what one piece of advice would you offer a beginner?
Dec 12, 2011 12:55:44 #
ShakyShutter wrote:
]What they said above! :thumbup: All good advise.... (show quote)
sorry shakyshutter, while i do know that starting sentences with a capital letter is correct, i just tend to stick with all lower case, typing on the computer...bad habbit i guess:)
Dec 12, 2011 17:48:56 #
My advice would be first, think about a time that you saw an image and completely lost track of everything attempting to take in the light, color, and composition. Keep that "little kid" excitement in the back of your head always!!!!
You'll need it for this next part...
The best way, and most honest way to learn your trade is seek the advice of experts. This is a haven for highly skilled professionals (that I photo stalk), and amateurs(that should be pros) who have no problem telling you their honest opinion. It's not easy when what you love is torn down for the first time. But you can use that to your advantage by understanding what made them rip it apart, and try to find the actual message (whether it's apparent or not).
Most people here will tell that they like something, or better tell you why they don't like it. Even if it's not their taste, or too processed, look at their photos, and learn not only what they like, but try to observe and understand how they shoot, and where they are coming from.
Most advice is given out of a wanting to make you better, and all other advice I look at as a challenge and fuel for myself.
Finally, bear in mind that we all have different tastes and they ARE subjective. Thicken your skin and get ready for some fun.
You'll need it for this next part...
The best way, and most honest way to learn your trade is seek the advice of experts. This is a haven for highly skilled professionals (that I photo stalk), and amateurs(that should be pros) who have no problem telling you their honest opinion. It's not easy when what you love is torn down for the first time. But you can use that to your advantage by understanding what made them rip it apart, and try to find the actual message (whether it's apparent or not).
Most people here will tell that they like something, or better tell you why they don't like it. Even if it's not their taste, or too processed, look at their photos, and learn not only what they like, but try to observe and understand how they shoot, and where they are coming from.
Most advice is given out of a wanting to make you better, and all other advice I look at as a challenge and fuel for myself.
Finally, bear in mind that we all have different tastes and they ARE subjective. Thicken your skin and get ready for some fun.
Dec 12, 2011 18:31:32 #
best advice?
1. look at lots of visual images...in magazines, books, museums, newspapers ect and try to understand why you like some and dont like others.
2. the eye tends to look towards the light areas.
3. hit the shutter button alot.
oh yea..and when it comes to UHH...be polite and demonstrate good manners. (when you can)
1. look at lots of visual images...in magazines, books, museums, newspapers ect and try to understand why you like some and dont like others.
2. the eye tends to look towards the light areas.
3. hit the shutter button alot.
oh yea..and when it comes to UHH...be polite and demonstrate good manners. (when you can)
Dec 12, 2011 18:47:05 #
Roger Hicks
Loc: Aquitaine
rivernan wrote:
best advice? . . . 1. look at lots of visual images...in magazines, books, museums, newspapers ect and try to understand why you like some and dont like others.
And go to all the photo exhibitions you can, anywhere...
Cheers,
R-
Dec 13, 2011 01:51:34 #
My best advice would be to keep the kids and the pets away from the camera LOL.
You know what you like ... go take pictures of it.. and enjoy them.
I'm sure I'll get a swift kick in the tush for saying this but... get out there and shoot anything and everything. On auto even. Take your time getting used to the camera. Learning all the settings. Read the manual to know what your options are with it. Then go to the library and check out a fabulous book on digital photography.
Most of all have fun with it. Before you know it you will understand all the lingo that comes when posting your photos.
You know what you like ... go take pictures of it.. and enjoy them.
I'm sure I'll get a swift kick in the tush for saying this but... get out there and shoot anything and everything. On auto even. Take your time getting used to the camera. Learning all the settings. Read the manual to know what your options are with it. Then go to the library and check out a fabulous book on digital photography.
Most of all have fun with it. Before you know it you will understand all the lingo that comes when posting your photos.
Dec 13, 2011 05:51:22 #
First Know your camera read the manual, carry it with you and get a book about the camera
Dec 13, 2011 05:56:38 #
All good advice. I learned the most by shooting in manual. I would also recommend shooting a whole lot of pictures. They don't have to be keepers, just see what results you get at what settings, it will give you a feel for how things work. Before anything thing else read the camera's manual and refer back to it as you continue to learn.
Dec 13, 2011 05:57:05 #
CeriThurston
Loc: London, UK
Just take photographs, and then take more. OK, you will throw away most, but you will find out what works.
Take the same shots (identical scenes if you can and vary the shutter speed, aperture, ISO setting and anything else which seems appropriate). A tripod is always useful for this.
Oh, and play with post-processing. No need to get too technical but cropping, colour etc. is worth experimenting with.
And because I never had time to record all the shot settings, take in RAW because the settings can be retrieved from each exposure.
Then go and take another batch of photographs.
Take the same shots (identical scenes if you can and vary the shutter speed, aperture, ISO setting and anything else which seems appropriate). A tripod is always useful for this.
Oh, and play with post-processing. No need to get too technical but cropping, colour etc. is worth experimenting with.
And because I never had time to record all the shot settings, take in RAW because the settings can be retrieved from each exposure.
Then go and take another batch of photographs.
Dec 13, 2011 05:57:39 #
There has been a lot of sage advice to your question. There isn't just one thing that will be the "magic bullet" however.
1) Learn about light; learn how different types of light affect photographsand learn the relationship between aperture, shutter sppeds and ISOs.
2) Embrace the technology; you are using a computer, not just a camera. Film cameras are really dumb instruments; all the real work is done in chemical labs. Not so in digital.
3) Find a book, course or tutor that can help guide you. Practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent. Guided practice makes perfect (or at least a lot better).
If you lived in south Florida I would volunteer to help; as it is you're welcome to write me at flshutterbug@yahoo.com for more directed, personal advice.
1) Learn about light; learn how different types of light affect photographsand learn the relationship between aperture, shutter sppeds and ISOs.
2) Embrace the technology; you are using a computer, not just a camera. Film cameras are really dumb instruments; all the real work is done in chemical labs. Not so in digital.
3) Find a book, course or tutor that can help guide you. Practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent. Guided practice makes perfect (or at least a lot better).
If you lived in south Florida I would volunteer to help; as it is you're welcome to write me at flshutterbug@yahoo.com for more directed, personal advice.
Dec 13, 2011 06:05:33 #
Just get out and shoot away. Practice makes perfect ! Have fun and do not worry so much about technical data. With experience which they say is the best teacher you will learn.
Dec 13, 2011 06:33:17 #
barbara0119
Loc: Atlanta
The Magic Lantern series on your camera is the best. The camera manual that came with the camera sucks. The light finally came on when I purchased that book and followed each lesson and then just snap away.
Dec 13, 2011 06:33:42 #
shoot,shoot,shoot,I am new also,i hope to wear out my camera,
i think by then i should be making some money at this,and can afford a new Mark 11 ha ha
i think by then i should be making some money at this,and can afford a new Mark 11 ha ha
Dec 13, 2011 06:34:27 #
Dec 13, 2011 06:53:34 #
Dec 13, 2011 07:11:30 #
Digital Art Photography For Dummies was the first book I read and understood as a beginner. It help me understand Aperture, Shutter speed, and ISO. It opened my eyes, gave me an understanding that's skyrocketed my passion for photography. I've continued to learn, once I knew the basics. Almost forgot, Take that camera off Auto, you can't learn when the camera does all the Thinking.
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