what one piece of advice would you offer a beginner?
Dec 13, 2011 08:57:28 #
I replied earlier but the advice is getting wackier and off the mark. Shoot, shoot, shoot is great but without guidance you fall into the "thrown enough mud up aginst the tin shed and something will stick" rut. And a camera is not just a camera in the digital world; that comes from someone who needs a much better understanding of this technology, how it works and it's limitations . . .
Remember, "Great photos are created, good photos are captured and bad photos are everywhere."
Remember, "Great photos are created, good photos are captured and bad photos are everywhere."
Dec 13, 2011 09:01:12 #
Dec 13, 2011 09:15:21 #
kendrafus, Welcome to your quest. First thing is if you are not already, get organized. Know where your shots are when you download them to your computer. Hunting 10 minutes for a past masterpiece is a waste. Be super critical of your work. Delete, delete, delete. Next use your camera every day and learn as you go all it's buttons and what they do so it becomes automatic. In other words, get all that behind you so you can concentrate on your art. As someone has already said take it out of automatic. If your fingers are stumbling around trying to find the right buttons to push you will miss that second in time when the picture you wanted is gone. There are many excellent software programs and wonderful books out there that will help. Lightroom 3 by Adobe and the book on same by Kelby is a wonderful book of organization, editing, printing and web site developement. By the way your photograph of the young lady is excellent. Most of all have fun.
Dec 13, 2011 09:43:07 #
frasher101
Loc: Houndsfield N.Y.
Read and study your manual. It will teach you everything your camera will do.
Dec 13, 2011 09:47:22 #
Take a whole lot of pictures. Period.
THEN - Try picking a random subject (backyard rock or flower) and take it 15-20 times different ways.
Read the manual once - do not study it. Pioneer the camera for yourself, if you know what the exposure triangle is, well , your on your way! Just start shooting things and people! (photographically speaking..)
BTW - EXCELENT PORTRAIT! That's perfect! Others may not think so, but I looked at it and smiled - you composed it perfectly!
THEN - Try picking a random subject (backyard rock or flower) and take it 15-20 times different ways.
Read the manual once - do not study it. Pioneer the camera for yourself, if you know what the exposure triangle is, well , your on your way! Just start shooting things and people! (photographically speaking..)
BTW - EXCELENT PORTRAIT! That's perfect! Others may not think so, but I looked at it and smiled - you composed it perfectly!
Dec 13, 2011 09:51:05 #
If there is a photography club in your area, join it. You can learn a lot from other members and ask questions. Also, look at a lot of books (library or Barnes & Noble) to see what great photos look like. I order a lot of books from Edward R..Hamilton Bookseller, PO Box 15, Falls Village, CT 06031-0015. They are a fraction of the original cost and there are a lot of books on digital photography. No matter how many books you order the shipping is only $3.50. They don't list a website on their catalogs anymore. I haven't tried googleing them.
Dec 13, 2011 09:55:20 #
iresq
Loc: Annapolis MD
Read the manual. Don't read the manual. Take lots of pics. Don't take lots of pics. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Dec 13, 2011 09:56:53 #
Best advice. Get a second or third job to be able to afford the really nice lenses. :thumbup: And filters, flashes, tripods, backpacks, and a pack mule. :lol:
Dec 13, 2011 10:02:10 #
Buy a tripod. If you are satisfied with relativety sharp pictures some of the time, and out-of -focus images occasionally, dont invest in a tripod. For simply taking pictures, a tripod is a nuisance. But for making pictures with the intent of producing great pictures, a tripod is an indispensable tool.
Dec 13, 2011 10:12:23 #
Ditto on the Bryan Peterson books...simply written..easy to follow and beautiful illustrations
ditto to "shoot,shoot,shoot"
HAVE FUN AND VISIT HERE OFTEN!!
ditto to "shoot,shoot,shoot"
HAVE FUN AND VISIT HERE OFTEN!!
Dec 13, 2011 10:12:47 #
Dec 13, 2011 10:13:03 #
Ditto on the Bryan Peterson books...simply written..easy to follow and beautiful illustrations
ditto to "shoot,shoot,shoot"
HAVE FUN AND VISIT HERE OFTEN!!
ditto to "shoot,shoot,shoot"
HAVE FUN AND VISIT HERE OFTEN!!
Dec 13, 2011 10:29:10 #
Take lots of pictures! Study each picture you take and ask yourself how it could be better. Then find out how to do the "how". LOts of stuff on the web. U tube is good. Look at great photos and ask how they did it. - Dave
Dec 13, 2011 10:38:33 #
kendrafus wrote:
good morning!
i'm already spending too much time on this site:) and need to get to washing some dishes and laundry...BUT first i'm wondering if you could offer something to a beginner, what would it be? i recently became the proud new owner of a cannon eos rebel t2i...and so far, it's so fun...but there's MUCH to learn!!!
i'm already spending too much time on this site:) and need to get to washing some dishes and laundry...BUT first i'm wondering if you could offer something to a beginner, what would it be? i recently became the proud new owner of a cannon eos rebel t2i...and so far, it's so fun...but there's MUCH to learn!!!
Read the manual and practice. Practice as often as you can. Take the manual with you when practice.
Dec 13, 2011 10:45:46 #
Congrats on your DSLR move from the advanced P&S camera. With lots of good advice already here for you to see, I will confirm some of what you have to consider:
1. Take photos beyond the auto mode asap. Try Av and Tv on your Canon EOS dial. That will give you some first options where you are only making one setting choice and the camera does the rest. Lots of possibilities for great pix using just these two settings.
2. Check your local bookshop or go online to find a good softcover book specific to your camera. One appealing to your reading/study style. For instance, after checking Amazon's online books for the Canon 60D, I purchased Nicole S. Young'g for my 60D camera. That book took me from snaphots to great shots within two months! Just love the neat pix and easyread style.
3. Your creativity and curiosity will take over. As another Hedgehog member, Canoe50d, said "LEARN right before you MASTER wrong". Simply keep an open mind along the way too.
4. This website is always here for you. Enjoy the opinions given freely for your consideration. Ask often. Finally, if you have a local camera club that meets once a month or so, show up for a meeting and say "hello". Many of us got our start by being amongst other photo folks.
1. Take photos beyond the auto mode asap. Try Av and Tv on your Canon EOS dial. That will give you some first options where you are only making one setting choice and the camera does the rest. Lots of possibilities for great pix using just these two settings.
2. Check your local bookshop or go online to find a good softcover book specific to your camera. One appealing to your reading/study style. For instance, after checking Amazon's online books for the Canon 60D, I purchased Nicole S. Young'g for my 60D camera. That book took me from snaphots to great shots within two months! Just love the neat pix and easyread style.
3. Your creativity and curiosity will take over. As another Hedgehog member, Canoe50d, said "LEARN right before you MASTER wrong". Simply keep an open mind along the way too.
4. This website is always here for you. Enjoy the opinions given freely for your consideration. Ask often. Finally, if you have a local camera club that meets once a month or so, show up for a meeting and say "hello". Many of us got our start by being amongst other photo folks.
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