For beginners - Just how difficult is it to learn photography (Page 6): [quote=par4fore When I first got interested in photography, my friends and family told me I was a good...

emmons267 Loc: Arizona, Valley of the Sun

[quote=par4fore
When I first got interested in photography, my friends and family told me I was a good photographer. In my opinion that was because I never showed anyone my bad photos.

We're always are own worst critics... :twisted:

Some of my photos that I didn't consider to be very good, others have liked - go figure. ;-) That's one of the interesting things about photography.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

emmons267 wrote:

WARING: :)
THE following article contains material which may me be irritating, provocative or frustrating to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. The opinions expressed in this article are strictly my own and do not reflect the views of the UHH forum or it's members... : )

I've been a UHH member for almost two and a half years. During that time I've noticed that many of the responses to various questions and topics have a tendency to give the impression that becoming a good photographer is more difficult to learn than I feel it actually is. I believe that this has a more negative than positive effect on those new to photography who might have asked the question, or those beginners who are just following the thread. In my opinion, and from my experience, learning photography is not that difficult or complex. Don't get me wrong, there are those on this site that have spent their time and effort to go beyond what the average photographer knows, theoretically and practically, and I commend them for their efforts - their knowledge is impressive. But, in reality, what you need to learn and how long it should take to learn it in order to become a good photographer, are much less than what some threads and responses have indicated or implied. If you follow a few simple steps you will find that you'll understand photography and your camera, and be able to enjoy both, in less time then you think. Needless to say, it all depends on how much time you spend practicing and the desire you have to learn. So, dig in when you're ready, and sooner than you think, you'll have become a good photographer enjoying your new hobby.
Remember, there is no limit to how much you can learn but rather how much you need to learn to become proficient. Master the basics and than move on to more advanced topics and skills as needed or desired.

First - You need to know your camera inside and out, backward and forward. Read the manual and test each feature, option and setting. You'll know when you're completely comfortable with your camera and all the settings and features. The more you know about your camera the more you will enjoy photography.

Second - Read one of the recommended books on exposure - Bryan Peterson, Sean Arbabi, Jeff Wignall, etc. Read it until you completely understand the theory and how to apply it. To thoroughly understand it you'll need to practice as you go along. The more you understand about exposure the more you will enjoy photography.

Third - Practice. If you want to know what a feature or setting does and to see the effects, just make the changes and view the image. Being able to immediately view your image is the beauty of modern digital cameras and one of the best tools to help you understand your camera and to understand the exposure triangle (by the way, the exposure triangle hasn't changed in the last century - light is still the same, time is the same and ISO sensitivity has the same effects).

Lastly - Composition. The basics of composition are easy to learn and apply but having a good eye and being able to spot the good picture is something that can't be easily taught. You either have it or you don't. But don't worry, you can improve by observing and studying pictures that you really like and consider to be exceptional.

Happy trails

:D :thumbup:

WARING: :) br THE following article contains mate... (show quote)

I do not see this as provocative. In fact, what you have posted has been published here, in books, on internet tutorials, and in regarding equipment - in manuals many times.
Much like learning music or math skills- basic scales and / or rudiments, or formulas, or Kelvin scale for lighting, those are the constants on which to build. That which is learned, must be practiced in order to excel in a particular field IMO. Then there is the other part that is gained but less often mastered through experience. Maybe you can label it as inspiration. The basics can make someone proficient in their field, but when you add or combine that with inspiration, the result(s) may become almost mystical, magic, or art, depending on how you and / or others view and value the results of that combination. I do not believe there is a natural talent in photography, but there are those that can grasp and apply the fundamentals along with a new or different idea better than others. IMO, it just means how long and hard you want to commit yourself to the craft.
Just the way I see it.

emmons267 Loc: Arizona, Valley of the Sun

[quote=sirlensalot]. I do not see this as provocative.

As I explained to another responder, the warning was an attempt at forum humor. :-D :thumbup:

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

[quote=emmons267][quote=par4fore
When I first got interested in photography, my friends and family told me I was a good photographer. In my opinion that was because I never showed anyone my bad photos.

We're always are own worst critics... :twisted:

Some of my photos that I didn't consider to be very good, others have liked - go figure. ;-) That's one of the interesting things about photography.[/quote]

Absolutely true... all of it. My wife looks at one of my photos and really likes it. I don't for some reason. She sees the people in the shot I notice that it's out of focus - again...
"go figure".

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

[quote=par4fore]

emmons267 wrote:

WARING: :)

Well said!! When I first got interested in photography, my friends and family told me I was a good photographer. In my opinion that was because I never showed anyone my bad photos.

