Old and gray Loc: Schenectady, New York

Hi All, I just joined a few weeks ago. I don't by any means think I'm a PROFESSIONAL , but a feel that I'm a bit more then a beginner. Myself I feel photography is more of a hobby then a living. Been using a Canon EOS Rebel T3i with a Tamron 18-270mm lens for 90% of my shooting for years. Most of the shooting I do is on full auto. BUT I strongly feel that before some one up grades they should understand the basics of picture taking. That way they should know if they need a new camera body or a new lens.

To me the biggest mistake most beginners make is not telling the sales person what they will be using the camera for. As mostly closer then 50 feet ? sports fast moving ? or outside, over 50 feet away. I told the man that I rode a bicycle and did a lot of hiking. He told me a Rebel T3i, for the fast shutter, and the Tamron zoom for 10 feet to about 300 feet. Been very happy with both.

Ralph from New York State ( Old and gray )

at 5 feet

(Download)

at about 100 feet


at about 15 feet

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Welcome to the forum.

BebuLamar

Uhmm! I don't know I never told the salesman what I use the camera for. I just came in the store asked to check out the camera and bought it.

Charlie157 Loc: San Diego, CA

Welcome, seems like you're off to a good start. Really like the Dragonfly photo

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

You were predisposed in what you were interested in buying? I usually talked with the customer to see what they might want, how they talked about wanting a camera. The question of what they would use it for was used when they usually said "I want (need) a camera.". I always tried to sell them a camera that would meet their needs than sell them what "I" wanted them to use.

Bill_de Loc: US

And it shows in every picture you post.

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BebuLamar

I already know which camera I wanted to buy. I don't ask the salesman for recommendation and I don't like it if they recommend something else.

BebuLamar

I post only a few pictures.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Welcome, and just to be clear, being a professional photographer does not mean that you take good photographs, it just means you get paid for taking them.

ltj123 Loc: NW Wisconsin

Welcome!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Ralph, Greetings and Welcome. A bit of philosophy..if you think you are old, you are old. I bet I am older than you and I don't think I am old. Great dragon fly image. Keep on shooting and getting younger.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Most camera sales people I've dealt with are not experienced photographers; they are trained at selling you the most expensive camera you are willing to pay for, plus as many accessories as possible, and regurgitate just enough from the camera specs sheet to come across as "knowledgeable".

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

I just wanted to learn photography - hadn't a clue what I wanted to take images of. Was sold a Sony A230 with two kit lenses plus a lot of stuff that hardly ever got used. I needed to buy a remote shutter buton, polariser, N grad filter and cokin holder.....but that all came a little later. I bought a used Canon to get better slow shutter control and live view (that doesn't work easily). Took the oportunity to buy a Sony A65 for a better live view plus it upgraded 'everything' since the A230. Now stopped buying 'much'....got fun things at bargain prices just to play with. Until something breaks....I've done buying anything else.

PS Pretty much stay with landscapes so the kit lenses actually were a good original buy. Added a couple more just for variety.

Asking what you photograph has its place......for those that have a niche !.....but just worries beginners who may think that it actually limits them as to what they CAN take.......All cameras can take anything......it is just that some do certain things a little better than others. Not that most people realise or need.

Have fun with what you've got - till you know exactly what you need.

Old and gray Loc: Schenectady, New York

G Brown ... As a OLD beginner I find asking ppl new to photography what do they like to take over 50% of their pictures. Some just say ... friends at parties, bars and just hanging out. After chatting with them in those areas ... I say wellll ... the new cell phones would great for those pictures. Now if you like pictures to blow up and frame ... you will need a kit with body and lens. Then if you still want to do photography, you should know what way you want to go .... as nature - landscapes or a little bit of every thing or just better pictures you can then get lens or bodies for those needs. I feel why spend money for things you don't need RIGHT now. start with baby steps.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Yup, people coming in looking for something in particular do not care to hear about another camera.