gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

It was the upgrade from my D40x, which I didn't even know could shoot RAW, to a D7000. It was like opening the gift that never stops giving. There was a nice little intro DVD that showed both still and video capabilities that really turned the light on for me to want to learn more. I don't do video but am thrilled with the capabilities of this camera.

Mustanger Loc: Grants Pass, Oregon USA

While taking my first long hikes in the High Sierra with my best friend. The incredible scenery up high there made me want to capture every moment & relive them anytime I wanted plus and to share. He carried a 35mm camera & I had an Instamatic little camera ...lol...needless to say I was inspired to get my first 35mm Minolta st202 & a bunch of lenses!

dhowland

Great question! My first ever photo class -- the reason I bought my first camera (Pentax k1000, secondhand) -- the teacher was adamant about always carrying your camera and talked about The Decisive Moment. Another teacher I had later talked about "seeing" and to me personally about how he thought I "saw" things from looking at my photos. These two photographers had a huge influence on me and my ability to be mindful of what I was capturing. The technical side was secondary for both of them, at least in their teaching, so a lot of what I learned about exposure etc. was on the fly, though having a manual camera made it very necessary, so it's not like I missed it. There's no program mode on the K1000. I'm grateful to both of them for their complementary instruction about the most important aspect of photography -- the creativity of looking, seeing and capturing

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Hello bgrn, this event was not a huge revelation of photo knowledge, but certainly a 'learning' one:
MANY years ago, when I first began to shoot weddings, I went to the 'night before practice' event. As I began seeking best angles, etc. the Pastor waved to me to come over to him and without hesitation, drew an imaginary line, then gruffly saying this side of the line if for you, and this side is mine... don't cross the line! He wasn't gentle nor kind sounding, and even the wedding couple expressed their displeasure with his attitude, because they specified (to me) certain shots they wanted.
OK, we'll work around his request but a little tact on his part would have been welcome.
ANYWAY, to view the rest of the activity I retreated to the very back pew, where a woman sat down next to me later and was quite friendly. I began to unload my displeasure to her about how rude and tactless and abrupt that Pastor was! She listened patiently and then capped it all off by saying, "Yes, I know... I'm his wife and have put up with it for 24 years!"
A learning experience? Yes--- to keep my mouth shut, especially around strangers:o)

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

My dad was a very good amateur. He got me from a Rollei 35 into my first SLR - an Exacta Twin TL. The real pity is that now looking as some of his work from 1930-1950 with his Kodak fold out, I now realize how good he really was. Once he moved to 35mm chromes he began to resemble digital shooters - more pictures less content.

kckelly54 Loc: Omaha

Great question. In 1967 my Junior High offered Photography as a Science elective. My teacher, Mr. Reed was awesome. Tough and critical was his nature, but he also knew when to encourage and praise. He had very high standards that motivated you to work hard.

He had two mantras:
1. Slow down, you're moving too fast, you've got to make the moment (morning) last. (Ala 59th Street Bridge Song)
2. If you can't get the picture you want with a 50mm MOVE CLOSER. (We had no budget for telephotos)


50 years later, when I go on a photo shoot, I still hear in my head....feeling groovy. Thank you Mr. Reed for giving me so much joy from taking pictures.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

dhowland

love this

Tjohn Loc: Inverness, FL formerly Arivaca, AZ

My ears.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Interesting question. When I bought my first SLR some 40-odd years ago, I took a summer course at a local college. The teacher was actually a cinematographer of some note but the course was on still B&W photography. I learned a lot. My own vision developed when I realized - through positive feedback, that I should focus on portraits, candid rather than studio. I continue that focus, although now I'm developing a liking for landscape photography and trying to improve my skill.

dnathan

Your question is easy for me to answer. Taking pictures for 70 years, what (or should I say who) influenced me the most was Monte Zucker. I took classes of his and adopted his romantic style of wedding photography. This allowed me to photograph the social events of average folks like me and also the very very famous internationally. Now retired, my wife and I share our love of photography. Our membership in The Photographic Society of Philadelphia (1863) ), The Plastic Club(1860) and participating together in many competitions and exhibits is a blessing.

canon Lee

I had always taken photos on my journey, but it was when I realized that people were depending on me to take good photos, that my photography had more meaning.
It was partly the money I was paid and partly the fear that my photos were not acceptable.
Weddings is where I changed from taking shots I liked, to getting paid to take shots that others liked....
Its been decades now & I am still successfully doing photography for others, & love what I do, & still am not complacent, about my shoots.

Tommg

Been shooting for quite a while film to digital. Joined a local camera club a few years ago, went shooting with member from the club, he showed me how to focus my camera the correct way(or at least a better way) ... after a few months of practicing, my appreciation for, and my enjoyment of photography has gone thru the roof! Still learning but photography is a real joy now.

brucebc Loc: Tooele, Utah

Got a prize for a sunrise taken from a guard tower looking out to Danang Bay jn 1971.

Capnyos

3 deceptively simple words. Quality (equipment), Age, and Experience.