I find that photography finds the people, and talent, skill are things that you learn and talent is what you have or learning improves your photogrpahic skills. I got my first SLR in 1978. I was so glad that I loaded it up and I was going to take the world by storm. I was living with my grandparents at the time and my parents had just moved from the Philippines and were staying at a small apartment on the grounds. My mother was outside under an acacia tree in Tucson, Arizona. I thought wow! That looks so good, with the shadows on my mother that will take a great photo. I took a lot of photos of my mother drawing under the acacia tree and with the shadows and one photo of a rose. Well, I got the photos back and that great idea I will wow the photographic world will have to wait. The only acceptable photo was the rose. So much for taking the photographic world by storm. I have not stopped taking photos since 1978. I have taken bad photos, great photos, so so photos and the ranges in between, but I learn. Cell phones are now cameras that will be the only way many will take photographs and I have seen some spectacular cell phone photos. Are they not photographers? I think they are but we who are experienced have developed a sense of superiority. Every one come to photography with their own ideas what constitute a great photo. If they decide to really learn, time will grant them the skills they need to advance. My photo skills, interests have changed in the over 40 years I have been taking photographs and I laud the beginner for trying. the fact they tried I say "Good Job!"

A thoughtful essay, emmons, guaranteed to run off the rails into shouting within 3 pages :)

I wanted to address your priorities that stressed technical knowledge first and composition last. This might be doing a disservice to those who have an "eye" (or a background in other arts), but aren't so keen on technology.

I wouldn't want to discourage right-brain thinkers who look at an article on exposure triangle and see "blah, blah, blah." There is much beauty and artistry that can be achieved in automatic mode :)

For those non-technical folks who want to expand their art into photography (from say, painting or sculpting) or for those who think they will never be able to understand the exposure triangle, much less make it through their 250-page user guide, just pick up the camera and shoot!

I think learning the technical aspects slowly, as one goes along and expands their interests, is probably the "right" way (no pun intended :) ) for many new users.

Yes, but if one is not knowledgeable about the technology, how can some one be artistic. The tools of the trade let the artistic side come out. What good is a good composition if the photo is so over exposed that it is useless. I have to know what my camera does before I can create works of art. I have to know which features I will use the most so that I can quickly and confidently take that photo I hope will win awards. To say that technical aspects can be learned quickly, who is to say how fast one learns? We all learn in our own way and not on a set timetable. We are all unique and approach photography on our own terms as well. And how do we define artistic? Art is in the eye of the beholder, what is artistic to one may not be to another. We take the time to define our artistic side so to speak. It takes a beginner to get a feel for his/her style. That takes time. It is the journey to that art side of us that makes photography fun.

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:

The one thing that gets mentioned a lot is that many of the photographers mention DSLR's. My pocketbook for a very long time would not let me get anything than a point and shoot. I use bridge cameras as that is in my price range but the point and shoots forced me to look at photography using the limited range of the cameras. I will have to say, those point and shoots got me to take photos I will never probably get again in this lifetime. It has influenced how I look at photography and I realized that I do not have to travel far to get great photos. I looked at my yard and serendipity became my catchword. I have a post here that shows my serendipity photos. They were taken with the small point and shoot cameras. I got the experience and used my imagination to make what I had work. I looked at macros as I could not do that with my SLR, but, could with a used Olympus 3.2 MP camera I bought on Ebay in 2005. That camera was my first foray into digital and in the learning process I ended with great photos, not so great photos and the ranges in between. But in the ten years of using digital, my photographic skills have evolved. Like I have been saying photography is a personal journey and if I decide to share which I do, I have to take criticism in all forms weather it is nice or not. I have run the gamut and I have to take it in stride. I can choose what to accept and not. But, I will always be looking for that next shot. And, it may be a post of one of my many paper mache projects were the imagination went south on how to finish the project. Not art, but who knows, I may get good ideas on how to do just that, finish it. And, that will be on a different site than UHH.