Brand new to Photography and looking for pointers.
Jan 11, 2019 18:17:22 #
Hello, I just joined and like the topic says I'm looking for any resources I can to better myself. For some background I've been taking pictures of vehicles for 9 months now using a smartphone for a dealership. I finally talked the owner into getting a high quality camera to shoot better pictures without taking up all my storage and cloud space. We settled on the Sony alpha a6000 mirrorless since all the reviews we looked at said it was great for starting out and it was one of the very best out there for under $500.
Fast forward a week and I'm having a ball with this thing. most advanced camera I've ever used (they were using a cheap point and click type camera before I worked here and showed them how much better my phone was taking pictures. My phone up until now was the best camera I'd ever used.) This camera I can honestly say has lit a fire in me and I want to master all the ins and outs of it. Let me just say that I'm a complete amateur, I know nothing of the terminologies yet or how to harness anything better than the auto modes, but now I find myself looking at online photography courses and how to guides and it's all so jumbled seeming. Kind of like assembling a puzzle with pieces missing.
So what do you guys think I should do to start out? what resources can I use to break out of auto mode and start branching into the other features? I was looking at this very compelling dslr guide linked on this website but since my camera is mirrorless I don't know if I'd get much out of that, I'm not sure how well one translates to the other.
Fast forward a week and I'm having a ball with this thing. most advanced camera I've ever used (they were using a cheap point and click type camera before I worked here and showed them how much better my phone was taking pictures. My phone up until now was the best camera I'd ever used.) This camera I can honestly say has lit a fire in me and I want to master all the ins and outs of it. Let me just say that I'm a complete amateur, I know nothing of the terminologies yet or how to harness anything better than the auto modes, but now I find myself looking at online photography courses and how to guides and it's all so jumbled seeming. Kind of like assembling a puzzle with pieces missing.
So what do you guys think I should do to start out? what resources can I use to break out of auto mode and start branching into the other features? I was looking at this very compelling dslr guide linked on this website but since my camera is mirrorless I don't know if I'd get much out of that, I'm not sure how well one translates to the other.
Jan 11, 2019 18:21:54 #
YouTube is a great resource to utilize. The first thing you should probably do is learn the exposure tringle (apeture, ISO, and shutter speed) and how it works. Google it, you will find tons of articles or YouTube videos. Have fun learning. I love my đź“· (a DSLR).
Jan 11, 2019 18:23:11 #
For starters.... if your near term interest is mainly shooting cars.....
https://www.google.com/search?q=taking+pictures+of+cars&oq=taking+pictures+of+cars&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.5767j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
https://www.google.com/search?q=taking+pictures+of+cars&oq=taking+pictures+of+cars&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.5767j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Jan 11, 2019 18:25:44 #
Jan 11, 2019 18:26:00 #
Jan 11, 2019 18:34:23 #
JoeN
Loc: East Texas
Get a copy of Bryan Peterson’s book “Understanding Exposure”. That will explain the exposure triangle, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, what they are and how to use them.
Jan 11, 2019 18:36:15 #
timcc
Loc: Virginia
Welcome to UHH!
You've got a fun camera with lots of capability -- and plenty of room for growth in your photography skills.
I also suggest looking at some of the numerous YouTube videos for the a6000 and for the basics of photography, and I recommend David Busch's book on the a6000 for an excellent primer on using the camera.
As others have mentioned, you'll need to learn about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and how to shoot RAW to make full use of your camera, but starting with Auto or Program is a good way to get to know the mechanics of the a6000.
The menu is a bit daunting to start, but once you program the 12 quick functions and the customizable buttons the way you want them, you will rarely need to go into the menu system. The Busch book is very helpful for figuring all this out.
And, of course, the best way to develop your skills is to shoot, shoot, and shoot. Good luck!
You've got a fun camera with lots of capability -- and plenty of room for growth in your photography skills.
I also suggest looking at some of the numerous YouTube videos for the a6000 and for the basics of photography, and I recommend David Busch's book on the a6000 for an excellent primer on using the camera.
As others have mentioned, you'll need to learn about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and how to shoot RAW to make full use of your camera, but starting with Auto or Program is a good way to get to know the mechanics of the a6000.
The menu is a bit daunting to start, but once you program the 12 quick functions and the customizable buttons the way you want them, you will rarely need to go into the menu system. The Busch book is very helpful for figuring all this out.
And, of course, the best way to develop your skills is to shoot, shoot, and shoot. Good luck!
Jan 11, 2019 18:39:08 #
Also, I forgot to say above...read the manual that comes with camera. Super hard to read and boring but worth it to get to know your camera.
Jan 11, 2019 18:54:53 #
maggiemae wrote:
Also, I forgot to say above...read the manual that comes with camera. Super hard to read and boring but worth it to get to know your camera.
Then re-read.....
Jan 11, 2019 20:27:06 #
Ajgrav wrote:
Hello, I just joined and like the topic says I'm l... (show quote)
And, if you can't find David Busch's book at a reasonable price, get this one:
The Complete Guide to Sony's A6000 Camera
by Gary L. Friedman
Jan 11, 2019 20:30:50 #
Ajgrav wrote:
Hello, I just joined and like the topic says I'm l... (show quote)
https://gfwilliams.net - I really like his work
Jan 11, 2019 22:39:03 #
Jan 12, 2019 00:53:19 #
Shutter speed. Aperture. ISO. In each of them there is a way to either double of halve the amount of light that is allowed onto the sensor. Learn the charts for each that doubles the light. Once you know that, you'll know what to do if you want to decrease the light input by shutter speed, for instance, and still obtain the same exposure.
Jan 12, 2019 06:13:36 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
JoeN wrote:
Get a copy of Bryan Peterson’s book “Understanding Exposure”. That will explain the exposure triangle, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, what they are and how to use them.
2nd that along with the you tube vids should point you in the rite direction. If you get serious you can probably find a college photography class. Welcome to the Hog!Jan 12, 2019 06:59:51 #
Welcome.
I like the A6000 which I purchased early on just to see how I liked the Sony gear. I must admit that I don't use it all that often as I have other choices which I prefer. The menu system will take a bit getting used to but you'll get there.
Aside from the previous suggestions, shoot and shoot, experiment and shoot some more.
Happy shooting
I like the A6000 which I purchased early on just to see how I liked the Sony gear. I must admit that I don't use it all that often as I have other choices which I prefer. The menu system will take a bit getting used to but you'll get there.
Aside from the previous suggestions, shoot and shoot, experiment and shoot some more.
Happy shooting
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