link to video) we did and if you check my website in the signature listed below you can see other videos and pics. Good luck. The 2 links are below.

https://youtu.be/w2CKa38CFU0

https://chriswernerteam.goberkscounty.com/real-estate/353-greenbriar-court-wyomissing-pa-19610/pabk350300/79594895

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Work on composition. A photo that is eye-catching is halfway to greatness.

There's nothing wrong with the Auto setting, but I understand how you want to go beyond that. Try the P setting for a while and then switch to Aperture Priority. Set the aperture to large and small and see what difference it makes. Eventually, you'll find yourself setting it properly without thinking about it - making it perfect for the situation. You can learn a lot about photography, but you can't learn it all in a day.

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

Best bet 👍👍👍 great book easy read

Joe

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

You need to learn basic photography. When you feel confident that you are in total control of your camera you will be the photographer that you want to be.

All public libraries have very good books to learn photography or the majority of them do. There is plenty of information in the Web. The books written by John Shaw, the nature photographer, they all have a chapter dedicated to exposure. Explanations on what are the shutter speeds, lens apertures and metering are clear and easy to understand. There are plenty of books on basic photography also and the majority of them reasonably priced. A good understanding of exposure is basic photography and not all books written on exposure are alike.

A good way to start, once you have mastered the basics, is using the Manual Mode of the camera. In this mode YOU select how to set the camera and YOU are in control. If the image is not like you wanted it is only your fault. When the camera is set to AUTO and matrix, evaluative or multi pattern metering the expensive camera becomes a point and shoot. The resulting image could or could not be to your liking, you have to accept the decision the camera made.

If there is a camera club in your area join them. Camera clubs have many talented photographers sharing their hobby and knowledge with other members. Critique is an important part of learning and asking questions, no matter how silly they could be is another important part of learning.

Best of luck.

selwyntdavid

Hi Marty:
I would suggest that you take a class in a county college that is not very expensive and also a bit slow paced and you will have assignments etc that will improve your skills and of course you need a lot of time and dedication. There are also a lot of information watching youtube.

Larz

Nobody has yet suggested "The Joy of Photography" updated digital version.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Exactly. The way to get better at something is to spend time working at getting better at it.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Welcome aboard and enjoy. You will get lots of specific guidance here, and importantly, lots of suggestions of what to study and read, and the great majority will help you attain your goals....

My suggestion to make it more fun and interesting (make it like a science project) is to pick a mode like manual, or aperture priority/shutter priority, and work with a specific lens/camera combo for a bit of time, and practice, practice, practice paying a lot of attention to what the settings do for you. Shoot a scene in full auto, then switch to another mode and work through a series of settings and see the yield, see what the changes in shutter speed and aperture do, then later move to working with ISO, etc., learn what the histogram is telling you, etc.

It doesn't have to be newsworthy or noteworthy subject matter, just subjects that are around your home or the town you live in - what is important to me, is learning what settings and techniques work, and being able to immediately review..... even mundane subjects will allow you to understand what does what to what! With the cost of memory so low, you can easily develop a good understanding by running through a range of settings for particular subject matter, but you must pay attention to what you get from each. While doing this and hopefully reading/studying, youy can apply new found technique and settings to exercise creative control.

Good luck and have fun!!