:)

That's one of the first things you learn to do when you go pro.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

emmons267 wrote:

WARING: :)
THE following article contains material which may me be irritating, provocative or frustrating to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. The opinions expressed in this article are strictly my own and do not reflect the views of the UHH forum or it's members... : )

I've been a UHH member for almost two and a half years. During that time I've noticed that many of the responses to various questions and topics have a tendency to give the impression that becoming a good photographer is more difficult to learn than I feel it actually is. I believe that this has a more negative than positive effect on those new to photography who might have asked the question, or those beginners who are just following the thread. In my opinion, and from my experience, learning photography is not that difficult or complex. Don't get me wrong, there are those on this site that have spent their time and effort to go beyond what the average photographer knows, theoretically and practically, and I commend them for their efforts - their knowledge is impressive. But, in reality, what you need to learn and how long it should take to learn it in order to become a good photographer, are much less than what some threads and responses have indicated or implied. If you follow a few simple steps you will find that you'll understand photography and your camera, and be able to enjoy both, in less time then you think. Needless to say, it all depends on how much time you spend practicing and the desire you have to learn. So, dig in when you're ready, and sooner than you think, you'll have become a good photographer enjoying your new hobby.
Remember, there is no limit to how much you can learn but rather how much you need to learn to become proficient. Master the basics and than move on to more advanced topics and skills as needed or desired.

First - You need to know your camera inside and out, backward and forward. Read the manual and test each feature, option and setting. You'll know when you're completely comfortable with your camera and all the settings and features. The more you know about your camera the more you will enjoy photography.

Second - Read one of the recommended books on exposure - Bryan Peterson, Sean Arbabi, Jeff Wignall, etc. Read it until you completely understand the theory and how to apply it. To thoroughly understand it you'll need to practice as you go along. The more you understand about exposure the more you will enjoy photography.

Third - Practice. If you want to know what a feature or setting does and to see the effects, just make the changes and view the image. Being able to immediately view your image is the beauty of modern digital cameras and one of the best tools to help you understand your camera and to understand the exposure triangle (by the way, the exposure triangle hasn't changed in the last century - light is still the same, time is the same and ISO sensitivity has the same effects).

Lastly - Composition. The basics of composition are easy to learn and apply but having a good eye and being able to spot the good picture is something that can't be easily taught. You either have it or you don't. But don't worry, you can improve by observing and studying pictures that you really like and consider to be exceptional.

Happy trails

:D :thumbup:

WARING: :) br THE following article contains mate... (show quote)

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

[quote=emmons267]

sirlensalot wrote:

. I do not see this as provocative.

As I explained to another responder, the warning was an attempt at forum humor. :-D :thumbup:

Should we start another thread on humor? :lol: :lol:

Any suggested guidelines you could share?

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I agree. I had some 50 plus years of 35mm and medium format film photography experience. I Didn't change to digital in a single moment, it took many months just to learn what the language and technology of digital photography meant and how to get the equivalent results to what I had been obtaining with film. Now that I am fully transitioned to digital I am obtaining better and better results with more control of the capturing and especially the post processing processes. I am very glad I changed but.... "OH, Lord, it ain't easy." :shock:

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

emmons267 wrote:

WARING: :)
THE following article contains material which may me be irritating, provocative or frustrating to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. The opinions expressed in this article are strictly my own and do not reflect the views of the UHH forum or it's members... : )

I've been a UHH member for almost two and a half years. During that time I've noticed that many of the responses to various questions and topics have a tendency to give the impression that becoming a good photographer is more difficult to learn than I feel it actually is. I believe that this has a more negative than positive effect on those new to photography who might have asked the question, or those beginners who are just following the thread. In my opinion, and from my experience, learning photography is not that difficult or complex. Don't get me wrong, there are those on this site that have spent their time and effort to go beyond what the average photographer knows, theoretically and practically, and I commend them for their efforts - their knowledge is impressive. But, in reality, what you need to learn and how long it should take to learn it in order to become a good photographer, are much less than what some threads and responses have indicated or implied. If you follow a few simple steps you will find that you'll understand photography and your camera, and be able to enjoy both, in less time then you think. Needless to say, it all depends on how much time you spend practicing and the desire you have to learn. So, dig in when you're ready, and sooner than you think, you'll have become a good photographer enjoying your new hobby.
Remember, there is no limit to how much you can learn but rather how much you need to learn to become proficient. Master the basics and than move on to more advanced topics and skills as needed or desired.

First - You need to know your camera inside and out, backward and forward. Read the manual and test each feature, option and setting. You'll know when you're completely comfortable with your camera and all the settings and features. The more you know about your camera the more you will enjoy photography.

Second - Read one of the recommended books on exposure - Bryan Peterson, Sean Arbabi, Jeff Wignall, etc. Read it until you completely understand the theory and how to apply it. To thoroughly understand it you'll need to practice as you go along. The more you understand about exposure the more you will enjoy photography.

Third - Practice. If you want to know what a feature or setting does and to see the effects, just make the changes and view the image. Being able to immediately view your image is the beauty of modern digital cameras and one of the best tools to help you understand your camera and to understand the exposure triangle (by the way, the exposure triangle hasn't changed in the last century - light is still the same, time is the same and ISO sensitivity has the same effects).

Lastly - Composition. The basics of composition are easy to learn and apply but having a good eye and being able to spot the good picture is something that can't be easily taught. You either have it or you don't. But don't worry, you can improve by observing and studying pictures that you really like and consider to be exceptional.

Happy trails

:D :thumbup:

WARING: :) br THE following article contains mate... (show quote)

================

Well.... I'll Tell Ya.....

I am still learning = Began just before high school - A friend and I did the "learning as we went" thing. Reading everything and just doing what was written in the books.
Books like the "Holy Three" by Ansel Adams.

Been over 50 years now.... Still Learning ;-)

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I guess it just depends on how proficient you want to be?

You can learn how to play basketball in very little time, it takes a LOT of practice to get really good, and YEARS to get to the level of professional. The basics are all the same, but to say that "learning the game is not that difficult" is a bit of an understatement.

I do agree that knowing which end of the camera to point at the subject, and which button to push, is not difficult.

Learning to see, use light, compose the shot, understanding exposure, and when to under or over expose to create mood, knowing all the settings, when, why, and how to actually change them. Creating depth through the use of shadows so your 2 dimensional picture on a piece of paper, reflects the 3 dimensional thing you took the picture of. All of that, and more, takes not just time, but practice, a willingness to listen to those that know what they are doing, and to a degree an artistic talent that some may just not be born with.

So yes, learning how to point your camera and press a button is something that about anyone with eyes and a finger can do. Becoming really talented at photography is as tough as any artistic pursuit.

RiverNan Loc: Eastern Pa

I actually think that it was easier with a film camera...less options. Of course you can put your camera in auto and shoot, much like I do with my iPhone... I get some pretty good shots that way.

It is much more challenging and fun and leaves more room to be creative to put it in manual. IMHO

CatMarley wrote:

Taking pictures is less daunting with digital. With the film camera you had to load the film properly - not always easy, THEN you had mostly manual things to set. Then you had to get it to the drugstore and remember to pick it up. With digital it is all automated. However, because it is all automated and instantaneous, you don't have to learn anything to take a picture except to push a button. Photography is terra incognita!

RiverNan Loc: Eastern Pa

I should have read this before responded...you said it so much better.

bkyser wrote:

I guess it just depends on how proficient you want... (show quote)

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

emmons267 wrote:

WARING: :)
THE following article contains material which may me be irritating, provocative or frustrating to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. The opinions expressed in this article are strictly my own and do not reflect the views of the UHH forum or it's members... : )

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

But don't worry, you can improve by observing and studying pictures that you really like and consider to be exceptional.

Happy trails

:D :thumbup:

I think we are in the realm of Alfred Korzybski. The word "Photographer" has different meanings to different people. Today I use the word to mean someone who uses photographic tools to produce an image which expresses his or her vision and feeling of the world and life. One who merely competently pushes the button is not a photographer.

However, the US Air Force, when I was in, trained "photographers" all the time. They could take someone with a high school education, but no experience and teach that person to take an image to illustrate a technique, document a situation, or do reconnaissance. They could be taught to place the subject in the center of the frame or according to the rule of thirds. They could be taught a formula to take a reasonably decent portrait. They were taught the "rules" of photography but not when to go beyond the rules.

A few of those photographers, on their own interest, went on to become PHOTOGRAPHERS. Most did not.

So Emmons is right, if we choose to mean, with the word "photographer" what the Air Force meant. It is easy to learn the mechanics.

But in my use of the word, it is not so easy. One must first spend a lot of thought and effort at introspection. Find out who one is and what peculiar viewpoint one brings to the world. Then looking at that world, we must discover within ourselves, what that particular scene brings to the fore, what our vision is. Next we apply the rules, but also choose when to ignore or go beyond the rules and in what way in order to express our vision. (Sometimes some of this takes place in post processing.)

So it depends on what we mean by the word "Photographer."

Humpty Dumpty (Through the Looking Glass) says to Alice, "A word means just what I want it to mean; neither more nor less."

The word photographer for me means someone who, successfully or not, skillfully or not, tries to express his/her vision of the world.

lovelights Loc: Rockford, Il.

I have been taking Photos for over 50 years and I am and always will be a beginner. If one thinks they are fully knowledgeable on the subject there is no more room for the new and the Awe, the exciting.

joseph premanandan

since you seem to very sincere about taking good photos,you should do very well,try not to stick with auto modes,you can start with program mode and then move to manual modes,joseph